What 3D Hub does

3D Hub is a New Zealand-based mechanical product design firm headquartered in Mount Eden, Auckland, founded in 2006 by Craig Russell. The company provides an integrated suite of 3D scanning, reverse engineering, product design, finite element analysis (FEA), and low-volume manufacturing services to primarily New Zealand-based businesses across diverse industries including marine, automotive, beekeeping, construction materials, agriculture, and design/architecture. Its service portfolio spans the full product development lifecycle from concept and prototyping through tooling and small-batch production.

The firm's technical platform combines the MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner, Siemens Solid Edge CAD software, FEA simulation tools, and in-house manufacturing capabilities including MJF PA12 Nylon 3D printing, injection molding, and CNC machining. It also operates two adjacent lines: the 3D Hub App (a self-service instant 3D printing quote platform) and 3D Hub Software (Siemens Solid Edge consulting). Notable project work includes America's Cup AC75 mast head units, microphone mounts, and media stands, as well as products for clients such as Ceracell, ZeroJet, Cleva Pods, Stevens Group, Visor Distributors, and Cornwall Park.

3D Hub operates a sales-led, project-based professional services model with quote-based pricing, free initial consultations, and direct customer engagement. Revenue is generated through five primary streams: 3D scanning and reverse engineering services, product and mechanical design, low-volume manufacturing, FEA simulation services, and Solid Edge software consulting. The firm serves a heterogeneous customer base of SMBs, startups, micro-businesses, one enterprise client, and one government client, with repeat business and referrals serving as the primary demand-generation channel alongside LinkedIn presence, website case studies, and trade show appearances.

Name

3D Hub

Legal name

3D HUB Ltd

Website

https://3dhub.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

3D Hub is a New Zealand-based product design firm offering integrated 3D scanning, reverse engineering, CAD design, FEA simulation, and low-volume manufacturing services to primarily Kiwi SMBs, startups, and select enterprise clients across marine, automotive, and industrial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Design and Prototyping Services

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rapid Tooling & Prototype Molds (Additive) (IMAAAFAD)

Keywords

• 3D scanning services
• Reverse engineering
• Product design
• Low volume manufacturing
• Finite element analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering Services: Project-based revenue from providing 3D scanning services using MetraSCAN 3D scanner, including post-processing, CAD model generation, and reverse engineering. Customers pay for scanning projects with deliverables including digital CAD models and comprehensive reports.
2. Product and Mechanical Design: Design services including concept development, benchmarking, prototyping, design optimization, and manufacturing support. Revenue generated through project fees and design consulting engagements.
3. Low Volume Manufacturing: Manufacturing services including 3D printing, injection molding, and CNC machining for small batches. Customers receive finished parts or components, with pricing based on quantity and manufacturing process used. Offers 'a few hundred units' production capability.
4. Finite Element Analysis Services: Engineering simulation and analysis services for structural, thermal, fluid flow, and vibration analysis. Revenue from consulting-style project engagements.
5. Software Consulting (Solid Edge): Consulting services for Siemens Solid Edge software solutions, assisting businesses with CAD, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, and data management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

3D Hub is a New Zealand-based product development services company that provides 3D scanning and reverse engineering using a MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner, mechanical and product design, finite element analysis (FEA), and low-volume manufacturing services including 3D printing, injection molding, and CNC machining. The company helps businesses take products from concept through design validation to small-batch production.

Product overview

3D Hub is a New Zealand-based service company offering a comprehensive suite of 3D scanning, product design, and manufacturing services. The core offerings include 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering (using MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner), Product and Mechanical Design, Low Volume Manufacturing (encompassing 3D Printing, Injection Molding, and CNC Machining), and Finite Element Analysis (covering structural, thermal, fluid flow, and vibration analysis). The company also provides adjacent services through 3D Hub Software for Solid Edge consulting and the 3D Hub App for instant 3D print quotes. This integrated approach allows 3D Hub to support customers through the entire product development journey from concept to manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 3D Hub Software: Software division providing Siemens Solid Edge solutions and consulting services.

