12-29-2021: IKEA introduced FLAMTRÄD – a 3D-printed home decor line

The line was discontinued after just one year.

In December 2021, Swedish furniture giant IKEA unveiled FLAMTRÄD, its first-ever line of 3D-printed home decor available on demand. The collection was exclusively launched in Germany as a test market to gauge consumer interest in this innovative product line. Despite considerable enthusiasm within the AM community, the collection failed to resonate with IKEA’s broader customer base and was discontinued after just one year.

FLAMTRÄD aimed to bring 3D printing technology into mainstream home decor. The collection featured a range of sculptures, including hands in various poses (such as forming a heart or pointing) and geometric, lattice-style heads and faces. Available in black and white, the prices ranged from €29.99 to €49.99.

The FLAMTRÄD pieces were created using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology with polyamide 12 as the primary material. The lattice patterns of the sculptures drew inspiration from 3D model meshes, giving the items a distinctive, futuristic aesthetic. The finished products had a matte finish with a slightly rough texture, typical of SLS manufacturing.

The collection was offered exclusively through IKEA’s German website in what the company described as a “soft launch.” This approach allowed IKEA to analyze customer interest and gather feedback on integrating 3D printing into their product lineup. The project was spearheaded by Olaf Szukałowicz, an IKEA project leader, who announced plans for a broader rollout in January 2022.

Despite its innovative approach, FLAMTRÄD was always intended as a limited-time offering. IKEA ceased sales of the collection by the end of 2022. This decision may have stemmed from the pilot nature of the project, which aimed to gather insights and assess the feasibility of integrating 3D printing into IKEA's broader product range.

But to be honest, when I look at these designs now—taking out the "HEY! IT'S 3D PRINTED!" aspect—they seem kind of creepy to me...

PS: Although the vast majority of press releases about FLAMTRÄD appeared in January 2022, Davide Sher from VoxelMatters was, as always, the first to publish the news back in December 2021. However, the official release date of the collection is not known (that's why I assume "the end of December 2021").

Source: www.voxelmatters.com