This shop opened a few weeks ago and I can't stop telling people about it. A whole store dedicated to the art and technology of 3D printers. They have 3 different printer models on demonstration in the store, the well known Makerbot Replicator, the Up Mini, and a very high end expensive unit (EOS Formiga P110) that prints high resolution art-quality pieces. They sell various 3d pieces printed from the machines ... the nylon printed art they have is really unique and cool. They also have computer terminals where you can design a pendant and they will then print that out. If you have a part or piece you want replicated, you can bring it in and have that done. Ever wanted to stand on a platform, be spun in a circle and scanned by a sensor that creates a 3d digital model of yourself, then prints out a bust of your head? For $24 (and up for bigger sizes), you can do that here. Want to take a printer home? The Up Mini 3D Printer for $999. For the price it's a great model / value. And it's in stock with no waiting list. They sold 3d printers before Staples, and theirs is less expensive! The guys that work there are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the topic... it's a store but also a low pressure introduction to the concept. This store is an original--you won't find it anywhere else (yet). It's awesome. Take a friend, take a tourist, take mom. (psst, they have a coupon for free 2 hour parking in their parking lot on their web site) read more

3DPX Additive Manufacturing - Printers in action... Makerbot Replicator, bottom; Up Mini (the model they sell), top. - Printing Services Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sent drawing for ball screw guides, in nylon. Original vendor is a pain, not returning calls, etc. Sent the solid model, and received the parts 4 days later. PERFECT. Exactly what we needed, quick, and outstanding service. I couldn't be happier, and will use these professionals in the future. BTW - cost was reasonable, and they have the technology mastered. Very nice indeed. read more

We sent a series of parts out to get 3D scanned for a strategic product development program we had initiated. One of my manufacturing engineers initiated the effort with 3DPX and followed up on a weekly basis (sometimes multiple times during the week) regarding the scanned files. Phone calls and emails were often simply disregarded without a response. Today marks 5 weeks that the parts are in 3DPX's possession and we've only received 5 out of about a dozen files. We've requested order cancellation and return of our product as our Solidworks VAR is capable of turning scanned parts around in 2-3 days. read more

I know very little about 3D printing, but I needed about 20 awards for a company event and talked to these guys, who were very accommodating about pulling something together for me quickly. Creativity would get 5 stars, execution probably 2 or 3. I only rated this a 2 because I felt that anything less than a stellar product wasn't really worth the price. I had a fairly detailed 3D product - but the smaller text (particularly the recessed text) was extremely poor (or very inconsistent at best). When I picked the products up, the guy told me that a dishwasher would get all the "dust out of the recessed text", but when I got them back to the office, I can see that many of the recessed characters weren't recessed at all - they were never cut in. He did give me a discount because of the "dishwasher thing" - but these things are flawed period, and the final product doesn't match expectation, and look very poor/sloppy. Disappointed that I spent even what I did on a product that is supposed to be highly detailed at a "reasonable" price. Reasonable price is debatable, and I would have no qualms about the price if the product were perfect - but it is far from that. I guess my cautionary tale is to use extreme caution with anything requiring large amounts of detail (especially text). The visual on their computer screen may not look like the final product (or at least their machines/process cannot consistently produce this level of detail). read more

I've been using 3D printing for several years with repraps and MakerBots for prototyping my inventions and products. When I came to 3DPX, I was blown away! They have a wide range of machines, most notably a laser sintering EOS Formiga P110 (I believe it's the only one in the world in a public space like this). The staff was very knowledgeable and professional and even with my experience, I learned a thing or two. I had a few parts made with them and the quality was far better than what I'm able to achieve on my personal machines, they really know their stuff! This place is the future, and this is why I got into 3D printing in the first place. read more

3DPX Additive Manufacturing - The botfarm! - Printing Services Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow, we had a great event @ The 3D Printer Experience. It was a great way to learn this burgeoning technology. We kicked off with a fun and interactive overview of the technology by friendly and knowledegable staff who talked to us at OUR level. The talk was complemented by some cold and refreshing drinks and tasty snacks. They then let us @ it to create some actual 3D models. Start to finish, a coupla hours - and a very affordable price. Pretty much everyone in my group said that not only did they have fun, but now they have a great understanding of 3D printing! read more