Products and services

• 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering Professional 3D scanning services using a MetraSCAN 3D optical CMM scanner to capture physical objects as digital CAD models, combined with reverse engineering to analyze and recreate designs. Includes post-processing such as artifact removal, hole filling, data cleaning, alignment, and merging, plus surface laying for CAD model generation.
• Product and Mechanical Design End-to-end product design services including concept development, benchmarking, styling, prototyping, design optimization, and manufacturing support. Uses the Priority Rocket process for prioritizing product requirements to reduce time-to-market delays.
• Low Volume Manufacturing Small-batch production capabilities including 3D printing (MJF PA12 Nylon), injection molding, CNC machining, and urethane casting with over-molded threaded inserts. Supports production of a few hundred units and includes marine-grade manufacturing using aluminium, carbon fiber, and CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminium.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Engineering simulation services covering structural analysis, thermal analysis, fluid flow analysis, and vibration analysis to validate product behavior under different conditions before committing to manufacturing.
• 3D Hub Software (Solid Edge Consulting) Consulting services for Siemens Solid Edge software covering CAD, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, and data management for New Zealand businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Poor product definition is a factor in 80% of all time-to-market delays
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• ZeroJetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner3D Hub partnered with ZeroJet, an electric propulsion system manufacturer, to design and manufacture intake components for their jet tender systems. The partnership involved reviewing intake design, recommending materials, manufacturing small volumes with urethane casting and over-molded threaded inserts, and designing a grate with stainless steel bars and urethane ends for the jet propulsion system. This represents a mutual collaboration between two Kiwi businesses for inventive product design.
• Siemens (Solid Edge)supportingTechnology or Integration3D Hub is a Siemens software solutions partner, promoting Solid Edge CAD software which includes mechanical design, electrical design, simulation, manufacturing, technical publications, and data management capabilities. They assist customers with Solid Edge software information and solutions, positioning themselves as a resource for Siemens CAD software needs.
• America's Cup TeamsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner3D Hub worked on multiple America's Cup projects including AC75 boats, creating mast head units (MHU) for housing electronics, microphone mounts for harsh marine environments, and media stands for audio/video/telemetry processing. Components needed to be lightweight, waterproof, and aerodynamic. Collaboration with experts worldwide for design and engineering of complex marine components.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Formero: Australia-based 3D printing and rapid prototyping service bureau serving the Australasian market. Closest regional peer to 3D Hub in terms of geography, customer profile, and on-demand service model.

Broad incumbents

• 3D Systems: Established global player offering 3D printers, materials, software, and on-demand manufacturing services. Comparable as a broad incumbent covering the same 3D scanning, design, and production stack 3D Hub addresses, but at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Protolabs: On-demand manufacturer offering 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication with automated quoting. Comparable to 3D Hub across the same core manufacturing services plus more formalized digital workflow.
• Materialise: 3D printing service bureau and software provider offering industrial-grade additive manufacturing and CAD workflow tools. Comparable as a service bureau plus software stack similar in spirit to 3D Hub's Solid Edge consulting arm.
• Fictiv: Digital manufacturing platform providing instant quotes and on-demand production in 3D printing, CNC, injection molding, and sheet metal. Directly comparable to 3D Hub's instant-quote app and low-volume manufacturing services.
• Shapeways: Online 3D printing service bureau offering on-demand production across multiple additive technologies. Comparable as a 3D printing service provider serving SMB and individual customers with self-service ordering.
• Hubs: Global on-demand manufacturing platform connecting customers with 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding service providers. Highly comparable to 3D Hub's low-volume manufacturing and instant-quote model, though at vastly greater geographic scale.
• Stratasys Direct Manufacturing: Service bureau arm of Stratasys providing on-demand 3D printing in polyjet, FDM, and SLS technologies. Directly comparable to 3D Hub's 3D printing service offering, particularly the MJF PA12 Nylon capability.
• Xometry: AI-driven on-demand manufacturing marketplace spanning 3D printing, CNC, injection molding, and sheet metal. Directly comparable service mix to 3D Hub's low-volume manufacturing offering, scaled via a marketplace model.
• Quickparts: On-demand manufacturer offering CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and urethane casting with rapid quoting. Highly comparable service mix to 3D Hub's low-volume manufacturing capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInnz.linkedin.com/company/3d-hub-limited
• Facebookfacebook.com/3dHubLtd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3D Hub