Something is Broken in the Current Concept of 3D Printing

As both an entrepreneur and an engineer, I’ve spent years working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and business. Over that time, I’ve seen one critical issue repeatedly surface: the current approach to 3D printing in most companies is fundamentally flawed. Having built 3Dock from the ground up, I’ve gained firsthand experience in navigating these challenges and have developed a clear vision of what the future should look like for this technology.

Many businesses started their 3D printing journey much the same way: they invested in FDM printers like Ultimaker or Prusa, hopeful that this new technology would radically change how they prototype, innovate, and produce. Fast forward a few years, and what often remains is underutilized equipment and frustrated teams. The limitations of traditional in-house setups become glaringly obvious—limited materials, unpredictable results, and excessively long print times.

At first, in smaller or growing companies, experimenting with these machines may have been exciting. But as business scales up, time becomes your most valuable resource. That’s when you realize that your team's hours are better spent working on client projects, not tinkering with printers that only a select few people know how to operate effectively.

This problem isn’t just a technical one. It’s a strategic misstep that many companies unknowingly make: they dive into 3D printing without fully integrating it into their operations or considering how it can scale with the business.

The Failure of the In-House Model

The approach of purchasing a 3D printer and expecting it to work wonders in isolation is, in my view, a deeply flawed model. FDM printers, while excellent for certain applications, often struggle to deliver the versatility or efficiency companies need. Many companies fall into the trap of, “we make everything in-house,” but this leads to lose the focus and high personnel costs.

The reality is that in-house 3D printing can become an expensive and underutilized toy. Instead of being a driving force for innovation, it becomes a niche resource for a few select people in R&D, disconnected from the broad commercial strategy.

A Broader Vision for 3D Printing

When I founded 3Dock, my goal wasn’t just to provide another 3D printing service—it was to rethink how businesses approach additive manufacturing altogether. The future of 3D printing lies in accessibility, scalability, and collaboration. It’s not enough to have a machine sitting in a lab; 3D printing needs to be integrated across departments, from design and prototyping to production and beyond.

My vision for 3Dock is rooted in the concept of adapting Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to 3D printing. Just as cloud computing has transformed how businesses manage their IT resources, I believe 3D printing should be available as a scalable service. I believe in a cloud-based approach that allows entire teams to engage in the process, whether they’re in design, marketing, or production. This model removes the limitations of physical access to machines and democratizes the technology. With the right tools, 3D printing can be scalable and impactful—serving as a key asset for the entire organization, not just a handful of engineers.

This also ties into a larger trend in business: the shift towards digital platforms. Just as cloud computing revolutionized IT management, a cloud-based 3D printing platform allows for greater flexibility, faster iteration, and more efficient collaboration. It takes 3D printing out of the isolated corner of a business and makes it a central part of the innovation process.

Specialized Applications vs. General Use

That’s not to say that in-house printing is dead for all use cases. In specialized applications—like metal printing through PBF for custom alloys and precise tolerances—it can still be invaluable. But for most general-purpose prototyping and production, especially with FDM printers, the traditional in-house model no longer makes sense.

Why? Because most businesses don’t need ultra-specialized 3D printing daily. They need a scalable solution that fits their workflows, integrates across teams, and adapts as their projects and needs evolve.

A Business Model for the Future

This is where my vision for 3Dock comes in. The platform we’re building is designed to be more than just a service—it’s a collaborative tool that enables businesses to integrate 3D printing across their operations. It’s scalable, it’s accessible, and it’s built to reduce costs across the board, from capital investment to operational overhead.

The reason I believe so strongly in this model is that it reflects the realities of today’s business environment. Companies are increasingly global, and the ability to collaborate remotely and efficiently is becoming a necessity, not a luxury. At the same time, businesses need to offer flexible, remote-friendly work environments to attract top talent. By taking the physical presence out of the equation, a cloud-based 3D printing solution enables companies to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

In the coming days, I’ll be sharing more details about the launch of our new platform and how it will redefine 3D printing workflows for businesses. If anyone is interested in becoming a beta user, I’d be happy to answer any questions or discuss how this could benefit your team. Feel free to reach out—I’m excited to hear your thoughts and collaborate with those who share our vision!

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