Doob 3D utilizes innovative 3D printing technology software to create custom, life-like figurines. Phil Roach, an entrepreneur based in Nashville, brings Doob 3D to Owensboro with his kiosk currently located in Towne Square Mall.
Doob 3D originated in Dusseldorf, Germany. Doob’s technology was originally used in the medical field for the creation of prosthetics, but the inventors realized that the 3D printing capabilities could be used to make figurines available to the public. After the firm opened satellite locations in China and Japan, American Mike Anderson established a location in Brooklyn, New York, which now serves as the company’s headquarters. Within a few years, Doob boasted four more corporate locations before deciding to partner with individuals to make Doob more accessible to a broader audience.
Roach’s partnership with Doob began last year on a trip to Colorado.
“We were traveling to Denver to pick up a car,” he said. “On the way back, we were at the mall shopping for shoes for my son and I saw this [Doob] set up as a kiosk and I just started staring at it like, ‘What is this?’ I just kept watching it and looking at the figurines and thought, ‘OK, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.’”
Roach grabbed a handful of pamphlets, eager to learn more. By January 2019, Roach was in contact with headquarters and, within a few months, Roach invested in his own Doob 3D pod to be based out of Nashville.
“I wanted to keep it mobile so that we could be available for big events, such as baseball tournaments and dog shows,” he said.
Roach’s desire for mobility is two-fold. Not only does he want to be accessible for larger events, he wants to create enough revenue from pop-ups to purchase a second pod for a brick and mortar Nashville location.
The Roach family recently returned from Clarkesville, Tenn., where they spent the weekend capturing scans for a softball tournament. This was the family’s first outing with the Doob pod since they had only received it in the mail a few days before. The Roach’s setup at Towne Square Mall is their first mall pop-up and they are excited to deliver Doob to the people of Owensboro.
Upon showing up at the Doob kiosk, customers can look at sample figurines to decide what size Doob they would like to purchase. Sizes range from 4 inches to 14 inches and prices vary depending on size and subject matter.
After choosing figurine size, customers step (or place their pet or object) in the Doob pod where 66 Nikon digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) photograph the subject from every angle. A single flash captures a 360 degree scan that is imported into the Doob software on site.
After Roach and his sons approve the scan, the 3D model created is sent to the Brooklyn headquarters where the Doob factory is located. The figurine is then printed over seven hours using a 3D printer, capturing ever ripple, wrinkle and hair. Because the figurines are printed using colored resin polymers, the figurines are somewhat fragile.
“They’re a piece of art, they really are, and should be treated as such,” Roach said. “Treat them like you would a glass or porcelain figurine.”
Scans are free and customers should not feel obligated to purchase on site.
“Once we have a subject scanned, we have the files in our system,” he said. “If a customer ever decides to order, or even re-order, a figurine, they can contact us directly to place an order.”
Even though there are 10 locations nationwide, the next nearest Doob locations are in Kansas City and Miami so Roach says potential customers should visit the Owensboro pop-up while they are able. Doob 3D has been set up in Town Square Mall since last Thursday and will be set up until at least Thursday, August 8.
Even though Roach hopes to set up in Owensboro again in the future, he does not currently have a return date in mind.
Visit Doob 3D located in front of the old Sears in Towne Square Mall during Doob’s operating hours, which are:
Monday- Thursday: 12 – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 – 5 p.m.
This video offers a better understanding of Doob’s technology.
