Layer by Layer

Entrepreneur. 3D Printing Aficionado. Innovator. Self-Proclaimed Finance Guru. Wanderer.

[hsanghvi]

Real Value of 3D Printing Stocks

As it always happens that with every new technology there is a factor of hype and risk involved. The story is not very different in the case of 3D Printing companies. It has really been a roller coaster ride for some companies in the past 6 months. Here is the chart for the 4 major 3D Printer manufacturers 3D Sysytems (DDD) , Stratasys (SSYS) , ExOne (XONE) and Voxeljet AG (VJET).

As seen in the graph, the companies follow a similar pattern in terms of stock price in the last 6 months. Contradicting what most analysts believe that the revenues reported by some of these companies is what is helping them bounce back. It really is the market forces and the consumer sentiment that is driving them. The dip seen from May- June 2014 can be attributed to the fact that the investors expected better returns from other relatively established sectors like Oil & Gas, FMCG companies. Hence it was not a great prospect to invest in 3D Printing Technology which still seemed to be in a similar situation like .com in the 90's. 

Coming to the important question, how can we know the real value of the 3D Printing stocks? Are they still over-valued? Putting things in perspective 3D Systems currently has a P/E ratio of 146 whereas Facebook has a P/E ratio of 86. Both are technology stocks with good potential upside in the future. With the market still realizing 3D Printing applications it is difficult to put a value on the stocks at the moment. But no one can ignore the potential the technology holds and how it can disrupt manufacturing. 

[hsanghvi]

Take your Selfie to the next level with 3D Selfies

I would argue with anyone who would contradict that portable 3D scanners will play a significant role in bringing 3D Printing to the masses. It gives everyone the power to replicate objects(and themselves) easily like never before. The scanning technology though being developed since decades still has not reached the everyday users. There has been some exciting development in the field recently. The battle currently stands between the 3D Systems Sense v/s Microsoft Kinect with the Skanect software v/s Fuel3D and the Structure developed by Occipital. 

I have had an opportunity to play around with some of these scanners. 

Fuel 3D : This is my (creepy) 3D Selfie taken using the Fuel Scanner which started off as a kickstarter project. The level of detail is by far the best I have seen compared to any other hand-held scanner but it fails to provide the capability if taking a 360scan which is a major drawback.                                                  

Structure Sensor by Occipital: I have not personally used this scanner but according to what I have seen and heard this fits the bill perfectly for a scanner for the masses. It can be connected to your iPad. Extremely easy to use with great level of detail in a 360 environment. ( I already pre-ordered one)

Everyone love the Microsoft Kinect because it can do so much. It works as a 3D Scanner too with the Skanect software. 

The image is a scan of myself and clearly it lacks details. But the Kinect still serves as an inexpensive way to use something that many of us own to take a 3D selfie!!

With services like Shapeways you can have small miniatures of yourself and your friends as physical objects. The occipital structure when compatible with cellphones will make the ultimate 3D Selfie machine.

[hsanghvi]

Is Voxeljet the underdog of 3D Printing?

I happened to be at the 3D Print Show in NYC in the middle of February this year. Amongst all the desktop 3D Printing companies showing their technology was one company that clearly stood out Voxeljet (NY: VJET). They showed off huge models only capable of being printed in their machines. Though at present these machines have limited material capabilities it still shows a side of 3D Printing that most consumers and businesses have yet to realize.

Majority of the applications for these first truly industrial 3D Printers remains to be making sand molds for casting. But it has also seen some applications in the movie industry. 

Currently Voxeljet is undervalued as the market is yet to realize its full potential. The VX4000 voxeljet series offers dimensions of 4000 x 2000 x 1000 millimetres which is the largest in the class. And with the VXC800 the first continuous 3D Printer which can print for about 5 days at a stretch can be game changer. 

This German manufacturer of 3D Printers is certainly pushing the limits and opening a whole new world of opportunities. EOS another German company which uses Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology to make 3D Printers offers Industrial 3D Printers.

Hence the question still remains with all the buzz around 3D Systems, Stratasys and all the Desktop 3D Printers is Voxeljet's technology what will really get 3D Printing to mass manufacturing?