Enza3D
1
Currently, the Hubs pricing quote is based on 20% infill and 1 shell (I believe) and I would like to request the ability for customers to specify what they want the print parameters to be once the model is uploaded, just like how you choose material and color. I do a decent amount of mechanical prototypes and functional parts, so my prices are always higher (sometimes much higher) than what the customer gets quoted by Hubs because of how much more material I need to use to print a strong part.
For more experienced customers familiar with 3D printing, they could just specify the infill and perimeter shells exactly as they want it, maybe under an “Advanced” tab. For those less experienced, I think it would be easiest to provide them with a list of categories that the customer could choose from to specify what the print will be used for, i.e. mechanical part, sculpture, toy, scale model, etc. Each of these categories can have preset infill/shell settings so that the quote the customer receives is closer to the true price of the print job (i.e. 3 shells & 40% infill for mechanical, 2 shells & 20% infill for models, etc.). Obviously, it might still need some adjustment on the Hub’s end, but it won’t be such a price shock to the customer when the order pricing is finalized.
Something that will be used for mechanical purposes, like a gear, needs to be much stronger than a Pikachu model, but there’s no way to make that distinction currently. It’s hard to explain to a customer why their order price doubled, and it’s definitely hurting how many customers actually proceed with their order. This won’t be a perfect solution, but I do think it’ll be more useful than the current pricing calculation.
8 Likes
I definitely like the preset idea for customer-facing selection with specific parameters for each preset being controlled by us. Sounds like a great idea!
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I would think the simpler way is to offer a custom checkbox with a preset option. For example, when ordering a print, there can be a simple dropdown menu for additional options/services for the print that you have made a preset, and have it labeled like “Mechanical print” with short descriptions about your parameters.
I agree. I hope it will be available in the future.
This really should be built into the order system. Happens to me all the time.
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That’s something definitely worth thinking about, @Enza3D, thanks for the suggestion. I’ll add in my colleague @Ewelina_Szczepa, who can give us an update on where this fits in within our roadmap moving forward. Cheers
Actually, I kind of like working with my customer on infill suggestions. Already I have customers who order layer heights that are not appropriate.
Leave some things for us to work with our customers on…
Enza3D
8
I don’t mind working with my customers either, but it’s frustrating for them when their price goes from say $50 to $100 because their particular part needs 100% infill for what they want it to do. Whenever I get quoted for something online, I expect the price to be more or less what was quoted. Quoting upfront with such low infill and shell is almost deceptive to the customer, because so many orders will require more material.
Layer heights also really don’t affect material usage that much either; sure a smaller layer height increases print time, but the amount of physical material used is very similar.
UPDATE: Hey guys, I’ve sent your feedback to the team and they’ll be looking into when will it be feasible to add this to our product team backlog. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks again for the suggestion @Enza3D
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Enza3D
12
This works too, really anything to make it easier for the customer and reduce frustrations over price changes would be great!
Both of you are right but I have to agree with @Enza3D. The frustration element is more important, to the hubs and therefore for 3dhubs.com as well.
I very, very seldom do prints in my market that require more than 20%. But I do print with extra shells, so things like posts and holes are solid. Obviously, I do get some, but it is rare.
If 3dhubs goes this route:
There needs to be an advanced tab for it, with defaults preset. I only say this because of the default settings of non-3dhubs competitor sites. Some are quoting at 10% infill. When customers compare 3dhubs amongst themselves, that is one thing. But some of the quotes that show up in other places should be considered.
I can see this working and not working. I only say that because some do not understand infill and may want a part at 100% infill when that is not needed and vice versa. Ultimately if the client needs say more shells and/or infill they will comment and I can adjust the price as necessary.
Last thing I want to see is the ordering process becoming tricky because instead of uploading a file and choosing a material, now you have 50 other things to deal with was all!
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+1 Last thing I want to see is the ordering process becoming tricky!
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Enza3D
18
Keeping this from being too tricky is going to be on the end of 3D hubs to implement it properly. At the end of the day, there will never be a perfect solution, but I think if implemented well, this won’t complicate things at all. I can see it being a disaster if the implementation is poor, but Hubs has done a great job thus far so I think they’ll pull it off!
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Look at sites like Shapeways. You pretty much have NO choice over anything but color/material but in a sense that is nice since the more complex the order process the less popular it is… if your REALLY having an issue with a client wanting goofy infills maybe deal with them privately or just tack it on as an extra fee… personally 1 “shell” (2 passes) + 20% infill does MOST prints just fine!
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