Is a 3D printer business profitable?

Volumetric 3D printing of a material object based on its three-dimensional computer model is a unique technology of our time, which has great prospects in the future. Until recently, devices using it seemed like science fiction, but today they have become a reality and have become available even for home use. Although the cost of 3D printers is still high, and exceeds the price of other computer devices, they are finding more and more practical use not only for applied creativity, but also for various areas of business. The constant development and improvement of this technology has already led to the creation of industrial devices. Which one should you choose?

What is a 3D printer and its purpose?

A peripheral computer device that, using a digital three-dimensional model, creates a material object by layer-by-layer application of quickly hardening material is called a 3D printer. To operate such a device, a three-dimensional computer model is required, made in any of the 3D editors or obtained on a 3D scanner. Today there are several varieties, depending on the technology used:

• FDM and DIW 3D printers that use the extrusion method, based on forcing molten material through a thin hole in a special device called an extruder (in the first type of printers, thermoplastic heated to the melting limit is applied layer by layer to the cooled surface of the platform, and in the second type, ceramic sludge is applied, which called ink, thick ceramic slurry may be used in large architectural models);

  3D printers using extrusion technology (FDM) produce a model by laying molten plastic layer-by-layer, extruded through an extruder. The print head moves along the X and Y axes, and the print bed moves down the Z axis

• SLA-DLP type printers using the photopolymerization method, in which a liquid photopolymer is used, and each layer is hardened by exposure to an ultraviolet laser;

  In 3D printers built on SLA technology, the product is formed in a vat filled with photopolymer resin. Under the action of UV laser radiation acting on a thin layer of resin, it hardens and the base falls down to the thickness of the next layer

• printers in which, to create a three-dimensional material object, an aligned layer of powder is used, bonded layer by layer using various methods, by applying glue using inkjet printing (3DP printers) or melting it with an electron beam in a vacuum (EBM), laser radiation (SLS or DMLS, depending depending on the type of powder) and heating head (SHS);
• EBF 3D printers, which use wire that melts under the influence of electronic radiation to produce a material model;
• printers built on the principle of lamination, or layer-by-layer application of film, in each layer of which the outline of the part is cut out with a special cutter or laser;
• printers with a point supply of powder melted by laser or electronic radiation;
• devices operating using the multi-jet modeling (MJM) method, when a quickly hardening material is applied by inkjet printing;
• bioprinters are innovative peripheral computer devices that are just beginning to be introduced; they use cells of a living organism to form internal organs, and in the future they will be able to create full-fledged material for transplantology (there are already cases of successful manufacturing and transplantation of jaws for humans and thyroid gland for a laboratory mouse).

Video: how the mechanism works

The possibilities for such a unique peripheral computer device are almost unlimited. Today it is already used for the following purposes:

• rapid creation of accurate layouts in architectural design, design of various mechanisms and machines, as well as in interior and landscape design in order to finalize the project and present it to the customer;
• production of any parts of complex shape for single or small-scale production, as well as spare parts for the repair of various devices;
• making models and molds for casting, including the creation of jewelry;
• construction of buildings and structures of any complexity, for which they use special devices resembling a tower crane, which instead of cables has lines for supplying liquid concrete (such a device allows you to erect 1 floor in 10 hours, which significantly reduces construction time);
• creation of prosthetics and internal organs for transplantation in medicine;
• production of models of complex devices for visual aids in educational institutions;
• creation of geographic information systems, which are a three-dimensional map of the area in color, with an accurate display of the relief;
• production of household items, various accessories and items for interior decoration;
• development of packaging and container layouts for marketing purposes;
• production of housings for experimental equipment - cars, automation systems and various electronic devices;
• production of advertising and souvenir products;
• production of exclusive clothing and shoes according to the figure and dimensions of a specific client, obtained by 3D scanning.

This list clearly demonstrates the prospects for the use of 3D printers and their demand in a variety of areas of human activity.

How to choose: parameters to pay attention to

When buying any complex device, you need to clearly define for yourself the purposes for which you are going to use it. This will determine which operating parameters suit you best. Considering that such a peripheral device is not cheap, you should select it most carefully, taking into account all the operating parameters, so as not to regret the purchase later.

