The invention of 3D printing revolutionized the way many view the manufacturing world and created many new possibilities for innovative entrepreneurs. Let’s take a look at the different industries that have been transformed by 3D printing and how to make money with a 3D printer .
What is 3D printing with additive technology?
3D printing is an additive manufacturing method in which a plastic filament passes through a head that is at the melting temperature of the material and moves in XYZ coordinates to make the layered part of the required thickness. This technology is already widely used in the professional and domestic environment, where everyone can carry out their projects, models or parts by their own means.
With additive manufacturing technologylike [pii_email_aef67573025b785e8ee2], objects can be produced with a high level of customization and complexity while reducing costs. In addition, there are now the multi-tool 3D printers which are even more versatile.
3D printing and selling of commercial items
One of the easiest ways to make money with a 3D printer is to offer the printer as a business service or to sell items that are made with it. Businesses and individuals often want objects produced by 3D printing, but do not have the necessary equipment. Also, if you are a skilled designer, you can make items and sell them. For both approaches, you can find robust markets.
On some sites, you can list your 3D printer as a service here, then take orders and get paid for the items you produce. All you need to do is create an account with a valid email address, list a few details about your printer, and you’re basically good to start taking orders.
Other services with an all-in-one community that includes designers and printers sell their services to people looking for 3D printed items. Buyers go there to find experts who can help them develop products, find printers to produce their design, or shop from the wide range of products offered by the community. Here, as the owner of the printer, there are many ways you can serve these customers.
These online communities make it easy to get your machine up and running and allow you to earn money immediately with a 3D printer.
Rapid prototyping services
Rapid prototyping is another 3D printing service in high demand among professionals and businesses working in architecture, design, engineering, and construction.
Using 3D printing technology , a scale prototype can be produced and professionals can use it to show off their designs, make a conceptual presentation, or test the viability of a final product.
The advantages of rapid prototyping with 3D printing instead of other traditional methods include:
- 3D printing reduces the time and cost of producing prototypes.
- Reduces the risk of errors in design or manufacture.
- Allows prototyping several variants of the same design.
- Increases the ability to manufacture a more complex end product.
Many companies and designers have tried rapid prototyping, which has already proven to be an improvement over traditional methods. Major manufacturers and designers, such as those mentioned below, have seen its usefulness in improving design and reducing costs.
The ability to make reliable and realistic prototypes with little effort and at a lower cost helps design companies to test plans against simulated conditions and refine them before carrying out a construction.
In these cases, making money faster can occur due to faster production time and lower development costs. You can also help companies like the ones mentioned above in the process and act as a go-between for prototyping.
Homemade products and crafts
Another great way to make money with a 3D printer is to enter the market for homemade products and personalized crafts. Some companies have started to offer products in this field using 3D printing and this has led to many successes.
You can design and produce unique home decor items using 3D printing. Examples of 3D printed items that you can make are: furniture, cutlery, lighting fixtures, etc.
A third notable example is that of jewelry companies that have decided to take advantage of the versatility and convenience of 3D printing. 3D printing is used to create personalized wedding rings with the fingerprint of her fianc 3D printing is also used to make custom jewelry and has been shown to significantly reduce the cost of the process due to the reduction in labor. This is a very promising area in terms of the possibilities to make quick money with a 3D printer.
3D printing course
More and more companies and schools are using 3D printing to reduce the cost of training and improve the educational process. 3D printing can be used to broaden the practical end of courses in areas such as construction, engineering, design, Siege of orgrimmar entrance and architecture.
If you become an expert in the use of 3D printers , you can teach or even create a MOOC.
How to choose a 3D printer
3D printing clearly offers a number of great money making opportunities, but if you are going to invest in this opportunity, it is important to consider a multi-tool 3D printer. These new models have interchangeable tool heads which make them multifunctional. With some models, you get not only 3D printing, but also milling, laser cutting, engraving and the ability to 3D print a wider range of products. This increased versatility translates into more income opportunities.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a 3D Printer
Before choosing a particular device for 3d printing , it is necessary to take into account some factors:
1-. Type of 3D printer users
The first step is whether you are going to make large parts with industrial materials or if you are going to use only conventional materials for small and medium parts.
In the first case, it is advisable to use industrial 3D printers capable of working with all types of materials and of producing large volume parts while maintaining high precision.
For the second case, we recommend desktop 3D printers, which are generally simpler and more economical. Some desktop 3D printers can be purchased either assembled and ready to use, or as a kit.
- The advantage of buying a 3D printer kit is that it can be modified to suit the user and is cheaper.
- The problem is that the user must take into account the time required to assemble, program and calibrate the 3D printer and whether he has the necessary knowledge and means.
If you are not a user with extensive knowledge in the field and only want to print 3D models, buy an already assembled 3D printer.
2-. Material of parts to be printed
Depending on the material used in making the parts, some printers may offer better results than others, so it is very important to know the main printing specifications of the materials to be used: extrusion temperature, base temperature required, sensitivity to drafts and printing speed.
- Temperatures: Knowing both the extrusion temperature and the base temperature is the key to making sure we can use the material we need without a problem. For example, there are inexpensive printers where the base temperature is only 70-80ºC, which is insufficient to prevent warping in some prints.
- Sensitivity to drafts: some materials are sensitive to drafts because they cause cracks (separation of layers from each other). Having a closed 3D printer always brings advantages and avoids many problems.
- Print Speed: This setting affects the speed at which parts can be manufactured, which is a point the user should take into account depending on their needs. Quality 3D printers take high-performance material printing to the limit with a print speed of 90mm / s. For conventional materials, speeds between 40 and 60 mm / s are used, which can be achieved with virtually any 3D printer on the market.
3-. Size of parts to print
The size of the parts to be produced also influences the choice of a 3D printer. Most basic 3D printers have a build volume of 200/200/200/200/200 mm but there are different sizes. You should look for a 3D printer that adapts to the particular needs of each user in order to avoid having to make cuts in the design, print parts, and then assemble them together.
4-. Structure and precision
A very important part of a 3D printer is its structure. This aspect directly affects operation, performance, and manufacturing accuracy, so when deciding which printer to buy, you should put the emphasis on that part and make sure that the 3D printer you choose, especially if it’s in. kit, has a sturdy, stable and durable structure.
Conclusion
The 3D printing can be an outlet for art, a way to produce commercial goods and service you sell. The 3d printing price has come down a lot and when you have a versatile multi-tool 3d printer, you can profit from it. If you are a business or an individual with the ambition to increase your profitability, owning a multi-tool 3D printer may be the tool you need.
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