3D - 2

Is there a place or company I can contact to have 3D models constructed?

I'm wondering what is the most affordable or if it's even possible to have models I've made in my 3D program, sent on a dvd or over the net to a company and have them make it for me, I know it would be costly but I would think smaller creative things like rings and jewelry could be mass produced, maybe start my own online store..

Public Comments

1. Are you sure you need models or products?
2. Hey 1UP: What are you making models of? Or is that a trade secret? Maybe you mean a prototype and not a model?
3. Hi, It is definitely possible to send 3d models that you have made to a company and have them make them for you. This is most often called 'rapid prototyping' or 'RP'. The type of RP I am most familiar with is called stereolithography. This process creates the physical model by by building it up one layer at a type from one of a variety of materials. The type of material used depends on what physical properties (how hard or soft) you want the final product to be and how much money you have to spend. The cost of this process is usually a function of what material is used as well as the volume consumed. If you packed a bunch of small pieces of jewelry into one run, I think you could potentially make it cost effective. Keep in mind anything created with this process will be plastic-like (or occasionally rubber). It's also possible to have things created from metal using other processes, but these would probably not be cost effective for your purposes. Check out these service providers to get a real cost estimate on your ideas: www.3drp.com www.realizeinc.com www.metrorp.com www.rpquote.com