Could 3D Printing create a future where products are made on demand, manufactured close the end user?

 

Bram De Zwart is the co founder and CEO of 3D Hubs (www.3dhubs.com), a service that connects you with the nearest 3D printers in your neighbourhood. 3D Printers are sitting idle up to 90% of the time and 3D hubs helps owners take advantage of this idle machine time and become an entrepreneur.

 

Plus this allows you to get started without a 3D printer!

 

Some of the most important principles discussed include:

* The idea behind 3D Hubs was to create a network of 3D printers, rather than consuming products manufactured from a centralized location.
* The  first customer for 3D Hubs had their phone case 3D printed by a 13 year old kid.
* 3D Hubs has built a team of 25 people already and are continually developing new features that aim to increase the user experience.
* In the past year, material advances have been made to the technology which include metals, wood, carbon fibre and soon multiple materials all on the desktop.
* There are over 10,000 3D Printing locations within the 3D Hubs network across 140 countries. This relays the access of 3D printing to over one billion people within ten miles of their home.
* 3D Hubs Talk (https://www.3dhubs.com/talk) is a forum that discusses how to become an entrepreneur using 3D Printing. A great place for like minded people trying to think of new ways to take advantage of the opportunity 3D Hubs provides.
* 2015 3D Hubs Printer Guide (https://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide) outlines the top 3D Printers in the world as surveyed by their network.
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