I was pretty busy with my university job in the last weeks, and so I missed this really interesting story that Springwise reported last week, but that has been around some weeks longer. It is a nice example for this blog as it perfectly mixes its two main trends: mass customization and open (source) innovation:
Adafruit offers custom laser etching of laptops, iPods, phones, cameras and more. Among the hip tech set, laser etching is a next step--somewhere after stickers and custom Timbuk2 laptop messenger bags—focusing on personal flair on top of a laptop, not just it screen (how cool is that: synchronize your desktop image with your laptop case).
Adafruit currently operates in New York and is planning to set up a location in San Francisco early this year. Customers can have a small gadget etched for USD 30, and a laptop for USD 100. Bulk rates and services are available to businesses. To open such a business, is not too difficult: Just get an etching machine, some training and let the crowd come. And it is even easier.
Adafruit is a company with an open source business model: It freely shares its business model with other entrepreneurs interested in setting up a customization shop. The company was launched by Phillip Torrone, senior editor of Make magazine, and Limor Fried. The laser etching machine used by Adafruit is an Epilog, priced at around USD 20,000 and capable of doing highly detailed etching (1200 dpi). If a group of interested etchers organizes in a group to buy the machines in a larger batch, they should be able to make a head start by getting the machine's price down.
So f you're interested in setting up your own laser etching business, contact Adafruit at [email protected].
More information:
Video: one.revver.com/watch/122276
http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-6143072.html
http://www.techmeme.com/061212/p70#a061212p70
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