Shapeways Buys 3D Mannequin Neighborhood Thangs – 3DPrint.com

3D printing service pioneer Shapeways is exhibiting vital initiative. Simply weeks after rising from chapter, the corporate is buying Thangs, a platform for downloading and sharing designs, from Physna, Inc. Thangs permits customers to promote designs and share them globally. The platform additionally allows creators to cost memberships for unique entry, supply affiliate income to promoters, and conduct searches throughout Thangs and different sharing platforms.

This acquisition might present Shapeways with substantial income from digital file gross sales and doubtlessly drive bodily element gross sales. For customers, the improved Thangs platform might scale to accommodate high-volume manufacturing utilizing powder mattress and different manufacturing processes.

Shapeways mentioned of the deal:

“Modifications to the Shapeways enterprise mannequin by the previous administration crew left the infrastructure underpinning Outlets and Market outdated. The acquisition of Thangs from Physna, Inc., supplies the neighborhood with a well timed answer that exceeds Shapeways’ prior capabilities combining strong IP safety powered by Physna’s expertise with a contemporary platform tailor-made to creators’ wants. With Thangs fostering concepts into designs and Shapeways bringing these designs to life, the 2 firms collectively create a seamless ecosystem that spans the total 3D creation worth chain.”

“The crew behind Thangs actually love their creators and neighborhood — and so they take excellent care of them: which is strictly in step with the unique spirit of Shapeways. Equally importantly their 3D search expertise powered by Physna protects the IP of their creators which is extremely essential to me and the remainder of the administration crew. We shall be working now to create the ‘Print to Shapeways’ button inside Thangs, and creating outlets. We shall be retaining the spirit of Thangs, which is able to develop into Thangs 3D Inc., a subsidiary, whereas creating a brand new house for Shapeways neighborhood members’ 3D information and companies,” Shapeways CEO Marleen Vogelaar said.

“The synergy between Shapeways and Thangs was clear from the beginning. Whereas Physna will proceed to focus totally on our B2B and authorities merchandise, we stay invested in Thangs and have an amazing relationship with the neighborhood. We sit up for persevering with to assist Thangs and Shapeways; I imagine the sturdy synergies between the 2 will drive progress and create worth for each communities,” added Paul Powers, CEO and Co-founder of Physna, Inc.

I hope Shapeways invests in creating desktop 3D printer-based print farms as nicely. This strategy would allow them to compete with the rising variety of print farms rising globally. Whereas powder mattress fusion excels at producing detailed components in giant portions, dependable desktop 3D printers can create inexpensive components in a wide range of supplies at comparable scales.

At the moment, there’s a worth hole in 3D printing being exploited by firms like Gantri and different 3D printed lamp producers. With well-designed 3D printed lamps now obtainable at inexpensive costs, dozens of corporations are getting into this market. Many use desktop machines to print their merchandise, both in-house or via companies like Slant3D. This pattern indicators the broader potential for desktop 3D printing in end-use components.

Shapeways might strategically place itself as the one service able to mastering each desktop and industrial 3D printing, bridging the hole between affordability and scalability. This transfer not solely reinforces Shapeways’ adaptability but additionally highlights its potential for future progress.