Convergence of 3D Printing and Cloud Printing Bringing a New Era in Small Scale Manufacturing
- BY Sandra Helsel
- May 28, 2015
- 1 min read
Source: http://inside3dprinting.com/
(Manufacturing Global) — The convergence of 3D printing and cloud computing might make it easier for small companies to get into the manufacturing game. Until recently, the investment in 3D-printing technology was simply too high for smaller companies. High-end printers that produce finished products can cost thousands or even millions of dollars, and require specialized skills to use.
New cloud-based services — such as Shapeways, Cubify, i Materialize, and Sculpteo — that offer to do the 3D printing for small businesses — are enabling small companies to afford 3D-printing services and product development. Companies can work up a design and upload it to a cloud server, and the cloud business will 3D-print it. The cloud companies sometimes offer services such as packaging, shipping, and billing, allowing small businesses to focus on core areas such as design. A new era of small scale manufacturing gives small manufacturers an opportunity to create products with little or no capital outlay and the ability to rethink common problems such as carrying inventory and diversifying product lines.
