3DP Production Capacity

Question 1

What is SOLS CEO Schouwenburg’s opinion on WHEN 3D printing WORKS BEST? (2016)

Answer 1

She claims that 3D printing works best on a SMALL SCALE.

Question 2

What does SOLS CEO Schouwenburg argue about the DIFFERENCES in shoe production VOLUME? (2016)

Answer 2

She says there is a SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE between MAKING MILLIONS OF THE SAME SHOE verses making millions of CUSTOMIZED SHOES.

Question 3

What was SOLS CEO Schouwenburg’s CONCERN about being able to mass customize footwear? (2016)

Answer 3

She thought it would “be a while” before the technology exists AT THE LEVEL of MASS CUSTOMIZATION.

Question 4

What was SOLS CEO Schouwenburg’s FINANCIAL concern about being able to mass customize ON A LARGE SCALE? (2016).

Answer 4

He stated they were not at a point yet where the MARGINS MAKE SENSE.

Question 5

In order for traditional companies to be able to mass-produce customized shoes, WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN? (2016)

Answer 5

The 3D printing TECHNOLOGY would have to GROW and EVOLVE.

Question 6

What were SOLS’s Schouwenburg’s feelings about when CUSTOM footwear would be THE NORM? (2016)

Answer 6

She felt that LARGE MANUFACTURERS were a long way from making custom footwear AFFORDABLE and ACCESSIBLE.

Question 7

From 2014-2016, how much did SOLS raise?

Answer 7

$20 Million

Question 8

HOW are investors INTERESTED in 3D printing?

Answer 8

Investors are INTERESTED in 3D printing as A HOT TOPIC.

Question 9

Why do investors ACTUALLY sign on with 3D printing startups?

Answer 9

They are most interested in the MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES that this technology brings.

Question 10

In 2016, SOLS CEO said the hype around 3D printing started to die down AS A RESULT of WHAT?

Answer 10

Evidently, the APPLICATIONS of 3D printing were “SLOW TO EMERGE.”

Question 11

In 2016, although the APPLICATIONS of 3D printing were supposedly slow to emerge, which application was GROWING in INTEREST?

Answer 11

INSOLES

Question 12

In 2015, how did SOLS do in SALES of their CUSTOMIZED (by taking photos of the customer’s feet) insoles?

Answer 12

Sold 10,000 pairs at a price point of $199.

Question 13

According to the Aug. 21 ING article, where does it say 3D printing is the DOMINANT production technique?

Answer 13

In some NICHE MARKETS.

Question 14

For 3D printing to become a WIDELY-USED method in manufacturing, what MUST HAPPEN?

Answer 14

FURTHER TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS are needed to DRIVE DOWN COSTS.

Question 15

WHEN do some believe that the use of 3D printing for SERIES production is MOST SUITABLE?

Answer 15

When manufacturing VOLUMES are relatively LOW, and PRODUCT VALUE is relatively HIGH.

(Small - Medium volume, high product value)

Question 16

Why is it unfortunate that (“some believe”) 3D printing only works with SMALL batch production?

Answer 16

Because it, supposedly, makes many MASS-PRODUCED PRODUCTS for the near future “unsuitable” for 3D printing.

Question 17

What does Wohlers expect WILL DRIVE the EXPAND of 3D printing applications?

Answer 17

The number of applications will expand as MACHINE, MATERIAL, and OPERATIONAL COSTS are driven DOWN.

Question 18

Who is Terry Wohlers?

Answer 18

The HEAD of Additive Manufacturing MARKET INTELLIGENCE at Wohlers Associates.

Question 19

What does Wohlers Associates DO?

Answer 19

They provide technical and strategic ADVISORY SERVICES on RAPID product development, ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, 3D Printing.

Question 20

According to Kyttanen, as things stand today in 2021, CAN IT REPLACE any existing production methods?

Answer 20

Right now, 3D printing CAN in SOME CASES replace the current production method of existing products.