3D Printing at Ogden's WhiteClouds

3D Printing at Ogden’s WhiteClouds

3D printing: A futuristic approach to making detailed products right here in Utah.

June 18, 2014

If you can dream it or draw it, WhiteClouds can create it for you. WhiteClouds is a 3D printing and design company located in South Ogden. Cris Fowers, Editorial Team Lead, explains that 3D printing is also called additive manufacturing. Instead of starting with a block of wood or metal and carving pieces away – subtractive – 3D makes something from nothing by building in thousands of layers creating an entire object. Materials available for 3D printing include plastics, resins, pliable and stiff rubber, and a sandstone like material that works great for statues and figures and can print in full color. From fanciful to practical 3D printing really is only limited by imagination. Fowers said one man recently brought in a broken part from his refrigerator and WhiteClouds was able to “print” him a new working replacement part. Another lady wanted figurines of her grandchildren and brought in photos. The design team made a 3D file and then printed the figurines.

Chris Fowers WhiteClouds, Editorial Team Lead — Cris Fowers, Editorial Team Lead

WhiteClouds is able to make detailed products, some with moving parts, due to the quality of their equipment. They use high-end commercial printers, rather than the smaller consumer grade printers. Fowers said their equipment is bigger, more expensive and take a lot of maintenance, but he says the quality of the finished product is well worth it. This is such a new, exciting and innovative technology that WhiteClouds offers tours to school groups or anyone interested in learning more about it. Groups can call ahead and they will make sure that something is being printed to get the full experience. Jerry Ropelato started the company in 2013 and was brainstorming one day on what to call his new company. He remembered looking at up the clouds and putting images to the shapes he saw there. It came to him to call his company WhiteClouds with the idea that if you can imagine it you can create it with 3D print. WhiteClouds is located at 1464 E Ridgeline Dr. Suite 101 South Ogden, UT 84405 www.whiteclouds.com

Marketplace, Utah Stories

3D printing, Ogden, WhiteClouds

Connie Lewis

Connie has been with Utah Stories since 2013, and has enjoyed learning everything involved in producing a monthly magazine. In addition to writing, Connie performs administrative tasks, coordinates writers, photographers and editors, and oversees a million little details. Her least favorite word is ‘deadline.’ A journalism class at the University of Utah sparked Connie’s love of writing. Finding it hard to narrow her interests to just one major, journalism allowed her to explore a wide variety of topics and disciplines. When she is not writing, Connie loves spending time with her family and traveling with her dogs. “It has been a pleasure learning new things about the state I was born in and meeting the people who make Utah great,” she says. Connie plans to continue her love of learning and improving as the magazine moves onward and upward.

Local Spotlight

What’s Behind the Buzz Around The Salted Roots?

Salted Roots began as simple kitchen experiments and quickly grew into one of Utah’s most talked-about small-batch food brands. Founder Ivy Watrous has been cooking since childhood, blending bold flavors with careful technique. Today, her handcrafted salts and sugars are showing up in farmers markets, home kitchens, and even cocktail menus — each one shaped by personal stories, long hours, and a commitment to doing things the hard way when it matters.
Utah Stories

Fear And Loathing in AntifaLand (Portland, Oregon)

As protests unfold in Portland, questions emerge about what’s real, what’s amplified, and how imagery is shaping public perception of America’s political divide.
Podcast

Why Biblical Values Matter: Nephilim, Morality, and Israel’s Call

In a world where truth shifts with the wind, the Bible offers a steady guide for navigating life’s big questions. Join a Utahn’s journey into scripture’s wisdom with Yoni Kayman, an Israeli rabbi who unravels mysteries like the Nephilim—ancient “giants” symbolizing power’s dangers. From Genesis to today’s moral debates, Kayman argues the Bible is our “user manual,” countering relativism with timeless values. He connects Abraham’s call to modern Israel’s struggles, urging us to choose justice over bias. For Utahns, from Provo’s faithful to Salt Lake’s skeptics, this exploration challenges us to anchor our communities in compassion and truth. Dive into a conversation that bridges ancient texts and today’s divides, revealing why biblical values still matter.
Utah Real Estate

Can Regular Utahns Still Afford a Home?

Utah’s housing market may feel out of reach, but realtor and former attorney Asha Klarich believes there are still clear pathways to homeownership. From first-time buyer grants and ADUs to zoning reform and smarter financing, she lays out practical steps for everyday Utahns to break into the market.