First of all, you need to decide on the type of printer based on the 3D printing technology used. The most popular and affordable models today for home use or small business are:

• FDM printers using plastic polymer filament as material various types, and having fairly good print quality and the lowest price;
• SLA devices based on photopolymers, which have higher print quality and price, ideal for the production of jewelry;
• the most expensive of the peripheral devices in this group are SLS-type devices that melt powder with a laser; it is impractical to buy them for the home, and they can only be suitable for business, due to their high cost (up to 30 thousand dollars).

Among the main selection criteria are the following:

1. The type of material used for printing. When choosing a 3D printer, you need to take into account that consumables for FMD devices will cost less than for SLA printers. For those who decide to purchase an FDM printer, there is big choice plastics of different colors and types (PLA, ABS, HIPS, PVA and others), but polymer thread made of PLA plastic would be ideal for beginners, since this material is easier to use, and products made from it are perfectly even and smooth. Those who choose an SLA 3D printer will have to purchase more expensive material in the form of photopolymer resins. For non-professional printer models, it is best to buy photopolymer from the Vera, Somos or Tanga series, which are characterized by transparency, high strength, heat resistance and plastic stability.
2. Printing accuracy. It is higher for SLA printers. The accuracy of model reproduction in extrusion-type devices largely depends on the thickness of the layer that is laid by the printer during printing. This means that the thinner the extruder nozzle hole, the higher the clarity of reproduction of the digital model in a material object. Today, printer models are produced with different nozzle opening diameters from 0.1 to 0.4 mm. At the same time, you need to understand that the smaller the extruder nozzle hole, the more time it will take to make the model. Here everyone must choose for themselves what is more important to them - the accuracy of displaying a 3D model or the speed of printing.
3. The print area that determines the maximum size of an object that can be printed by this printer. It is, of course, possible to produce larger objects, but only in parts, gluing them with special glue. To do this, using the 123D Make program, the digital model is divided into separate parts. But, if you don’t want to do gluing, then when choosing a printer, compare the desired dimensions of the produced layouts with the printing area of ​​a particular model.
4. Design features. What matters here is whether it is open or closed, and what materials the body and supporting elements are made of. These factors most influence the rigidity of the entire structure, on which the speed of movement of the print head depends, as well as the ability of the supporting parts of the device to dampen vibrations and vibrations from several electric motors responsible for moving the printer head along all three axes (X, Y and Z) and its table along the Z axis. The body made of wood may seem too budget option, but it absorbs vibrations very well. Supporting structures made of aluminum or steel will be stronger and more durable. It is better to buy SLA printers with a well-ventilated working chamber, which will facilitate faster curing of the photopolymer. And for FDM type devices, especially when working with ABS plastic or nylon, which have high degree shrinkage during rapid cooling, it is better to purchase a 3D printer with a closed body and lining of the working area.
5. Availability of auxiliary software. Volumetric printers are high-tech computer devices that require special programs to operate. First of all, the 3D printer must recognize and be able to read all 3D editors and different data input formats. The latter include the STL and X3D languages, as well as the VRML standard. There are many auxiliary programs that allow you to perform a wide variety of actions to prepare for printing and create a material model. These are, for example, slicer programs that allow you to cut an object into pieces for printing in parts (Kissslicer or Cura) or the 123D Catch program, designed to work with cloud service, and allows you to obtain a three-dimensional digital model of an object from its photographs taken from different angles. The availability of support programs supplied by the printer manufacturer makes working with such technically complex devices much easier. And this fact should also be taken into account when choosing them.

The Best 3D Printers for Small Businesses

Volumetric printing using 3D printers is today the most promising direction for small businesses. With these computer devices, which do not require too large financial investments, as for industrial printers, it is possible to establish small-scale production of various goods.

From great variety Most of the printers on the market for these purposes are suitable for models that meet the following criteria:

• the print quality must be quite high in order to create unique and realistic models that are interesting for sale, which immediately excludes relatively cheap printers costing up to $1000 from the choice;
• It is desirable that the printer be adapted for color printing (FDM, DIW, 3DP or EBF printers), which will save time on coloring the product in small-scale production;
• the device must support work with at least two main types of plastics (PLA AND ABS), which will expand the possibilities of its use and allow the production of products for children (PLA plastic is intended specifically for children's products);
• the price of consumables used by a 3D printer must ensure an acceptable cost of finished products, sufficient for normal level business profitability;
• the size of the working chamber must correspond to the dimensions of the models intended for production, while it should be taken into account that printers with a larger printing area will cost more.

