James Novak wins 3D Printed Wood Challenge

James’ winning Hexa-Phone Amplifier printed in wood from a 3D model design

Queensland College of Art lecturer and Industrial Design PhD candidate, James Novak, has taken out another award for one of his 3D creations.

The Challenge was set by iMaterialise for designers around the world to submit 3D models for their newest material — wood.

James’ Hexa-Phone Amplifier was named one of the winners, showcasing the potential of 3D printed wood for useful home décor items and tech gadgets.

The organisers said the simple design “suited the clean and sandylook of 3D printed wood perfectly”.

James says he wanted to mix the old-school with the new-school in creating his 3D printed wooden amplifier, one he modified from his original plastic design.

“It did take some work to modify the original design to meet the criteria of the wood material, including thicker wall sections and more exaggerated details,” he says.

“I’m looking forward to hearing it play music when it arrives and to compare the sound of the wood vs. plastic versions.”

150704-phone-amp1WOOD TWO

2015 is shaping up to be a stellar year for James, whose 3D-printed bicycle frame is also earning international plaudits, receiving the RTAM/SME Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award at RAPID, the world’s pre-eminent industry and academic event for 3D Printing, held in California.

His FIX3D bike was also on show as part of the Making A Difference / A Difference In Making exhibition at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, and a version is still on display at the Griffith University visitors centre on the Gold Coast campus.

Take a closer look at the winning designs from the 3D Printed Wood Challenge at iMaterialise.

Read more about James on his Edditive blog.