Machaneu, an incredible 3D-printed spherical system

Design studio Proxy has created and put on sale on Shapeways the very first version of an incredible 3D-printed object, the Machaneu v1. It's a sphere with circular gears and manual interaction. A simple action on one of the object's components sets the whole system in motion. As its creator Toru Hasegawa explains, this is the first in a series of kinetic objects designed to explore the limits of3D printing. He also explains that this object is based on the way nature works: it solves many problems through form, in order to use as few resources as possible. It's a strategy found repeatedly in the natural world, leading to complex geometries such as bone structures. This same logic has been used on every part of the Machaneu to create a porous object that appears completely solid.

source : 3Ders