In any case, the choice of printer will depend on what type of business you intend to do. For the production of small crafts, extrusion-type devices are suitable, and for the production of jewelry or dentures, more expensive photopolymer printers are suitable. The most suitable models for small businesses include the following models:

• Flashforge Creator Dual, with a working chamber volume of 5.2 liters and two extruders, the printer supports work with three types of plastics - ABS, PLA, PVA and has a printing accuracy of 0.1 mm;
• 3Dison pro AER from the Korean company Rokit, with a working space volume of 15.3 liters, capable of working with 50 materials, having a high printing speed (up to 1000 mm/sec) and a layer thickness of 0.025 mm;
• stereolithography 3D printer type SLA model

  Pico 2 from Asiga, an ideal choice for those who decide to go into jewelry making or dental care, the device is powered by a solid-state LED ultraviolet light source.

Which device to choose for your home

Considering the still high cost of computer peripheral devices for 3D printing, it is unlikely to be advisable to buy an overly expensive and sophisticated 3D printer costing 5-10 thousand dollars or more for home use. A device priced from $500 to $3,000 will be sufficient. It all depends on the buyer’s requirements for print quality and his financial capabilities.

It is best if a 3D printer for home has simple and intuitive controls, a user-friendly interface and an ideal price-quality ratio. All printers in demand today for home use can be divided into the following groups according to price categories:

• budget models, the most affordable of this type of device, priced from 300 to 1 thousand dollars;
• mid-range printers ($1–1.5 thousand);
• quite a high-end device at an affordable price from 1.5 to 3 thousand dollars.

Among the most popular printers for 3D printing are the following models:

• Printrbot Simple, costing $300, which belongs to extrusion printers (FMD), and is sold disassembled - self-assembly of the device will help you better understand its design and understand the operating principle of this equipment;
• Kino XYZ printing da Vinci 1.0- this is a new printer from the Taiwanese company XYZ printing, which has a high print resolution comparable to more expensive devices - 0.1 mm, its cost is about $500 (the technology of layer-by-layer deposition of molten plastic - FDM is used);
• Cubify CubeX, belonging to the middle price segment, with a cost of $1300, and differing high quality printing and the speed of creating a model with large dimensions, this printer is available in three design options - with 1, 2 and 3 extruders, which allows you to obtain color layouts of computer models; it can connect to a computer via a USB connection or a Wi-Fi module.
• Afinia H-Series H479, which has high printing accuracy (0.15 - 0.4 mm), convenient software, which works with inexpensive filament made of ABS plastic of decent quality, such a device costs 1.5 thousand dollars.

Rating of the best 3D printers

The world's most famous expert in the field of 3D printing is the foreign portal 3D Hubs, which regularly ranks the best models of printing peripherals in various categories. According to this online resource, the following 3D printer models were named the best in 2017:

1. Original Prusa i3 MK2 produced by the Czech company Prusa Research. This printer is designed for electronics enthusiasts who are new to 3D printing and can assemble it themselves from components since it is sold unassembled. The device is an FDM extrusion model and supports 15 types of plastic, including ABS and PLA, Carbon and Nylon, HIPS and FilaFlex, Bamboofill, Laybrick and others. This model can use up to 4 simultaneously various materials. It has an integrated Z-axis and a heating table with a printing surface made of PEI plastic. A printer of this model has a fairly large print area with dimensions of 250 x 210 x 200 mm, a minimum thickness of the laid plastic layer of 0.05 mm and a printing speed of 40 - 60 mm per second.
2. BCN3D Sigma R17 (Release 2017). This 3D printer model, released by the Spanish company BCN3D Technologies, is a continuation of the Sigma line of 3D printing devices that is popular all over the world. The new model uses an independent dual extruder, which avoids deformation when changing the color of products, and also simultaneously prints two identical layouts. The upgraded device uses a new cooling system and updated microchip technology that controls power. All this allowed us to make the printer operate more silently. Sigma R17 has a high printing accuracy of 0.125 mm and a layout area measuring 297 x 210 x 210 mm. The work uses plastic filament from the following polymers ABS, PLA, HIPS, PET and Exotics, which the extruder extrudes with a minimum layer thickness of 0.05 mm.
3. Formlabs Form 2 - stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printer produced by the American company Formlabs, equipped with a powerful laser, touch screen and Wi-Fi module. The device has a print area of ​​145 x 145 x 175 mm and a layer thickness of 0.025 - 0.1 mm. This printer runs on liquid photopolymers and accepts resins from other manufacturers. It is equipped with a heated platform and a built-in control panel.
4. PowerSpec 3D Pro. This model is produced in China and belongs to the price category of budget 3D printers. His distinctive features are strength, high printing speed and the presence of a dual extruder in the design, which is rare for inexpensive models. 3D Pro supports three types of plastics (PLA, ABS and PVA) and has high printing accuracy. The thickness of the laid layer is 0.1 - 0.3 mm.
5. OrdBot Hadron. This printer is manufactured by ORD Solutions from Canada. The model is a mechanical 3D printing platform made of aluminum. It has high rigidity, reliability and printing speed (400 mm/s). The principle of its operation is based on FDM technology. The device supports work with two types of plastics - ABS and PLA, and has a print area measuring 190 x 190 x 150 mm. The design of this printer provides the ability to connect a second extruder, servo drive, LCD screen and other equipment, which can significantly upgrade the device after its purchase.

