Daniel Brooks
Houston, TX (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
3D Pinpoint
Find More Startups
Startup
Location:
Houston
Industry:
Technology/Web
Year Founded:
2013
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Business Stage:
Creation/Idea
Entity Type:
Not Incorporated
Description:
3D Pinpoint is an emerging concept, one that does exactly what the name suggests: pinpoints users to the nearest idle 3D printer. It’s an online community where people who own 3D printers can register their printer, and be notified when jobs become available. 3D printing is an industry with massive growth potential. Searches on Google for 3D printing are skyrocketing, at an estimated 220,000 searches a day as of 7/25/(URL removed)panies like Staples are now selling 3D printers for home use. Shapeways and Ponoko and (URL removed)erialise are all capitalizing on 3D printing, and so far they have been extremely successful. Stratasys's stocks have been increasing at a staggering rate. These companies all take a user’s CAD, and print it on a high-quality machine at their company, where you pay for shipping, wait a few days, and then receive your 3D model in the mail.
But what happens when you need something right away? What if there was a way to find someone near to you, where you can post an STL file or equivalent CAD, and pick it up after work that very same day?
That is exactly what 3D Pinpoint aims to do.
The idea behind 3D Pinpoint is simple: Network together 3D printers through a web interface and/or mobile app, and have 3D printer’s register their 3D printer on the website. They will drop a pin at their location, and other users can log in and find the nearest printer to them. Once they find a printer that meets their needs, they ask the printer to create the 3D model for them, and upon completion, pick it up. This is a win-win situation for both parties. Art is meant to be shared and loved by others, and with this community of members, they will be able to meet face-to-face, discuss what actually went into creating their design. And the best part is, they both help each other out. Maybe someone will start a business at home selling 3D prints from their neighbor. Their neighbor, in turn, has found a way to turn his idle 3D printer into something that gives back to others.
What will this idea do?
This concept accomplishes and promotes a number of things. It supports a small and local business model. It’s a perfect job for college students, skilled workers, AutoCAD designers, stay-at-home parents, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs. With the use of wifi printing becoming more readily available on desktop home 3D models, you can be at the office and accept a job, and have it completed by the time you come home.
Why should you invest?
The most interesting part of this business model is that it is future-proof. 3D printing has already made its way into the medical field, the auto industry has been using it for years to mass produce parts, and even chefs and cooks are finding uses for 3D printing. Imagine being able to print out 3D chocolate sculptures, or using a 3D printer to add designs to a birthday cake. You can print unique toys, recyclable silverware for picnics, broken parts, anything you want or need without necessarily needing the skillset to do it yourself. 3D printing is on the brink of something huge, much like social media was. Alternatively, startups are forming that are paying to recycle the ABS and PLA plastic that goes unused, or when a print fails to print. These can also be listed on 3dD Pinpoint. At this point, creating a competitor to Twitter or Facebook is very unrealistic. 3D Pinpoint’s concept is a concept that is bound to be picked up by someone, and you have the opportunity to help make this happen, and watch it explode through the 3D printing world.
I hope you are as excited about this idea as I am, and I plan to make this happen. I already have a domain name, hosting platform, shopping cart, SSL certificate, and social networks created, and I am currently debating between 2 teams of people to help create the website. Funding is the only limiting factor in the decision between the two.