Start up 3d printing companies

Analytics and business

Rapid prototyping

Experts recommend

Author: Andrey Kombarov

Author: Andrey Kombarov

1. Supply chain management | 2. Large selection of materials | 3. Variety of colors and finishes | 4. Large format 3D printing | 5. Professional quality parts | 6. Cost reduction | 7. Save time | 8. Scalability | 9. Expert advice and assistance | 10. Services of professional designers

The 3D printing services business is growing faster than ever. This happens because more and more people are striving to realize their ideas by means of additive technologies. Many solo enthusiasts, research groups, and manufacturing companies are not interested in investing in 3D printers, but prefer to go to a prototyping center first.

Today, 3D printing services are based mainly on working with professional clients. Of course, orders are also carried out for individuals, but most of the market is the B2B segment.

Even if you have access to a 3D printer, sometimes it's better to hire an outside contractor. Let's say you need a part in a material or color you don't have, and you'd rather not buy the whole lot. It is much wiser to order the missing part, and not to purchase all the equipment and inventory that may not be needed in the future.

We will look at ten reasons why additive manufacturing using a service can be more profitable.

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1.

Additive technologies have been improved over the years, and today they allow the production of both prototypes and final parts, especially when solving certain problems.

In general, the development and manufacture of a particular part can be expensive due to high tooling costs. 3D printing is an extremely flexible technology. Manufacture of many different products and refinement of their designs is no longer a complex problem, which makes additive manufacturing a reliable solution to problems with the active use of redesign.

Outsourcing 3D printing jobs saves costs and lead times © Leo Gregurić via All3DP

Today, many research groups and companies rely on 3D printing services as a supply chain. It is extremely useful for them to be able to easily create and deliver custom parts.

2. Large selection of materials

One of the strong selling points for 3D services is the variety of consumables (and technologies) on offer. Thanks to the constant introduction of innovations in this area, service providers are able to work with the latest developments, especially large companies.

Prototyping centers offer, as a rule, the three most popular additive technologies: FDM, SLA and SLS. Accordingly, polymer filaments or granules, photopolymer resin and plastic powders are used as consumables.

A wide range of options gives the customer the opportunity to obtain the material that is required for a particular project, based on mechanical and chemical properties and aesthetic requirements.

The variety of materials is practical not only for professional needs. The Professional 3D Services Center will also offer simple materials that may not be available to a private person. Buying a certain material and printing a product from it on your own can be more expensive than simply ordering the manufacture of a single part from this material.

3.

With such a wide range of materials available, 3D printing service customers are not limited in their choice of colors and finishes. Creating the perfect combination for a specific task has never been easier.

Colors

FDM filaments (PLA, ABS, PETG, and others) are typically offered in a wide range of colors. The plastic granules from which the thread is made are easily dyed.

More advanced combinations of plastics in the form of filaments, such as polymer composites or nylon, are difficult to dye and their color range is not as rich.

With regard to SLA technology, various colors are available for photopolymers. True, there are not as many of them as for PLA. Methods like SLS use industrial grade nylon powder, which comes in white, black, or some color in between. This is also due to the difficulty of coloring.

Technology available for full-color 3D printing © Hubs

There are full-color 3D printers that are ideal for creating visually appealing prototypes and teaching models, such as anatomy and geography. Given the high cost of professional machines, the ability to use technology that is not otherwise available through a 3D printing service is of great importance to the end user.

Finish

The surfaces of products created on a 3D printer can be subjected to various post-processing methods. Details are processed until the layers are completely indistinguishable and, as a result, look as if they were not printed at all.

But this is only the beginning. Processing can include sanding, polishing, galvanizing and painting, and many other finishes. Not every 3D printing material is suitable for all post-processing methods, and the service provider should explain this point to you when ordering.

In addition to the huge selection of options, one of the biggest benefits of ordering a finishing service is quality and convenience. Post-processing can take a lot of time, and entrusting the work to professionals, you will be sure of a high-quality and reliable result.

4. Large Format 3D Printing

Sometimes you may need a large printer © WASP Team via Youtube

An additive manufacturing services company typically operates multiple 3D printers to meet high demand (and meet deadlines) and various other requests. This provides a number of advantages, among them - the flexibility of product sizes.

Sometimes splitting a large part into multiple sub-elements is not the best solution, so an additive setup with a large build platform is needed. An individual or company often does not have access to large 3D printers, while many 3D service providers do.

5. Professional quality parts

3D printers are becoming more reliable, and even the most affordable technology is showing impressive accuracy. However, many products (say, jewelry) require more precise workmanship or tighter tolerances to ensure perfect compatibility (for example, functional units). The professional results offered by the 3D printing service guarantee consistently high-quality workmanship in terms of precision and finish.

Professional machines are more reliable in terms of repeatability. This is an important factor to consider when printing a large number of parts that require constant and tight tolerances.

