MONO, a new Indiegogo project of 3D printed glasses that can fit you face

One of the most prominent things that have been designed with additive manufacturing are 3D printed glasses. MakerBot’s collective 3D print file sharing hub Thingiverse has numbered more than 1400 search results for “glasses” inquiry. That does not include numerous others that there are on the sharing platforms or design laboratories offered by professional manufacturers.

But in spite of such widespread experiments with 3D printed eyewear, there are just a few designs that possess customizable options, which can not only be customized and fit each face in particular, but also can be altered by the user after they’ve been purchased. The new company is willing to revolutionize that, so they’ve started the Indiegogo campaign,which will help spread the new design. There customizable clothes and footwear, so why not creating such a design for eyeglasses?

The ITUM company describes the MONO 3D printed collection of eyeglasses as the one that provides it customers with better fitness and increases wearing comfort suggesting a choice of size – a feature that has been allowed thanks to the advancements in 3D printing.

The founder of the ITUM is a registered optician and a designer. The company was the result of Edmond Wong’s desperate attempts to find a pair of glasses for his (as he says) larger than usual head. He has already had some experience with 3D printing for other projects, and he saw the potential of the technology for solving the problem with customizable sunglass and optical lens to provide optimal comfort.

The “3D print to fit everyone” system is based on the idea that there are no similar face structures. Each face is unique, so both prescription eyewear and sunglasses should not be of one and the same size. The company’s system of sizes influences three measurements, which are essential for wearers’ comfort. The measurements are the nose’s depth, the temples’ length and the front frame width. Each measurement is represented in small, medium and large sizes. Together they develop a special 3 digit code for a certain shape and size.

Probably the feature that makes the glasses so special is absence of any parts, which explains the name – MONO. The designers avoided all the fasteners and preferred one 3D print that possesses a hinge that adjusts the material so that it could move to en and close over the face. The company is going to get a patent for the joint – “DNA joint”, which can bend in various directions. By the way the joint has been printed of solid nylon.

All in all the collection consists of frames of five styles. Each frame can possess a number of lenses that can be changed – both sunglass and prescription lenses. For shatter resistance and better lightness of sunglass lenses they chose polycarbonate, which provides a high UV 400 protection. The company’s page on Indiegogo is intended to raise $30.000, which will be used to make the MONO glasses real. The prices of optical frames start from $90, and for sunglasses from $119.

The MONO frame is entirely 3D printed, but nevertheless it is the company’s task to meet the quality demands set for manufacturing accessories, like the lenses, cloths for lenses and cases. In addition they have to cover costs for product development and patent application.

Summer is coming soon, and the company chose the perfect time to start their Indiegogo campaign. The deliveries will be just in time!