Mar. 24, 2015 | By Simon
Although it’s easy to think of desktop 3D printers such as the MakerBot Replicator and the Form 1+ when discussing 3D printing, the amount of companies that use 3D printing at an industrial scale to realize their product design visions is a huge industry that involves multiple stakeholders, various 3d printing technologies and oftentimes miles between each before a single product can be prototyped using additive manufacturing technologies.
While many of these companies - which can range from automobile and construction equipment manufacturers to design studios and engineering firms - oftentimes have industrial-scale 3D printers at their own facilities, there are oftentimes jobs that cannot be done in-house and require a third-party provider to supply the necessary technology in order for the 3d printed parts to get made.
But similar to organizing any other endeavor, locating when, where and how isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
In order to help make this process easier, Zurich-based Additively has just launched the Additively Application, which gives companies a single point of access to hundreds of 3D printing suppliers with a wide range of capabilities.
Among other features, the application includes an automated workflow based off of a file upload option for making quote requests and part ordering as simple as possible. In total, there are over 300 3D printing suppliers on the network that offer over 250 different materials. The application allows for new users needing a specific material to filter the right 3D printing technology for their needs and then automatically identifies a list of 3D printing suppliers that can meet the user’s needs. Experienced users who have history working with some of the companies can work efficiently and safely (SSL-secured) with a list of their preferred suppliers through the application.
The application is free to use for trying out or for casual usage however for more intensive usage for professionals that need to protect their designs, Additively has some additional features that are offered through a subscription-based pricing model.
Among other features included for paying users is the option to have a central NDA solution for keeping designs private without the need to have multiple NDAs signed by each and every supplier. For larger companies with distributed teams, their enterprise solution gives a single and standardized interface to all of the included internal and external 3D printing suppliers.
Whether you’re a casual 3D printing hobbyist who is looking to expand your designs into different materials or are a professional design engineer who is in need of a centralized source for 3D printing suppliers, its hard to argue that Additively has supplied the community with a valuable resource.
New users can try the network for free by uploading their first part for a quotation over at Additively.
Posted in 3D Printing Services
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It is about time! Certainly worth bookmarking. Amazon also has created a 3d printing side of their sales at http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_383307362_3?ie=UTF8&node=6066126011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=0742753CPHR34TWZ8Q24&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1925142982&pf_rd_i=B00OCG91IK