But not only machines determine the final result. The people who work with 3D printers make a significant contribution to the production of professional quality parts. They have the knowledge and experience to advise you on how to best prepare your model, select the most suitable material, and finally create the final part.

A high-quality prototype created on an industrial SLA printer at the TWIZE Prototyping Center © TWIZE

6. Cost reduction

If you need to make something on a 3D printer, there are two options: either buy equipment and print the parts yourself, or order printing and receive finished products. Using a 3D printing service can save you money.

When a business is considering launching its own additive manufacturing, outsourcing through a service provider first makes sense. This will allow an individual or company to access 3D printing technologies while avoiding the cost of equipment, materials and maintenance. Once you understand that 3D printing meets the needs of your business, this may be the right time to start thinking about buying equipment.

There are other scenarios as well. Some businesses can save money in the prototyping phase by having them 3D printed before putting the final version into production through another process such as injection molding.

However, outsourcing a project can save a lot of money until a “tipping point” is reached, at which point the cost of acquiring the equipment becomes a worthy investment.

We share our experience in the article 3D printing as a business: the most profitable concepts of the RP Center

We will consult and select ready-made solutions. Contact us!

7.

When ordering 3D printing from a service provider, you don't have to worry about printer setup and maintenance. In fact, you make a payment and get the parts you need. Everything is done on a turnkey basis, and you don't have to think about all the additional costs associated with setting up, maintaining and operating the equipment.

3D printing of some parts may require time that you do not have © Leo Gregurić via All3DP

And even if you have printers, they may not be enough to print a large number of products in a short time. Since prototyping centers usually have a large stock of equipment, large batches can be produced very quickly.

Of course, the order may take a long time, so choose the service wisely. But the turnaround time for an order (printing from standard media with standard post-processing) may well be shorter than the total time it takes to set up, maintain, and operate the related equipment. For many, this alone is enough to apply for a service to a contractor.

In addition, the production of an object on a 3D printer takes hours or days - this requires control, which not everyone can do.

8. Scalability

Since the advent of 3D printing, it has been described in the mainstream media as a slow process. What is usually meant is that additive manufacturing cannot compete with traditional methods such as injection molding when it comes to high volume production.

There is some truth in this, but it is important to understand that 3D printing is a very effective process in certain circumstances. When you need to produce large batches of the same parts, this is not the best option, but 3D printers are more than capable of producing in small and medium volumes.

This is especially beneficial when we are dealing with individual designs or iterations, that is, when classical methods involve much more time and money.

For this reason, 3D printing services in particular can provide scalable manufacturing solutions that meet the needs of even medium volume production. Small-scale production is possible in a garage or a small office, something larger is hardly imaginable, and this is where the use of a 3D printing service makes sense.

3D service providers can deliver scalable solutions © BMW Group

9. Expert advice and assistance

As already mentioned, 3D printing services are available to a large number of different customers. These can be both individuals who want to print a cartoon character figurine on a 3D printer, and world-famous corporations seeking to optimize their workflows. In any case, consultation is an important factor that can help close the deal.

The additive manufacturing experts at the 3D Services Center can help customers determine the right course of action before launching a project. Working with the client on the specific needs of his project, he is explained the available options.

Identifying the exact applications for 3D printing as well as discussing technical issues and specifics (such as what material is best for the purpose) are all part of the consulting service. Sometimes good preparation based on consultation can save money as the project progresses. For large projects, this is certainly an important advantage.

10. Professional design services

Most 3D service companies expect you to already have a 3D model ready to print. Often this is the case, but some clients still need additional help. In cases where the customer needs to develop a part from scratch and he does not have 3D modeling experience, a service with the involvement of full-time professional designers will come in handy.

Moreover, not all 3D models are ideal for 3D printing in production. In these cases, the advice (or adjustments) from the AM specialist is really helpful. It may not be useful to all customers, but for new customers it will be a nice bonus.

Author of the material: Leo Gregorich. Source: all3dp.com

Article published on 04/28/2022, updated on 08/01/2022

The 3D printing market continues to grow: trends, prospects, business strategies

The future of additive manufacturing begins with understanding the goals and expectations of 3D printing users around the world. This was the reason for the launch of an ambitious research project by the French company Sculpteo - the annual State of 3D Printing report. Today it is one of the most authoritative and comprehensive sources of information about the real situation and prospects of the industry.

This year, 1600 respondents from 71 countries took part in the Sculpteo survey. According to the report, a growing number of companies are realizing the possibilities of additive manufacturing, increasing investments and demonstrating undeniable confidence in the future of professional use of 3D printing.

This resource provides a complete overview of the world of additive manufacturing and will help you develop the right business strategy.

Additive Manufacturing Trends

Materials

• New and accessible materials.
• Improving the quality and stability of budget additive technologies.
• Improving post-processing technologies to obtain parts with the highest quality surface.
• 3D printing from multiple materials at once.

