On-Demand Manufacturing Providers
(MaaS)
Companies operating in the cloud manufacturing space offer online manufacturing to their customers. The idea behind it: Instead of owning machines to produce construction and production parts as before, customers can simply have the components they need manufactured online. To do this, they upload a schematic drawing of the component to be produced to the respective provider. The provider then usually uses a network of manufacturing partners to have the components produced cost-effectively within a very short time. The concept is widely known as Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS). Cloud manufacturing thus enables a service-oriented manufacturing process by virtualizing resources and capacities. This results in collaboration partners and/or consumers being able to easily access manufacturing resources worldwide without having to own a machine. A wide range of MaaS companies also offer instant-quoting.
Protolabs - The time saver
Protolabs is one of the largest fabricators in the world and is fully dedicated to prototyping in the shortest possible time. With in-house manufacturing, Protolabs has the ability to deliver parts from 1 day, which is insane.
Offered processes: Injection moulding, 3D-printing, CNC-Machining
Biggest advantage: Time-saving
InstaWerk - The CNC-Specialist from Germany
InstaWerk : If you like underdogs, you will love InstaWerk. The start-up from Stuttgart, Germany, draws its strength from a high focus on CNC machining (turning & milling).
The platform claims German quality standards and offers low component costs. Unfortunately, other manufacturing processes are not available.
Offered processes: CNC-Machining
Biggest advantage: German quality at low cost.
Xometry - The one stop shop
Xometry is probably Protolabs' biggest challenger and direct competitor. Especially since Protolabs bought and integrated the online fabricator Hubs, it is clear that Protolabs has rung the alarm bells.
As a platform, Xometry targets both manufacturers and buyers and offers solutions for manufacturers in addition to many manufacturing processes.
Offered processes: Sheet metal fabrication, 3D-printing, CNC-Machining
Biggest advantage: Hustle free procurement of all mannufacturing needs.
Misumi Meviy - The Japanese Way
Like Germany, Japan is associated with high quality, which also has its price. So it's not surprising that Misumi, a Japanese engineering company, has also decided to offer an on-demand manufacturing platform.
Unfortunately, the registration and calculation process is so complicated that we have not yet been able to place an order yet.
Offered processes: Sheet metal fabrication, CNC-Machining
Biggest advantage: Internal machining ressources at Misumi
Biggest disadvantage: Costs and complexity
Fathom - Massive in-house capacity
Fathom operates over 10 locations in the USA for the production of components. The focus is clearly on prototypes and small series. However, most of the production is done in-house, which enables certification according to ISO 9001 and ITAR, for example, but unfortunately also entails high costs. In our test, they were the most expensive parts of all.
Offered processes: Sheet Metal, additive Manufacturing, Injection moulding, CNC Machining
Biggest advantage: Flexibility and Standards due to internal manufacturing
Biggest disadvantage: Costs.