3D printing is more than toys – the giant lamp in Helsingborg shows the way

3D printing is more than toys – the giant lamp in Helsingborg shows the way

In Helsingborg stands one of Sweden's most fascinating design installations: a huge lamp, made using additive manufacturing (AM). It's not just an eye-catcher – it's clear proof of how far 3D printing has come and how the technology has left the "toy" label behind for good.

For many years, 3D printing has been associated with small hobby projects, prototypes and gadgets you make at home on your desk. But development has been rapid, and today the technology is used in architecture, the automotive industry, medicine, art and functional products that last for many years. The lamp in Helsingborg is a perfect example of this shift.

A full-scale lamp – printed layer by layer

The impressive construction is produced through large-scale AM ​​manufacturing, where advanced materials and industrial machinery enable a design that would have been significantly more difficult – or expensive – to create using traditional methods. The shape, size and surface texture are optimized for both aesthetics and durability. Each layer is carefully engineered to provide the right strength and finish, while manufacturing is significantly more resource-efficient than casting or CNC machining.

Proof of the potential of technology

The large lamp demonstrates several of the strengths of modern AM manufacturing:

Free design: Designers can create organic shapes without limitations.

Fast iteration: Adjustments are made digitally and can be reprinted immediately.

Sustainability: Less material waste and locally produced components reduce environmental impact.

Function and strength: Industrial materials make the parts durable for real-world use.

AM is the future – even for consumer products

For those of us who work with AM manufacturing every day, this is nothing new – but for the general public, these types of projects are important. They show that 3D printing is not just about small pieces of plastic or hobby projects. It is about functional, large, sustainable products that can replace traditional manufacturing.

And the best part? This is just the beginning. Every year, new materials, larger machines and smarter design principles are developed that make additive manufacturing even more relevant for companies, architects, the construction industry and end consumers.

From prototypes to the infrastructure of the future

The lamp in Helsingborg is more than a work of art – it is a statement. Proof that 3D printing is ready to take the leap from the desktop to the cityscape. From small components to full-scale installations. From hobby to industry.

And here at Race3D, we work every day to show the same thing on a smaller scale: that AM manufacturing is a modern, sustainable and powerful way to create functional products – whether it's car parts, prototypes or custom solutions.

The lamp was created by a Bransch colleague who runs Hjort Creations , his hard work over several years is an example for Nordic small businesses.