A report from GizMag describes how Fujifilm is considering operating a chain of kiosks capable of printing 3D models. Yes, we thought this was strange, too.
The idea is that an inexpensive 3D printer “kiosk” would be located in trafficked areas where customers could peruse a catalog of objects and select one for printing. The catalog would provide a finite list of possible models and offer some level of personalization, likely similar to what we’ve seen from Ponoko, Shapeways and other 3D print services.
Ok, this we understand. But what we don’t understand is how this could possibly succeed. 3D prints take (often) hours to complete, even for simple objects. You wouldn’t be able to push a button and walk away with your print; you’d have to come back later. While Fujifilm apparently realizes this, we believe that requiring folks to come back to pick up a print would dramatically lower the interest rate, particularly if the fee is high.
Worse for Fujifilm is that very similar functionality already exists with the major 3D print services. Any one of them could pop up “kiosks” in malls or streets quickly and do the same thing. Their kiosks would simply allow product selection and ordering – and the print would show up at their residence later by courier.
At least they’re starting to think about 3D printing.
Via GizMag (Hat tip to Michael)
Hi
Thanks for the mention but it is a complete misunderstanding of the concept.
We are not talking 3D Vending machines and you need to understand we are talking about the Australian market only at this stage, not global.
For a start Fujifilm installed the 11,000th kiosk into Australian stores in 2011, yes that's right 11 thousandth in Australia only. Our retail partners serve around 8+million people per year who purchase photo gifting products through these kiosks and another 1-2 million people are members of our online platforms.
Photobooks, and other personalised gifting products are produced and purchased instore and online and produced at a fulfillment centre with pickup from the store at a later date already.
The potential for it to work for Fujifilm in Australia is that we already have the infrastructure in place together with the customer development, marketing and service infrastructure. We provide in-store training to the stores staff as well as have customer days where we demonstrate and explain various products instore to consumers.
Yes the others could place kiosks in malls, as you call them in the US. But it would be like flogging a dead horse, probably go nowhere.
The reason, we are talking consumers. Consumers know Fujifilm and have interacted with the kiosks and online platforms. Consumers, in general, don't know who Shapeways, i-Materialise, Sculpteo, Ponoko, Digital Forming, Kraftwurk, 3D Systems, Stratasys etc etc are. Industrial designers etc do but in general not consumers.
Mass customisation / personalisation is nothing new, it's not rocket science. Software and digital printing has enabled personalisation to happen with print related products for years, we are simply offering a different product.
It is feasible that some stores could have a Dimension uPrint or Mojo, for example, to be able to provide parts for people or even students.
During the show designers were interested to see if they could upload designs for ordering , like a bureau, as well as the possibility to contribute designs.
Consumers were asking if it was available already and which stores was it available from. If not, when would they be able to.
The concept was presented to an existing major retailer who would like to roll it out.
You need to understand the local market for which it is intended for first.
For those interested in knowing more please feel free to email me, [email protected].
Cheers
Hi
Thanks for the mention but it is a complete misunderstanding of the concept.
We are not talking 3D Vending machines and you need to understand we are talking about the Australian market only at this stage, not global.
For a start Fujifilm installed the 11,000th kiosk into Australian stores in 2011, yes that's right 11 thousandth in Australia only. Our retail partners serve around 8+million people per year who purchase photo gifting products through these kiosks and another 1-2 million people are members of our online platforms.
Photobooks, and other personalised gifting products are produced and purchased instore and online and produced at a fulfillment centre with pickup from the store at a later date already.
The potential for it to work for Fujifilm in Australia is that we already have the infrastructure in place together with the customer development, marketing and service infrastructure. We provide in-store training to the stores staff as well as have customer days where we demonstrate and explain various products instore to consumers.
Yes the others could place kiosks in malls, as you call them in the US. But it would be like flogging a dead horse, probably go nowhere.
The reason, we are talking consumers. Consumers know Fujifilm and have interacted with the kiosks and online platforms. Consumers, in general, don't know who Shapeways, i-Materialise, Sculpteo, Ponoko, Digital Forming, Kraftwurk, 3D Systems, Stratasys etc etc are. Industrial designers etc do but in general not consumers.
Mass customisation / personalisation is nothing new, it's not rocket science. Software and digital printing has enabled personalisation to happen with print related products for years, we are simply offering a different product.
It is feasible that some stores could have a Dimension uPrint or Mojo, for example, to be able to provide parts for people or even students.
During the show designers were interested to see if they could upload designs for ordering , like a bureau, as well as the possibility to contribute designs.
Consumers were asking if it was available already and which stores was it available from. If not, when would they be able to.
The concept was presented to an existing major retailer who would like to roll it out.
You need to understand the local market for which it is intended for first.
For those interested in knowing more please feel free to email me, [email protected].
Cheers