Kids’ 3D Printing Business Grows Up Fast

Kids’ 3D Printing Business Grows Up Fast

What started as a Christmas gift intended to spark curiosity has rapidly evolved into a thriving basement-based business for one family. Initially, the idea was simple: a 3D printer for the kids, a catalyst for learning about technology and design. However, the reality has far surpassed those modest expectations, birthing an entrepreneurial venture that’s now demanding serious upgrades and organization. The mechanical room, once a quiet space, has become an ‘entrepreneurial hurricane,’ necessitating a swift response to scale production and manage the burgeoning operation.

From Fidgets to Fortune

The journey began with simple 3D printed fidgets, a product popular with classmates. The true turning point came at a school entrepreneur fair, where the initial sales generated $200, bringing the total earnings to a remarkable $500. This success even caught the attention of teachers, with the ‘number one seller’ apparently being a hit with the adult crowd. This burgeoning success story prompted the integration of more 3D printers, including the Prusa Core 1, into the family’s print farm, highlighting the immediate need for better organization and infrastructure.

Scaling Pains and Essential Upgrades

The rapid growth, however, has exposed significant scaling challenges. The once-tidy print setup has devolved into a chaotic mess, with a destroyed print head on the original Bambu P1S serving as a stark reminder of the need for better maintenance and workflow. The urgency is amplified by an upcoming entrepreneur fair, where demand for inventory remains high.

To address these issues, the family enlisted the help of Sean, a 3D printing expert, to tackle critical upgrades. The first order of business was repairing the Bambu P1S, which had been out of commission for two weeks due to a melted temperature probe – a casualty of an attempt to remove filament with a torch. The solution involved installing a BQ Panda Revo hotend, featuring a mix of brass and obsidian nozzles in various sizes. These hotends promise faster nozzle changes and the obsidian option is particularly beneficial for abrasive materials. While the Prusa Core 1 boasts a capable system, the Panda Revo hotend is a significant upgrade for the Bambu P1S, with obsidian nozzles retailing around $75 each.

Filament Management and Desiccant Solutions

Beyond hardware, the business is also grappling with consumable management. The recurring issue of running out of filament, specifically red, underscores the need for better inventory tracking. A key discussion point revolves around filament costs, with the father proposing that the children reimburse for consumables, a concept met with mixed enthusiasm. To combat filament degradation, the family is upgrading to Wiser Dry rechargeable silica gel desiccant packs. These packs, which change color when saturated and can be recharged in a microwave or oven, are a significant improvement over lower-quality alternatives and are also useful for vacuum-sealed filament storage.

Workspace Overhaul and Organization

The chaotic state of the mechanical room, now housing multiple 3D printers including three retired Bambu X1C units, demanded a complete overhaul. The initial attempt to simply ‘shove’ printers around proved insufficient. The children were tasked with cleaning and organizing the space, sorting through garbage and arranging usable items, including a toolbox built by Randy. Meanwhile, the father and Sean focused on building a new shelf unit to accommodate the printers and organizing filament, tools, and consumables.

The challenge of fitting three Bambu X1C printers, each measuring 15.5 inches wide, onto a 46-inch shelf required careful planning. The decision was made to prioritize more printers with a handful of colors over fewer printers capable of multiple colors, leading to the arrangement of two X1C units on the main shelf, with the third positioned carefully. The placement of AMS units was also considered, with the bottom shelf designated for them to ensure accessibility for all family members.

Addressing Print Failures and Best Practices

The venture hasn’t been without its print failures. Issues with bed adhesion, even on the reliable Prusa Core 1, led to a review of best practices. Key takeaways include ensuring printers are recently calibrated, and crucially, understanding the correct cleaning methods for different build plates. For textured Bambu plates, a mild detergent and water are recommended over isopropyl alcohol, which can be used for smooth plates. The introduction of new ‘Super Tac Cool’ plates offers the potential for cooler printing temperatures, saving time and reducing warping.

Other solutions for improved bed adhesion include running the first layer 5-10° hotter, disabling the auxiliary fan, and using PVA glue sticks as a bonding agent. Glue application is recommended every 10 prints or when adhesion issues arise, offering a balance between bonding strength and ease of removal.

Minimizing Filament Waste with AMS

A significant point of contention is the filament waste generated by multi-color printing with AMS systems. While the technology is impressive, the default settings can lead to substantial material loss through purging and retraction towers. The father, less concerned with absolute color purity and more with minimizing costs, is implementing strategies to reduce this waste. These include enabling ‘long retraction’ and ‘purge into infill,’ as well as reducing the ‘flushing multiplier’ to 0.5. This optimization is crucial, as it directly impacts the children’s reimbursement for filament usage.

The Future of the Basement Print Farm

The revamped mechanical room now offers a much more comfortable and organized workspace. Future enhancements could include a filament queuing system for drying, more efficient storage solutions beyond vacuum bags, and automated print removal systems. Technologies like Autofarm3D or OctoPrint’s continuous printing plugin (though not compatible with Bambu Lab printers) offer pathways to mass production. Further exploration into different hotends for the Core 1, such as higher-flow or hardened nozzles for advanced materials, is also on the horizon.

Meta PCs: Powering Your Projects

The article also features a shout-out to sponsor Meta PCs, highlighting their custom-built gaming rigs. The ‘Night Reaper’ pre-build, equipped with an AMD 9800X3D CPU and RTX 5080 GPU, is presented as a powerful option for demanding tasks. Meta PCs emphasizes quality, consistency, and lifetime support, offering both pre-built systems and custom configuration options.

Conclusion: From Hobby to Business Acumen

This family’s 3D printing journey beautifully illustrates how a simple gift can blossom into a dynamic learning experience. The children are not only mastering 3D printing and modeling but are also gaining invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship, cost management, and problem-solving. The transition from a hobbyist setup to a functional, organized, and productive print farm is a testament to their dedication and the strategic integration of lessons learned, proving that even a basement can become a launching pad for significant ventures.

Specs & Key Features

• Bambu P1S Upgrade: BQ Panda Revo hotend with brass and obsidian nozzles (various sizes). Obsidian nozzles priced around $75 each.
• Prusa Core 1: Mentioned as a reliable printer with a good stock system.
• Bambu X1C: Three units retired from office print farm, each measuring 15.5 inches wide.
• Wiser Dry Desiccant Packs: Rechargeable silica gel packs for AMS units and filament storage.
• Meta PC Night Reaper: Custom-built PC featuring AMD 9800X3D CPU and RTX 5080 GPU.
• Print Bed Adhesion Solutions: Textured vs. smooth plate cleaning methods, Super Tac Cool plates, higher first-layer temperature, auxiliary fan control, PVA glue.
• Filament Waste Reduction: Enabling ‘long retraction,’ ‘purge into infill,’ and reducing ‘flushing multiplier’ for AMS systems.
• Automated Print Removal: Mention of Autofarm3D and OctoPrint’s continuous printing plugin as potential solutions.

Source: My Kids Started a Business in my Basement (YouTube)