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3D Activation interviews Internet World Business about 3D printing technology
Although the beginnings of 3D printing technology date back to 1983/84, it was almost 30 years before there was real hype about it rapid prototyping should come. However, there is a simple reason for this delay: the patent for FDM 3D printing technology only expired in 2012, followed by the patent for selective laser sintering (also known as SLS 3D printing) in early 2014, with the result that 3D -Printers have become available at significantly lower prices over the past 3 years, making rapid prototyping-based business models possible across the board. Until then, Scott Crump had held the patent for FDM 3D printing and Carl R. Deckard for selective laser sintering.
These developments of the years 2012-14 made the online magazine Internet World Business in May 2014 under the headline “The Next Revolution” as its lead story. In this context, Fabian Strohschein, the managing director of 3D Activation GmbH from Wiesbaden and Thun/Switzerland, was also interviewed, especially since this 3D printing service was founded in 2010, i.e. before the big 3D printing hype. 3D Activation is a mass customization provider that mainly manufactures industrial equipment, but whose customer base is already 10% end customers. Strohschein is therefore also commenting on the new possibilities that 3D printing technology offers, not least for non-commercial users. “Hobby hobbyists no longer need a complex casting plant or a blast furnace to simply manufacture things, even if the inexpensive 3D printers cannot be compared with professional systems and service providers,” says Strohschein. The 3D Activation managing director is also interested in the completely new possibilities of individual production of professional quality. “What the product looks like in the end is irrelevant for the production using 3D printing. So you have complete freedom of design,” says Strohschein.
3D printing technology is unlikely for everyone
However, since 3D printing technology has become more common graphics applications, i.e. requires some technical ability, it is hard to imagine that private individuals on a broad front would 3D print objects themselves, especially since most home user 3D printers offer a comparatively low quality with a disproportionately high operating effort. On the other hand, it is unlikely to be economically feasible, professional CAD designer with the production of small objects such as heart pendants. This gap is now being filled by 3D printing service providers whose business model of enabling small quantities at low production costs has only been made possible by the price development in the 3D printing market since 2012.
Find the full article including the 3D Activation interview here.
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