Product Designer: Manufacturing Tools That Can Fit Inside Your Home
/
There have never been more options available to those who want to make products from their own home. Technology has reached an exciting point, enabling normal people to make things for themselves without having to craft them entirely by hand. Not only does this save a lot of time, but it also makes it possible for you to create things far more impressive than you would be able to do on your own. But what exactly should you be looking at when you’re choosing the machines you’ll be using to help you?
3D Printers
3D printers have come a very long way over the last decade or so, with loads of models hitting the market at very low prices. Options like the Monoprice Select Mini V2 is shockingly affordable for the quality of prints it can produce, and this is making this hobby more and more accessible. You will probably need to spend a little more to get something that will be able to print at a high enough quality to sell, but this still doesn’t cost anywhere near as much as it used to. 3D printers are most commonly used with thermoplastics like PLA and ABS, though the high-end market is starting to bring materials like aluminum into the picture.
Waterjet/Laser Cutters
While waterjet and laser cutters are quite different machines, they are capable of the same type of production process. They cut flat materials along 2 axes, limiting them a little compared to a 3D printer’s capabilities. Both laser and waterjet cutters are able to cut through a range of materials, from wood and acrylic to tough metals like stainless steel. These machines are great when you are trying to make products that have flat sides, as you can easily make a 2D net that can be assembled from the pieces you print. These machines are harder to look after than a 3D printer, and you will need to make sure that you have the right ventilation and safety measures in place to use them properly.
CNC Machines
CNC machines come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, though the concept is quite similar to a 3D printer. Ahead is moved forwards and backward, left and right, and up and down using a series of extremely precise motors. Rather than having a plastic extruder on the end of it, though, they will have a spinning head similar to what you’d find on a Dremel. This enables you to machine materials like plastic, wood, and even soft metals, opening the doors to loads of different product design options. Product design services can often turn things that you’ve made on your CNC machine into a much more refined product.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of building a mini-factory within your own home. This can be a great way to start a business, while also offering a fun hobby that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your desk.