Three-dimensional 3D printing technologies are just beginning to conquer the computer market, and the cost of printers for translating a digital model into a material object is still quite high. But these technologies are the future, and 3D printers will probably soon appear in every home, becoming an everyday addition to a computer. Already today, many models have become accessible to people with average incomes, and are widely used not only in small businesses, but also in everyday life. Using the recommendations outlined above, you can easily choose the right printer for home use or your own small business.

What are these devices? Recently appeared on domestic markets. Without going deeply into technical details, we can say that this is a device that creates physical objects based on the developed 3D. Today, the variety of 3D printers is amazing - there are modifications that print with metal, wood fibers and even food concentrates. Imagine - you want to eat pizza and, voila - the finished product lies on the platform of your printer in 15 minutes. Of course, the widespread use of this kind of models is still very far away, but we are interested in simpler units that create small objects from a material familiar to everyone - plastic.

First, let’s figure out what plastic printing technologies are available today:

1) SLA. The print material is in a liquid state. A special platform is lowered into the body of liquid. The laser heats the liquid layer by layer certain places, from which its hardening occurs. Gradually lowering, a solid object is formed on the platform, which, after printing is completed, is removed from the printing chamber.

2) SLS. The principle of this method is similar to the previous one, but the main difference is the powder used instead of liquid.

3) FDM. The consumable is a thread of plastic wound on a special spool. This thread is fed into a special extruder, where it is heated to the required temperature and extruded onto the platform, forming the required object.

The first two technologies, although they allow you to create objects with the highest precision that do not require modification, are not of interest to us today, due to the high cost of the units themselves (starting at $5,000). Accordingly, further discussion will be exclusively about models using inkjet FDM technology.

If we talk about successful implementation of a business of this kind, first of all it is worth mentioning Spuni - spoons for feeding babies. The fact is that its creator began his production using several three-dimensional printers. To date, startup Spuni is known all over the world, and its founders earn tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So we have come directly to the description of the minimum required to open our business. The first thing we need is, of course, the printer itself. The best option would be American MakerBot Replicator 2X, however, its cost (about $3,000) is not affordable for everyone. Accordingly, it makes sense to pay attention to manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom, namely companies Malyan And WonWall(We have already told you how to buy in China correctly and how to make money from it. - Editor’s note). Their models are almost exact copies MakerBot, accordingly, the quality and speed of printing are at the proper level. If we talk about specific models, we can advise Malyan Desktop METAL or WonWall Migce Cuble 2 HD. Both of them have two extruders, a metal case and quite decent software. The price tag for each of these printers does not exceed $2000.

In addition to the printer itself, we will need several rolls of plastic of different colors (depending on what we will print). There are several types of this material, then you will understand which one is best suited for you, but for starters, I recommend taking PLA. Also, it will not be superfluous: adhesive tape for pasting the platform, glue for printing, a set for post-processing of printed models and a spray for polishing them.

In total, it turns out:

1. Printer $2000;
2. Two kilogram skeins of plastic 35+35 = $70;
3. Roll of special tape $60
4. Printing Adhesive $5;
5. Model processing kit $70;
6. Spray polish $4.

In total, it turns out 2209$ . This amount is slightly higher than the average cost of starting a business according to HOBIS. RU, however, for people who are interested in new technologies, this matter will be very, very interesting. In addition to money, you will need to become somewhat familiar with 3D modeling programs, as well as answer the most main question- what to print?

What to print on a 3D printer for profit?

