Essential Software for 3D Printing and Scanning
In the rapidly evolving world of 3D printing and scanning, having the right software can make all the difference. Whether you're a small business owner streamlining your 3D printing services, an engineer reverse-engineering complex parts, or a researcher pushing the boundaries of material innovation, our team highly recommends these three tools to elevate your workflow:
- AutoQuote3D
- Shining3D ExModel
- Formlabs Open Material Mode
These solutions address critical aspects of the 3D printing and scanning workflow, from automating business operations and streamlining 3D printing orders to transforming scans into editable CAD models and expanding material possibilities for more flexibility and versatility.
Let’s dive into how these tools can elevate your 3D printing and scanning projects.
AutoQuote3D: Streamlining Your 3D Printing Business
Running a 3D printing business involves more than just operating printers—it requires efficient management of quotes, orders, and customer interactions. AutoQuote3D is a powerful tool designed to simplify these processes, allowing businesses to focus on more important things like running the business and being profitable rather than on administrative tasks.
What Does it Do?
AutoQuote3D makes running a 3D printing business easier: the platform embeds into a 3D printing business/service provider’s website and allows customers to upload their 3D printing files, select materials, and get an instant quote. The 3D printing business receives this quote request in their queue, and if all parameters add up, they print the order and send it out to the customer. This cuts down manual back and forth with the customer, and organises the printing process for the business.
Key Features
- Unlimited Automatic Quoting: Save time and reduce friction with instant customer-facing cost estimates.
- Order & Workflow Management: Businesses can track quotes, jobs, and delivery statuses in one place.
- Embedded Interface: Easily integrate the quoting tool on any website.
- Automatic Invoicing & Payment: Integrated with Stripe for direct business payouts and zero added transaction fees.
- Manual Control Where Needed: Customize pricing structures, material settings, workflow steps, and themes.
- Secure Infrastructure: File uploads powered by Cloudflare R2 and secure payments through Stripe.
Interested in learning more? Visit autoquote3d.com to see all the key features. Also, watch our Webinar on Demand, where AutoQuote3D co-founders talk about the platform and how it can help your 3D printing business.
ExModel: Seamlessly Converting 3D Scans to CAD Models
For professionals working with 3D scanning, converting raw scan data into usable CAD models can be a challenge. SHINING 3D ExModel is a state-of-the-art software that simplifies this process, making it an essential tool for reverse engineering and CAD modeling.
Why It’s Essential
ExModel is a game-changer for industries like automotive, aerospace, and product design, where precision and efficiency in reverse engineering are critical. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible to both beginners and experts, while the Pro version offers advanced tools for complex projects. For instance, an engineer can use ExModel to quickly convert a scanned prototype into a CAD model, ready for modifications or 3D printing. SHINING 3D also offers a 30-day free trial (with 15 days of Pro features), making it easy to test its capabilities.
Read up on the features of the ExModel software in our detailed article here.
Open Material Mode: Unlocking Material Versatility
For 3D printing professionals seeking flexibility in material choices, Formlabs Open Material Mode (OMM) is a revolutionary tool for Form 3 and Form 4 series SLA printers. It allows users to experiment with third-party or custom 405nm photopolymer resins, allowing printing beyond the 45+ Formlabs resins available, thus expanding the possibilities for innovation.
Key Features of Formlabs Open Material Mode
- Material Freedom: OMM enables printing with any 405nm resin, supporting custom or third-party resins for specialized applications.
- Customizable Print Settings: Users can tailor print settings to optimize performance for specific materials, ensuring high-quality results tailored to their needs.
- Reliable SLA Ecosystem: OMM integrates with Formlabs’ industry-leading SLA printers, known for their reliability and ease of use.
- Applications in Innovation: Demonstrates potential for cutting-edge applications.
Why It’s Essential
Open Material Mode is a must for researchers, engineers, and manufacturers who need to push the boundaries of 3D printing materials. For example, a medical device company can use OMM to develop custom resins for patient-specific implants. Available as a one-time license per printer, OMM unlocks the full potential of Formlabs printers for advanced users.
Conclusion
Whether you’re scaling a 3D printing business, reverse-engineering complex parts, or exploring new materials, AutoQuote3D, EXModel, and Formlabs Open Material Mode are indispensable tools. They address key pain points in the 3D printing and scanning process, offering automation, precision, and flexibility.
For more information on how any of these tools can integrate into your workflow, contact our team or book a consultation.
Let’s help you embrace these solutions to take your 3D printing and scanning projects to the next level!
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