3D software you use? Currently Rhino is my choice due to multiple plugins like tsplines, grasshopper, RhinoGold, Matrix. I’m skilled with 3DSMax and Maya also.
Have you ever used any printing service such as Shapeways or iMaterialize? NO
Have you considered or plan to use such a service in the future? Since I bought my own printer and printer prices are dropping, I’d say NO unless the price of using those services drops considerably and print quality increases.
Do you own or plan to purchase a 3D printing device? I bought two.
Would you be likely to use a scan & print service? Not likely now that more printers are available and prices will be dropping. I may use scanning service though.
If so what for? (replacement part,self imaging,vehicle,etc) Objects, facial scanning etc
From one to five (one being not important and five being extremely important) please rate the following factors:
Quality of print/Resolution 5
Speed of service including entire process & delivery 3
I do mechanical engineering and design for a living. Here’s my 2 cents on your questions…
3D software you use? SolidWorks
Have you ever used any printing service such as Shapeways or iMaterialize? Routinely. I use SLS for functional prototypes and SLA for Patterns for cast urethane.
Have you considered or plan to use such a service in the future? It’ll be a while before I can afford an SLS machine, so I’ll be using those for a while. Anything that exceeds the envelope of the Form 1 (once I get it) will be a candidate for outside vendors.
Do you own or plan to purchase a 3D printing device? I’m waiting for my Form 1, and I have a FDM printer (Print-r-bot)
Would you be likely to use a scan & print service? Not likely, but it could be useful for Reverse engineering a part (It would need to be quick and reasonably priced)
If so what for? (replacement part,self imaging,vehicle,etc) I could see taking a scan into SolidWorks to model iPhone accessories, etc. more accurately.
From one to five (one being not important and five being extremely important) please rate the following factors:
Quality of print/Resolution 5
Speed of service including entire process & delivery 3
Cost of Service 5
10.Print max size 5
11.Material color 2
12.Material strength (2 for patterns, 5 for functional prototypes)
13.Ability to observe process 1
14.Service ease of use 5 (Instant quote is mandatory)
15.Availability of alternate materials 5 (you need the right material for whatever the customer is doing)
Thanks Derek,Andy,and Ron!!! and yes Hirudin I just completed a degree in design technology but I am in a summer class called New Venture, its an entrepreneurial class to help create a business plan. I want to do something with 3D printing, I’m just trying to find my place(s) in the market right now so all the input I can get from people interested in the same stuff I am is invaluable!
Have you ever used any printing service such as Shapeways or iMaterialize?
No
Have you considered or plan to use such a service in the future?
Considered: Sorta, never seriously though. I *assume* they charge more than I would be willing to pay, I have never looked though.
Plan to: No
Do you own or plan to purchase a 3D printing device?
I have a Form1 coming.
Would you be likely to use a scan & print service?
I would like to be able to do 3D scans. I don’t think I would want to ship an object to have it scanned though. Perhaps if a scanning business popped up locally I would utilize them, but I don’t think that’s too likely at the moment.
If so what for? (replacement part,self imaging,vehicle,etc)
Good question. I think it would be cool to have a 3D model of my head at some point. Other than that I just don’t know.
From one to five (one being not important and five being extremely important) please rate the following factors:
Quality of print/Resolution - 5
Speed of service including entire process & delivery - 3
Cost of Service - 4
10.Print max size - 2
11.Material color - 1
12.Material strength - 4
13.Ability to observe process - 1
14.Service ease of use - 1
15.Availability of alternate materials - 4
16.File Sharing - ? (I’m not sure what you mean by this.)
Thanks Hirudin! And by file sharing I was thinking like an option to share your designs in an open library, maybe just make it a section of a forum or something…