Shapeways, a leading digital manufacturing solutions company, has recently announced its acquisition of Thangs, a collaborative 3D file sharing and discovery community. This marks the second step in Shapeways’ plan to relaunch and revamp their business. Thangs, a platform built for creators, welcomes both former Shapeways members and newcomers to join and learn how to monetize their digital designs.
The acquisition of Thangs also addresses the gaps in Shapeways’ previous infrastructure. Changes made by the previous management team left the infrastructure outdated, but with the acquisition of Thangs from Physna, Inc., the community now has a timely solution that surpasses Shapeways’ previous capabilities. Thangs, powered by Physna’s technology, offers robust intellectual property (IP) protection and a modern platform designed specifically for creators’ needs. With Thangs fueling design ideas and Shapeways bringing them to life, the two companies together create a seamless ecosystem that covers the entire 3D creation value chain.
Shapeways CEO, Marleen Vogelaar, shared, “The team behind Thangs really love their creators and community – and they take good care of them: which is exactly in line with the original spirit of Shapeways. Equally importantly their 3D search technology powered by Physna protects the IP of their creators which is incredibly important to me and the rest of the management team.”
The integration of Shapeways and Thangs opens up new opportunities for both communities. Designers on Thangs will now be able to expand their offerings beyond digital assets by using Shapeways’ digital manufacturing engine to sell physical products directly to consumers. This brings a wider customer base and additional revenue streams to Thangs’ community, while still maintaining the platform’s existing functionality and identity.
Paul Powers, CEO and Co-founder of Physna, Inc., commented, “The synergy between Shapeways and Thangs was clear from the start. While Physna will continue to focus primarily on our B2B and government products, we remain invested in Thangs and have a great relationship with the community. We look forward to continuing to support Thangs and Shapeways; I believe the strong synergies between the two will drive growth and create value for both communities.”
Dan Pham, Head of Community Relations at Thangs, added, “When Shapeways approached Thangs, we recognized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower our community of designers to grow their thriving businesses. 3D printing is transforming commerce on both a global and local scale. It’s an incredibly exciting frontier, and we’re thrilled to provide designers with even more tools to help them succeed. If you’re a 3D designer, we invite you to join Thangs. Let’s keep growing together!”
Moving forward, Thangs will serve as the consumer-facing brand for creators and makers, while Shapeways continues to focus on business customers. Both brands will be powered by Shapeways’ digital manufacturing engine, combining expertise in software, hardware, and post-processing solutions with agile, on-demand manufacturing capabilities.
For more information, visit the Shapeways FAQ page and their website at www.shapeways.com.
About Shapeways:
Shapeways is a leading platform that offers programmatic solutions for various manufacturing industries. By utilizing regional and agile digital manufacturing technologies, Shapeways enables its customers to bring small to medium volume production-grade parts and products to market quickly and effectively manage them throughout their lifecycle. The company strives to be a key partner in its clients’ sustainable and resilient supply chain, driving their success, innovation, and economic growth.
Shapeways offers 12 additive manufacturing technologies and a large selection of materials and finishes to a wide range of customers, from engineers to large enterprises in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, architecture, medical technology, and semiconductors. Shapeways operates according to ISO:9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001 standards.
About Thangs:
Thangs is the ultimate platform for 3D creators and enthusiasts, dedicated to empowering the global 3D printing community. Thangs hosts a robust search solution with over 24 million 3D printable models in their index and thousands of exclusives available through a membership plan.
Thangs believes in supporting creators with innovative tools, IP protection, and membership options that enable designers to earn a full-time income. With the introduction of print on demand, designers will soon be able to create even more value for their global communities.
Whether seeking inspiration, building connections, or transforming a passion into a thriving career, Thangs delivers unparalleled support at every stage. Experience the power of a truly connected 3D community with Thangs.
Press Contact:
James Woodcock
press@shapeways.com
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.