Nokia releases 3D-printing kit for Lumia 820 cases

18 Jan 2013

3D printing is expected to blow up in 2013, and now Nokia is cleverly reaching out to this DIY community by offering them everything they need to create their own look for the Lumia 820 smartphone.

The Lumia 820 Windows Phone released last year by Nokia comes with a colourful removable shell that users can snap on and snap off to create a different look as the mood takes them. While Nokia has produced plenty of shells for users to choose from – some extra-rugged and some with wireless charging capabilities, bringing the Lumia 820 in line with the Lumia 920 – they’re still open to allowing users to create their own.

“We are going to release 3D templates, case specs, recommended materials and best practices – everything someone versed in 3D printing needs to print their own custom Lumia 820 case,” said John Kneeland, community and developer marketing manager with Nokia. “We refer to these files and documents collectively as a 3D-printing Development Kit, or 3DK for short.”

Documents from the 3DK are available from the Nokia Developer website here, here and here.

As far as the potential for creativity with the release of the 3DK, Kneeland sees no limits. “You want a waterproof, glow-in-the-dark phone with a bottle-opener and a solar charger? Someone can build it for you – or you can print it yourself!” he said.

Elaine Burke is the host of For Tech’s Sake, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network. She was previously the editor of Silicon Republic.

editorial@siliconrepublic.com