Saving Time and Money by 3D Printing Your Prototypes
Shopify Masters · with Chris Little · August 20, 2018 · 40 min
Summary
This episode provides a compelling case for ecommerce entrepreneurs to adopt 3D printing for product prototyping. Learn how Chris Little leveraged this technology to drastically cut costs and accelerate his time to market. This strategy allows for rapid design iteration, thorough testing, and a more compelling presentation to manufacturers, ultimately de-risking new product launches.
Key takeaways
Implement 3D printing early in the product development cycle to significantly reduce prototyping costs and material waste compared to traditional methods.
Utilize 3D printed prototypes to rapidly iterate on designs, test functionality, and gather early user feedback, accelerating your time to market.
Present polished 3D printed prototypes to manufacturers to demonstrate a thoroughly vetted product concept and secure better manufacturing partnerships.
Leverage the increasing accessibility of advanced manufacturing tools like 3D printers to overcome common product development hurdles.
Design for manufacturing (DFM) should be considered during prototyping to ensure a smooth transition from 3D printed prototypes to mass production, enabling efficient scaling.
In this episode of Shopify Masters, you’ll hear from Chris Little, an entrepreneur who reduced his cost and time to market by 3D printing his prototypes before approaching manufacturers.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Implement 3D printing early in the product development cycle to significantly reduce prototyping costs and material waste compared to traditional methods.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Utilize 3D printed prototypes to rapidly iterate on designs, test functionality, and gather early user feedback, accelerating your time to market.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Present polished 3D printed prototypes to manufacturers to demonstrate a thoroughly vetted product concept and secure better manufacturing partnerships.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Leverage the increasing accessibility of advanced manufacturing tools like 3D printers to overcome common product development hurdles.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Design for manufacturing (DFM) should be considered during prototyping to ensure a smooth transition from 3D printed prototypes to mass production, enabling efficient scaling.
