When it comes to providing business solutions, most people think of the internet and all things computer-related. 3D printers took three decades to gain popularity. It was back in 1984 that scientists first thought of printing things in other formats than ink. These days, people are more and more aware of the possibilities that exist.
Anyone who is prepared to invest between $200 and $5,000 for a printer will discover a range of business opportunities they can consider. We will now take a look at some of these together.
Trophy Production
Many businesses regularly buy these, be it for their sports’ days or to celebrate the Employee of the Month. 3D printed items have a real edge because they can be customized to suit both the person and the occasion. Once the product has been designed and approved, it will take just a couple of days for it to be produced, painted, and finished. Depending on the company’s budget, the trophies can be made from resin, acrylic, or metal plating.
Trophies can also be created to serve youth groups and schools, sports clubs, and so on.
Medical Services
Many amputees these days are given 3D-created prosthetic limbs. The beauty is that they are custom built so they will look and feel as natural as possible.
It is now possible to offer to create tissues or human organs, or a host of medical equipment and tools. Even wheelchairs have been made using this technology.
The dental industry is also looking for 3D-providers for their castable crowns, dental bridges, or denture framework.
Architectural Products
In the past, drawings would have been created for a proposed building. There would then be a time-lapse while a model was made from such materials as wood. Decisions would be made whether to make any modifications to the proposed design or to press ahead with production.
The beauty of 3D printing is that the model can be created much quicker. In fact, models of entire cities can be made within hours. This way, someone can see the proposed new building in the context of the wider area. 2D drawings can supply some information, but there is no substitute for seeing a scale model of the finished work.
Architectural products can be made directly from CAD (Computer Aided Design) files. You would also be able to store the data for future use, should the building be replicated.
Car Parts
The automobile industry is all about saving money and building cars quicker. 3D printing can enable companies to have prototype models and to have experimental car parts for testing purposes.
It’s unlikely you will be able to create an entire 3D printed car in the near future, as there are mechanical parts, motors, and batteries to consider. The market for car parts is highly viable, however. Car models quickly become obsolete, even while people are still driving them. A company could create spare parts using a 3D printer that would be used by servicing garages.
Personalised Products
Some pregnant women pay to see their baby in 3D on the computer. There have been cases where expectant mums pay an extra fee for a 3D product of their unborn child. As people get older they certainly enjoy selfies – think of all the activity using smartphones! It would be possible to create a studio where a person could have a 3D model made of them. Any number of products could be created using the data.
When it comes to birthdays and Christmas, such gifts as coasters can be a great choice. Why not offer to make personalized ones for the buyer or their loved one? Humour can always be included!
Use Your Newfound Skills
They say that to teach someone, you only have to be one step ahead of them. Imagine being conversant with your 3D printer, and training others. It could be for people who enjoy making arts and crafts for a hobby, or other people starting up a business. The more people that are taught in one go, the more money you’ll make.
Online courses are mushrooming during the lockdown. There is space here to create something unique. There are many websites people go to for their courses. Alternatively, you could provide free tuition on YouTube but include links to your website. People may be lured there, and buy your products as a result.
Anyone going down this road needs to have the money and the imagination. They also need to be skilled if they are going to tackle more specialized creations such as home-made jewelry. The sky’s the limit though – see what’s out there and give it a try!
