3D printing shops seem to be popping up all over the show these days. From New York’s MakerBot stores, the world’s largest 3D print store in Copenhagen, London’s iMakr store and … Aylesbury?
Though it may not be the place that rolls off the tongue when it comes to cutting edge tech in the UK, there are several reasons why 3D Print World in Aylesbury is the ideal location for a 3D printing on the high street.
For instance, travel 10 minutes out of the town and you will reach Silverstone, famed for Formula 1 racing and just one of the things that gives the area its high-tech status.
Building on the success of the local Cartridge World Franchise, 3D Print World owner Paul Hiscoe felt that moving from 2D into 3D printing was a natural expansion.
With top selling kits costing just £399, the store offers the RepRap Hephaestos Prusa i3 and the Witbox 3D printers. The store also stocks what is said to be the biggest range of 3D printing filaments in the UK with over 100 different styles available to see and pick up in store.
Having opened its doors just a month ago with support from SE Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, Aylesbury Vale District Council and the Buckinghamshire University Technical College, the business has amassed an encouraging level of enthusiasm from the local community.
“We’ve been amazed by the interest we have generated locally with this initiative and we’re delighted with the revenues we have achieved since launch,” explained Paul Hiscoe. “It seems that 3D printing really is the product to get the consumer back into the high street. This is the one product where the ability to see, touch, feel and get expert advice is key for early adopters of this technology.”
The store sells a lot of 3D printer kits and boldly states on its website that: “No 3D printers work straight out of the box” whether they need building from scratch or calibrating. Starting in January 2015 3D Print World has teamed with the Buckinghamshire UTC to offer a course on how to assemble the BQ Prusa 3D printer and encourage young people to get involved with the tech.
Right now the store provides machines, materials and expert advice with exactly the same ethos as that of the original 2D printing store, which began over 20 years ago. With affordable prices, an eco-friendly conscience, education and a belief that 3D printing is indeed the future, the opportunity to get on board with this technology has certainly been opened up.
