We consider that subsequent technology {hardware} manufacturing represents a seismic shift. We see from our personal purchasers and the businesses we work together with that sure particular traits are affecting the trade. These traits are virtually common, however the timing is completely different throughout completely different sectors.
We see shorter product cycles, ‘smarter’ {hardware}’ shorter extra resilient provide chains and industrial and environmental sustainability as key drivers. Greater than this, we see that the following technology of {hardware} isn’t simply quicker and extra linked, it’s truly trying extra like software program.
Extra and quicker is a part of the human situation, and so it’s that all through the evolution of producing now we have strived for each. In the present day the cascade of technological innovation is consistently accelerating the event of recent merchandise. As such they should be made extra shortly, are upgraded extra shortly and require in-use help long-after the OEM has moved on.
As we proceed to evolve Shapeways, we’re making a digital manufacturing ecosystem that retains tempo with the product improvement and offers all producers the flexibility to make provide chains extra resilient.
Converging expectations
Since 2008 we’ve been in a position to work with everybody from first-time designers, hobbyists, small- and medium-scale producers by means of to blue chips and governments. From the outset what every of those teams was in search of was completely different, however they’ve additionally developed alongside an analogous path within the years since.
As with every know-how now we have entry to for the primary time, the preliminary initiatives can be comparatively decrease in worth, with fewer dangers. A roll of the cube. For us this was early mannequin making and prototyping relying on the client. These early use instances (that are nonetheless related) explored the geometric freedom of 3D printing, and made use of the flexibility to shortly flip an thought into one thing tangible… if not the ‘actual factor’.
Over time every group has turn into extra assured within the applied sciences and our capacity to deploy them and requested for extra from their elements in return. Hobbyists need finer particulars, color, supplies decisions. Firms need extra purposeful prototypes, even faster turnaround and entry to supplies and applied sciences that may understand end-use and more and more crucial elements. With that comes a plethora of different wants: traceability, repeatability, high quality management and expansive supplies palettes.
What makes subsequent technology {hardware} completely different?
Each half exists now as information factors earlier than it turns into bodily. Conventional manufacturing applied sciences and related provide chains and techniques don’t at all times have the flexibility to leverage that reality. Additive manufacturing because the core know-how of a digital manufacturing ecosystem can transfer extra responsively.
New {hardware} is smarter, leveraging fast developments in sensing and cellular computing to hitch the ‘Web of issues’. It’s additionally extra more likely to have a definite software program part both onboard, by means of an app or each. And it is going to be out of date extra shortly because the built-in electronics components drive versioning.
A confluence of forces are driving this shift in {hardware} manufacturing:
- Provide chain considerations — or the ‘dawning of a brand new provide chain period‘
- Software program-first product focus with {hardware} components second
- Startups seeking to get to market shortly, not arrange
- Tariffs and commerce obstacles altering geographical considering
Constructing Shapeways for manufacturing subsequent technology {hardware}
At Shapeways we’ve at all times believed that manufacturing must preserve tempo with product innovation, bus is just too typically a brake. Because the world strikes towards a brand new technology of {hardware}, we’ve targeted on constructing the infrastructure to make that potential: digital from the bottom up, agile by design and confirmed in manufacturing over many years.
Our platform connects design, manufacturing and supply in a single digital thread. Which means groups can transfer seamlessly from prototype to manufacturing with out rework, handoffs or hidden friction. An element designed immediately could be manufactured tomorrow — regionally or globally — with the identical stage of high quality and management. Tomorrow perhaps it’s time to scale that up, or down, or swap to the following model.
We’ve spent greater than a decade refining the techniques, supplies and partnerships that make this work at scale. From high-performance polymers and metals to carbon-fibre-reinforced supplies, our manufacturing community is constructed for pace, repeatability and reliability. Each half is tracked, measured and verified. Each course of is designed to be as responsive as the businesses it serves.
For engineers, designers and product leaders we ship flexibility. The flexibility to experiment, to provide what you want whenever you want it, and to belief that it’ll carry out as anticipated. For companies, it means manufacturing that may lastly transfer on the pace of {hardware} improvement and the boldness to construct what comes subsequent.
Constructing for the following technology of {hardware}
The shift is already underway. Yearly, the space between thought and bodily product grows shorter. Essentially the most forward-thinking corporations are now not asking if they will make one thing, however how shortly they will make it, validate it, and get it into clients’ fingers. That’s what the following technology of {hardware} calls for: a producing mannequin that strikes on the pace of design.
At Shapeways, we’re targeted on constructing the digital manufacturing infrastructure that allows that agility. One the place manufacturing information, supplies science and supply-chain resilience work collectively as a single ecosystem. The place a component can transfer from CAD to manufacturing to world distribution with out the friction, waste or delay that used to outline bodily manufacturing.
{Hardware} will at all times be bodily — however the way it’s made is turning into more and more digital. The businesses that embrace that shift will lead the following technology of merchandise, industries and concepts.
We’re right here to assist them make it actual.