[Thinkstock code: 480151679] 3D printers deposit successive layers of material to create physical objects e.g. a of a house. The development of this technology has made it easier for businesses to design and manufacture products. 3D printers can be used to create the separate parts of a product, which are then assembled e.g. toys. They can also be used to create a moulid for a product, used to create a finished item e.g. jewellery. Another possibility is to 3D print the body of a product whilst leaving space for components, such as circuit boards e.g. mobile phones. As an innovation, the possibilities offered by 3D printing technology continue to be explored by entrepreneurs. This exploration has been aided by the falling cost of purchasing and operating a 3D printer. For example, some 3D printer models can be bought from high street retailers, such as Maplin, for around £500. Whilst these printers have fewer features than more expensive models, they can still perform the basic function of making physical products when connected to a computer. The computer files required to instruct a 3D printer to create a specific object are now widely available on the internet, sometimes for free e.g. a set of 3D designs for a toy truck. Alternatively, users skilled in operating 3D design software can create a design and sell these to owners of 3D printers. As an entrepreneur, you are to investigate a market opportunity created by the growing availability of 3D printing technology. You will consider your own skills and ways of enterprising before investigating a suitable customer value proposition. You will justify outlines of the marketing and operations activities required to deliver the customer value proposition. Finally, you will justify the viability of your enterprise, considering its risks and uncertainties as well as the roles played by your support networks.
[Thinkstock code: 480151679] 3D printers deposit successive layers of material to create physical objects e.g. a of a house. The development of this technology has made it easier for businesses to design and manufacture products. 3D printers can be used to create the separate parts of a product, which are then assembled e.g. toys. They can also be used to create a moulid for a product, used to create a finished item e.g. jewellery. Another possibility is to 3D print the body of a product whilst leaving space for components, such as circuit boards e.g. mobile phones. As an innovation, the possibilities offered by 3D printing technology continue to be explored by entrepreneurs. This exploration has been aided by the falling cost of purchasing and operating a 3D printer. For example, some 3D printer models can be bought from high street retailers, such as Maplin, for around £500. Whilst these printers have fewer features than more expensive models, they can still perform the basic function of making physical products when connected to a computer. The computer files required to instruct a 3D printer to create a specific object are now widely available on the internet, sometimes for free e.g. a set of 3D designs for a toy truck. Alternatively, users skilled in operating 3D design software can create a design and sell these to owners of 3D printers. As an entrepreneur, you are to investigate a market opportunity created by the growing availability of 3D printing technology. You will consider your own skills and ways of enterprising before investigating a suitable customer value proposition. You will justify outlines of the marketing and operations activities required to deliver the customer value proposition. Finally, you will justify the viability of your enterprise, considering its risks and uncertainties as well as the roles played by your support networks.
AQA-1830-ESA.DOCX