QR Codes

QR codes are a remarkable invention. They were created in 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave to track cars in Japan. More than twenty years later, the technology is used worldwide for a wide range of purposes, from payments to storing vaccination data.

Did you know that up to 30% of a QR code’s data can be hidden and it will still remain readable, thanks to Reed–Solomon error correction? Here is an example of a QR code with hidden information:

Safety first: Always check the link before opening a QR code. This QR code redirects to https://kaonashi.dev/.

In 2023, I printed my first QR Code using model with my resin printer.

I followed the instructions provided with the model to create my own Wi-Fi QR code. I copied the TinkerCad model, customized it with my Wi-Fi information, and exported it as an .stl file.

These models are no longer new in the 3D printing community, and you can now find alternatives that require fewer steps to work. For example, this model uses Bambu Lab’s parametric SCAD generator to create QR codes for text, Wi-Fi, phone calls, or vCards.

A few months later, I made another one for my workplace. Go ahead and scan this one!

Safety first: Always check the link before opening a QR code. This QR code redirects to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ.

Spoiler: my brother suggested the idea of making one with a YouTube link to a Rickroll video, and I immediately went along with it. I used an online tool to generate a 3D object from my company’s logo and added it to the model instead of the Wi-Fi logo. I then painted it, which resulted in the QR code shown above.

I brought it to work and left it on my desk, successfully rick-rolling several colleagues. Unfortunately, most of them were not familiar with the internet meme, but it still counts as a success in my book.

My manager eventually decided to place it on the company’s glass wall, next to the trophies and awards. It later rick-rolled an investor who was convinced it was the Wi-Fi network. Huehuehuehue.

That Rickroll QR code is still in the same spot a few years later, and it will hopefully remain there for some time after my departure. Some might say this was my greatest achievement at work, others might say I have done stupider things.

More recently, I printed another QR code for the Wi-Fi in my new apartment. This time, I used my filament printer. It was my first attempt at multi-color printing, and it worked as expected. For obvious reasons I will not share a picture of this one.