3D Printing

Ideaz3d: A Small 3D Printing Business Takes Off In Northwest Mexico

Ideaz3d is the first 3D print shop and show room in Mexico that opened its doors to the general public. The company was founded by three people:  Dr. Javier Munguia,a 3D printing specialistat the University of Newcastle in the UK as, Carolina Munguia, a home décor specialist, and a former tech journalist named Cesar Rodriguez.

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They built Ideaz3d in 2012 to offer a range of 3D services, which include prototyping, modeling, and FDM/SLA printing, which they are able to offer at low prices, compared to the United States and Europe.  Located in Hermosillo, which has a population of 900,000, the capital of Sonora has experienced steady growth in its aerospace and automotive industries in the last ten years. Ideaz3d began as a home business with a couple of 3D printers.  In November of 2013, they opened their shop to the general public with a 3D scanning and 3D printing booth to attract visitors at a popular shopping center.  Demand for their services spiked, and Ideaz3d had to double their number of printers, while expanding their array of services and products.  All of a sudden, they had to include training, technical support, resin-based printing,andbecome a distributor of 3D printers and filament.  Interestingly, they became the first MakerBot reseller in the country.

Now, they’ve expanded beyond the physical world and into the digital, working an interesting customizer app called Ancestros 3Dfor 3D printable native arts & crafts.  The app will allow users to design their own version of their ancestors’ jewelry with three base models (rings, bracelets, and necklaces) as well as a series of accessories (charms).  The user can mix and match these to create a unique STL file to print on their home 3D printer, or they can send it to a 3D printing service for delivery.  Ideaz3dis about half way through the project and are raising funds for the other half, with a goal to make the app free for anyone to use.

The app has 2 simple screens, and seems like it will be easy to use. You start on a welcome page, and choose what object to customize, then you mix and match your base model with accessories, customize your style (right now Mayan, Aztec, Yaqui), create your STL file, and then download your STL file to print at home or send away to services like Shapeways, WhiteCloud, or 3D Hubs.

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Here are a few examples of what it looks like:

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Anillo Azteca Pattern

 

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Quetzalcoatl
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Espada Azteca Espiral

They need about $12,500 to complete the final stage of development for the mobile and web app, so any angel investors interested in funding Ancestros 3D, should head over to the Ideaz3d website and reach out to them.  Otherwise, if you’re in Hermosillo, be sure to stop by and check out the shop!