Exactly! see below, I think one or two hubs in every city should take the initiative and buy/build a decent filament extruder and produce for locals. Personally, I don’t believe a DIY extruder can output a good tolerance for the commercial prospect. I mean if I’m going to provide fresh filament to local users (with spool return policy), I’m responsible for quality and safety (equipement or some components needs homologation)… There are some pretty precise Twin Screw Extruders out there (mainly in China) ready to ship for around 4K$. One thing I can DIY is a shredder to recycle failed parts and supports (on return policy) and other plastics from the recycling bin like PLA milk and juice bottles, etc. But then again, why bother reinventing the wheel when there are some pretty heavy duty shredders out there on Alibaba for example. So if you read below, Im asking local Hubs to co-fund some serious equipement if they want co-ownership and the advantages from that, being high quality filament basically for free and revenues from sales. Having local production and a spool return program and plastics recycling program would drastically reduce the price of filament for local users and 3D printing will emancipate. I want to be among the pioneers. Cheers!
You’re right about the forum format. It is very hard to follow and also because the email alerts won’t put at the right position in the posts (they are not anchored).
Having a centralized “hub” for all (call it the way you want) seems a bit difficult for all brands.
It could perhaps be easier per spool style. Think about the colorFabb ones that are completely different than simple polycarbonate ones that are also completely different than Cube X cartridges.
Because I also sell colorFabb filament in Switzerland, I am really interested to find a solution for my customers. However, I am not interested at all to find a solutions for other brands which would give me a lot of work!
@GloomySparker@Pot8oSH3D totally agree on the readability issue. We’re aiming to tackle this in the next sprint so please hang in there a little longer
Hi Scott, I think it’s better to have this discussion here, where more brains all over the world can contribute to a better, ever evolving model.
I think GLocal: Global sharing of ideas, recipes and documentation that can be produced and distributed on demand Locally
Local hubs that will take initiative and provide quality service are still marginal, most users just want to order local and have extras. Local competition is healthy for quality and price to users, the more reliable and affordable the more people will buy 3D printers or use Hub services
I found two collaborators with extensive knowledge and experience who want to get involved in our Montreal filament project. One had his injection molding company and he’s retired now but likes this, one is a chemist specialized in plastics looking to develop materials for specific applications. He would also like to mix Photopolymer Resins for DLP/SLA printers in the Local market.
I will have them join the conversation or keep you updated on ideas and advancements.
