Korneel 3D Services: Enhancing Business Growth with UltiMaker 3D Printing

^{With 30 UltiMaker 3D printers, Korneel is able to effectively run a successful 3D printing service desk.}

Korneel Bullens started using UltiMaker in 2013 when the company released its first desktop 3D printer, the Ultimaker 2. What started as a personal hobby soon turned into a business thanks to a collaboration with UltiMaker and Protolabs Network by Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs). This venture became proof not only of the reliability of UltiMaker 3D printers, but also of the viability of 3D printing as a profitable business.

Uninterrupted reliability with UltiMaker

Working with approximately 30 UltiMaker S Series 3D printers, Korneel certifies their consistent performance and minimal technical requirements. This reliability becomes a priceless commodity: time. By choosing UltiMaker, Korneel can focus on the strategic aspects of its business rather than the mundane tasks of printer maintenance.

“Every hour I have to spend on a printer is an expensive hour. If I have a printer that just works and keeps working, it gives me so much flexibility with my time,” he notes. "There are printers that print for five years straight - and they just work."

^{Digital Factory enables the print farm to run efficiently.}

Korneel's army of UltiMaker 3D printers runs on a 24/7 schedule, with its 12 S5 models running almost non-stop for years. Recent additions to the UltiMaker S7 3D printers reflect the durability and reliability of UltiMaker printers.

“The main reason I chose UltiMaker and why I will stick with UltiMaker is that we achieve 99.5% reliability. If I hit print there is almost no chance it will fail. I haven't been able to match that with other brands,” Korneel continued.

Achieving 90%+ operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact

“Our goal is to run 90/90—90% from the printers through 90% from the time. There are better months and worse months. But overall, we accomplished more than that,” Korneel said. He used the reliability of UltiMaker to achieve impressive operational efficiency, positioning his business for scalability without drowning in printer maintenance.

To efficiently manage their busy print farm, Korneel relies on UltiMaker's Digital Factory. The platform streamlines its 3D printing operations by providing information about each printer – status updates on print jobs, materials, history and more. Compliance with laws, especially European data regulations such as GDPR, is also an important consideration, and Digital Factory and UltiMaker provide the necessary safeguards.

Environmental sustainability is another major focus point for Korneel. It has a 69 kilowatt solar system on its roof. His business runs entirely on solar energy and uses recyclable materials such as PETG and plant-based PLA. Korneel also works with a material supplier that runs entirely on solar power, which is important because he uses 40-60 kilograms of filament per week. This conscious decision is not only in line with ethical considerations, but also opens up conversations with customers who prioritize environmental practices.

^{Korneel has a 69 kW solar panel system on its roof and runs its 3D printers entirely on solar power.}

"We believe it's important to think about our environmental impact as a company," Korneel said. “We still produce plastic, but less plastic is better than more plastic. If you're producing plastic—and we still have to because we use it in our daily lives—just think about the impact you're making. It is very easy to use recyclable materials or materials that do not originate from petroleum. For example, one of the products we have from our supplier is entirely made from waste materials from the manufacturing process. The color isn't pretty, but for most of our customers, the color of the print doesn't matter.”

Using the full potential of 3D printing

Korneel works with a wide range of companies, producing parts for companies such as Sessy (home batteries), DATO Duo (musical instruments), Happy Pot (sustainable flower pots) and others. The flexibility of 3D printing enables them to quickly adapt to changes in supply chains and meet the demands of their customers.

^{Some of Korneels' customers, like Happy Pots, prefer to work with companies that support environmental sustainability.}

"We need to see 3D printing as part of a journey," Korneel said. “And that's one of the nice things about 3D printing and one of the reasons I'm still happy to partner with Protolabs Network by Hubs. If you're a small company with a fantastic idea and want to bring it to market, one of the nice things that 3D printing can do – and that Protolabs Network facilitates – is take you on that journey to manufacturing as well.”

^{Parts printed for DATO Duo}

Robin, 3D Printing Supply Chain Manager, Protolabs Network by Hubs, commented: “We are proud to share that Korneel is one of our key manufacturing partners in the Netherlands. He has been an integral part of our FDM business in the EU for nearly 10 years and has made a notable contribution to improving our on-time delivery record. Over the years, Korneel's dedication and hard work has enabled him to achieve one of the best on-time delivery records within the European supplement network. This is especially remarkable considering that he handles a large volume of orders on a monthly basis as a 1-person company. Korneel's commitment to excellence is a cornerstone of our success in the Netherlands, and we are grateful for his contribution to the Protolabs Network by Hubs. We congratulate him on this outstanding achievement and look forward to his future success.”

Korneel's journey with UltiMaker is a testament to the impact of reliable, efficient and scalable 3D printing solutions on business growth. From hobbyist to entrepreneur, Korneel demonstrates how strategic choices in technology combined with sustainability initiatives can not only create thriving businesses, but also discover new business ideas.

If these successes have inspired you and you want to realize your ideas, do not hesitate to contact us from the team at 3MG Bonev Ltd. We stock UltiMaker 3D printers, we can make samples for you, we can train you, and as a licensed UltiMaker supplier, you can purchase 3D printers from us, receiving warranty and post-warranty service. Contact us at:

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