A 3D Printer Creates Intricate Chocolate Structures; Named "Tastiest New Technology" At CES
The 2015 International CES, a gathering place for people who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, judged Hershey's chocolate 3D printing machine as the "tastiest new technology" at the event. The "tastiest new technology" is called CocoJet.
According to the Entrepreneur, CocoJet could produce perfectly cooled chocolate. A rival printer also created a buzz at CES which could make cookie dough as well as frost toast.
The 3D Systems, a leader in 3D industrial printing, partnered with Hershey's in 2014. 3D Systems has not made any comment as to when the printer would be on sale nor has it revealed the price of the printer. Usually, hobby 3D printers cost a sum of about $500 to $3,500.
The CocoJet has been designed to suit bakers and chocolatiers. The printer works in such a manner that it prints rows of chocolates that could add up to a medley of geometric puzzle shapes that interlock. The product that the printer produces could be dark, milk or white chocolate. It can make shapes using an accompanying software and then can be uploaded away.
Though there are many positives about the 3D printer, there is a negative as well. The printer isn't very fast. The touchscreen contraption is so time-consuming that for the production of a single bonbon, it takes about 15 minutes.
CocoJet is going to face some tough competition as Print Arsenal has also launched an Indiegogo campaign, a global crowdfunding engine. Print Arsenal, with the help of the funds, hope to make a cocoa bean-liquefying 3D printer.
Apart from the CoCoJet, 3D Systems have also created ChefJet, a South Carolina-based 3D pioneer. The printer is the first dessert printer that came into the market and apart from making colourful cakes and sugar sculptures, it also makes intricate architectural cake supports as well as cocktail decoration. The various flavours that the printer can produce are cherry, watermelon, mint among others.
ChefJet will be available for sale in mid-2015. Apart from that, 3D Systems has revealed that two versions of ChefJet will be made available: one costing $5,000 and another costing $10,000.
Contact the writer: afza.kandrikar@gmail.com