Haier shows first 3D-printed air conditioner
15th March 2015CHINA: Haier claims to have produced and sold the world’s first 3D-printed air conditioner.
The hi-wall unit featured on the Chinese manufacturer’s stand at the Appliance & Electronics World Expo this week in Shanghai.
Fully functional, the air conditioner was reported to have been created entirely with 3D printing technology – even its LCD display was 3D printed.
Reports on the 3ders website and elsewhere describe a blue and white colour scheme but, due to the nature of 3D printing, future products could easily be adjusted to suit the customer’s own choice of colour and style. The printing process takes one day, according to sources.
Haier has been less than forthcoming in details about the air conditioner but it is thought to have been manufactured in Belgium.
Such was the interest at the show that the unit was reported to have been purchased off the stand by one visitor for the seemingly bargain price of 40,000 yuan (€5,900).
