Following the 2017 rumor that “3D枢纽已死” the online manufacturing network has announced that it is switching all its 3D printing services to the “Fulfilled by 3D Hubs” offering. With this change,3D集线器puts an end to the peer-to-peer network it was built upon to focus on a more lucrative business-to-business strategy.
在本文中，3D印刷行业与3D中心的联合创始人和CPO Brian Garret交谈，以了解有关此举的更多信息。
The creation of a turnkey manufacturing platform
3D集线器started out as a per-to-peer network offering people with 3D printers the opportunity to make things for customer’s in their local area. Overtime however, the site has continued to diversify its services going beyond just 3D printing to metal casting, injection molding and CNC milling. Ultimately, this has lead to a total re-branding of the site as “The go-to-place for manufacturing” and “A turnkey manufacturing platform,” not just for peers, but a service for businesses seeking on-demand short-run, production.
由3D枢纽实现
在2017年底推出，由3D枢纽服务实现了，以支持该网站的制造合作伙伴。制造合作伙伴是根据绩效因素（例如“加权订单完成率”，“平均集线器评级”，“平均订单响应时间”和遵守3D枢纽质量指南等性能，由3D枢纽选择的3D打印中心。作为制造合作伙伴，这些业务会自动选择以履行由3D枢纽客户下达的订单。
以前，该平台允许客户选择自己的枢纽以进行3D打印服务，并根据材料可用性，与客户的距离以及人自己的酌处权做出决定。在这一点上，Garret解释说：“至于手动选择，我们将一旦将3D打印到新的结帐时就不会提供。这里的理由是，我们不断付出很多努力，使所有制造合作伙伴之间的质量完全标准，我们有更多的功能排队实现这一目标。”
加勒特补充说,“作为一个客户,就不会有noticeable difference who is manufacturing the 3D printed parts for you. We’ve managed to successfully implement this for CNC machining and injection molding already over the past year. While it might take a little getting used to it removes a lot of friction as you no longer have to worry about who is producing your parts, 3D Hubs software will do that for you automatically.”
经过3D枢纽的实现，任何与网站没有合作的枢纽也将被公司淘汰，如此处所指出的那样reddit discussion。唯一用于本地3D打印服务提供的平台3D枢纽是专门的位置Talk Maker论坛。
Community’s response
Understandably, the move has left many in the peer-to-peer community disgruntled. Not only did these people help 3D Hubs build its reputation, but now they no longer have a full platform for local services – unless they are registered and running their 3D printing as a daily business.
如前所述官方声明Garret和联合创始人Bram de Zwart的作者：如下：
“随着平台从点对点3D打印网络发展为全面制造平台，3D枢纽的客户群发生了变化。现在，大多数订单源自专业人士，这些专业人员为较大的高价值工程项目提供零件。这些用户已成为业务的关键部分，而3D中心的成功取决于为这些客户提供服务的能力。”
“很明显，为了实现我们彻底改变制造业的目标，3D枢纽需要对制造过程的标准化和自动化加倍。”
那么，现在社区怎么办？3D枢纽对业务领导的客户群有什么证据？
Facts and figures
根据声明：“自启动此服务以来，[由3D枢纽履行]，我们在3D打印服务的使用情况下，尤其是专业用户组的使用中看到了爆炸性的增长。客户的反馈非常积极，我们已经看到自1月以来的客户订单价值增加了一倍。”
加勒特（Garret）提示了与这一说法有关的数据，“目前，所有订单中有89％由3D枢纽制造合作伙伴履行。上个月，我们已经看到138％的年收入增长。”净启动子得分of 72 over the last 11 months, indicating that customers are very happy with the service.”
给点对点客户的信息是什么不再觉得3D枢纽适合他们？
Garret，3D枢纽：“我们正在专业化我们的服务，以符合快速成熟的3D印刷行业以及越来越多的专业业务，这些专业企业将这项令人兴奋的技术作为可行的制造解决方案。For existing peer-to-peer customers this means they can expect our service to become more reliable and repeatable as we’re investing heavily in automation and standardization, both on the software side with Design for Manufacturing feedback as well as on the supply side with our Manufacturing Partner network.”
“To be clear, we plan to keep offering our service of affordable prints at fast turn around times to our existing customers, but over time they can expect a more streamlined service.”
Why isn’t there space for both peer-to-peer and B2B services on 3D Hubs?
Garret，3D枢纽：“我们将其作为一种可能性进行了调查，但是要维护3D中心解决方案旁边的点对点平台所需的开发工作，这使技术复杂性过多并大大减慢了我们的创新。”
“尽管我们在今年的大部分时间里都有两种模特并排运行，但很明显，我们必须选择一个并加倍执行。”
“While we understand that some Hubs will be frustrated, we know that this new direction aligns best with the future of distributed manufacturing and the needs of our customers.”
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Featured image shows 3D Hubs founders Brian Garret (left) and Bram de Zwart (right). Photo via 3D Hubs.
