Crazy Consumer Electronics World: 3D Systems looks into conductive ink, 3D printed antennas for Project Ara

Project Ara is Google's most ambitious project yet to build phones using experimental technology such modular parts and an electro-magnetic coupling system to hold it all together.

However, one of the most concrete parts of the plan involves 3D printing and now we're getting our first details on how these parts will be made. 3D System has put up a new blog post detailing all the new 3D printing technology its putting into developing durable and colorful modular phones.

3D Systems says it has pushed the limits on advancing material strength to make the phones more durable. Users will also be able to decide the feel of their phones between hard and soft composite materials.

What's more, parts can be printed in a wide assortment of colors including cyan, magenta, yellow, black, white, and a clear coating – much more interesting than your plain old white Samsung Galaxy S5.

Next generation plastic

But that's not all. 3D systems says its looking to integrate its additive manufacturing process to the internal components of Project Ara as well.

In conjunction with the Carnegie Mellon University, the 3D printing company has developed conductive inks. Potentially this would make it easier for power to travel across the surface of the phone and its individual components.

Meanwhile, 3D Systems claims it has printed functional components including antennas in partnership with X5 Systems, Silicon Valley start-up specializing in advanced antenna design.

Production plans

While 3D Systems is looking into several pieces of experimental technology it has also developed a high-speed 3D printing production platform to create parts for Project Ara phones.

Supposedly the new system prints plastic parts on a constantly moving racetrack in a faster, more efficient system than a self-contained 3D printer. Ultimately it's a new process that should churn out parts more quickly to ensure the phones make their January 2015 launch date.

Like everything we've heard about Project Ara, all of this sounds extremely ambitious, and invariably, so unbelievable it could only exist as a concept. Still, next January is half a year away, so we've got our fingers crossed Project Ara will actually become a reality by then.