Sep 23, 2014
Following the successful launch of 3D print in six markets across the country, The UPS Store (UPS) announced plans Monday to bring in-store 3-D-printing services to nearly 100 additional locations nationwide.
Claimed to be the first national retailer to do so, UPS will partner with Stratasys to give more small business owners access to high-quality, professional 3D printing. Customers can submit their own designs that are then printed on a professional-quality 3D printer - uPrint SE Plus made by Stratasys.
"Over the past year, the six locations saw demand for 3D print continuing to increase across a broad spectrum of customers. This upward trend is in line with the 3D print industry, which also experienced rapid growth." notes UPS.
During its 2013 pilot program, the UPS' 3D print services were used by small businesses, startups, inventors, artists etc to transform their ideas into reality. "We are committed to offering small business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers high-tech solutions in order to assist with all of their business needs," said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store.
Prices vary depending on object complexity. The range could be anywhere between $15 for simple jobs to $500 for complicated prototypes. For example an iPhone case would be around $60, while a replica femur bone would cost $325. UPS also provides services from the inhouse designer who charges an hourly rate to help turn your design into a 3D file for the printer.
The UPS Store is kicking off this expansion by designating Sept. 22-26 as its first annual 3D Print Week - #3DPrintWeek. The UPS Store and Stratasys will join forces to host a Twitter chat titled "How 3D print can help your small business" today, Sept. 23, 2014 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. PST. The chat can be followed using the hashtag, #3DPrintWeek. Small business owners can get their 3D print questions answered by experts including Daniel Remba, small business technology leader for @TheUPSStore; Mark Skokut, senior application engineer @Stratasys and Brian Moran, small business expert @BrianMoran.
"There are significant differences between home 3D printers and professional 3D printers," said Daniel Remba, small business technology leader at The UPS Store. "Many of the challenging and time consuming steps used to prepare a simpler printer are fully automated on the uPrint SE Plus, leading to added precision and reliability, higher print quality and a success rate that is unmatched by a home printer."
A full list of The UPS Store locations offering 3D printing can be found here.
Posted in 3D Printing Services
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This is clearly just the begining but I wonder what will UPS do when more and more people will have thier own printer at home?
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