r/3DPrintFarms

Hey peeps!
I’ve been 3D printing for almost a decade, and I recently upgraded my setup to two Bambu P1S printers with AMS units and a Bambu H2C with two AMS 2s. I’m looking to start turning the hobby into a small business, not looking to buy a yacht from the hustle but maybe a few bucks ya know?

For those who’ve already gone down this road: if you were starting over today with everything you know now, what would you do differently? What do you wish you knew about pricing, products, niches, licensing, Etsy vs. local sales, marketing, inventory, or just running the business in general?

I’m slowly learning how to make my own models but dang….its not easy lol

Long story short, i have a prototype to a device that im looking to eventually get injection molded upon success, however since that is too expensive for a prototype its not an option right now, im looking to take a very precise dimensions cardboard prototype and basically turn it into 3d printed material, which ive been researching as the best alternative for 'housing' to a device besides injection molding.

After researching, since my device comes into contact with continous trioxygen (ozone) Ive been directed to use ASA which is resistant to ozone degradation and is said to be pretty strong on par with ABS, which is already used in commercial products though through injection molding. Again since this is a housing i need, it only needs to be about 4mm thick i believe as a good strong wall and base thickness.

My parts are about 4mm thick, 7.5 inches in width, and one part 8 inches tall, with a closed base (both hollow) and the other 3 inches tall with a closed top, then another piece about 5 inches in diameter, same thickness, and about 7.5 inches tall. AI has been telling me (with a total of about 7 parts needing printed, with the rest fitting inside the dimensions i just gave and much smaller) i would not be able to spend less than $200 per unit. Im aware that a single order for each part would net me over $200, but if i want to buy several of the same parts at a time, i think i should be able to stay under $200 per unit right? the $200 limit for each unit was not just for the housing alone, it includes the internal electrical components, which is 12 pieces total and all of them are very cheap, at about $1-13 for smaller simpler components (fan, dc motor) and then $10-30 for about 3 other components (slip ring, Hv power suppy)

Obviously i know nothing about how much it costs to have 3d printed parts outsourced.I dont know if there are very kind generous people with very low cost just for the exact type of people like me, looking for cheap alternatives to injection molding before they can afford it, or for a prototype. or if everyone out there is serious about pricing and getting exactly what they want in return for the time it takes and materials to print for someone else, so i just though Id ask real people.

i'm 17 and i got my first 3d printer (creality ender v3 SE) a month ago, i made some stuff with it like fidget toys and useful stuff but now i want to sell and start making money, i want to know how to start making a farm and how to get clients etc

Like other people, I've looked at 3D printing as a possible source of income. I have ideas I want to print and I am trying to come up with a direction I would want to go. When searching those ideas in Etsy, it's a little overwhelming to see all of the creative and artsy forms of those same ideas listed multiple times. I am somewhat creative but I would not say I am artsy.

Does anyone else have some kind of block when trying to start out? Or am I looking at this wrong and really need to go more of a "useful" direction rather than something more creative in an already oversaturated market? I realize there's no single product that would be a money marker (other than articulating dragons) and if there was, nobody would share it because they would be printing money for themselves lol.

This also could be due to having limited experience in the actual designing or printing aspect of this. I was printing on an Ender 3 but passed it along to a family member. I was going to buy on the Bambu anniversary sale but life hasn't really allowed for adding a printer to the house right now. This all could be more of an experience issue that would solve itself over time.

We’re on the lookout for a reliable print farm in Europe, that can handle bulk orders, specifically with assembly and storage capabilities.

We specifically want to make connections with centres in Germany and the Netherlands.

Email me at kissmycans@gmail.com with more information please.

All of my gear arrives this weekend and I'm prepping the office for the set up. As this is my first time I'd love to see how others have their labs set up and if you have any tips/tricks I might be able to steal.

Qidi Q2 combo, Polar Cooler and Sunlu E2 dryer/annealer. It'll be right at a window so I can rig up ventilation.

I have a project that needs to deliver to the German division of my US-based client. They wish to avoid the complex shipping and tariffs. I have the models, but they require a detailed build and assembly process. This requires a high level of quality control and detail. It's multiple parts, has embedded magnets, requires supports, gluing, and long run times (50-55 hrs total per unit over 8 different parts). Quantity is to be determined, but 10-20 units, packaged and shipped to Berlin. Drop me a DM if this is something you can handle.