The evolution of design is often affected by the limitations of the tools available to us. For years, metal fabrication was defined by the constraints of casting, milling, and manual welding. However, when fabrication limits change, design can evolve in unexpected ways.
The Oregon Dragon Bench, our installation at the Nike World Headquarters, serves as a definitive example of how chosen materials and fabrication processes transform a concept into something tangible, physical, and interactive in the real world.
Redefining Metal Fabrication Through Robotic Innovation
The Oregon Dragon Bench is not only a piece of furniture; it is a testament to the capabilities of our robotic WAAM (Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing) production method, and it is the expression of art, made by combining inspiration, design, metal wires, and advanced technology. As a leading yet not widely known advanced manufacturing method, it enables forms and designs that would be extremely difficult or impossible to achieve with more traditional methods.
The certifications we hold also guarantee the quality and high standards of the materials we choose for our prints, to deliver an excellent final result both in terms of solidity and in terms of the final look of the product, thanks to the chosen material. While traditional 3D printing is often limited to small-scale objects, the 10-meter-long Oregon Dragon Bench demonstrates our printing capabilities while pushing the boundaries of design, sculptural presence, and achievable printing size.
This serpentine structure was realized by combining industrial robots with advanced welding machines, allowing us to deposit molten metal layer by layer. By adding small amounts of material (alloy) at a time, our Metal AM System, guided by the MetalXL WAAM software, can print double curved lines in mid-air without the need for traditional supporting structures. As described on CODAworx article, this dragon spine geometry was printed directly in duplex stainless steel using custom robotic welding paths that follow its complex curvature.
Where Material, Structure, and Process Intertwine
In the creation of the Oregon Dragon Bench, our printing method did not simply execute the design; it actively informed its structure, appearance, and spatial experience. The bench features a textured, perforated surface pattern that evokes the flexible fabric and lightness of athletic sneakers. This expression was made possible because the surface does not have to hide how it was made. The variations, textures, and marks from the process can become part of the design.
The use of duplex stainless steel was a deliberate choice to ensure both structural integrity and longevity of the final printed part. The ridges inherent to the printing process can create micro environments for salt and dirt to accumulate; therefore, the high molybdenum content in the material helps resist corrosion risks in its many tiny ridges. This synergy between material science and robotic precision demonstrates a shift in design thinking. It moves us toward asking what it should look like when material, structure, and process are intertwined.
A New Form Language for Art and Architecture
As CODAworx highlights in their recent feature, we at MX3D ArtLab specialize in supporting artists and designers in creating complex, large-scale metal artworks that go beyond traditional fabrication. The Oregon Dragon Bench metal fabrication, designed in collaboration with Joris Laarman Lab, showcases a new form language that is not bound by additive layers or the flat planes of standard metalwork.
For designers, architects, and artists, the message is clear: the process itself can guide form and even inspire design. Robotic WAAM is not just a production method; it is a lens for exploring new possibilities in form, structure, and material expression. By bridging industrial precision with artistic vision, we enable creators to produce freeform, organic metal shapes that were once thought impossible.
Ready to Explore WAAM for Your Art & Design Project?
To explore more about the methods, intersection of robotic metal printing and creative design, or to see if your concept and projects can be brought to life, visit the following links:
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