The Dutch based B2B company manages 3D printed food production and development.
3D Food Printing Conference
Speaking at the 3D Food Printing Conference, in Venlo, the Netherlands recently (April 12) Julian Sing, founder, 3dChef said as it works towards launching its services, the company has been creating recipes that incorporate 3D printed components to create unique experiences.
“We began this journey with the development of a printer that produces 3D models using sugar with intricate details. This direction is our current main focus,” he said.
“We have since been working together with confectionery companies to develop next generation candies, sweets and decorative decorations for the pastry industry.
“Alongside sweets we also conduct research and development into other potential food sorts and develop technology for that.”
Sing, who is from Australia, studied product design and development at Sydney Institute of Technology and got involved with model making and special effects at an early stage of his course which led to 3D printing.
“Continuing with my passion for all things 3D I have worked with some great companies including Freedom Of Creation and Philips,” he added.
“Building on my positions and the desires of my clients I have grown an extensive knowledge of many 3D printing (additive manufacturing) technologies and materials.”
Cross section layers printed one on top of the other
A 3D model is generated in a 3D software program. This model is then split into hundreds of layers or cross sections. Each one of these cross sections is printed one on top of the other until it forms a complete model.
Sing said as part of its process, the cross sections are printed in a very fine powder which is held together by a specifically placed glue in the area of the cross section.
The non-glued powder supports the surrounding structure which can be transformed into a complex, interlocking product with multiple parts.
The unused powder goes back into the mix to be recycled and used again.
“Now there are different types of printers using different materials and ways of processing though they all work on this same basic principle,” said Sing.
“At 3dChef I use laser cutters and engravers a little differently from other businesses.
“I use my laser cutter to produce anything from laser engraved bananas to creating an ink stamp from a potato.
“The course of 3D printed sugar started a few years ago when I used sugar in my laser cutter to create a ring and interlocked a linked cube.”