This week we are thrilled to highlight Peter Chapman, the mind behind Tofty’s EDC Items. Combining his engineering mind with (specifically) the steel and silver available to print via Shapeways, Peter started off making copies of tools. From there he’s branched out to add tritium based jewelry – such an innovative and interesting take on 3D printing!

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
Hi, my name is Peter and I’m a Mechanical Engineer and Designer, in my late 20s and based a few miles west of London, in the UK. At the moment I’m self employed, running a design consultancy, as well as a classic bike restoration workshop with my father. I mostly design single-piece multi tools, flashlights and glow-in-the-dark tritium jewellery.

Tofty 002

 

What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
Ever since I saw my first rapid prototyping machine at University, I’ve been fascinated by the possibilities of 3D printing, for engineering purposes and not just for prototyping, as they were at the time. My early printed designs, were just copies of machined items I had made, or planned to make, but over time I have tried to focus on designing items that take full advantage of 3D printing’s strengths and wouldn’t be achievable using traditional manufacturing methods.

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I learned about Shapeways from a fairly cryptic post on a forum. I did a bit of searching and was pleasantly surprised to find that such a service existed, with a range of materials options, beyond just the plastics and resins I’d previously been aware of. The options of the stainless steel material and silver are what set Shapeways apart for me at the time.

Ring VI 013c

How did you learn how to design in 3D?
I learned to use CAD programs mainly through industry. I find engineering based packages far better than graphics based wire frame modeling, as they make it easier to ensure that any model will be fully printable, with no open features.

How do you promote your work?
I mostly promote my work via my Facebook page and relevant online forums, such as Multitool.org for the tools I’ve made, and Candlepowerforums.com for my flashlight and tritium based work. Sometimes my customers have been good enough to promote my work for me, on popular image sites. A giveaway is also a nice way to promote your work within a forum community.

T-Bar 007b

Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?
There are so many great designs on Shapeways, but the ones I’ve noticed and admired the most are those who are trying to achieve similarly technical things to myself: Innovo, mdahlgren and Metropolicity have all tried their hand at making tools and functional components, while Beta Decay Byproducts, Renegade Productions and Innovo again have also been active in creating unique 3D printed, tritium vial holding items.

If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?
Probably a motorcycle, or as much of one as could ever be possible. I’ve recently been doing some design work on an electric bike concept and realised that 3D printing in high strength materials, twinned with advanced structural analysis software, could allow the creation of complex parts, that while maintaining the required strength, would be a great deal lighter, smaller and even cheaper, at least in terms of using less material.

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Anything else you want to share?
I’m considering moving into more structured employment, so if there are any employers interested in the skills I have to offer, then please send me a message, either through Shapeways, or my Facebook page.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SHOP:

  • Great, consistent photography showing important product details
  • Sections for easier shopping
  • Fun branding
  • Great variety of products and use of materials depending on function

 

Thank you so much, Peter! Keep making such amazing and unique items! Don’t forget to follow along on Facebook or on Peter’s shop. To be featured, email aimee @ shapeways.com.