3D Printing Community Survey

Do you like surveys? Ok, some people don't. But this one might be important. PeerProductions is running a survey dedicated to 3D printing and would like your input. But you'd better hurry, as it closes on May 15th. 

 

The survey is quite short and its twenty questions requires only a few moments to complete. The questions are what you'd expect: which brands of 3D printers have you used; what do you create; what area of work; and of course the inevitable demographics. 

 

It's all entirely anonymous and should produce some interesting results. Just hit the link below to begin the survey. 

 

[UPDATE] Link below should now work properly. 

 

Via PeerProduction

How Are Open Design Projects Organized?

Marvelous Onwukamike of TUHH, Hamburg University of Technology, is conducting a survey on the organization of open design projects. We felt that many Fabbaloo readers might be appropriate respondents to this exercise. The 36-question survey is available for interested parties, and takes approximately 8-10 minutes to complete. The survey may be found right here. 

 

Why the survey? According to Kerstin Balka:

 

Extensive research has been done to analyze the phenomenon of open source software development from various perspectives. By contrast very little is known about open source development of tangible objects, so-called open design, so far. Until recently, limitations to the availability of successful empirical examples of this `new innovation model' outside software may have been a key reason for this gap. My goal is to explore the landscape of open source development in the world of atoms, to analyze project characteristics, structures, and success, and to investigate similarities and dissimilarities to open source software development.

 

We're wondering about this too. The parallels between open software and open manufacturing are often very similar - but also very different at times. We're glad someone's investigating this in detail.

 

Via Open Innovation Projects

Fabbaloo Survey Results

Readers may recall we issued a survey the other week, attempting to duplicate 3D Systems' survey by using the same questions. The responses have slowed, so it's time to take a look at the results, which you can see by clicking on the chart for a larger view.

 

The highlights, as we see it:

 

• The number one characteristic is clearly quality of prints, over all other others. This means that people would pay more for a printer that spits out better models
• The number two and three most important characteristics relate to cost. Both initial and ongoing costs were pegged as important, demonstrating that Fabbaloo readers are sharp; you weren't fooled by the "free razor, you just pay for the blades" scenario
• Build speed turns out to be less important, perhaps because at this point everyone accepts that 3D printers just take a long time to print
• Build size is surprisingly low rated. We suspect this is because readers realize that a larger build chamber automatically means more cost, which we previously saw was a non-starter
• Trailing the pack is "Leading Brand". Evidently all the advertising by 3D Systems, Dimension, Objet and the other leading brands might not be as effective as they believe

 

How do our answers compare to the answers collected by 3D systems? We have no idea, but if anyone from 3D Systems is listening, we'd love to compare notes.

 

Thanks to all who participated!

What's The Most Important Characteristic of a 3D Printer?

We found a survey link in our email from 3D Systems, one of the largest commercial manufacturers of 3D printers. 3D Systems is seeking to learn what their clients and prospects think is important in a 3D printer. We're wondering that too.

 

Therefore, we have duplicated 3D Systems' key question in our very own survey: "For a 3D printer in particular, what is your criteria for selecting the right one for your company?"

 

To take the survey, simply click here and fill out the form. It's tremendously easy to do, as you need only rank twelve key characteristics. We'll compile the results and report back to Fabbaloo readers when we've received enough responses. 

 

Thanks to all participants in advance!