Editor’s Pick: Source 3D Parts Fast

Dear Desktop Engineering Reader:

3D printing service bureaus are great. They run the machines. And, importantly, they teach you about materials and explain how to incorporate additive manufacturing (AM) into your design processes. But what if you’re beyond needing that kind of instruction? What you need now is a 3D service bureau partner that simply delivers what you want, whether that’s a single prototype or large volumes of end-use thermoplastic parts. Today’s Editors Pick of the Week is about an outfit that delivers startups, small and large companies direct digital manufacturing (DDM) services that could become your strategic advantage.

CloudDDM is for those of you accustomed to AM technology and who want to better leverage industrial-scale 3D printing to reduce upfront production costs, manage stock, control inventory and accelerate product development.

What does that mean? It means you interact with CloudDDM through its dedicated app. Through a Web browser, you just upload your file, select your material, settle on business details like shipping and submit your order. Depending on your level of urgency, your order goes to the top of the queue or gets in line. Considering that CloudDDM has more than 100 advanced 3D printing machines, even the last in line should see their order fulfilled quickly.

To further streamline your interaction with it, CloudDDM’s material options are the most commonly used engineering thermoplastics and resins such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and ULTEM 1010. CloudDDM’s AM systems can fabricate parts with tight tolerances and ultra thin layers.

A key to CloudDDM is its high degree of automation beyond its snappy order submission process. Essentially, there’s minimal human involvement to bollix up the works. Your order is simply printed, boxed and shipped. That efficiency, in turn, keeps prices competitive with traditional manufacturing methods.

CloudDDM has more than 100 high-speed industrial printers linked together in an automated manufacturing facility. The CloudDDM workflow requires little to no human intervention from the time a user uploads a digital model, through production, packaging and shipment. CloudDDM can 3D print large part volumes as well as prototypes, one-offs and small production runs. Image courtesy of CloudDDM LLC.

Efficiency doesn’t stop there. CloudDDM’s additive manufacturing facility is located on the UPS Supply Chain Solutions Campus right by the runway at the UPS Worldport, the world’s largest package-handling air hub. So, your order drops off the conveyor and goes right into the UPS delivery network. UPS has a stake in CloudDDM, so you can be pretty sure that its logistics act is as good as it gets.

So, let’s review: CloudDDM offers advanced 3D printing, automated order processing, top-end logistics and scalability from one-offs to large volumes. That could be what you need to move your company up to the next level. Hit today’s Editor’s Pick of the Week and learn more about CloudDDM.

Thanks, Pal. – Lockwood

Anthony J. Lockwood

Editor at Large, Desktop Engineering

Learn more about CloudDDM's services here.