It started in a basement. It ended in Times Square, and it was all driven by a passion for pets and an obsession with technology. 3DPets leverages additive manufacturing (AM) to create custom prosthetics and mobility devices for pets. The new IMTS+ Original Series “Passion Project,” features the story of 3DPets. “Passion Project” explores the connections between manufacturing technology and the personal passions of the creators and doers who make up our industry. 3DPets is one of the brands that make up DIVE, an industrial design firm that is transforming industries with additive manufacturing (AM) solutions. DIVE was founded by Alex Tholl and Adam Hecht, industrial designers who started as group project partners in college and discovered a mutual passion for the untapped potential of 3D printing. Engineering for Pets After an attempt to enter the human prosthetics space stalled due to regulatory barriers, the team at DIVE turned their attention to animal prosthetics. They found an enormous opportunity to improve the lives of pets while proving the capabilities of 3D printing to make custom products that are repeatable. “We were originally using AM for prototyping like everyone else, but when we started looking at the problems with animal prosthetics, we realized that AM was the best way to do this at scale,” explained Hecht. “We went all in on solving this one problem because we quickly realized what a huge impact it would have for the animals in need. We also knew it was our chance to approach manufacturing in an entirely different way.” After establishing a worldwide network of clinics, DIVE launched 3DPets. Customers brought in their pets or sent in a cast, and the 3DPets team then created a digital scan using the iPhone’s LIDAR camera. A custom prosthetic is designed around the scan, and the part is 3D printed. 3DPets reduced labor time for pet prosthetics to two to three man-hours, improved lead times from two months to one month, and expanded business beyond dogs. That’s right: 3DPets has improved the lives of pigs, goats, tortoises, alpacas, llamas, and even elephants. The brand was so hot that Apple partnered with 3DPets and made a commercial campaign showing off both technologies working together to improve the lives of pets. “When we first got the phone call from Apple, we thought it was a scam. Then we got an email, and we realized we made a mistake,” said Tholl. “From there, it was a whirlwind of commercials and billboards and so much exposure.” The Big Apple Moment Apple’s commercial featured pets who received 3D-printed prosthetics and their families. “The stories were easy to tell because they were all true. We didn’t have to fluff anything up,” Tholl recalled. “After the campaign came out, Apple said they had a surprise for us and told us to be in Times Square on this certain day at this time.” Standing in Times Square with their friends and families, Tholl and Hecht saw their company and the pets they had helped featured on three prominent billboards. “I felt my knees go, and I immediately started tearing up,” Tholl said. “It was so surreal. We started this in his basement, and the whole journey just came flooding back while standing in Times Square,” Hecht added. Printing On The success of 3DPets has given DIVE the impetus to continue pushing the limits of what AM can do. DIVE is now exploring a wide variety of additive applications, ranging from 3D-printed furniture and design pieces to custom parts for robot dogs. One of DIVE’s newer projects is Willo, an innovative modular tree system designed to enhance the aesthetics of public spaces while serving as noise dampeners. With 3D-printed “trunks” and felt “leaves,” the trees are unique conversation pieces. Fully modular, the trees are easy to print, ship, and move as needed. They were featured near several of the IMTS 2024 stages and proved to be a big hit with visitors. “The trees are special because they embody our focus on using AM to improve sustainability and enhance environments,” said Hecht. DIVE design has also helped to improve the operation of Boston Dynamic’s signature robotic “dogs,” Spot – the agile mobile robot. The company was enlisted to 3D print special “paw” attachments for the robots to provide better traction on icy and uneven surfaces. “Our foot upgrade with ice studs allows the customer to better use existing technology and to avoid costly repairs,” said Tholl. DIVE continues to disrupt traditional manufacturing by accelerating the adoption of 3D printing. They are excited about working in more industries and see enormous potential in Big Area Additive Manufacturing. In addition to their own projects, they are partnering with other companies to help them adapt and integrate AM applications. “There is so much untapped potential in AM. I know that we can continue to use additive solutions to enhance sustainability and accessibility. That drives our curiosity and maintains our passion for 3D printing,” said Hecht. When passion meets technology, anything is possible. The pets, who are walking, running, and rolling thanks to new mobility devices, would certainly agree. Explore the entire “Passion Project” series on IMTS+. Episode 1, “The Harmony of Art & Technology,” details the manufacturing partnership that is improving the intricate process of making world-class guitars at C.F. Martin & Co. Episode 2, “Furnishing the Future,” features Haddy, a 3D-printed furniture maker that incorporates circular processes to reduce waste while delivering beautiful, consumer-focused designs. Episode 3, “Must Love Dogs (and 3D printing)” details the origin story of 3DPets and the animals they help. Alex Tholl was featured on the IMTS+ Main Stage at IMTS 2024. Learn more 3DPets during his presentation, “Creating Iconic Brands with Additive Manufacturing.”
Driven by a love for dogs and a passion for technology, 3DPets is proving the capabilities of additive manufacturing while improving the lives of pets with custom designed prosthetics and mobility devices.
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