Smart factory expansion announced to improve 3D printing accessibility

A 3D printing service with a vision to make 3D printing technology more universally accessible has announced expansion plans that will see it compete with the world’s leading manufacturing businesses.

3D People is growing its business with a move to a purpose built 9,000 square foot smart factory in Woolwich, London, along with a series of key investments in new technologies including a HP MJF 5210 printer which will allow the company to swiftly turnaround more durable, accurate and competitively priced parts. It will also be introducing more automated post-processing technology to help it achieve its ambition of becoming a fully operational Industry 4.0 factory. Company founders Sasha Bruml and Felix Manley say their investments will drive their continued mission to ‘humanise’ 3D printing with simple, affordable and stress-free online ordering processes for custom 3D designs and parts.

Sasha says: “Our aim is to empower more people to create innovative products so achieving our goal to expand has been especially rewarding.” The new facility and 3D printing technologies and equipment will not only help the company realise its vision to make manufacturing accessible, but will also allow it to meet its 10-year growth plans and further develop its service offering, aligning it with some of the world’s biggest 3D printing bureaus.

Bringing down barriers to 3D printing technology

Originally meeting while studying at Central Saint Martins in 2013, the entrepreneurs were inspired by the sheer scope of innovation possibilities and revolutionising effects of digital manufacturing, and were particularly interested in what was happening in the 3D printing space.

However, they quickly learned of the challenges in gaining access to the industry and realised an opportunity to break down these barriers with new processes for engineers, designers and innovators wanting to use the technology. The pair initially began working on projects for fellow students and since graduating, they have grown to a team of ten and have successfully incorporated one of the largest-volume Selective Laser Sintering printers in London, with specialised polyshot finishing equipment. Their work to date has seen them collaborate with leading brands Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Orms Designers and Architects, Foster + Partners, Barber Osgerby, and global advertising firms, McCann and M&C Saatchi.

Felix says: “The challenges we faced initially taught us that we needed to offer a more human experience and share our know-how to enable easier access to innovation, no matter what a customer’s knowledge of 3D printing is. Our track record and expansion plans demonstrate that this is an approach that is both wanted and needed in the industry and we will continue to develop our knowledge and service in this rapidly evolving sector.”

To learn more, visit https://www.3dpeople.uk/about-us