
Welcome back to another episode recap of the Slant 3D podcast! This week’s updates are bursting with innovation and industry shakeups, including Teleport’s accessibility, BCN3D’s strategic growth, the legal battle between Desktop Metal and Nano Dimension, and groundbreaking AI-driven 3D modeling tools.
Teleport: Scale Without the Hassle
Teleport, the platform that connects e-commerce businesses with 3D print farms, is officially open to everyone. No waitlist, no hassle—just seamless scaling.
How Teleport Works:
Simplifies order fulfillment: no packing, shipping, or maintenance.
Enables creators to focus on design while Teleport handles printing and shipping.
Rapid turnaround: products are printed and shipped within days.
Head over to teleportpod.com and get started today.
BCN3D’s Strategic Expansion
Spanish manufacturer BCN3D is making headlines with a new investment round and the opening of a cutting-edge production facility in a European tech hub. This move aligns with the company’s strategic focus on light industrial applications and scaled manufacturing.
As 3D printing companies like BCN3D mature, they’re leveraging AI and refined service models to unlock new possibilities, signaling a broader shift in the industry.
Corporate Drama: Desktop Metal vs. Nano Dimension
The podcast dives into the unfolding legal drama between Desktop Metal and Nano Dimension. Desktop Metal has filed a lawsuit claiming Nano Dimension is dragging its feet on a $120 million acquisition, potentially jeopardizing Desktop Metal’s financial stability.
The Core Issues:
Boardroom Changes: Nano Dimension’s new board is scrutinizing acquisitions.
Financial Troubles: Desktop Metal risks running out of cash without the merger.
Regulatory Delays: U.S. concerns over a foreign (Israeli) company acquiring a U.S. firm have slowed progress.
The tension has turned into a public spectacle, with speculation that Nano Dimension might prefer a distressed acquisition if Desktop Metal goes bankrupt. For now, it’s a high-stakes waiting game.
Backflip Raises $30M for AI-Driven 3D Models
In an exciting development for accessibility in 3D printing, Backflip—a startup founded by Markforged’s Greg Mark and David Benheim—has secured $30 million in funding. The company is revolutionizing design through AI-driven 3D modeling, eliminating the need for CAD expertise.
How Backflip Works:
Users can describe an idea, sketch, or upload a photo to generate a 3D printable model.
Powered by a dataset of 10 million parts, Backflip democratizes design, making it accessible to anyone.
Integrates with APIs (like those from print farms) for seamless production and delivery.
Why This Matters:Backflip addresses a key barrier in 3D printing: accessibility. While CAD tools have historically limited the user base to professionals, Backflip’s AI tools open up the market to everyday users. This innovation has the potential to dramatically expand the reach of 3D printing.
The podcast host also highlights the challenge of scaling AI-driven tools. Generating 3D models is computationally expensive, and Backflip is currently in a “loss-leading” phase as it builds user adoption. Nonetheless, the $30 million investment—led by Andreessen Horowitz and supported by notable names like the Microsoft CTO—positions Backflip as a key player in the future of AI-enabled design.
Teleport: Now Open to All
After weeks of refining the onboarding process, Teleport is now open for sign-ups to the public!
Key Updates:
Open Sign-ups: Teleport was previously on a waitlist to ensure a smooth onboarding experience for new users. Now, anyone can sign up and start using the platform.
Free to Use: While there will be a paid tier for extra features launching in the new year, Teleport is free to sign up for and use, with no subscriptions or hidden fees.
Smooth Onboarding: The platform offers a guided onboarding process that helps users navigate and maximize the service with ease.
What Teleport Offers: You can design or source 3D models, upload them to Teleport, and have them printed and shipped without the need to operate a print farm yourself.
The simplicity and power of Teleport have been honed over time, and now it’s available for anyone who wants to start creating and selling 3D printed products. No more needing a print farm or managing shipping logistics—Teleport takes care of it all.
The host emphasizes how this model opens up a world of passive income for creators, allowing them to design and list products on platforms like Etsy, with Teleport handling the printing and shipping. The process is so seamless that creators can focus on growing their product line while Teleport does the hard work.
Final Thoughts
From corporate drama to groundbreaking technology, this week’s developments showcase the dynamic evolution of 3D printing. With platforms like Teleport and Backflip making the technology more accessible and companies like BCN3D scaling operations, the future of additive manufacturing looks brighter than ever.
Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and predictions in upcoming episodes of the Slant 3D podcast!
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