Ponoko
Encyclopedia
Ponoko is an online service for manufacturing. It gained some considerable media attention because of its unique business model. Ponoko is one of the first manufacturers that uses distributed manufacturing and on-demand manufacturing.
, and applies it to digital fabrication. Customers who have digital designs can contract with Ponoko, and sell their objects either via the Ponoko site, or their own retail outlets. Ponoko takes orders, and has it cut at the time of purchase by laser cutters or shop-bots (CNC milling machines). The manufacturers exist in a distributed network that is growing around the world, and often the manufacturer closest to the customer is sourced. While Ponoko uses desktop manufacturers to produce small-scale products, many believe that such distributed, on-demand manufacturing could create a major paradigm shift
in manufacturing. As of 2009, the Ponoko site had 20,000 items available.
In 2011 Autodesk announced a partnership with Ponoko as part of their 123D
offering. Late in 2011 Autodesk announced the launch of 123D Make and 123D Catch offerings using Ponoko Personal FactoryTM to offer fabrication services to users of these tools.
Distribution Model
Ponoko builds on the success of the information ageInformation Age
The Information Age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Digital Age, is an idea that the current age will be characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult or impossible to find previously...
, and applies it to digital fabrication. Customers who have digital designs can contract with Ponoko, and sell their objects either via the Ponoko site, or their own retail outlets. Ponoko takes orders, and has it cut at the time of purchase by laser cutters or shop-bots (CNC milling machines). The manufacturers exist in a distributed network that is growing around the world, and often the manufacturer closest to the customer is sourced. While Ponoko uses desktop manufacturers to produce small-scale products, many believe that such distributed, on-demand manufacturing could create a major paradigm shift
Paradigm shift
A Paradigm shift is, according to Thomas Kuhn in his influential book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions , a change in the basic assumptions, or paradigms, within the ruling theory of science...
in manufacturing. As of 2009, the Ponoko site had 20,000 items available.
History
Ponoko was founded by David ten Have and Derek Elley in 2007. In September 2007 they launched the company at TechCrunch 40. In 2009, Ponoko formed a relationship with 100K Garages, a decentralized network of shop-bot manufacturers in North America. In 2010, Ponoko began forming similar relationships and opening offices in Europe in partnership with local manufacturing services Formulor, Vectorealism and RazorLab.In 2011 Autodesk announced a partnership with Ponoko as part of their 123D
Autodesk 123D
Autodesk 123Dis a hobbyist CAD and modelling tool created by Autodesk. It is similar in scope to Google Sketchup and based upon Autodesk's Inventor product range....
offering. Late in 2011 Autodesk announced the launch of 123D Make and 123D Catch offerings using Ponoko Personal FactoryTM to offer fabrication services to users of these tools.