When the patent for 3D printing expired in 2012, a lot of companies had big dreams about how the technology could change the way they did business. The problem was that printers were expensive, and only a handful of people had the experience necessary.
Enter Amsterdam-based entrepreneur Charlie Hu, whose family owned a number of manufacturing companies. He did extensive research into 3D printing, and believes it will disrupt the traditional manufacturing process.
To bridge the gap between manufacturing companies and designers, he and an engineer co-founded Triple 3D in 2014. The company matches businesses in need of someone to design their product with designers around the world.
We’re the intermediary between manufacturers and product designers,” says the WeWork Amsterdam member. “We know both sides well.”
Say you’re a jewelry manufacturer with an idea for a new product. Hu says you can save time and money by printing a 3D prototype.
“With a 3D printer, it’s easier to customize and change shapes with different products,” he explains, “instead of using a laser cutter and injection mold, which takes lot of time and comes with high overhead costs.”
It’s no coincidence that the majority of Hu’s 3D clients are from his native China, where many of the world’s best-known products are manufactured. Clients there have had difficulty finding local experts in 3D printing. They’ve been outsourcing the work to Europe, especially to the Netherlands.
“The Netherlands is a good country to start 3D printing initiatives because a lot of high schools teach it, and most universities have 3D printer labs,” says Hu. “Universities are putting in a lot of effort and money to make 3D printing happen. It’s becoming trendy.”
Hu believes the demand for 3D printing will only increase as innovative startups figure out new ways to use the process.
“The future of 3D printing will be bright and robust,” Hu says. “It’s definitely become a good technological and economical growth driver, especially in the manufacturing, medical, and design industries. 3D printing technology will become cheaper, faster, more dynamic, and be used in more and more industrial applications.”
Photo credit: Iris Duvekot