Telepoint and iGo3D team up on 3D printing retail experience.
Moving ever closer to the ultimate ‘one in every home’ moniker, 3D printers are slowly but surely creeping into high street stores all across the globe, bringing consumers face to face with the magic of 3D technology.
The latest comes from a collaboration between German market leader in 3D printing, iGo3D and electronics specialist, Telepoint. Opening a new store in Lemgo, Telepoint customers will now be able to access a variety of 3D services including 3D printing, 3D scanning, materials and consultation.
Delivering a range of consumer friendly 3D printer options, the German retailer has expanded its portfolio to include the Ultimaker 2 and it’s sister machine, the Ultimaker 2Go, introduced onto the market earlier this year. Mass Portal’s Pharaoh 3D printer will also join the line-up and XYZ’s DaVinci AIO will offer customers an all in one, 3D scanning and printing platform for less than 1,000 Euro. The popular 3Doodler 3D printing pen will also be available in store.
In addition, Telepoint will stock a range of 3D printing consumables including premium filament by Innofil and Verbatim in a range of colours and sizes.
Store will stock range of 3D printers including XYZ DaVinci AIO.
As body scanning continues to prove itself as one of the most popular forms of consumer 3D technology, the store will provide customers with the opportunity to try first hand the full body scan experience with the Full-Body Scanner ‘Shinkster’. Using technology from Germany company, Solidcraft GmbH, the scanner is capable of scanning humans or animals in just a hundredth of a second. 3D designers then give the scan a professional finish before sending the file for print as a miniature figurine. The full-colour ‘Mini-Me’s are available from 99 Euro.
3D printing's presence on the high street has expanded considerably over the last few years with popular retailers such as Ryman and Currys trialling and stocking a range of 3D printing goods and specialist stores like iMakr and 3D Print World Aylesbury offering dedicated services to the market. It has even made its way into U.S. toy stores, beating Lego to the top spot, and in supermarkets across the UK. However, last month, consumer 3D printing giant MakerBot found itself in the spotlight for deciding to close all three of its U.S. MakerBot retail stores in order to further other areas of the business through collaborations and partnerships, something which the company has already found major success in. As the price point for consumer 3D technology continues to drop, perhaps it is more likely we will see 3D printers taking their place alongside popular gadgets in mainstream electronics stores.
Have you spotted 3D printing on your local high street? Do you think it will encourage more people to get involved? Let us know in the comments or @TheTCTMagazine.
