Swarovski and xolo developing volumetric 3D printing for crystal glass

Berlin-based xolo, a  pioneer in volumetric 3D printing, has formed a partnership with none other than Swarovski, the famed Austrian glass and crystal company. Though few details have been revealed, we do know that the companies will be working together to develop a volumetric 3D printing method for crystal glass.

Swarovski makes and sells some of the world’s most precious man-made crystal products. Its production process, however, has remained somewhat steeped in mystery, with the company understandably keeping its methods close to the chest. Generally, it is known that its crystals are made from a combination of quartz sand, minerals and potash. When the synthetic glass is made, it can then be cut in specific ways and chemically coated for specific effects, like reflectivity.

The ability to 3D print crystals could open up a world of possibility for new shapes and designs and introduce a radically new way of producing luxury glass products. xolo, chosen as the AM partner for the ambitious project, is known for its volumetric 3D printing technology, called Xolography. This process, first commercialized in 2020 with the release of the xube 3D printer, uses high-viscosity materials and two different light wavelengths to produce support-less, high-resolution parts. The key difference between other photopolymerization technologies and this volumetric approach is that Xolography does not print in layers, it builds objects in a continuous motion, which allows for faster build rates, high-resolution features and exceptional clarity.

xolo’s existing platform, the Xube2, is compatible with a range of materials engineered for medtech, bio and optical applications. They are: xoloOne, a robust and high-precision resin; xoloClear, a transparent optical material, ideal for printing lenses, waveguides and various other optical components; xoloPEGDA, a high-resolution biocompatible material; and xoloGelMA X-Pure, a biocompatible material based on Rousselot’s X-Pure.

Through the new partnership, Xolography will be used to process transparent glass materials in line with Swarovski’s high standards. “Working alongside a prestigious company like Swarovski is not only an honor but also a tremendous opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Xolography in a new, dynamic field,” said Dirk Radzinski, CEO of xolo.

The innovative project will also include the participation of Professor Paolo Colombo from the University of Padova in Italy. Swarovski and Colombo have been interested in Xolography for some time, with the professor already using the technology as part of Swarovski’s open innovation program. His expertise will therefore be vital to further advancing the technology’s capabilities. As xolo says: “This initiative is not just a transformation of technique but a redefinition of the material’s role in modern design and functionality.”