Perhaps you already have an idea of ​​what can be printed on such a printer and will sell well. If not, I recommend starting with the simplest thing, namely the production of covers for mobile phones. On the Internet you can download a huge number of models for any phone, and completely free of charge. Next, you just need to load the model into your printer and wait for printing to finish. On average, your device will form one case in about 40 minutes, so you can print about a dozen objects per day. average cost, for which such a product will be bought - $10. Based on the fact that its weight is about 30 grams, and the cost of a kilogram spool of plastic is $35, it turns out that the material will be spent on 35/1000*30 = $1.05. Profit from one case is 10 $ - 1.05 $ = 8.95 $. Of course, depreciation and the cost of other consumables are not taken into account here, but, as we see, there will definitely be benefits from such production.

Now a little about selling. Many online stores of phone accessories take goods for sale, so I recommend contacting them. Points in shopping and entertainment centers operate according to the same scheme. Of course, they will take their percentage, but you need to understand that selling 10 covers every day on your own will be quite difficult. If you set up a production and sales scheme, the printer can pay for itself in one and a half to two months, after which you will receive a net profit, which you can spend on purchasing another model, thereby doubling your production volume.

In addition to household items, you can print custom plastic parts. The complexity of the part is limited only by the capabilities of the printer, and the demand for such a service is consistently high, since all the equipment around us consists of plastic, therefore - small elements of old equipment, car accessories, handles for household appliances and much more. After all, equipment does not break down entirely, but in small elements, and because of a broken handle, you don’t want to part with something that can still work. Little things like this can't be found in stores or online, so you'll always have orders.

Approaching this task with enthusiasm and a dose of creativity, have no doubt - you will succeed!

We often hear in the news about what complex problems can be solved using 3D printers. Construction material, various parts for spaceships, living tissues of human organs - and this is not the entire list of three-dimensional objects that can be reproduced using 3D printing. However, there are a number of everyday problems and tasks that can be solved with the help of a 3D printer, and that is why for enterprising people the business idea of ​​a 3D printer can become a source of stable income.

Which printer to buy for business

If you have never worked on high-tech equipment that uses the method of creating objects on a digital three-dimensional model, then you should not rush and immediately buy expensive equipment. Today on the market there are high-quality budget models from Chinese and Russian production, with the use of which you can master a 3D printer as a tool for business.

For small production, devices in one of the following two formats are suitable:

• extrusive – fused deposition modeling (FDM);
• photopolymerization – laser stereolithography (SLA).

The cost of a budget FDM model of a 3D printer is about 1 thousand US dollars. The kit includes the modeling equipment itself and a Russian-language graphic display.

All types of plastic are used for modeling.

With this printer you can print:

• prototypes (molds) for industrial production;
• reduced plastic models of objects of art, architectural monuments, etc.;
• plastic parts for upholstery and equipment of furniture, car interior;
• keychains, souvenirs;
• phone cases;
• visual educational material, etc.

The cost of an SLA printer is much higher. Reliable and high quality model will cost from 2 thousand US dollars. The kit includes only modeling equipment.

The advantage of this printer is that it uses photopolymers for modeling, and products made from such materials are widely used in jewelry and dental prosthetics.

With the purchase of a photopolymer 3D printer, it becomes possible to realize a wide variety of designs, their number limited only by the imagination of the entrepreneur.

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How much does printing cost?

The main costs when implementing a business such as printing on a 3D printer are consumables: plastic or photopolymers. Printing an object from a different material by adjusting it is not profitable.

The cost of 1 kg of special plastic ranges from 1.3 to 2 thousand rubles. Consumption is calculated based on the fact that 1 g of plastic is spent per 1 cubic meter. see models. Accordingly, up to 100 cubic meters can be made from one reel. see plastic products.

The cost of 1 liter of photopolymer can range from 8 to 12 thousand rubles. Photopolymer consumption depends on the printer settings and print quality. Manufacturers assure that the cost of printing one small item, for example, a jewelry ring, will be no more than 15 rubles.

How can you earn money?

The best 3D printer for small businesses is a printer that allows you to produce the most popular products on the market with minimal investment.

These clients can become the main customers for the production of advertising and souvenir products.

New and fresh ideas for the consumer goods market should be looked for on the pages of popular Chinese online stores. Often, the product offered there can be reproduced on a home desktop 3D printer, and this will be the start for more big business.

Stationery, toys, models, construction consumable plastic materials, all kinds of stands and much more - the scope for entrepreneurial imagination is very wide. As related services, you can also offer decoration of printed products, and at the same time develop it at home.

