In 1988, Brett Hanson started a firm that specialized in laser engraving, industrial screen printing, and Pad printing (printing a 2D image onto a 3D object) for OEMs throughout the U.S.
For 24 years, he built up a base of relationships and know-how that he wanted to leverage when he sold his business in February 2012. After the sale, Hanson took a full year to add to his expertise and learn everything that he could about 3D printing technologies and 3D printing equipment manufacturers.
In his new venture, he was looking for something that was community-based and crowd sourced. The new company had to be replicable on a national scale (initially), as well as worldwide. Hanson wanted to bring large, 3D industrial technologies to the masses at a reasonable cost. Enter 3D Creation Systems, the Minneapolis, MN-based additive manufacturing facility that offers SLS, SLA, FDM, and composite technologies to members for as little as $2,500.
The 3D Creation Systems concept is reminiscent of the San Francisco, CA-based Tech Shop, another membership-based, do-it-yourself workshop that offers members access to everything from welding stations and waterjet cutters, to an electronics lab and a machine shop.
Hanson’s brainchild is 3D printing specific, and currently offers members access to:
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