Slant3D launched something interesting: SlantTools.
The company is a 3D print service, running a very large print farm, but they are always inventing new approaches. They are quite fascinating to watch, as they will try all kinds of methods to keep their 3D printers busy.
The latest approach is “SlantTools”. It’s a website dedicated to 3D model generators.
Upon entering the page, you’ll see a matrix of possible generators, including:
- Block Builder — Build a 3D scenario using blocks, one at a time.
- Electrical Enclosure — Generate a box to hold a circuit board, for example a Raspberry Pi.
- Brick Builder — Build an object brick by brick.
- Box Generator — Generate a box to specific dimensions.
- 3D Text — Extrude text in a variety of fonts.
- Vase Maker — Create a vase from a profile shape.
- Gridfinity Organizer — Create a custom block of Gridfinity containers.
- Gridfinity Tool Organizer — Create a Gridfinity design based on an image.
- M18 Packout — Generate containers for Milwaukee Tool’s PACKOUT system.
- Wheel Maker — Generate a wheel 3D model based on numeric parameters.
- Cookie Cutter — Create cookie cutters based on a drawn closed shape.
- Medallion Maker — Design a simple medallion with text.
- Massage Roller — Create a custom massage roller.
- Sculpter — Punch out pieces to create a shape.
- Nightlight Builder — Generate nightlight color lithophanes.
- Gear Maker — Create custom gears based on numerical input.
All of these generators are easy to use and are directly connected to Slant3D’s production system. In other words, a visitor could quickly whip up a design for, say, some gears, and punch the order button to have them immediately produced.
This is an interesting approach, as it addresses the big problem many potential customers may have: no ability to design their own 3D models with CAD tools. Here, the CAD work is done by each web page.
Will this drive more business to Slant3D? Possibly, as this is almost certainly an experiment.
But it’s a good experiment: very easy to build, which they have already done, and it simply adds more workload to the print farm. It’s a kind of no-lose venture.
But it also tells us more about the future of 3D printing: CAD is bad for most people, and by avoiding it you just might find a lot more customers.
Via SlantTools
