Right here’s the factor: industrial 3D printers are dear. A high-end fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer might run as much as over $10,000 only for a smaller or much less well-known machine. Given the finicky nature of working a enterprise, we are able to fairly assume that various 3D printing firms fail. So, there needs to be a marketplace for used 3D printers. Through the years, we’ve seen companies try and get into promoting used gear, however eBay stays to be the most important supply for previous 3D printers.
Maybe, Pivot AM Auctions will change that. A brand new division of U.S. service and gear supplier Pivot AM Service, the positioning permits customers to bid on refurbished 3D printers in a fashion just like eBay, with “max bid” and “purchase it now” choices included. Sellers can listing their used machines for $250, whereas consumers pay an eight % premium above the acquisition worth.
As of this writing, there are 11 items of apparatus accessible, together with 4 Stratasys FDM 3D printers, three 3D Programs stereolithography (SLA) methods, and 4 items of post-processing machines. Many of the beginning bids for the FDM items start round $1,000, whereas the SLA 3D printers start at $10,000. There may be one 2015 Fortus 400 that’s presently bidding at $0, with a buy-now worth of $49,000. If that’s not a mistake, you could possibly feasibly buy it and switch it round for a fairly penny.
The benefit of getting a web site for auctioning off used 3D printing gear is that Pivot AM is already built-in into the business. Its homeowners know the enterprise and may join consumers and sellers with de-installers and shippers, in addition to financing entities that may allow buying loans for the machines.
Powered by Aniwaa
It’s attainable to purchase used industrial 3D printers from such locations as machine resellers and service bureaus, normal gear websites, and eBay. Pivot AM Auctions has the differentiator of performing as a web-based public sale home. Nonetheless, given the small dimension of this area of interest market, it might be tough to understand how a lot enterprise might actually be derived from auctioning and even promoting used gear. This appears notably tough as one of many advantages of buying straight from the producer or from a reseller can be the technical help, for which this industrial gear requires an important deal. Subsequently, it appears as if the perfect buyer can be an present service bureau or half maker that already is aware of its method round these machines.
That mentioned, there positively must be a burgeoning marketplace for used industrial 3D printers. What I count on to occur is that an organization like Xometry, which has already expanded past its function as a community for digital manufacturing companies to promote supplies and components, would start networking sellers and consumers of used gear as part of its present choices. If Pivot grows giant sufficient, maybe it might discover a welcome residence at an organization like Xometry.
Picture courtesy of Pivot AM.