Over 750 million people globally now have access to a 3D printer within 10 miles from their home

3D Hubs ( http://www.3dhubs.com), the world’s largest 3D printer network, has just announced its 3D printing network has achieved critical global mass, growing from 500 to over 5,000 3D Hubs locations worldwide in more than 80 countries in less than a year since the company’s launch. In reaching this milestone, the 3D Hubs printer network now provides 3D printer access to over 750 million people globally within 10 miles from their home, allowing consumers to create models and unique products that can be locally produced and in their hands in a matter of days, instead of weeks. A map of the more than 5,000 3D Hubs global printer network locations can be viewed here.

A map of the more than 5,000 3D Hubs global printer network locations.

“We are excited to alter the way people make and distribute products, and are proud to offer a service that is increasingly being used for end-products that have a direct, positive impact on people, companies, and the environment,” states Bram de Zwart, CEO and co-founder, 3D Hubs.

“Our goal is to turn the manufacturing industry on its head, and enhance our market position through increased speed and direct communication with a local 3D printer operator, adds Brian Garret, CTO and co-founder, 3D Hubs.”

Gauntlet for 3D printing adapted for use in medical prosthesis- Source: design available on Thingiverse

3D Hubs and its community of makers are disrupting the manufacturing supply chain, making production local, on-demand, and personalized by providing broad and local access to 3D printers. This is in sharp contrast to the typical supply chain method in which masses of identical items are produced and shipped long distances only to have a large number of those items discarded. Many designers and artists who have used traditional 3D printing turn to 3D Hubs due to locality and speed, with print jobs requiring less than two days in comparison to the industry standard of two weeks.  The multitude of locations offers choice and the distributed model of 3D Hubs enables everyone to start 3D printing. Examples of products recently produced on the 3D Hubs printer network include Go Pro® camera housings, designer decorative 3D printable housewares by Francis Bitonti Studio®, drones, and medical prostheses.

[youtube url=”http://youtu.be/2KCOYrcSKd4″ fs=”1″ hd=”1″ rel=”0″ showsearch=”0″ showinfo=”0″]

The extensive 3D Hubs community and its ongoing 3D printing events, allows makers and 3D printing enthusiasts to come together and exchange knowledge about 3D printing. Demonstrating the power of the combined capacity of its network, the 3D Hubs printer network could collaboratively 3D print a life-size, 305 foot (93 meter) replica of the Statue of Liberty in less than one week, as shown here.

Building from strength-to-strength, 3D Hubs was recently named in the report Cool Vendors in 3D Printing, 2014, by leading industry research firm, Gartner. The company also recently announced the introduction of an enterprise-grade API that connects creators and users of 3D content to its global network of 3D printers, and welcomed design software leader, Autodesk, Inc. as the first company to integrate the 3D Hubs network API for the Autodesk 123D family of apps.

(This story released originally by PRNEWSWIRE)