Hot Trend: Brass, Bronze and Gold Finishes

And we at Mind-2-Matter, know a thing or two about brass.

Currently we are casting brass and pewter with little to no problems. We've also tackled bronze as well!

Brass Impeller

Brass Minimal Surface Cube

Bronze "Lazard" by Justin Kelly

Brass, bronze and gold tone finishes are all the rage in decorating right now (in moderation I can understand, but it sort of reminds me of the Golden Girls and the 1980's horrid bathroom fixtures when overdone). 

The resurgence in popularity apparently has been building since early 2013. I know that when a former employer would offer vintage brass pieces, they'd sell out almost instantly, but I didn't realize how far reaching it was. House Beautiful called it out in December 2012, Apartment Therapy was singing its praises in 2013 and it seems like the love of brass is still going strong, especially at New House New Home. 

There is certainly a nostalgic bent about brass and bronze. Brass always makes me think of my grandpa. One of his favorite pastimes before his hands got too bad was going to the thrift store and restoring brass pieces. 

The Brass Minimal Surface Cube (above) is an awesome example of what Mind-2-Matter can do. This form is based on theoretical mathematical principles that would be near impossible to bring to reality without 3D printing. Using traditional milling methods, it would be impossible to generate this object in brass, bronze or any other metal. We've developed a technique that has made it a reality. 

The Bronze "Lazard" is another example of bringing digital assets to life. It was originally created as a model for a class Justin took and it's been brought to life using 3D printing. We've then used our process to cast in bronze. This is an amazing took for digital modelers who may want to create a physical object from their digital assets!. 

Got an idea? Contact us. We can help you bring your ideas from mind to metal :)

Mind-2-Matter - Hard at work!?

This is how hard Pi works at The Gnomery!

I've been trying with ZERO luck to upload this video of what happens at night in The Gnomery. Blogger is a jerk, so it won't embed no matter how I try to upload it, so a link will have to do.

I haven't done a ton of creative work this week, but creative work has been going on in the Gnomery (part of the video above is "testing" the "TactiGnome SlugFire" - a LaserGnomes designed accessory for the NERF SledgeFire blaster).

TactiGnome SlugFire designed and manufactured by LaserGnomes

We're also getting ready to start testing some new materials. We typically print in PLA, but have some PET to test in the near future. Both are environmentally friendly bioplastics, which we use instead of petroleum based plastics like ABS.

It's been a full week of research and paperwork for me, but Mind-2-Matter is almost done with all of that. We have moved to a fantastic space in San Leandro, CA. We're sharing this space with Type A Machines and it's going great.

The City of San Leandro is committed to revitalizing and re-imagining American manufacturing and we are excited to be a part of it. San Leandro has a fiber loop (can't tell you how excited Justin was at the mention of this!), tons of warehouse and commercial space available (the building we are in was formerly a Ford, Chrysler and Caterpillar plant) and they are currently having a "holiday" from business license fees to attract new businesses to the area. This applies to almost any new business setting up shop in San Leandro, which is unheard of.

 As a "start up" company, that is a great incentive. For us, a very small business (3 people currently), the savings don't seem like a ton (about $300), but considering business licence fees are calculated on the number of owners and employees, that can quickly add up. Can't beat free, right?!

Keep an eye out for some of our upcoming projects. We are about ready to start casting in the new facility (we're up to 4 kilns) and we are expanding our 3D printing capabilities.

Here are some of the places you can find our services:

3d Hubs
MakeXYZ
Fictivmade

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