An interesting story about how the capabilities of 3D printing can be used in business in the following video:

How much can you earn

The amount of revenue from this type of activity depends not so much on what 3D printer you choose for your small business, but on how actively you promote your service.

Most effective method searching for customers for 3D printing - creating and promoting your own website.

A detailed explanation of the capabilities of 3D printing, a visual demonstration of those products that can be reproduced; real stories of operational assistance using printed products - all this will force customers to pay attention to a new type of service and allow them to have the necessary confidence in the quality of such products.

Don't forget that 3D printing Russian market It’s just beginning its history and the task of today’s entrepreneurs is to unleash its full potential.

Hello! In this article we will talk about making money with a 3D printer.

With the development of technology, new gadgets appear every time that are incomprehensible to ordinary users. Despite their uniqueness and commercial interest, 3D printers are no exception. They are still not actively used for industrial income, let alone at home. In this article we will try to figure out how you can make money with a 3D printer at home and what you will need for this.

General information on 3D printers

3D printer - a peripheral device that allows you to print three-dimensional models from various materials.

Unlike conventional printers, 3D printers create three-dimensional images using computer models. They print the object layer by layer. 3D printer is used:

• To quickly create prototypes of finished models. For engineering, this is a way to save time and make changes to an object at the stage of its development.
• For the production of finished parts from materials that are supported by 3D printers.
• For the manufacture of casting molds.
• For small-scale home production of almost any item.
• To create prostheses and implants.
• To create weapon components.
• And even for the construction of buildings.

In China, the government conducted an experiment to create houses with a 3D printer. The business has been quite successful, but the durability and strength of houses made with this device remains to be tested.

The main material for a 3D printer is plastic. For small-scale production, this is the best option, as it allows you to get a high-quality item for cheap money. A kilogram of ordinary plastic powder for a 3D printer costs about 500 rubles.

For more important production, expensive materials are used. These are simulators of wood, stone and industrial mixtures. They cost several times more, but are not interesting due to the high cost of the product.

In order to print something on a 3D printer, you need a three-dimensional model of the object. It is created in special programs- CAD editors. At first, working on creating models yourself is completely optional. There are a lot of different product options online, from cases to miniature figures from computer games.

After you have developed a model, the program decomposes it into layers. Then, layer by layer, the 3D printer reproduces the object. The main advantage of such printing is accuracy. It allows you to reproduce an object in the smallest detail.

How you can make money with a 3D printer: 6 ideas for making money

A 3D printer is great for small-scale production. This is an ideal option for home business. For a small investment you will get a tool for creating a variety of items. There are several product categories that sell well.

Small toys and souvenirs

Plastic toys, interior decorations or small gift souvenirs can be easily printed on a 3D printer.

Figurines

The business of creating figures from game and book universes has always been profitable. I myself have seen more than once how models of characters from the Warhammer 40,000 universe were sold at prices starting from 2,000 rubles. The same goes for computer games.

Real human models have been in demand lately. This is the kind of portrait that every person would like to receive as a gift.

With a 3D model, you can create a mockup of what the characters look like and reproduce them. Not a single person who makes such figures by hand can compare with you in speed. Such models can be sold much cheaper, about 500 - 1,000 rubles. The only difficulty is that you have to paint it by hand.

Architectural models

Using the drawings, you can easily make a model of a house, cottage, even a car, with almost minimal effort. If you choose this option, you can go two ways: sell house models for ordinary people as decoration or collaborate with engineers and construction firms to provide them with ready-made building models.

Even as souvenirs, models of buildings and cars sell well. For a small building you can get up to 2 - 3 thousand rubles. It will look good in the interior.

Molds for soap making

Soap makers are developing, they constantly need new forms, but making them by hand is almost impossible. You can sell soap making molds for your home business. They are not that expensive, up to 100 rubles, but if you work with several companies, you can periodically receive good orders.

This production is quite low. Despite the fact that one form is cheap, it will also be sold inexpensively. The only option when it will be possible to engage in such a business - the presence of a large number of shops and soap makers in the city.

Spare parts

A 3D printer can print almost any small parts (up to 35 centimeters). Even spare parts for cars can be made from expensive materials, for example, a door handle, side mirror, etc. And not only for cars. You can put the production of spare parts on stream.

But rather, this is truly custom work. You can print parts for customers' products. But there is a great difficulty - developing drawings for such parts. It can take a lot of time, and your expenses over a long distance are unlikely to pay off, but as an option, custom work may be suitable.

