Shapeways, a part of the Philips Lifestyle
Incubator, is the world's first 3D printing
community and marketplace. Using Shapeways everybody
can bring the designs they make - using CAD and
other 3D design software - to life with cost
effective, high quality 3D printing.
Insights show that consumers want to influence the
objects they buy, by either designing these
themselves to their exact specifications or by
customizing objects to their own liking using unique
online software, the Creators. Having more and more
materials and Creators available Shapeways is
meeting the demand of both target audiences.
One-stop-shop for 3D modelers
For seasoned 3D designers an advanced
upload-to-print service is available. The service
offers an online 3D viewer and validation tools to
show if a model can be printed and at what price.
Shapeways encompasses a diverse community of
artists, designers, animators and enthusiasts. They
engage in collaborative creation and selling their
3D designs as products through the unique Shapeways
Shops. This is an international marketplace for
consumer created 3D printed products.
3D parts database
Recently Shapeways has also developed a 3D parts
database for all 3D modelers and CAD designers. All
parts can be downloaded and used for free.
Consisting of commonly used and easily adaptable
shapes the 3D parts database streamlines and speeds
up the process of 3D design for 3D printing. Parts
included in the database are “certified” by the
Shapeways team, guaranteeing that they have been
tested and printed successfully.
Introducing ever more Creators to meet the demand in
personalized objects
For all creative internet consumers Shapeways is
redefining Do-It-Yourself, by connecting them to the
latest in micro production with easy to use product
customization. This software, called Creators,
allows anyone to easily customize and personalize
for instance light shades for the Philips Imageo
(the Lightpoem), cufflinks, napkin rings or a 3D
photo. Consumers are invited to play with words,
images or photo's to customize the pre-designed
objects, creating unique and wonderful items to use
as a gift or decoration. It's as easy as ordering
photo's online.
Printing in stainless steel or even silver
Shapeways has been offering their 3D printed objects
in different types of thermoplastics such as nylon
and polyamide but has started offering some Creators
3D printed in stainless steel as of last March. The
cufflinks and napkin rings are even available in
silver right now!
Digital Manufacturing
"We are always looking for new ways to make 3D
design and 3D printing more accessible for
everyone,” commented Shapeways’ CEO Peter
Weijmarshausen. “We will continue to expand our
offerings based on the needs of our users and we
definitely think that new materials and services add
a totally new dimension. By harnessing the power of
a creative community and a global network of
production service partners, Shapeways ensures the
most cost-efficient, reliable manufacturing and
order fulfillment for digital manufacturing to
consumers today."
Contact:
Rian Gemei,
E-mail: rian@shapeways.com,
Phone: +31 4027 41522
