Earlier this year TCT reported on a new 3D printing product to bureau matchmaker service, Additively. Together with EuroMold, the company is offering a 3D printing consultancy service for additive manufacturing needs.
Currently, Additively gives access to all 3D printing technologies and materials for a network of 250 additive manufacturing service providers across Europe.
In a similar fashion to 3D Hubs, Additively works as a database for additive manufacturing service providers on an industrial scale. Customers can search the database and upload their parts to find the right provider for manufacturing.
In a LinkedIn style format, companies can set up their own profile via the Additively site and list the processes and materials they have available. The key difference is that the bureau must be of a certain industrial standard to feature on the site therefore the database it not simply open to any company with any 3D printer.
Users can filter through the database via various options including processes, materials, location to generate the most suitable solution for their given project. This will then save time through an efficient procurement process and give customers a wide choice of options for getting the best results.
For many users, simply selecting the most suitable technology for manufacturing their products can be a difficult process but this database can help give users the best possible option by suggesting which processes work better for which industry.
There is also a rating system that allows more transparency about each company based on quality, speed, communication and price. This means that users get a more accurate depiction of the provider’s efficiency and can make a more informed decision.
The database works twofold by firstly giving customers access to 3D printing providers that they otherwise wouldn’t have immediate access to and secondly by giving a platform to service providers for showing exactly what they can do.
Right now Additively only operates in the UK, but as the demand continues to grow perhaps the service could roll out on a global scale.