Food industry

You can even create edible things with a 3D printer. Hydrocolloids or hydrogel are used to print food products. With their help, scientists can easily reproduce sugar, cream, chocolate, bananas, bread, etc. Developments do not stop and in the future it is likely that it will be possible to print even meat on 3D printers.

A simple printer can easily print sugar figures, cakes, candies, and pasta. People love Tasty food, which looks good, and you can make good money from it. the main problem- materials for printing. They are quite expensive.

The most interesting product, in my opinion, are personalized figurines. They are expensive because they are custom designed, but they look attractive. In the West, such figures are very popular, and echoes of this trend are gradually reaching us, in Russia. This is still an untapped, but very promising niche that would be worth occupying.

How much to invest to make money on 3D printing

First we need a 3D printer. You can go three ways:

• Order in China. The quality of such printers is quite unstable. Either a good model or a defective one may arrive. The cost of a normal model from a trusted company is from 40,000 rubles.
• Buy a Russian 3D printer. The quality is better, there are practically no risks, but the minimum price is 25,000 rubles; for a good model you will have to pay from 50,000 rubles.
• Do it yourself. This is quite difficult, but if you bother, you can assemble an excellent model for 25,000 rubles.

There will be large costs at first. It will be very difficult for a novice businessman who is unfamiliar with the methods to establish a flow of sales of his own goods. This is why you need to invest money in advertising or look into promotion.

The best start for a beginner is social networks. Creating a VKontakte group in which you will sell materials will be the best option. You will have to spend money on a good targetologist who will attract clients. All this will cost about 20 - 50 thousand rubles.

Since we are talking about a home business, we will not need premises. Therefore there is no rental cost. The materials required to create products using a 3D printer usually cost about 20% of the final cost of the product. Therefore, the costs for them will be in the region of 10 - 15 thousand rubles.

Total. Printer at least 40,000 rubles + 30,000 rubles advertising + 15,000 rubles materials = 85,000 rubles initial costs.

How to Run a 3D Printing Business

When working with a 3D printer, you can earn money in 2 ways:

• Mass produce goods.
• Work to order.

The production of mass goods is a rather interesting business. You define the categories of products that you will 3D print, then sell them through your sales channels. This could be a bulletin board, a social network or a real store in your city.

The advantage of this approach to work is flexibility. You do what you want, but if you see that your products aren't selling well, you can always do something else. In addition, buyers see your products, which means they will be more willing to buy them, especially if the prices really aren’t bad.

Work to order is a more customized option. Clients come to you with their projects, and you carry them out. They charge a higher fee for such work, but there are much more headaches with such orders. However, the final profit covers all costs.

The main disadvantage of custom work with 3D printing is the small number of clients. You won't be able to put this kind of work on stream. The lack of clients cannot be compensated for by a high markup on work. Then no one will contact you.

Therefore, when you do not have work to order, you can safely make goods for sale. As soon as a client comes to you with his project, you make it, make a profit and go back to assembly line production.

This approach allows you to get maximum profits at minimal costs. You make the bulk of your money from mass production, and custom work will bring in more money from time to time.

How much can you earn with a 3D printer?

Experts say that income from one printer per month is approximately 50,000 rubles. It is impossible to earn more, because even with a large flow of clients, we run into the technical limit of the device. And if the work is one-piece, then you will have to add the creation of 3D models to the printing time.

Experts do not recommend buying multi-colored printers for running a home business. They cost several times more, but in fact, they do not differ much from their single-color counterparts in terms of technical characteristics. It will be much more cost-effective to simply create products in one color and then tint them.

The biggest difficulty in such work is the low recognition of printed products. Buyers simply will not understand that they are made on a 3D printer. On the one hand, this is not bad, because you can sell some things, such as figurines, goods self made, but on the other hand, it’s very difficult to talk about own business and get a good flow of clients.

For a month of continuous operation, we can receive a net income of up to 50,000 rubles with active loading and a good flow of clients. For beginners, a good indicator would be to reach 20-25 thousand rubles in net profit in the first months of work.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the first 3D printers appeared a long time ago, this is still a kind of exotic technology that has not fully entered into the mainstream. daily life. It is ideal for home business and small-scale production. There are still several niches that are still not occupied in Russia. Making money from a 3D printer can be an excellent option for a family business. I recommend taking a closer look.