Thinkklip is a start-up currently building a new service portal for makers who can’t or don’t want to invest independently in a 3D printer. They see the future of 3D printing within the maker community being about sharing not only the files, but also the 3D printers themselves. Sound crazy?
Well, if you look at it from Thinkklip’s point of view, it doesn’t seem to be:
“Sharing is the answer to lots of day-to-day problems as it is currently happening in markets like renting (Airbnb), cars (Zipcar) or knowledge (Wikipedia)… and new phenomena such as “social networks” and “online reputation” allow [us to] co-own things easily.”
Thinkklip’s business idea stems from two seeds: 1) 3D printers cost money (some of them alot more than others), and 2) many Makers want to join DIY groups. If you think of it from a 3D printer owner perspective, is your 3D printer running 24 hours a day? If not, then why not co-own the printer with others and make the most of it. Another perspective comes from group working and the advantages of using more than one brain to solve a problem — it is not only fun, but also more productive.
How the service works?
The theory is that through Thinkklip, makers will be able to find others with similar interests (and budget) to purchase a 3D printer as a group — one would assume geography will most likely need to play a part too. Users will be able to browse other members’ profiles and make a decision based on their reputation etc. Once the decision of which 3D printer to acquire has been made within the selected group of buyers, and how much each will contribute, Thinkklip will make a proposal. The service allows for creating a co-ownership document for the 3D printer. Thinkklip also works as a marketplace for selling 3D printers, materials, designs in data form and other services.
The service is still in development, but makers who are interested in this kind of service can sign up ahead of full launch at Thinkklip’s website to be notified when the service goes live.
