We were delighted to find this latest press release in our inbox this week, pertaining to the acquisition of The Sugar Lab, a micro start-up and micro-design firm based in Los Angeles, California, headed by two architects.
Micro Startup Acquired by 3D Systems
3D Systems, a leader in 3D printers, has acquired a small start up that developed expertise in printing sugar-based confections. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Sugar Lab adopted 3D Systems’s Color Jet Printing (CJP) technology to print on a sugar bed using different flavored edible binders that meet all food and safety regulations. 3D Systems plans to immediately integrate The Sugar Labs 3D printing technique into its professional and consumer content-to-print platforms.
Now users can acquire a printing method to essentially print their own editable sugar-based food, in 3D! Eat your heart out Willy Wonka!
“The overlap of technology, food and art is so rich, and the potential for customization and innovation is limitless,” said Liz von Hasseln, cofounder of the Sugar Lab. Existing commercial applications for printable sugar include complex sculptural cakes for weddings and special events that are made possible only with 3D printing, and customizable confections for bake shops and restaurants. Continued von Hasseln, “We see our technology quickly evolving into a variety of flavors and foods, powered by real food printers for professionals and consumers alike and we could not think of a more qualified partner than 3D Systems to help make that a reality.”
01 – The Sugar Lab was founded by a husband and wife architectural design team in Los Angeles. Their innovative editable sugar-based 3D printing techniques were acquired by 3D Systems.
Avi Reichental, CEO of 3D Systems seems enthused. “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with two kindred spirits; Liz and Kyle von Hasseln to quickly re-purpose our core 3D Systems print technology and jointly create delicious, custom confections.”
“I believe there is a social covenant for indulgence that begins with desserts and The Sugar Lab will accelerate our ability to bring edible 3D printables to the masses while empowering chefs, restaurateurs and confectioners with never before exploded digital creation tools for food,” continued Reichental.
To learn more about 3D printed editables visit www.3DSystems.com
Architosh Analysis
This is an interesting turn of events for the 3D printing industry. But it really shouldn’t be. The first time we saw a 3D printer doing its work it definitely had the look of something you might want to put in your mouth (depends on the color perhaps?) We think this is going to be one huge hit product and technology going forward and fully expect to see leading kitchen and food preparation industrial giants (e.g: Cuisinart, KitchenAide, etc) perhaps enter this field solely to compete with startups and leading 3D printers. It will only be a matter of time before the consumers catch wind of the full abilities to print editable food. And the uses for this ability are quite limitless.
In short, this is a very interesting twist of events for technology that is CAD-based.