Environmental sustainability

• Biodegradable materials and materials of biological origin.
• On-demand and on-site production to reduce transport and environmental costs.
• Application of 3D printing for solving problems of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Technology Development

• Improving the usability of
software and printers
• Mass Production: Printing and 3D Scanning Speed ​​
• Generative design

Availability

• Reducing the cost of 3D printers and materials (metals, photopolymers).
• Low post-processing costs.
• Sharing projects and tools.

Applications of 3D printing

The possibilities of 3D printing are growing every day, and with them the scope of its application is expanding. Gradually, companies begin to feel more confident in relation to 3D technologies. 68% of respondents are looking to use additive manufacturing to solve a wider range of problems, and 44% are going to introduce new 3D printing technologies. Most professionals outsource SLS and Jet Fusion printing and metal 3D printing so that they do not need to maintain their own equipment, and this will encourage them to test new technologies.

So what are the most popular 3D printing and post-processing technologies? Let's find out!

Once again, the volume of production using 3D printing continues to grow. We are seeing this growth in research and development and education, which is in line with the increased demand for new materials and technologies in the market.

The use of photopolymers is increasing through both internal and external services, while for metal 3D printing, most users outsource.

Design, testing and prototyping continue to be the main challenges of 3D printing.

Consistency and quality control remain a major concern for users seeking to scale up the use of 3D printing.

Most users are using SLS, Jet Fusion, and Metal 3D Printing through outsourcing without purchasing hardware.

3D printing users are interested in exploring new applications, technologies and materials.

Typically, 3D printing is used in conjunction with traditional manufacturing methods such as laser cutting, CNC machining, and injection molding.

A look at additive technologies

What do respondents think about 3D printing technologies? In this section, we will look at the main benefits of 3D printing for users and their companies. How exactly does it optimize production processes?

66% of respondents use 3D printing to create parts with complex geometries. Survey participants cite the reduction in iterations, lead times and costs as the most important benefits of this technology.

In this section, we also look at the future of the additive industry and the factors driving its growth and business adoption. What needs to be done to accelerate the adoption of 3D technologies? Now we'll find out.

As technology and materials become more accessible, the cost savings of 3D printing become clear to more and more users. Many also cite time savings due to reduced iterations and lead times as a benefit.

Set-up costs and lack of knowledge are seen as the main limiting factors for the adoption of 3D printing.

The role of 3D printing in business and manufacturing continues to grow.

More than 55% of the industry needs new materials and reliable technologies.

Business Strategies for 3D Printing

Additive manufacturing is a huge competitive advantage. With some significant benefits of 3D printing, such as reduced lead times and speed of innovation, the vast majority of respondents view 3D printing as a significant improvement for their business.

As far as money is concerned, investments in additive technologies are growing every year. Most of these users will increase their investments in 2020! It can also be seen that the vast majority of those surveyed have been using 3D printing for several years and plan to invest more in this technology in the near future. The business world believes in the promise of additive manufacturing.

Let's see how 3D printing becomes a real asset for companies, helping them develop their business strategy!

63% see a significant or dramatic impact on sales. Reduced lead times and speed of innovation are the most important success metrics for 3D printing.

Nearly 60% cite 3D printing as one of their strengths compared to the competition.

65% of companies plan to increase their investment in 3D printing in 2020.

The integration of 3D printing into manufacturing processes continues to increase, with 74% actively using 3D printing in their companies.

Overview of the 3D printing industry over the past 6 years

The Sculpteo report offers a look at the analysis of the state of the 3D printing industry for each year since 2015. How has the use of 3D printing evolved over the period 2015-2020? Let's look at the answers of the latest polls.

Large-scale production using 3D printing continues to spread, becoming as commonplace as prototyping and testing.

Accelerating development and offering customized products and limited editions remains a major challenge for companies using 3D printing.

The market share of photopolymers continues to increase, showing significant growth over the past two years.

Key takeaways

1. Lack of stability is the Achilles' heel of 3D printing

In order for additive manufacturing to become an integral part of any production, it is necessary to develop equipment and materials that provide high stability.

• 51% say they use 3D printing mostly for quality control purposes.
• 62% believe the 3D printing industry needs more robust technology to grow.

2. 3D printing is gaining ground in certain industries

Many industries are starting to increase their use of 3D printing as it plays an increasingly important role in their manufacturing processes. Users are constantly deepening their knowledge and experience in the application of additive technologies.

• 80% have been using 3D printing in their companies for over 2 years.
• 33% expect up to a 50% increase in investment this year, which is a more conservative estimate than in previous years.

3. 3D printing may be considered unprofitable

For wider use of additive technologies, the cost of manufactured parts must be reduced - this will attract more industries and sectors.

• More than 50% order SLS, Jet Fusion, SLM/DMLS and Binder Jetting outsourced to offset equipment and service costs.
• 59% indicate that the cost of organizing production is a limiting factor for the adoption of 3D printing.

4. Changing perceptions: from prototyping to full-fledged manufacturing technology

Despite the increasing use of 3D printing in manufacturing, its benefits are still clear only for prototyping and small-scale production.

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