Line 70: Line 70:
* [http://www.innovationtoronto.com/2017/02/make-a-100-percent-or-more-return-on-your-money-with-a-low-cost-open-source-3d-printer/ Make a 100 percent or more return on your money with a low-cost open-source 3D printer]- Innovation Toronto (Canada)
* [http://www.innovationtoronto.com/2017/02/make-a-100-percent-or-more-return-on-your-money-with-a-low-cost-open-source-3d-printer/ Make a 100 percent or more return on your money with a low-cost open-source 3D printer]- Innovation Toronto (Canada)
* [http://www.3dnatives.com/impression-3d-maison-17022017/ Faites des économies grâce à l’impression 3D !] - 3D Natives (France)
* [http://www.3dnatives.com/impression-3d-maison-17022017/ Faites des économies grâce à l’impression 3D !] - 3D Natives (France)
* [https://3druck.com/case-studies/kann-man-mit-einem-3d-drucker-fuer-den-heimgebrauch-tatsaechlich-geld-sparen-5054563/ Kann man mit einem 3D-Drucker für den Heimgebrauch tatsächlich Geld sparen?] - 3DRuck (German)





Revision as of 13:13, 19 February 2017

Economic Advantage to Making Your Own Stuff with 3D Printing
Error in widget YouTube: Unable to load template 'wiki:YouTube'

Source

Abstract

Emily-mini.jpg

Through reduced 3-D printer cost, increased usability, and greater material selection, additive manufacturing has transitioned from business manufacturing to the average prosumer. This study serves as a representative model for the potential future of 3-D printing in the average American household by employing a printer operator who was relatively unfamiliar with 3-D printing and the 3-D design files of common items normally purchased by the average consumer. Twenty-six items were printed in thermoplastic and a cost analysis was performed through comparison to comparable, commercially available products at a low and high price range. When compared to the low-cost items, investment in a 3-D printer represented a return of investment of over 100% in five years. The simple payback time for the high-cost comparison was less than 6 months, and produced a 986% return. Thus, fully-assembled commercial open source 3-D printers can be highly profitable investments for American consumers. Finally, as a preliminary gauge of the effect that widespread prosumer use of 3-D printing might have on the economy, savings were calculated based on the items’ download rates from open repositories. Results indicate that printing these selected items have already saved prosumers over $4 million by substituting for purchases.

Keywords

distributed manufacturing; additive manufacturing; 3-D printing; consumer; economics; open-source

See also

In the News

International

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.