April 9, 2013
How often is your 3D printer not printing? Dutch startup 3D Hubs is building a production network of people who have a 3D printer, and who wish to use their 3D printer to make parts for others.
This start-up from Amsterdam is looking for hubs all over the world. "3D Hubs is all about local 3D printing, so we can cut out emissions from shipping and bring out the social side of making." says 3D Hubs. 3D Hubs enables everyone with a 3D printer to join and earn money with their 3D printer, and 3D Hubs users can get fast and affordable 3D printing service offered by local 3D Hubs.
Last month 3D Hubs moved into its new office at Vijzelstraat 79 in Amsterdam which will be one of Amsterdams' Hubs in the near future. Currently there are over 10 Hubs in Amsterdam. In March Harrie & Ruben's Hub 3D printed the first order of 3D Hubs.
The customer, named Ken, needed a mountable frame for his GoPro camera in order to make time-lapses. Such a part exist off-the-shelve but could only be ordered from the US and would cost €45 + shipping. Ken found the digital design on popular content platform Thingiverse, but he had no means of 3D Printing it, until he found 3D Hubs.
Ruben is in his first year of highschool, and a proud owner of a Cube 3D printer. Harrie & Ruben's Hub quoted €13,50 for Ken's part and printed it in ABS plastic that same day.
The only "shipping" involved was a typical Dutch bicycle ride through Amsterdam by Ken. Harrie & Ruben, the father and son said they feel good about their 3D printer being used more and they get inspiration from what other people are designing. They even gave Ken a 3D printing demonstration.
(Images: 3D Hubs)
Currently there are over 15 Hubs registered in Amsterdam. The site will also launch "Unlock your city" campaign in 20 largest American and European cities to enable users to register their printers locally.
Last month 3D Hubs was accepted to be one of the candidates of the Rockstart Accelerator program together with 9 other startups. The winners of the program could get up to 15,000 in seed funding to help them in the future development.
According to 3D Hubs, more functionality will be added to the site, such as checking whether the supplied designs are printable, offering real-time price calculation for each digital design etc.
Posted in 3D Printing Services
Maybe you also like:
- 3D Systems Launches 3DMe figurines on Cubify
- Miproto turns your idea into a 3D printed model
- Sony launched 3D photo booth at ACE 2013
- RobotShop announces 3D printing service for robotic parts
- Customize your own parts through a single model on Parametric Parts
- Become your own 3D printed jewel with the 3D Kissing Booth
- Luxury at reach with Shapeways' addition of Premium Silver
- 3D printing company to offer next-day service
- Shapeways launches new API for better 3D printing apps
- Rethinking the shapes of objects is the key to 3D printing revolution
- Dreambox: 3D printing vending machine near you
- Turn your 'Let's Create! Pottery' creations into real 3D printed models
- Sharing 3D printers throughout DIY groups
- FABULONIA: 3D printing marketplaces with copyright solution
- Pick up books and a 3D copy of your design at Dalhousie Libraries
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
