It may have started printing small objects, but in recent years the technology of 3D printing has become too small. Now it is possible to 3D print tiny structures using living cells or to print an entire house in 24 hours. The idea behind 3D manufacturing is not new, but 3D-TOKEN, a project of the Italian start-up Politronica Srl wants to integrate it with Blockchain technology to create a "one-of-a-kind -one "decentralized Just-In-Time Factory 4.0 corresponding to the digital revolution of the 21st century.

With steady growth, more than 278,000 desktops (under $ 5,000) 3D printers were available worldwide in 2015, according to the Wohlers Report 2016. The coming years will make these printers more and more affordable point towards a possible increase in demand. That's where the 3D-TOKENS project wants to tap to create a Blockchain-managed network hub of thousands of 3D printers. The spin-off of the Polytechnic University of Turin, Politronica Srl, wants to bring small- and medium-scale just-in-time digital manufacturing via the 3D-TOKENS project to a whole new level.

over Blockchain

Dubbed 'Network Robots' Workforce', this network will be able to change the industry's traditional standards in terms of time-to-market and cost of the product. Their Blockchain online platform will work as a facilitator between different innovative 3D manufacturing projects and could significantly reduce production costs. At present, the company maintains a network of 100 3D printers. Through the 3D-TOKENS project, they aim to bring this number to 3,000 by the end of 2019 with 1,000 network members and a production capacity of 300 tons of processed bioplastics.

To date, Politronica Srl has managed to conclude an agreement with its current network with industry giants such as the chain of design shops Flying-Tiger Copenhagen (600 shops worldwide) . Through this collaboration, they will deploy an innovative device for learning 3D desktop printing and a lamp called Q3D in the coming months.

Multidimensional Investment

The 3D-TOKENS, hence the name, will also introduce its native cryptocurrency called 3DT based on the Ethereum Blockchain (their ICO ends on February 11th). Users will be able to join crowdfunding campaigns, spend parts on their internal market (like buying digital models for their own projects) or even swap 3DTs in the network at a fixed price revealed at the end of the ICO. And those who hold their 3DT will also receive directly the share of the profits of the Network.

However, people in the United States and China will not be able to buy coins because of various regulations, and even citizens or residents of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada must verify 39 they are eligible before buying the non refundable tokens.

Impression of the Future

The integration of Blockchain technology is attracting growing interest in the world of 3D manufacturing. It is gradually being accepted even the US Navy has considered using Blockchain secure data transfer could provide their 3D printing process. Different stages of the 3D printing process itself can benefit from the decentralized features of Blockchain by distributing tasks such as slicing step between different users to facilitate the capacity of their computer.

If realized, the 3D-TOKEN network could accelerate the The 3D printing market to its full potential. The company will start expanding the network in northern Italy and then in Europe and hopefully at a global level in the future.

Until the ETH returns to $ 1,350, Politronica Srl offers a 50% bonus instead of 25% for each symbolic purchase.