How is it that someone with the business and financial ability has not set out to do Shapeways one (or many) better by offering a complete intermediary that could empower any creative person a complete set of tools and access to the productivity of a mostly Robotic Shop and the markets to sell what they can invent?
I looked into 3dprinters instead of even before I knew about but the productivity was so low that things would be very expensive or there would need to be a lot of additional molding and casting needed to get production into the hundreds much less a lot more. Even in laser cutting the is limited in scale and materials but at least what it can make it can do somewhat quickly. With very large equipment, and lots of it one person or even a small company cannot do enough to keep the equipment busy but thousands of inventors doing different things could do so easily.
The whole revolution in computers is about one machine doing an unlimited number of things, and the Maker Movement is about extending that concept to Robotics, and TechShop was a way of doing that hands on, but even franchised the market is limited to those with the hand skills living close enough to travel there regularly, and no marketing system (even to the level of Shapeways) to find a market for what they produce. However, a central company that could accomplish the production for anyone in the world, and in touch with the buyers etc of all the corporate needs and its own retail market might be bigger than Amazon.
Hi! Have you checked out i3Detroit Makerspace? I visited their space several years ago when the Kansas City Makerspace (CCCKC) visited the Detroit Maker Faire and we needed some electric car (PPPRS) repairs before the next race. They had what I called at the time a gi-normous laser cutter but I think they charged an hourly fee for using it and they had lots of tools and such.
Hi everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My name is Chris Ross, I am a maker, Glowforge Owner, TechShop member/instructor, and CEO/Founder of FreeForm - a 3D printing services and sales startup in Phoenix, AZ.
Like many of you, I was saddened to see the closure of TechShop and the heavy impact it’s had on so many who’s livelihoods depended on it. I was an active member who developed and taught 3D printing classes (including the Formlabs course so I am pleased to see their participation).
Inspired by the open letter and offers from Glowforge, Inventables, LittleBits, and Formlabs, I’d like to pitch in and help as well by offering the following:
Now through Dec 31st, TechShop alum will receive an additional $100 discount on most 3D Printers and 3D Scanners available in our store at http://store.freeform.xyz/. This discount will apply over and above any special promotions going on throughout the rest of the year (including Black Friday - Cyber Monday). Use code TECHSHOP at checkout.
Now through Dec 31st, we will offer a 25% discount on 3D printing services (FDM & SLA). For a quote, email us at info@freeformxyz.com. We ship nationwide.
Finally, a portion of all proceeds from sales through Dec 31st will be used to acquire and make available maker tools to our local TechShop community in Chandler, AZ (including we hope taking advantage of some of the generous offers from Dan, Zach, Ayah, and Max).
Perhaps this small gesture will help those most affected by the loss of TechShop.
even before I knew about 