I have been quite excited about the possibilities of 3d printing combined with my existing modelling work in Blender. It would be possible to set up a virtual factory where items could be offered for sale and be printed on-demand. At work I have been investigating cloud computing and how to deploy robust, scalable systems at low cost. It seemed time to bring all these things together.
The idea: Create a "virtual factory" where people could browse an online shop, purchase items that would result in an order being sent to a 3d printing bureau and the finished item sent direct to the customer.
The basic steps involved:
The idea: Create a "virtual factory" where people could browse an online shop, purchase items that would result in an order being sent to a 3d printing bureau and the finished item sent direct to the customer.
The basic steps involved:
- Set up an e-commerce site to present products and take orders. (this is my day-job so no excuses for not getting this bit right).
- register a domain.
- select a host.
- connect with payment services.
- research and put in place regulatory (privacy) controls and T&Cs for the site.
- connect to an e-mail service for customer notifications
- sort out storage and backup, spam filtering etc..
- Target a market
- Produce some 3d designs to test that market
- Select and sign-up with on-line 3d printing bureaus
- Order some test prints to test quality and provide additional product photos for the site.
- Open the shop
