Solar Sinter

German designer Markus Kayser‘s Solar Sinter is a solar-powered 3D printer that is a revolutionary take on the manufacturing process. The Solar Sinter uses a “sintering” technique, whereby sand is heated to its melting point, then cooled and solidified into three-dimensional glass objects. Kayser explains:

In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.

Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilisation of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.

For a full rundown of the project with photos visit Dezeen.