Reinventing Kids’ Eyewear with Additive Manufacturing…and a Touch of Disney Magic

This episode is an example of how organizations can use additive manufacturing to its fullest benefit, such as customized parts, complex structures, and small batch sizes. We discuss the opportunity of understanding the limits of current manufacturing methods to create a high-performing product, offers a better user experience, is swiftly created, and is potentially more affordable than existing products. 

Chief Product Officer, Katie Brandeau describes how Fitz Frames has revolutionized the eyewear market using AM. Fitz created a face-scanning app that automatically creates the perfect fit for their 3D-printed glasses. It is a unique approach to product design that combines full customization with style in very little time.

[1:49] Katie describes her journey from R&D at Disney to Chief Product Officer of Fitz Frames. 

[4:26] Fitz Founder, Heidi Hertel recognized a need in the children’s eye care market and created a solution that included additive manufacturing.

[11:13] Guidance for engineers who want to know if an additive manufacturing solution is right for their application. 

[17:28] Disassembling the historical product design process was the key to reinventing the design process and integrating additive manufacturing.

[21:29] Katie describes an example where Fitz integrates the scan to print features to create truly customizable products in very little time.

[27:58] Creating a non-breakable hinge for kid’s glasses is an ingenious way Fitz Frames is disrupting the market and revolutionizing the eyewear industry.

[31:32] Considerations and mistakes companies make when incorporating additive manufacturing into the design process and product creation.

The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.