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[non-Blender] 3D Printing with 3D Hubs

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3D Hubs is a 'local 3D printing network'. They make it easy to find people in your area with a 3D printer so you can quickly 3D print a model. Their network offers all kinds of printers, from entry-level 'home printers' to professional Zcorp and EOS machines. They're based in Amsterdam, and I met with them a few weeks ago and decided to give the service a try.

I found an old model of the Suzanne award on my laptop (I later learned that I wasn't supposed to have, so no, you can't have the file ;-) and looked for a place to print it in my home town. As it turned out there were several within a 10 km radius and I picked 'Jeroen's Hub' which was located only 2km away from my home. Jeroen has an Ultimaker 1. It's not the most recent type of printer, but it was fine for my test.

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After uploading, the site immediately calculated the printing costs (which consisted of a startup fee and material costs) and my order was on its way.

Within a day, I learned that Jeroen had already printed the model but found that it required additional 'support material' (to print overhanging structures), and that he charged a small fee for cleaning this support and sanding my model. As this wasn't a chore I was looking forward to doing myself, I was glad he did it for a few euros extra. All in all, I ended up spending €24 for the print.

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By far the best part though was actually meeting Jeroen to pick up the model! Meeting a fellow 3D printing enthusiast, checking out his printer and having a chat about the projects we're both working on was awesome. To me, this is what really sets 3D Hubs apart from other 3D printing services.

This social side is really baked into their company - they're encouraging members to become 'mayors' of their city, to help out other members and to host meetups etc.

All in all I had a great experience with 3D Hubs and I can recommend you give them a try if you ever need a fast print. Also keep an eye on them if you're interested in 3D printing and you'd like to join some 3DP events in your area.

I have 10 discount coupons for €15. If you're interested in using 3D Hubs, leave a comment describing your 3D Printing project and you can win one!

2014-06-04 20.38.38

Jeroen and his Ultimaker 1

About the Author

Avatar image for Bart Veldhuizen
Bart Veldhuizen

I have a LONG history with Blender - I wrote some of the earliest Blender tutorials, worked for Not a Number and helped run the crowdfunding campaign that open sourced Blender (the first one on the internet!). I founded BlenderNation in 2006 and have been editing it every single day since then ;-) I also run the Blender Artists forum and I'm Head of Community at Sketchfab.

11 Comments

  1. Jacco van Leeuwen on

    I would like to print this character from my firts real animation that I'm working on so I can put her on my desk. ;)
    Maybe I'll print the other characters too.

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