Amazon Launches 3D Printer Sales Department

A lot of people like to throw in the word “democratization” when talking about additive manufacturing (AM). They believe that the 3D printing revolution will give entrepreneurs and home users alike the ability to customize manufacturing in a way never before possible. In place of assembly lines churning out virtual clones of the same product, the democratization of manufacturing gives buyers and designers the chance to put their own spin on a product, and even to launch new product lines without the often prohibitive initial investment.

What’s missing from the picture of democratization is the widespread adoption of AM required to fulfill the vision. Certainly AM has already made an impact on manufacturing, but, excepting companies like Shapeways, consumers don’t have any more control over the final design of a product than they did before. In addition to being available for consumers, 3D printers need to be visible as products. Amazon has taken a step to promoting AM visibility with the launch of its 3D printer sales department.

Amazon is hardly the first entity to offer AM systems to the public; as well as online stores, actual brick-and-mortar stores have begun popping up to show people what the technology is capable of producing. Staples will be joining the parade by offering Mcor 3D printing services and putting 3D Systems’ Cube on shelves. However, no one has the volume of customers claimed by Amazon.

Amazon’s online store (which, interestingly, categorizes its products under the label “additive manufacturing”) offers spools of filament, parts to build or upgrade 3D printers, and, of course, the actual AM systems. Customers can find systems from Afinia, Lulzbot, 3D Systems and, just added, MakerBot.

"We are excited to see Amazon embracing 3D printing and devoting an online store to the technology," noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. "Being a part of Amazon takes 3D printing and the MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer to a whole new level, and reaches a much broader consumer market. We're pretty excited about this opportunity."

I think this is a great step toward more widespread adoption of 3D printing. It’s one thing to hear about the technology second-hand, and another to have it pop up in your shopping suggestions list. The more often people see 3D printers, the more likely they are to take an interest, which can only be good for AM in the long-term.

Below you’ll find another take on the importance of Amazon’s 3D printing store.

Sources: Amazon, Engadget