Jewellery designer, Risa Ishiguro

Jewellery designer Risa Ishiguro sought to transform her intricate bracelet concept into reality — a project that would challenge the limits of traditional manufacturing methods. By partnering with Tri-Tech 3D & 3D Print Bureau to leverage their expertise in advanced One Click Metal 3D printing technology, Risa’s vision was brought to life.

The Challenge

Risa’s bracelet design was exceptionally intricate, featuring tightly aligned elements and interlocking parts that required unmatched precision. To Risa, her bracelet was more than just jewellery; it was a showcase of artistic innovation and technical expertise. To see the potential of metal 3D printing in jewellery making and to understand how 3D printing can improve efficiency in the manufacturing process, Risa reached out to metals expert Colin Cater for advice and guidance on how best to execute her vision.

The Solution

The 3D Print Bureau team deployed the One Click Metal M-Print system to meet the stringent specifications of the project, printing the bracelet in Stainless Steel 316L. This high-performance material was selected for its strength, durability, and suitability for fine metalwork. The team meticulously adjusted the process to avoid fusion between the bracelet’s interlocking components, preserving its functionality.

This was the most complex print the team had run on the system so far, requiring a print time of 7 hours at a 20μm layer height.

Once the piece had been removed from the print bed, it went through post-processing. This involved removing the supports, filing off any excess material, and finally bead-blasting to achieve an even surface finish.

“I designed a modular bracelet that is composed of oval components and connecting pins. The connecting parts allow each oval piece to rotate to a certain degree, creating an opening and closing movement in the assembled bracelet. I designed this based on my research. After discovering that some 3D printing technologies like SLS can print interlocking components, I thought it would be cool to try with metal such as stainless steel, in which I had my bracelet 3D printed this time.” – Risa Ishiguro, Jewellery Designer

“This level of complexity could only be achieved through 3D printing,” explained Colin Cater, Metals Sales Manager at Tri-Tech 3D – one of the UK’s leading providers of industrial 3D printing solutions and sister company to 3D Print Bureau of which Colin supports with his expertise in metal additive manufacturing. – “The precision of the One Click Metal system allowed us to deliver Risa’s intricate design while maintaining its structural integrity.”

The Results

The final piece (pictured) was both a technical and artistic achievement. Delivered with an impressive accuracy of ±0.5 mm—no small feat given the complexity of the design. While minor post-delivery refinements were necessary, Risa expressed her delight with both the finished piece and the collaborative process.

“The bracelet was by far the most complex and detailed project we have undertaken,” added Colin. “Its success demonstrates the capabilities of the One Click Metal system and the transformative potential of additive manufacturing for ambitious designs.”

Looking Ahead

This project highlights the growing potential of metal 3D printing within the jewellery sector. Risa’s bracelet stands as a testament to how advanced additive manufacturing empowers designers to push creative boundaries and achieve extraordinary results.

Ready to bring your designs to life?

Get in touch with our team today to discover how our expertise and cutting-edge technology can help turn your vision into reality.

Call the team on: 01782 814551

drop us an email at: info@tritech3d.co.uk