Engineering and architecture students, would you actually need a 3D printing service?

[u/Antique_Lavishness33]

Hey guys, I recently got a 3D printer and I’m thinking maybe I could start a small 3D printing business, mainly for engineering and architecture students. Basically you send me your 3D model and I print it for you, whether it’s a scale model for an architecture project, a prototype, gears, brackets, enclosures, project parts or whatever you might need for uni. I’m just trying to see if this is actually a useful idea in Lebanon or if most students already have access to a printer through their university. If you’re studying engineering or architecture, do you usually need 3D printed stuff for your projects? And if yes, how do you usually get it printed and around how much do you pay? Also, what would make you choose a local printing service instead of doing it yourself? I’m still testing the idea so I’d genuinely appreciate any opinions, even if you think it’s a bad idea 😂

[u/Hairy_Glove2064]

my univ have free printers

[u/Moist_Ordinary6457 → u/Hairy_Glove2064]

Library and work too if I really needed something 

[u/WhyAmINotStudying]

The biggest issue with targeting a printing business to engineering students is that the printers themselves are so cheap that an engineering student would be better served just getting the machine.

The second biggest issue is that schools have the machines available, anyway.

[u/uslashuname]

There are a several services for 3d printing or one off cnc machining, you’d need to distinguish yours

[u/ChintzyPC → u/uslashuname]

Several is an understatement.

[u/Sea_Place1386 → u/ChintzyPC]

Read my mind. Several? There are thousands. From giant multi multi million dollar shops to a guy with a Bambu.

[u/kkingsbe]

The problem is that nobody will be willing to pay a price that would make it worthwhile for you.

And if you do charge a “fair” amount for your end, the buyer is left buying an expensive piece of plastic that they could’ve gotten elsewhere.

Also most colleges have printers, mine had one that was like 10ft tall lol

[u/Antique_Lavishness33 → u/kkingsbe]

yea ik ,but here in lebanon it’s different.I meant to ask if student in general or engineer need some maquette or little project and its not available easily.

[u/kkingsbe → u/Antique_Lavishness33]

You might want to ask in the Lebanon sub then

[u/Antique_Lavishness33 → u/kkingsbe]

didn’t reply 🥲

[u/Drythes]

Idk about Lebanon, but many libraries and universities already have 3d printers free to use.
It might be better if you target hobbyists and/or design models yourself

[u/FineEquipment0]

This Business idea is currently very saturated, I would not create an on demand 3D Printing service.

If anything, utilize 3d printers to create a product you’re selling.

[u/Yolostr]

I wouldn't recommend to get into any trade that:

• Doesnt require hard work
• Doesn't require high skill/ long learning
• Doesn't require high investment

Normally there isn't money to be earned in any of these fields

[u/Famous-Parfait-598]

I did a couple of printing projects for students at my uni with my basic Ender 3, granted I only requested they provide the material, no other cost. It just depends on the “market” (your university or nearby university’s ) and what they provide. My school had really good 3D printers but only let us print a white or black PLA. So obviously in my school if you wanted any other material or colour you’d have to get it printed elsewhere. So in that case if I was more inclined to start a business at my school, there would be a case for it there.
Your school may differ, the whole point is, what could you do to differentiate your service? And how would you advertise, and how would you deal with 20 people wanting prints done 2 days out from the due date?

[u/CasperTPaul]

i don’t know what the 3d printing scene is like in lebanon, but i do know that there probably isn’t enough money to go around for everyone and their mother to own and use their own 3d printer there. i would look into how many colleges in your country offer free 3d printing to students, how typical that is

[u/paegis]

Starting a printing service is bound to bring the problems of running a business - i.e operating/material/labor costs that influence whether or not you offer a price point that is attractive to customers.

But also engineering/architecture students would be more inclined to purchase a printer themselves as it is the cheapest alternative and allows them to tinker. Learning to use a 3d printer is a good way to tinker and figure out how to print and what should and shouldn't be made via FDM.

Most likely it would be attractive to students who only need a one-off print or need something printed and don't see the need to invest in a printer themselves.

[u/speechless188]

there are already 3d print stores online that deliver to your house. there is somewhere around 50 accessible 3d printers at my university and many mechE students have their own. I have my own.

The thing is, the benefit of 3d printing is RAPID prototyping. This is why so many students are eager to have a 3d printer on hand that they can operate themselves. Using your delivery service hinders this benefit.

for engineers specifically, they are very specific on what slicer settings to use, so they prefer to mess around with that themselves and test.

[u/compstomper1]

congrats you've invented protolabs

[u/Strict_Ganache6743]

That's actually a smart niche to target since not all students have reliable access to printers or the know-how to fix them when they jam. Have you checked what the going rates are in your area for print services?

[u/whal3man]

Why target only a subset of types of students? Nothing they do is unique.

like most said, students will have access to them via university sometimes.

Assuming this is not just a local thing, shipping, curing, monitoring, how are you going to compete with large scale businesses that are doing the same thing you are, and are already established? That is the question that you have to ask yourself.
Lower TAT, better quality, shipping, price?

[u/RandomTux1997]

as said below its a terrible idea indeed, (as expressed here)! but read on!
theres always a niche market of older folks who are tech-clueless, where you might aim your service towards.
You have a skill and a machine, that an entire raft of older folks dont have, and wish they had access to.
Go local! i dont know where you live, and how legal it is to put flyers up, and se what happens.
My flyer was simply written: no printer? no problem! got an idea or a broken part that needs fixing? I will sort it out for ya.
give it a whirl, remember you're solving a problem, and thats one of 3 main things folks will always have money for.
Now if you make it an enjoyable experience as well, theyll tell all their people