Our team at Filaments.ca has the privilege to work with so many amazing makers and companies across Canada. To help give back to the community that supports us, we’re starting a Spotlight series to showcase great Makers and small businesses.
Our first feature in the series is Edward Van Zyl, the Founder of Dreamworks 3D Printing and Scanning out of Winnipeg. If you’d like to be featured, submit your story here to reach our 62,000 email subscribers from across the country.
Beyond the Hobby: Industrial 3D Printing as a Custom Manufacturing Solution
Most people still think 3D printing is for toys and random gadgets. But today, it’s one of the fastest ways to solve real problems—especially when a part is discontinued, too expensive to source, or would take weeks to manufacture traditionally.
At Dreamworks 3D Printing & Scanning, we use 3D printing as a custom solution tool and produce hundreds of parts for customers every month. That means fast turnaround, real-world durability, and the ability to print on demand—so businesses don’t need to keep large inventories sitting on a shelf.
4 Real-World 3D Printing Case Studies
1. Automotive Restoration: 3D Scanning & Redesigning a Jaguar Interior
A customer needed a custom center console for a Jaguar. We 3D scanned the original, used it as a template, redesigned it with upgrades like coin pockets, then had it upholstered to match the interior. The result looked factory—just better.
2. Massive ROI: Saving $240,000/Year by Swapping Metal for 3D Printed ASA
One customer had a part that normally required plasma cutting, bending, welding, sanding, and painting—costing about $135 in aluminum. We replaced it with a 3D printed ASA part for about $35, keeping the function while cutting cost and complexity massively.
The best part? They use around 200 of these parts per month, so that one change created roughly $20,000/month in extra profit — that’s $240,000/year in profit from a single improvement.
3. Custom Medical Solutions: Using the EINSTAR VEGA for a Precision-Fit TPU Harness
A dog needed a harness solution that didn’t exist off-the-shelf. We 3D scanned the dog using an EINSTAR VEGA, designed a custom-fit harness, and printed it in TPU for flexibility, comfort, and durability.
4. Precision Reverse Engineering: Manufacturing Obsolete Trim for Custom Builds
A custom-built car needed trim pieces that were missing—and traditional manufacturing would’ve been difficult and expensive. We 3D scanned the exact areas, designed the trim to fit perfectly, and 3D printed parts that made it easy for the upholstery team to tuck leather cleanly around the windshield, rear window, and interior panels.
The Strategic Advantage: Solving Supply Chain Issues with Print on Demand
3D printing lets you go from problem → solution fast. No waiting on overseas shipping, no minimum order quantities, and no need to stockpile parts. If you’ve got something broken, missing, discontinued, or custom—we can scan it, design it, and manufacture it.
Pricing: It’s More Affordable Than You Think
Custom doesn’t always mean expensive. For example, the Jaguar center console project (including 3D scanning + design + 1–2 prototypes) was $330, and the final 3D printed part was only $140. That’s $470 total for a fully custom center console piece — designed, improved, and made to fit.
If you have a project in mind, reach out and we’ll help you figure out the best material, finish, and fastest way to get it done. Send your request to info@d3d.ca