Reuters
Autodesk Inc is strengthening its position
in the 3-D printing space, creating a $100 million fund to bankroll researchers
and entrepreneurs and striking a handful of diverse partnerships involving
everything from IP protection to inexpensive metal printing.
in the 3-D printing space, creating a $100 million fund to bankroll researchers
and entrepreneurs and striking a handful of diverse partnerships involving
everything from IP protection to inexpensive metal printing.
Announced
the day after Hewlett Packard
unveiled 3-D
printing products slated for 2016, Autodesk’s push highlights
ongoing efforts by established companies to help shape what many consider to be
the future of manufacturing.
the day after Hewlett Packard
unveiled 3-D
printing products slated for 2016, Autodesk’s push highlights
ongoing efforts by established companies to help shape what many consider to be
the future of manufacturing.
The value
of 3-D printing units shipped for both consumer and enterprise uses will
continue to double every year until 2018 when it will hit $13.4 billion,
according to research firm Gartner.
of 3-D printing units shipped for both consumer and enterprise uses will
continue to double every year until 2018 when it will hit $13.4 billion,
according to research firm Gartner.
Although
the market potential for 3-D printing is huge–Gartner’s estimate doesn’t
include software, printing materials, licensing and related industries–the
sector is still nascent and major challenges remain.
the market potential for 3-D printing is huge–Gartner’s estimate doesn’t
include software, printing materials, licensing and related industries–the
sector is still nascent and major challenges remain.
High
printing costs, inconsistent and sometimes broken workflows and other hurdles
are bedeviling early adopters and are among the problems Autodesk is seeking to
solve, Autodesk Senior Director of Business Development and Operations Aubrey
Cattell said.
printing costs, inconsistent and sometimes broken workflows and other hurdles
are bedeviling early adopters and are among the problems Autodesk is seeking to
solve, Autodesk Senior Director of Business Development and Operations Aubrey
Cattell said.
To assist
in that goal, Autodesk created the $100 million Spark Investment Fund to find
and fund hardware, software, materials and marketplace startups. Selected
startups will also partner with Autodesk by working through its 3-D printing
platform Spark.
in that goal, Autodesk created the $100 million Spark Investment Fund to find
and fund hardware, software, materials and marketplace startups. Selected
startups will also partner with Autodesk by working through its 3-D printing
platform Spark.
Introduced last
spring, the free, open-source platform is building a library of
APIs to help users optimize designs and improve the creation process.
spring, the free, open-source platform is building a library of
APIs to help users optimize designs and improve the creation process.
Mr.
Cattell said the $403 million acquisition of MakerBot Inc. by Stratasys last
year is an example of the payoff that could come from backing startups in the
sector. He said investing in such startups, many of whom have expressed
interest in partnering with Autodesk through the Spark platform, is a good way
to solidify such relationships.
Cattell said the $403 million acquisition of MakerBot Inc. by Stratasys last
year is an example of the payoff that could come from backing startups in the
sector. He said investing in such startups, many of whom have expressed
interest in partnering with Autodesk through the Spark platform, is a good way
to solidify such relationships.
“Our aims
are strategic as well as financial,” he said.
are strategic as well as financial,” he said.
Autodesk
acquired 3-D design tool Tinkercad last year and now features it along with
three other design apps to create 3-D products.
acquired 3-D design tool Tinkercad last year and now features it along with
three other design apps to create 3-D products.
Although
he called the maker movement an “economic force” driving excitement and
innovation around 3-D printing, Mr. Cattell said Autodesk was focused on
industrial and commercial applications.
he called the maker movement an “economic force” driving excitement and
innovation around 3-D printing, Mr. Cattell said Autodesk was focused on
industrial and commercial applications.
Along
with announcing the fund, Autodesk announced partnerships with digital
licensing company Authentise Inc. and materials company MatterFab Inc. that
specializes in affordable metal printing for industrial uses.
with announcing the fund, Autodesk announced partnerships with digital
licensing company Authentise Inc. and materials company MatterFab Inc. that
specializes in affordable metal printing for industrial uses.
Autodesk
also announced a partnership with 3-D Hubs, an Airbnb of sorts for 3-D printing
that allows users to find nearby printers and then send designs to the operator
that can be either picked up or delivered.
also announced a partnership with 3-D Hubs, an Airbnb of sorts for 3-D printing
that allows users to find nearby printers and then send designs to the operator
that can be either picked up or delivered.
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