3D printing has the power to turn your ideas into real-life creations. Opening a 3D printing business can be a way to combine your artistic and technical skills and convert them into profit. A 3D printing business is a unique idea compared to other types of manufacturing technologies, it’s easily accessible, and it opens the doorway for people who want to convert their imagination into a physical product, part, tool or art. If you want to start a 3D printing business, then here is what you will need to get up and running.
Software
There is a lot of brilliant open-source software available that is free of charge. You may be able to depend on online shareware to accomplish your first handful of projects. As your business begins to grow, you will need to invest in a license for at least one year for 3D modeling software that has 3D printing features.
Thermoplastic Filament
Materials are vital when it comes to building 3D creations. You need to make sure you think about the durability, strength, and level of detail required for the images you will be building. There will usually be some kind of trade-off between durability and strength. You need to choose a versatile, sturdy material that is compatible with the printer you purchase.
Sample Kit Materials
If you are still wondering what type of material you want to use to create your images, then you should test out a number of options before you decide to commit. The most popular material to use is thermoplastic, but you can also use metals, ceramics and sandstone. Using non-plastic materials for printing is said to be experimental, so you may get varied results.
3D Scanner and Printer
The main thing you need for a 3D printing business is the scanner and printer to bring the design to life. You can use third-party 3D scanning services to outsource your creations, but you will be able to complete projects faster if you have your own 3D scanner and printer. There are many different printers out there to choose from, so make sure you do your research before making your purchase.
Research and Prepare
You need to make sure that you do your research and prepare yourself before you open your business, to ensure you order the right amount of materials. To do so, you need to calculate the expected volume of print runs, the scale of the objects that you want to build, the type of material you will be using, and the level of detail your creations will have.
Training
It is highly advisable that you invest in some 3D modeling courses before starting up your business. You can do so by taking online classes or through a tech school that specializes in visual effects. There may be an area that you need to improve in, like texture or modeling, and taking a course is great for keeping up to date with the technology available.
When set up and marketed correctly, a 3D printing business has the potential to be extremely successful. It’s worth looking into things that people need but can’t get to make your business stand out from the crowd.