The staff was friendly when I purchased my Up! Mini 3D printer, however, they were very unorganized. The first person I spoke to told me that for the first year I could just come in and have the printer replaced if anything happened to it. When I started asking more technical questions she had me talk to a different employee. This second employee informed me that they would only replace the printer if I purchased their insurance plan for $99. I was also told that getting support from the Up manufacturer would be next to impossible which made me reconsider buying the printer. A manager then jumped in and offered to provide me a free 14 day warranty. I asked that this be extended for a full month and she agreed. I've had two major problems with the printer within the first month and the support from the3DPrinterExperience has been horrible. The first issue was the printer would not stop printing after the piece was done. I contacted them to try to resolve this but the help was very poor. They asked for pictures, video, and never resolved my issue. It took about two weeks for me to realize the problem is with the slicer program for Mac provided by Up. If you use the Up software for Windows this is not an issue. The second issue was that the filament for the Up mini cannot be any standard 1.75mm filament. When I purchased the printer I was told any 1.75mm filament would work and that the cost was around $30 per kg. Surprisingly they do not sell filament at the store, they suggested I just buy it online. The Up extrudes at a higher temperature which causes normal filament to melt/burn. You cannot adjust the extruder temperature with the current Up software. The filament is closer to $60 per kg. I called to ask about this issue and the person I spoke to was very rude and implied I was lying about not being told about the required filament specs. They also continually ask for just a contact number and name but never return any calls to help with printer problems. If you're looking to buy a 3D printer I would recommend you look elsewhere. read more

This place is the best. I could not have had my prototype build because of cost without this place. The staff is extremely helpful. Highly recommend going especially for designers and inventors read more

The new store at 333 N. LaSalle is even nicer than the old location. 3DPX is the only retail location in the US that has an EOS laser sintering machine and it was perfect for the job I needed done. Their modelers knew exactly how to take my idea and turn it into a the right 3D file. My dream came to life !! Thanks 3D Printer Experience! read more

I ordered some parts from this company and they printed it on the wrong scale two times in a row. The most basic thing is to check the units/size before delivering an order to the client. Not only they printed the parts wrong, but they also invoiced me for the parts they printed on the wrong scale as if it was my fault. It was a very uncomfortable experience, even though they seemed very friendly and helpful in the beginning. read more

The people at 3-D printer experience are great. i had a very complicated and unusal project. The output was to be sent to a mold maker for the production of a chocolate. The project involved quite a bit of modification on their end. They did everything on a timely basis and were very easy to work with. The project came out great and my client is thrilled with the results. read more

We are in from out of town to attend a 3D printing workshop for teens at the Field Museum. After the class they sent us to the 3D Printer Experience to have our new creation brought to life. The staff at the 3D Printer Experience are fantastic! Downloaded our project from the Field Museum and sent it to print while we waited. Two hours later, after being amazed as our creation took shape, we walked out with our first 3D project and a dozen other ideas. We will be back with the entire family to do a self portrait for holiday gifts. Bring your kids and have them scanned together for a 3D bust. Possibilities are endless and the staff will help you as you ask a never ending list of questions. read more

After seeing the 3D Printer Experience shop across from my office on LaSalle St. in Chicago, I stopped in one day on a whim to ask about getting a full body scan and print. I was 8.5 months pregnant at the time, and I thought a 3D print would be a neat way to commemorate my pregnancy and would also make a nice gift for my husband's birthday. I spoke to Grace at the front desk, who was exceedingly friendly and helpful. She let me wander around the shop and told me all about 3D printing and their different printing capabilities. I explained what I was thinking for a print of myself and Grace worked with their designers to come up with a proposal for a full-body SLS print that was exactly what I had in mind. The process of getting scanned in 3D was easy, and only took a few minutes. The team was flexible and easy to work with in scheduling my scanning appointment, which was very helpful when Chicago weather interrupted my first appointment. After getting scanned, Grace kept in contact with me about the progress of my print, and was able to complete my print within just a few days and in time for my husband's birthday. The print itself turned out beautifully - I have a perfect, highly detailed little sculpture of my very pregnant self which will always remind me of this special time. Overall, I had an excellent experience with the 3D Printer Experience and will definitely use them again for future 3D prints. read more