Startup of the month, Xometry: The one-stop shop for manufacturing on demand

Each month the 3Dnatives team searches across the globe for the latest startups in 3D printing that are helping to revolutionize the industry as we know it. This month, we have chosen Xometry, a one-stop shop for manufacturing on demand for engineers and designers who are looking for custom-made parts from different manufacturers. To learn more about Xometry, we talked to Bill Cronin, the SVP of Sales & Marketing. In addition, check out our Top 10 3D printing applications in maritime.

3DN: What is Xometry and who are the masterminds behind it?

Xometry was founded by Randy Altschuler and Laurence Zuriff in 2013 with the goal of making it easier for engineers and designers to source custom parts, while at the same time answering the desire to help small manufacturers. we use technology to connect engineers and designers that need custom parts to the manufacturers that can make them. It is incredibly easy for engineers to upload their CAD files to Xometry’s website or SOLIDWORKS Add-in and receive instant pricing on CNC Machining, 3D Printing, Sheet Metal and Urethane Casting. Users are able to cost out different materials and quantities and see the changes in real-time. No more waiting around for days for a quote. Once you identify exactly what you need, it’s easy to order and Xometry delivers the parts utilizing a network of hundreds of manufacturers across the nation.

Randy Altshuler, CEO of Xometry

3DN: How did the idea come about to create a professional online manufacturing service?

Today, there are 190,000 small manufacturers in the U.S. with fewer than 20 employees. Before Xometry, there was little opportunity for a machine shop in Texas to access work from a customer in Maine, so individual machine shops were heavily reliant on local customers. Because of this, Xometry decided to answer this problem with our platform, which allows people from across the country to easily find the manufacturers they need.