HOW TO START
OR ENHANCE A
BUSINESS WITH
3D PRINTING
14
CHAPTER
PART IV: FROM IDEA -
TO 3D PRINT - TO PRODUCT
Getting Started with 3D Printing 198
INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 198INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 198 4/14/2021 3:01:08 PM4/14/2021 3:01:08 PM
FIGURE 141: A graph showing the consecutive steps of the 3D Design Prototyping Process
3D printing is offering entrepreneurs many opportunities to streamline their daily operations and save
money. 3D printing also allows for the creation of new parts and models where your imagination is the only
limitation.
3D printed items are more than just plastic trinkets. They have real utility and are being used by companies,
communities and organizations around the world to change or enhance their organizations. In this next
chapter you will learn how you can use 3D printing for your current or new business!
WE WILL EXPLORE TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS IN THIS SECTION:
A
A new company or individual that wants to center their services or products around 3D printing
B
The existing business that would like to leverage 3D printing to enhance their current sales,
marketing and revenue goals
Let’s first explore some possibilities available to a new organization that wants to develop a product that can
be 3D printed. This type of production method can have many advantages over traditional manufacturing:
lower initial capital investment in stock and tooling, an ability to produce small runs quickly and capitalize on
trends, and the chance to iterate new designs quickly and relatively inexpensively. We will deep dive into the
various production methods in chapter 15. The important takeaway here is that 3D printing allows for more
flexibility.
Getting Started with 3D Printing 200
199 Chapter 14: How to Start or Enhance a Business With 3D Printing
INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 199INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 199 4/14/2021 3:01:09 PM4/14/2021 3:01:09 PM
FIGURE 141: A graph showing the consecutive steps of the 3D Design Prototyping Process
3D printing is offering entrepreneurs many opportunities to streamline their daily operations and save
money. 3D printing also allows for the creation of new parts and models where your imagination is the only
limitation.
3D printed items are more than just plastic trinkets. They have real utility and are being used by companies,
communities and organizations around the world to change or enhance their organizations. In this next
chapter you will learn how you can use 3D printing for your current or new business!
WE WILL EXPLORE TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS IN THIS SECTION:
A
A new company or individual that wants to center their services or products around 3D printing
B
The existing business that would like to leverage 3D printing to enhance their current sales,
marketing and revenue goals
Let’s first explore some possibilities available to a new organization that wants to develop a product that can
be 3D printed. This type of production method can have many advantages over traditional manufacturing:
lower initial capital investment in stock and tooling, an ability to produce small runs quickly and capitalize on
trends, and the chance to iterate new designs quickly and relatively inexpensively. We will deep dive into the
various production methods in chapter 15. The important takeaway here is that 3D printing allows for more
flexibility.
Your new organization has an idea that will change the world, but you must first follow the process of proto-
typing and market research. An idea is just the start, to ensure a better outcome, you will want to consider
the product design process throughout the prototyping period as shown in Figure 14-1.
One you have your CAD model, 3D printing really shows its value by allowing you to create samples quickly
and edit them just as quickly. You won’t need to wait for weeks for the sample to arrive from overseas. Just
load your 3D file into the computer and start the print!
AS YOU DEFINE THE PROBLEM AND COLLECT INFORMATION, YOU WILL WANT TO CONSIDER THE
FOLLOWING:
Do you have any competitors, and if so, how are they making the product or service?
How much are your competitors charging for the product or service?
Is your product or service geographically dependent? Does your customer need to be in your
area to make the purchase?
What costs are involved? Do you need to purchase materials? A 3D printer?
Will you or your staff need special training to run the equipment and what is the learning curve?
What skills do you bring to the business and what skills will you have to hire?
How much time and financial resources are you prepared to risk?
Will you run 3D printers or outsource the production to a 3rd party?
What 3D printing material is right for your use case? Will it be exposed to heat, light, moisture, etc.?
The above questions are not the complete list of everything you have to consider, but rather a guide to help
you narrow down your options. Finally, before you embark on a product or service, we recommend that
you familiarize yourself with the ecosystem that makes this revolutionary technology possible. Be sure to
research the companies, materials, resources and organizations we listed in Chapter 2 to maximize your
success using 3D printing
CREATING PROTOTYPES TO TEST A DESIGN, SHOW POTENTIAL
CUSTOMERS, ATTRACT INVESTORS
Prototyping is probably our favorite use of 3D printing and is the main focus of our company. Having a
physical prototype to test your invention is critical. There are many advantages to creating that first model:
getting mechanical feedback, showing the prototype to focus groups, and getting important market feed-
back. Prototyping can also be used to make small volumes to test the market before you invest in large
production runs. Small edits to the CAD files can be done quickly and multiple versions can be tested at one
time saving time and money.
