Aug.1, 2013
The UPS Store announced Wednesday it is the first nationwide retailer to test 3D printing services in-store. Select UPS Store locations will be offering the services to start-ups, small businesses and retail customers, beginning in the San Diego area.
The UPS Store is testing the Stratasys uPrint SE Plus printer, which starts about $20,900. With nine colors to choose from, this 3D printer uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology to build in real ABSplus thermoplastic, creating realistic prototypes that are durable and accurate. With this printer, The UPS Store locations will be equipped to produce high quality 3D printed items like engineering parts, functional prototypes, acting props, architectural models, fixtures for cameras, lights and cables.
The UPS test "represents another example of how 3-D printing is being evaluated as a mainstream process within product development and manufacturing," said Shane Glenn, Stratasys vice president of investor relations.
The UPS Store network has more than 4,300 locations, and the first to offer 3D printing will be in the San Diego area. Stratasys Uprint SE Plus printers will be intalled in 6 locations in San Diego to test out the new service. This service will be added to locations in additional cities across the United States in the near future, provided that the San Diego experiment proves successful, says UPS.
A recent online poll of 86 small business owners conducted by The UPS Store showed high interest in trying the services, particularly for those needing to create prototypes, artistic renderings or promotional materials.
"Start-ups, entrepreneurs and small business owners may not have the capital to purchase a 3D printer on their own, but they may have a need to show prototypes to their current and potential customers," said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and small business solutions at The UPS Store. "By offering 3D printing capabilities in-center, we're able to help further our small business customers' opportunities for success."
Posted in 3D Printing Services
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