Private or professional individuals can now print online or directly in store their prototypes, repair parts, event or interior design items.
Cartridge World France hopes to become the “reference player” for the growing 3D printing industry, Observatoire de la franchise reported. It offers services in turnkey printing an individual object or in a series, and it also sells 3D printer, accessories and consumables.
The testing for the new range was begun in 2012 in a pilot store in Lille, and it now offers the service in all franchises, with prints priced at €1 ($1.05) per square centimetre. The machines can print with plastic, flexible materials, bronze and wood, in several colours, and the company has set up a hotline for issues related to 3D printing.
Ludovic Detammaecker, Franchisee at the Lille and Dunkirk store which piloted the offering, said: “We have had a 3D printer for two years in our store in Lille, and we also offer printing on demand. The objective is to disseminate this expertise within the CW network so that the service can be available in each store of the brand.”
Nicolas Mary, Franchisee at Saintes, said: “3D printing is a fascinating subject and one that will be developed in the future, but it is still in the elementary stages. Its applications range from making useful objects for everyday life, medical prosthetics, large parts for home furniture, anything is possible.
“Our 3D printer allows the manufacture of consumer items such as models and figurines. You can print objects up to 22.3 x 22.3 x 20.5 centimetres in length, width and height respectively.”