Cosplay Propmaking
One of the unexpected areas 3D printing has led me to is the world of cosplay prop-making! It's surprisingly challenging, as many popular props require a blend of electronics, sensors and clever material use to pull off making something physical look and behave like rendered special effects. This has forced me to become very familiar with electronic components and usage, as well as significantly sharpen coding capabilities.
After entering this space, it was apparent that many props are created as one-off pieces, which are difficult to reproduce if damaged. All of the props Enza3D has created have been designed in Fusion360, so that they can be easily replicated as needed. This also allows me to maximize the use of the digital manufacturing tools I have available, as well as allows for rapid design iterations that are otherwise not possible without rebuilding the prop from scratch.
Recent designs have focused less on "finished" props, and more on mechanical subsystems which could be utilized to create more detailed final products by cosplayers. These include a wing set articulated with one actuator, and mechanical fingers for use with creature designs.