Large-format 3D printer manufacturer 3DP Unlimited announced a name change: they’re now called “3D Platform”. What does this mean?
Name changes are often interesting, because although no product changes may be happening, the name change may signal or hint of a future path for the company. Which then may involve new products.
3DP Unlimited, as it was previously known, is the offspring of PBC Linear, a long-time Illinois-based manufacturer of precision linear bearings. A few years ago they came upon the idea of building their own 3D printer, simply because they observed a growing number of customers seeking them for 3D printer builds.
The precision of their equipment permitted the design and implementation of a rather large format 3D printer, the 3DP1000. It’s a huge 3D printer, with a build volume of a staggering 1,000 x 1,000 x 500mm. It’s literally half a cubic meter!
Evidently their sales have been quite good, as this type of machine is seen as an inexpensive alternative to the much higher-priced industrial machines from the bigger players.
And now they’ve changed their name to 3D Platform. They say:
3D Platform is a manufacturer of large format, industrial class 3D printers. Based in Roscoe, Illinois, 3DP’s world-class engineers utilize their expertise in mechatronics and linear motion to design and construct the highest quality large format printers in the world.
We suspect that having seen success with their initial product, the 3DP1000, the company is now considering building a new model, perhaps one with an even larger build volume. Why not? They certainly have the linear bearings to do so – and now they have expertise in building large-format 3D printers, too.
The name change may signify a solidification of their intent to continue producing this style of large format 3D printer. And perhaps other 3D devices, too: they are a “Platform”, after all.
Via 3D Platform
