3D printers and 3D printing services are becoming increasingly more multituinous worldwide. And India is no exception. Here there is a growing interest in 3D printing across the country and many young entrepreneurs are experimenting in this industry. Yet, while experimentation is growing, visibility is still low to the general observer. However, Think3d is among the swelling numbers of 3D printing companies that has established a 3D printing service and a platform for the Indian market and helping to improve visibility. The company has an online presence for selling multi-brand 3D printers, filaments and accessories in the country.
The recent addition to the Think3d vertical is the design store, which initially concentrated on the design of digital Indian Monuments, via software, with the option to 3D print them in various plastics and in a range of colours as per the customer’s wish, using FDM/FFF technology. Some of the famous Indian structures that are available include the Charminar, Parliament building, Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Sanchi Stupa, Jantar Mantar and more. The company also has future plans to use SLA and SLS based 3D printers, so that the quality of its service can be improved. Furthermore, the team ahas ideas to introduce dance forms of India via 3D printing.
The Think3d website now includes a range of collections that include home décor pieces, phone cases, accessories and tools etc, all of which designs can be customised by customers with personalized text. The final image is displayed while booking. Once finalized, the same will be printed and shipped to customers.
According to Prudhvi Reddy, one of the founders of Think3D: “Every monument has a story to offer. With the launch of the think3D design store, we are filling the gap to have a personalized souvenirs for everyone when they visit the place and also to have it offline.”
According to Raja, the other founder of the company: “3D printing offers a unique opportunity where a customer has the maximum say in the final product he is going to buy. We are excited by the prospects of this technology and decided to open up the concept of “mass customization” to Indian consumers. We envisage a time when 3D printers become much more accessible. We are gearing up for that by building India’s largest 3D design collection.”
The company is working within some bureacratic constraints within India however, particularly when it come to Importing and Exporting. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), a National Standard Body much like CE, FCC and RoHS has imposed new quality certification for importing and selling 3D printers in India.The primary motive for this is to certify the devices for their quality, safety and health implications under Indian conditions. Specific details on the certification — and process — can be found here. Suffice to say, 3D printers without certification can be denied by Indian Customs and they will not be permitted in the country. However, Indian Importers will be given conditional relaxation when they produce written documents that demonstrate the 3D printers are only being brought in for Testing and Research purposes.
Apart from running an online 3D design store and 3D printing service bureau, Think3D is also conducting free 3D printing workshops for students and enthusiasts — all of which is slowly, but surely, gaining traction in this vast nation.
