The client wanted to explore a bolder idea than normal: concrete light switches as a high-end design element.

We made several 3D printed moulds for him. But experiments showed some limitations:

• ❌ The concrete stuck.
• ❌ The thin walls (1–2mm) cracked during de-moulding.
• ❌ Different filler layers didn’t solve the issue.

The total “failure” cost? €35 (€30 prototypes, and €5 materials).

The upside? He realized that moulding wasn’t going to work for his concept and pivoted to a better material. That €35 gave him certainty and saved him from losing thousands on professional tooling.

Sometimes the fastest way forward is to prove what doesn’t work. Would you spend €35 to get the answers you need in days, not months?