Three-dimensional printing network system
A parts system includes a network of printers and a controller. The network includes a personal 3D printer, a first-party 3D printer, and/or a third-party 3D printer. Generally, the network of 3D printers prints a replacement part for a consumer. The controller receives a request to print the part and provides a recommendation to print the part based at least in part on historical data of the part. The controller also provides a recommendation to select a 3D printer of the network of 3D printers based at least in part on a stock of a material for printing the part. Furthermore, the controller determines printing the part via the selected 3D printer.
1 . A parts system, comprising:
a network connecting 3D printers, the network comprising connections with a personal 3D printer, a first-party 3D printer, a third-party 3D printer, or any combination thereof, wherein the 3D printers in the network are each configured to print a part for a consumer; and
a controller configured to:
receive a request to print the part;
provide a recommendation to print the part based at least in part on historical data of the part;
provide a recommendation to select a 3D printer from the 3D printers in the network, as a selected 3D printer of the network based at least in part on a stock of a material for printing the part;
initiate printing the part via the selected 3D printer of the network, wherein the part is printed via the selected 3D printer based on the initiation; and
monitor the network to quantify an amount of utilization of the network by a consumer during the printing of the part, and define an insurance adjustment for the consumer based on the amount of utilization of the network by the consumer, wherein the insurance adjustment reflects technical risk associated with the utilization of the network by the consumer.
2 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically request delivery of the material to the selected 3D printer of the network in response to a determination that the stock of the material at the selected 3D printer of the network is below a predetermined threshold.
3 . The parts system of claim 1 , comprising an unmanned aerial vehicle, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured to deliver the material to a location associated with the selected 3D printer of the network.
4 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the selected 3D printer of the network is selected based at least in part on a cost-benefit analysis of the 3D printers connected by the network.
5 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to provide the recommendation to select the 3D printer from the 3D printers in the network using a member-to-member printing network.
6 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to recommend delivery of the material to the selected 3D printer of the network using a member-to-member delivery network.
7 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises metal, plastic, clay, concrete, wood, or any combination thereof.
8 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the third-party 3D printer comprises a 3D printer associated with at least a direct repair provider, an original equipment manufacturer, or both.
9 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein information regarding the stock of a material associated with the third-party 3D printer is distributed in a block chain.
10 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to search a database containing historical data related to environmental conditions for an area in which the selected 3D printer of the network is located.
11 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein:
the request comprises an input from the consumer; and
the controller is configured to define the insurance adjustment for the consumer based on the material for printing the part.
12 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
recommend a recommended material for printing the part;
in response to a determination that the consumer selects the recommended material, maintain or reduce an insurance premium for the consumer; and
in response to a determination that the consumer does not select the recommended material, increase the insurance premium for the consumer.
13 . The parts system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
request authorization from the consumer to monitor the selected 3D printer, wherein the selected 3D printer is associated with the consumer; and
in response to receiving authorization to monitor the selected 3D printer, provide an incentive to the consumer, wherein the incentive comprises one or more of a reduction in an insurance premium associated with the consumer, subsidization of the selected 3D printer, and a discount associated with printing on the selected 3D printer.