Take lipstick and cars — there ’ s no obvious link between the two , but cosmetics company L ’ Oréal and automobile manufacturer Renault collaborated on 3D printing research that would benefit them both . They have been working together with HP and the CEA Lab designers to investigate the aesthetic and functional possibilities of 3D-printed lipstick cases and car dashboards . The two companies divide the task of performing the necessary tests to advance the concept to the next stage .
“ For example , our labs might run tests on different types of paints applied to 3D-printed items . The goal is to see how they appear after three years of use ,” explains Matthew Forrester , head of materials transformation and recycling for L ’ Oréal ’ s Packaging Science Centre . “ At the same time , Renault could look at how different paints applied to the items can handle shock resistance .” For L ’ Oréal , this information can help them create cosmetics packaging that survives different environments .
The companies then share the results — with each other and other members at the hub — without having to perform the same labor-intensive tests individually , saving time and money , and speeding up the process of going to market . There are environmental benefits , as well .
“ We look at the development of new manufacturing processes to reduce energy and material consumption , which is where 3D printing is very relevant ,” says Laucournet .
Innovation in design for new products Since it opened in 2020 , Y . Spot has successfully produced a number of prototypes for its partners , and HP is considering setting up similar innovation hubs in other
IN THE DETAILS Thonet standing inside Y . Spot , above ; 3D-printed heat dissipators , below .
locations . This is in addition to its various Personalization & 3D Printing Labs around the world , including the 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Barcelona .
“ At the hub , we try to solve problems that we know exist in a certain space ,” says Thonet . “ We work hands-on , jointly pushing the technology limits on our partners ’ and customers ’ challenges , and taking the ideas from incubation to validation , with a focus on their needs .”
Helping turn the hub ’ s ideas into reality is Milan Exbrayat , industrial designer for CEA at Y . Spot . “ My job is to think of and design objects for our partners ,” explains Exbrayat . He works with the engineers , scientists , and technicians , as well as the hub members ’ own design teams , to turn concepts into functional prototypes . These go through a series of stages , with Exbrayat designing the first one on his computer , printing it with HP ’ s 3D MJF printers , tinkering with it to see how it ’ s working , then adjusting it until he feels it ’ s ready to be tested further .
Ultimately , the concepts that qualify will be made into products that will be used for commercial , industrial , or other real-world purposes , but today much of what is being developed at Y . Spot is experimental or a prototype . For example , samples of L ’ Oréal 3D-printed lipstick cases were both beautiful and strong , but dust could get into their delicate lattices and compromise the cosmetics . Even if that product doesn ’ t go to market , those insights could potentially inform future cosmetics packaging . Another partner , German orthopedic technology company Ottobock has been making prostheses and orthotics for more than 100 years . The advent
HP / INNOVATION / SUMMER 2023 47