Discover 3D Printing Near You

Posted By Arthur Cassaignau on Oct 1, 2014 | 0 comments

Wether you’ve been lurking on 3D printers all week long or you have a 3D printing project in mind. It’s fairly natural to want to see a 3D print or hold one in your hand. Where can you go to do such a thing ? Four words: makerspaces, shops, museums and events.

The very first place you’ll want to check out if you’re looking to discover 3D printing is probably a makerspace. You can find different kinda of makerspaces in almost every major city across America and Europe. But they all have one thing in common, you’ll find a 3D printer and they’ll probably let you use it if you ask politely. Come with a USB sitck with a 3D model on it, and you might be able to get out with a small print of it. Count on spending at least an hour if you want to get familiar and discuss with the people there about their experience.

Another option is to go a specialized shop. Just like Makerspaces, they’ve been popping around in some major cities of this small world. In London, Paris, New York or San Francisco, you’ll find stores, small companies or even big retailing store that are now dealing 3D printers. They are demoing the technology and they will tell you about what you can and of course can not do with it.

Since Sculpteo is headquartered in Paris, we know that some Parisian museums are already exhibiting 3D printed pieces to the public. If you’re curious and if you’ve got some time left in your weekend. You can stop by either Le Palais de la Découverte or la Cité de l’Architecture. They both have exhibitions that are presenting 3D printed objects. It’s been the case in different museums all over the world as well with specific initiatives from the Smithsonian and the Brooklyn Museum.

And of course, if you’re into 3D printing, nothing’s better than old-fashioned face-to-face talking. It shouldnt be hard; there are lots of people out there who know about 3D printing. Sculpteo for exemple has two places they can be found to chat: one in Paris (our next event is on Saturday the 11th) and one in San Francisco (you can join our meetup group to stay tuned for our next event out there). Otherwise just go to Meetup.com and search for 3D printing events near your place. You’ll find some.

We hope to see you soon.