MyMiniFactory has announced the acquisition of Thingiverse, a 3D printing file sharing platform boasting a large community of eight million users and a catalog of 2.5 million models. The primary goal of this acquisition is to preserve and enhance the 3D printing ecosystem, protecting it from potential threats arising from the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Market Context

3D printing, once considered a niche technology, is rapidly gaining ground in various sectors, from engineering to architecture, to medicine and art. The ability to create physical objects directly from digital models has opened new frontiers for rapid prototyping, customized production, and on-demand repair. However, the growth of this sector is closely linked to the availability and sharing of high-quality 3D models. Platforms like Thingiverse have played a crucial role in facilitating this sharing, creating a global repository of resources for makers and 3D printing enthusiasts.