Shapeways allows some models to be made that would not otherwise be cost effective.
Models such as the pylon/tower as used in this Junker drilling rig:
Using WSF from shapeways does mean the surface is quite rough, but for things like this I really don’t see that as a problem.
It is durable and cheap, and this is very much not a problem.
The problem is the shipping from Shapeways; it is a bit of a killer for small items.
So I am going to create my own Shapeways products and buy them in myself and hold stock of them at AB HQ.
It also means that I can make kits from them; if you buy from Shapeways you can only get the printed parts.
I will sell kits with metal, printed and resin parts!
That means you can order them direct with all the required bits and not have to pay their crazy shipping costs!
YAY!
First up will be a printed version of the above drilling tower.
Here are some CAD drawings of it, it is 95mm tall.
The tower is WSF from shapeways and the base plate is resin.
The rod is a simple piece of plastic.
It should be about £8.00 retail for all 3 bits.
(Shapeways would normally charge £8.00 shipping on top of this, I will just charge my normal shipping)
What are your thoughts on this idea?