3D printing outfits--how to submit a design to a company for printing?

Modeling Subjects Scratchbuilding
1

You 3D printing guys–

I’m pretty tech-savvy, so I have a handle on the concept of 3D printing pretty well. But say one is not interested in buying a rig to print products oneself. Let’s say you want to commission a company to 3D print, say, sci-fi corridors, or hatches. Or even accessories you don’t see, like 1/35 or 1/24 civilian camping gear.

Maybe this bears a google search, but is there a place online to find downloads of already designed items that you can have printed? I’ve seen Shapeways stuff online, but I’ve only explored what they have in figures–not necessarily other products.

I guess I’m sort of feeling out new avenues to get unique modeling products I’d like to try working with, outside of the typical suppliers we all know. Anyway, any thoughts you’d send my way would be appreciated!

Thanks!

–Chris

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Shapeways site does have a for hire section, found in the communuity pulldown tab.

Out of curiousity, I did a search for camping gear in 1/24 scale. There is a few things, like a single metal bucket for $24.17 CAD. I wonder how long that took to design, or is mostly cost in the printer/material? Looks to be an expensive avenue to take in order to find unique items…

regards,

Jack

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Here is a link that lists several places to order 3D prints from:

https://all3dp.com/best-online-3d-printing-service

I have a printer and been printing parts and such. For hidden parts it isn’t a problem but for anything you want to be show and be smooth it takes a lot of work after (I’m using PLA). The surface is not smooth. ABS is supposed to be better (you can use acetone to smooth it) but I haven’t tried to print with it yet.

If you do decide to buy prints it probably will not take much time until you can purchase a printer. Mine was like $350 and I had to assemble it (part of the fun). I can print about 200mmx250mmx200mm tall with a resolution of .1mm.