3D Systems Partners with Hershey So Consumers Can Make 3D Printed Candy

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

Mmm, chocolate

If you find it's too much trouble to hike down to the local grocery mart or corner store when you need to get your Hershey chocolate fix, you'll be delighted to know you may soon be able to just print out candies from home. Yes, we're talking about the 3D printing craze, but rather than make objects out of plastic, 3D Systems and Hershey are working together to deliver technology that will allow you to print confectionery treats at home.
The two firms entered into a mulit-year joint development agreement to explore and develop ways to use 3D printing technology in creating edible foods. Think of it as having your own Hershey candy assembly line at home with 24/7 access, and you're the boss.
"We believe that innovation is key to delivering relevant, compelling consumer experiences with our iconic brands," said William Papa, Vice President and Chief Research and Development Officer, The Hershey Company. "Whether it’s creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it, we embrace new technologies such as 3D printing as a way to keep moving our timeless confectionery treats into the future."
For its part, 3D Systems sees this as an opportunity to mainstream 3D printing. Solutions for printing 3D objects at home already exist, but many of them are either limited in functionality or expensive. By partnering with Hershey, 3D Systems can promote 3D printing to a whole new audience, perhaps even young children if the two companies end up building something along the lines of an Easy Bake Oven.
Image Credit: Flickr (DBduo Photography)
Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook


More...