Personal computers and the Internet changed communication, ways of sharing information and the distribution of digital goods

Could it do the same for physical goods?

Yes. It is possible to purchase physical goods the way we buy digital products. How?

What is Mass Customization?

The production and distribution of customized goods…

On a mass scale

This is not a new idea.

Computation drastically changed the way fabric patterns were manufactured.

When Joseph Marie Jacquard automated the process using punch cards in 1805.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.flickr.com/photos/thedepartment/h,p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Marie_Jacquard

Computer numerically controlled mills enabled precise manufacturing of aviation equipment starting in1952.

h,p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control

3D printing patents in the mid-1980’s paved the way for the customization revolution.

h,p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_prinBng

Why hasn’t it materialized?

Most mass production technologies aren’t !exible enough to leverage information technology.

Luckily, custom manufacturing technology is maturing rapidly

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.makerbot.com

A bunch of custom manufacturing technologies are mature enough to produce retail quality good that are built to order. These tools are also affordable for entrepreneurs

Sources: • www.HP.com/go/exstream •  www.Xerox.com

VariabledataprinBngisthemostmaturecustommanufacturingtechnology.

TherearedozensofcompaniesthatwillputyourphotosorartworksonT‐shirts,coffeemugs,bindthemintobooks,orevenputthemonaskateboard.

Sources: • www.3DSystems.com• www.FabatHome.org•  www.MakerBot.com •  www.Objet.com •  www.RepRap.org •  www.Solidimension.com •  www.Stratasys.com •  www.ZCorp.com

3D Printers are an “Additive” technology primarily used to rapid prototype engineering concepts before manufacturing

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.zcorp.com

However3Dprintoutsareusedas“finalproducts”inmedicine.AnindividualpaBentsbonescanbescannedandperfectreplicascanbeproducedinsteel.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.stryker.com

Onthewhimsicalside,companiesareusing3DprinterstocreateacBonfigures.InfuturethiscoulddramaBcallyimpactthe$26Btoyindustry.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.figureprints.com

Sources: • www.EpilogLaser.com •  www.VersaLasers.net •  www.Trotec.net

……And MacBooks

PhotoCredit:h,p://leahculver.com/laser‐etched‐laptop/

Lasercu)ersare“Subtrac.ve”technology.

Theycanburnthesurfaceofamaterialtoetchadesign.

Orcutthroughmanymaterialstocreateacustomshape.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.epiloglaser.com

Sources: • www.FlowCorp.com •  www.JetEdge.com •  www.Omax.com

Water jet cutters are also a “Subtractive” technology.

They can cut through a wider variety of materials including steel, aluminum, and marble that are many inches thick.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.mfg.com/profiles/KAMMETALINC‐163332.html

Sources: •  www.CNCMasters.com •  www.TorMach.com •  Craftsman Compucarve

A custom design is milled from a block of wax

The wax is cast in metal

The cast design is polished and set with

stones

CNC Milling is a subtractive process that starts with a block of material that the mill carves into a #nal shape. CNC Mills can cut wood, plastic, metals, and many other materials including wax. The complexity of shapes mills can carve separates it from laser and water jet cutting.

The ability to carve wax allows jewelers to create custom designs in a process called “investment casting” and could disrupt the $60B jewelry market.

PhotoCredit:h,p://www.ganoksin.com/

Sources: •  www.Barudan.com •  www.Brother-USA.com •  www.Pantograms.com

…amazingly intricate designs automatically.

With CNC embroidering machines you can create…

Sources: •  www.GraphtecAmerica.com •  www.Cricut.com

CNC plotters are able to cut extraordinarily detailed shapes into paper.

Designs like the Chinese bird to the left required hours of a skilled artisans time to cut.

The same output is now within reach of anyone with $300, an interest in design, and a few minutes of time.

1 Million Personal Paper Cutters have already

been sold. The Personal fabrication future is here and is distributed

pretty widely.

Music:h,p://bit.ly/El4R8Sources: TheSocialNetworkfigurederivedfromFacebok’s$500MM,MySpace’s$300MM,andassumesthelongtailofSN’saccountforrevenueequaltothetwomajors.

Jewelry:h,p://bit.ly/2rB12SHobbies/Crafs:h,p://bit.ly/3Gk0hzSources: Toys:h,p://bit.ly/jzTsA

Sources:Facebook:h,p://bit.ly/cqpKFWebkinz:h,p://bit.ly/1Ymbei

Sources:Facebook:h,p://bit.ly/cqpKFWebkinz:h,p://bit.ly/1Ymbei

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