Getting Started with 3D Printing 200
INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 200INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 200 4/14/2021 3:01:09 PM4/14/2021 3:01:09 PM
FIGURE 142: A humanoid robot prototype developed by testing and iterating 3D printed versions
Trying to raise funds from investors? A photoshopped rendered image will just not do. Investors want to see
that the team has done their due diligence by taking the initiative to produce a working model. They want
to see that the team has spent time researching and testing the concept. Showing actual CAD models and
a history of physical prototypes shows investors that the team has spent time thinking through the design.
That reduces the investor’s risk and that’s a good thing! Figure 14-2 shows a physical working prototype of a
design concept.
STARTING A NEW BUSINESS CENTERED AROUND 3D PRINTING
Social Networks and the Internet have leveled the playing field when it comes to potential exposure to new
customers. Entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses can start small and build their businesses
using a home office. These businesses can reach millions of potential customers with viral campaigns and
relatively small amounts of advertising dollars. 3D printing is a perfect tool that can support low volume
runs, remote creation, and distribution of goods and services.
And 3D Printing has a broad application. Products that affect your everyday life, like shoes and CPAP
Getting Started with 3D Printing 202
201 Chapter 14: How to Start or Enhance a Business With 3D Printing
INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 201INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 201 4/14/2021 3:01:10 PM4/14/2021 3:01:10 PM
FIGURE 142: A humanoid robot prototype developed by testing and iterating 3D printed versions
Trying to raise funds from investors? A photoshopped rendered image will just not do. Investors want to see
that the team has done their due diligence by taking the initiative to produce a working model. They want
to see that the team has spent time researching and testing the concept. Showing actual CAD models and
a history of physical prototypes shows investors that the team has spent time thinking through the design.
That reduces the investor’s risk and that’s a good thing! Figure 14-2 shows a physical working prototype of a
design concept.
STARTING A NEW BUSINESS CENTERED AROUND 3D PRINTING
Social Networks and the Internet have leveled the playing field when it comes to potential exposure to new
customers. Entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses can start small and build their businesses
using a home office. These businesses can reach millions of potential customers with viral campaigns and
relatively small amounts of advertising dollars. 3D printing is a perfect tool that can support low volume
runs, remote creation, and distribution of goods and services.
And 3D Printing has a broad application. Products that affect your everyday life, like shoes and CPAP
masks, as well as highly-complex projects, like
buildings and engines, all share a need for custom-
ization that can be developed and created using 3D
printing. The following examples highlight busi-
nesses centered around 3D printing.
YOU CAN CREATE 3D CAD DESIGNS
PEOPLE CAN BUY
Did you ever want to create your own jewelry line or
model train parts? 3D printing, with CAD knowledge,
gives you the freedom to create lines of product your
market wants to buy! You can even create the CAD
yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
Ready to sell your newly minted creations? Here
are some websites where you can you can have a
virtual storefront and get discovered by your potential
customers:
Shapeways (https://www.shapeways.com/)
Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/)
Turbosquid (https://www.turbosquid.com/)
Cgtrader (https://www.cgtrader.com/)
Sketchfab (https://sketchfab.com/)
Cults3D (http://cults3d.com)
Prusa Marketplace (https://www.prusaprinters.org/)
You can create highly specialized products. Whether you like to play video games or Monopoly, you can
sell new customized models potential players would love to own. See Figure 14-3 as an example of a cus-
tomized Monopoly game piece. There are thousands of games out there with loyal followers and testing a
design can be relatively quick and easy. You can jump on fast moving cultural trends and get the benefit of
being there first with relevant products to sell.
YOU CAN OFFER 3D PRINTING AS A SERVICE
One of the most obvious ways to make money with 3D printing is to sell 3D prints for a fee. Businesses and indi-
viduals often want objects produced through 3D printing, but don’t have the equipment. You don’t need ten 3D
printers to start your own ‘Print Farm,” you just need at least one 3D printer and the knowledge of how to use the
printer. You can buy a ready to use printer, which is slightly more expensive, or you can purchase a good small 3D
FIGURE 143: An example of a customized Monopoly game piece
being sold to customers
Getting Started with 3D Printing 202
INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 202INTERIOR_3DPrinting_v21.indd 202 4/14/2021 3:01:11 PM4/14/2021 3:01:11 PM
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.