As a business, you need to find options and solutions that cater to you and your clients’ needs. When it comes to 3D printing and whether you should outsource the job or have in-house operations, It’s not a one-size-fits-all type of situation.
You need to determine a few things before you decide which route to take. If you’re having a hard time listing what you need to consider, here are some crucial factors you need to think about.
Budget
Before you jump the gun and invest your hard-earned money in an expensive printer and its materials, you need to think about the cost of this investment.
If you’re a small to medium-sized business, a 3D printer is going to cost a lot. And that’s just the initial price tag; you’ll then need to buy materials, get it installed, and constantly maintained.
It’s a hefty piece of machinery that requires proper care and servicing. You can’t just buy it on a wimp only to end up regretting it later.
Production volume
If you do have enough money to buy a 3D printer and the rest of its components, you need to consider the volume of products you and your business need to create. If you’re not planning on producing large quantities, there’s no need for you to invest in a piece of equipment for little to no returns.
Production frequency
Next, you need to think about how often or frequently you’ll need to use the equipment or printer. If you know you’re not going to get much use out of it, it’s not a wise investment.
Your skills and knowledge
Installing, using, and maintaining your 3D printer requires years of experience, knowledge, and skills. It’s not like your average printer, and if you’re not well-versed in the proper methods and techniques, you might end up busting your expensive piece of equipment.
Sure, you can have someone come in and install and maintain it for you, but that can increase its cost on top of the initial price you paid.
Benefits of outsourcing
Outsourcing your 3D printing jobs is cost and time-effective. A professional design and engineering team has all the equipment, knowledge, and labor to cater to your needs. They can give you viable suggestions and advice on what materials to use and how to best approach your production design.
Are you looking for 3D printing services in Grass Valley? Reach out to us!
At Connekt. LLC, we offer engineering and design services to clients from a wide variety of industries and fields. Our 3D printing services help create proofs of concept, prototypes, or end-products for businesses, individuals, and hobbyists. Our techniques help build a 3D model layer by layer to help you visualize your products and concepts.
