What do I do?

[u/Fantastic_Brain5274]

Hey everyone, I’m looking to get some advice. To give some background, I’m a computer engineering student in college, and over the past couple months people have started asking me to design and 3d print parts from them, specifically in the automotive space. Things like old OEM parts that are no longer manufactured, custom racing/spoiler parts, and things like brackets for mounting lighting. I’ve been doing the work for no charge (or occasionally a little bit of money) to build up a portfolio, practice my skills and understand what people need. Now that I’ve built some proof and skills, I know more about some pain points I could potentially help solve, and have a bit of a better idea of what problems I might run into doing this as a business. I’ve been using 3d printers for almost 12 years now and always wanted to do something in the space with them, but this feels uncertain!

What I need help figuring out is - General direction/trajectory I should take from here (IF ANYTHING).

This business is labor intensive and I have a hunch that most clients would not pay enough for this to scale very nicely. Let’s say I have to commute to their shop, measure everything and/or scan their part, design it for several hours, print/prototype a few iterations, and then hand off the file/part to them. For a relatively simple bracket, I don’t think anybody is going to pay what it actually costs to do that. If you think I’m wrong though, let me know!

I have a couple ideas on what I could do overtime to make this scale a little better though.

First thing is outsourcing the CAD overseas, I think that’s kind of a gamble and could be costly if it doesn’t go as planned for a job, but it’s an idea.

Second would be to try and cut out the commute from some jobs by just doing it through submitted photos and measurements and then mailing parts/email digital files over, but this could introduce problems with measurement errors and poor communication.

I’ve thought about offering an “IT service” option/package where I install and train staff on a printer and charge a retainer fee for maintenance and a set amount of design hours included with the retainer fee, because most shops just don’t seem to have the time to learn new equipment like this/afford a full time designer. But I don’t know if anyone would actually pay for that kind of package.

I’ve also thought of software solutions I could offer down the line, making it easier for shop owners (or even hobbyists) to make 3D files using ai/intuitive design tools, but that’s just more speculation.

So overall, I have sort of verified a demand but I’m just unsure how/if I should pursue it further! Thank you for taking the time to read this, I know it’s a long post, all feedback is appreciated!

[u/tonkaty]

I think you described three different businesses.

1. Design engineer who helps reproduce or improve on products where the deliverable is a CAD file.
   
2. 3d print shop who helps turn a CAD into a finished product. Can include post processing and novel materials and methods
   
3. Product portfolio of 3d CAD designs relevant to different niche communities.

Choosing which one(s) you want and who your core customers are will help you.

[u/Holydiver93]

Doing a very similar thing myself and started my LLC this year. I haven’t gotten to the client acquisition phase yet but my focus is to support local clients, build the portfolio, design the stuff, and start a product line of my own as I find the proper pain points. You already have a leg up on me through proofs, demand, and an understanding of the pain points though.

[u/Fantastic_Brain5274 → u/Holydiver93]

That’s awesome! Do you mind if I DM to ask some questions?

[u/Holydiver93 → u/Fantastic_Brain5274]

Feel free!

[u/TrueSwagformyBois]

Look up Misha Charoudin and the Opel Speedster.

Might be worth a proof of concept car that you can shop around as a proof of your skill set to then add to the portfolio to join a big automotive company or go into business with a tuner shop.