Amazon launches a new customizable 3D printing store

[Justin Kahn]

Amazon has now launched a new "on-demand" 3D Printer Store, that doesn't only sell printers but also a wide range of customizable 3D printed items. Customers can purchase everything from bobble head-like dolls, jewelry, home decor items, toys, games, tech accessories and 3D printed GoPro accessories among other things.

The level of customization varies depending on the item, but in some cases you'll find choices regarding material, texture, colors, sizes as well as other custom item-specific touches. On the Mixee Me doll, for example, the level of customization is quite deep, giving users access to everything from eye, mouth and hair type/color, as well as outfit variations with custom text. As you can see in the the image below, Amazon offers a handy customization interface via the "Personalize Now" button, where you can get a full view of your creation.

Amazon has teamed up with experienced 3D printing companies like Mixee Labs, 3LDT, and Sculpteo to handle all of the actual production and manufacturing. It appears the items are being fulfilled by the above companies as well and Amazon is simply providing the storefront and order infrastructure. 

As the price of personal 3D Printers has dropped to a somewhat affordable price range for some, this may be in part Amazon's way to entice more customers to buy printers of their own. You can check out the new on demand 3D Printer Store now.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/57546-amazon-launches-a-new-customizable-3d-printing-store.html

 

[Jad Chaar]

Great to see a big retailer endorsing 3D-printing. Maybe this will increase its popularity and eventually help lower prices. The problems I have noticed with 3D-printers are that they are slow as heck. It took me like 2 hours to print a small model of a hydrogen atom... and I am using the newest Makerbot model. They need some work but I feel like it really has potential to revolutionize tons of industries.

 

[VitalyT]

It took me like 2 hours to print a small model of a hydrogen atom... and I am using the newest Makerbot model.

The good news about 3D printers is that the time to print something doesn't depend on the object's complexity. It will need the same time to print a simple sphere as it will to print a complex mechanical piece or the whole unit, as long as the size of the object is about the same.

That's why 3D printers are best used for printing something complex. It is easier then to justify the wait

 

[Jad Chaar]

The good news about 3D printers is that the time to print something doesn't depend on the object's complexity. It will need the same time to print a simple sphere as it will to print a complex mechanical piece or the whole unit, as long as the size of the object is about the same.

That's why 3D printers are best used for printing something complex. It is easier then to justify the wait

Yeah it is just the mechanics behind the printer that is holding it back IMO.

 

[avioza]

With the prices they are charging I don't see this as being successful. A little bobblehead figurine for 30 bucks?

Shapeways sells similarly priced items utilizing laser sintering printing, delivering a much more detailed quality product...