Since consumables are the Key to Profit.

For instance. Right now, most people are paying at least $0.81 (ebay seller been on since 2002 with only 313 feedback???) but usually $1.10 (up to $1.40) an ounce for PLA (PolyLactic Acid) in 1KG 1.75mm or 3.0mm filament form. (all including shipping)

I just started looking at Virgin PLA from China in "natural" or colorless in pelletized form. Anywhere from $2.28 to $4.70 a pound with a 8-16 week Lead time and a minimum drop (for more expensive rates) of 20 tons ("Full Truck Load"). Also for as little as $1.20 to $4.00 a pound for 50-100 Metric Ton purchase quantities, also with 6-14 week lead time. Those higher prices are for Colored and Special (glow-in-the-dark or metallic) pellets. Similar prices for ABS, some even cheaper.

Now, I found a "exceptionally clean" regrind operation that sells by FTL only. Shipped to me in GRR, with no customs problems, is $0.35/lb. A FTL of 40,000 @ $0.35 is $14,000. (but no ABS)

The process is:

1. Get the pellets/regrind
1. Obtain a continuous extrusion machine (with cooling bath setup) for 1.75mm and/or 3mm filaments.
2. Obtain colorant batches to color the natural stuff.
3. Get a *CLEAN* cement mixer.
4. Mix colored formulas.
5. Extrude filament into a cooling bath.
6. Wind up thousands of feet on *BIG* wooden spools.
7. Store in de-humidified environment until needed or on demand setup with auto feed.
8. Use "cardboard spools" for 1#, 1Kg, 5#, 5Kg orders for shipping out (for additional $2)
8a. Re-Use plastic spools sent by customer for recycle use, usually 1#, 1Kg, 5#.
8b. Loose coils of filament in any weight wanted/needed up max ship weight or size (special considerations for large shipping also considered)
9. Have plastic 3D printing part of business to supplement and do other stuff.


Expand into UV Resin 3D Printing. Retail gallon of UV Resin is $275 or about $2.20 a floz. Again, from China, in 400 Gallon Pallet sized containers, minimum orders are $37/gal @16 or about $237,000 for a FTL. Resin is a whole different ball of wax. Handling is difficult and messy. So, not as much savings for people. Similar kind of breakout for Resin... of course at sensible costs.

Expand into Gypsum/Resin Full color 3D printing and consumables.

Expand into the Metallic 3D printing and consumables.

Expand into more stuff.

So, I'm looking hard.