Global Additive Manufacturing Hub
3D.Inc is a vital part of the ecosystem developed to make additive manufacturing a relevant and mainstream element in industry today.
From virtual to real
Key limitations we discovered that were preventing additive manufacturing from becoming part of mainstream industry were the lack of support and services and omitted steps of a business process required for converting virtual models to physical objects.
3D.Inc is a brand-independent portal for all the resources required to help users make the virtual real. There are definite steps in the process which ends up with a printed object and these steps require resources in terms of materials, equipment and professional services.
3D.Inc is designed to guide users through the process and enable them to obtain these all in one place. There are three main steps.
A.3D MODEL. Create or obtain a 3D model – a digital geometric (stereometric) figure.
- 1.A virtual model already exists and can be purchased (virtual model store);
- 2.There is a 3D object that can be digitized (you need a suitable 3D scanning system for this);
- 3.Use the services of a designer who will draw the virtual model.
B.VIRTUAL OBJECT. To create a virtual object requires help to find the right materials and printing parameters.
This step ends with having a virtual object with the described properties, selecting the materials to make it, and finding a suitable printer.
C.PRINTING.
The third step has several steps to it:
- 1.Creating the G-code (the programming language used to control the 3D printer);
- 2.Printing;
- 3.Post-processing if needed.
Accomplishing these steps requires equipment, parts, supplies, materials, models, a number of
different services and know-how.
3D.Inc has been designed as a hub where all of these can be
offered and obtained.
Find out more on the 3D.inc website.