E3D products are available to customers in over 50 countries, and our dedicated global network of sales partners helps make it happen. We spoke to VP of Product and Technology and "face" of MatterHackers: Dave Gaylord!
It’s Dave Gaylord from MatterHackers!
Hello Dave! Tell us about yourself...
Hey, I’m Dave from MatterHackers and we’re located in sunny southern California. I oversee the product portfolio for all of MatterHackers, and our webshop. We were founded in 2012 and really started with software. MatterControl was the first thing that was created here at MatterHackers, even before our webshop. After that, we decided to sell a spool here, a spool there, a couple of accessories – like E3D accessories. Then finally hardware, and we’ve been growing ever since.
“I’m so proud MatterHackers is partners with E3D. I think together we’ve been able to bring these European-made products to the US market, distribute them widely, and make some really great content and tutorials about how to use them.”
How did you get into 3D printing and how did you become aware of E3D?
I have been 3D printing for almost 20 years now! I learned in college, I was doing a mechanical engineering program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and had a project I needed to 3D print to succeed with it. That’s where I was introduced to it. As for desktop 3D printing, I was introduced to it in 2011 – 2012. I started building kits and slapping on accessories, things like that.
I became aware of E3D because in those days, all HotEnds were terrible, and I found the E3D HotEnd that Sanjay was machining in some garage somewhere early on. I tried to get it shipped over from Europe (that took five or six weeks!) in 2012 - 2013.
“I would recommend E3D because of their product consistency and high bar for quality. It’s amazing to know they’ve spent so much time on inner nozzle diameters, getting them so smooth – that’s not an easy thing to machine!”
Which E3D products are most popular with your customers?
The most popular E3D products with MatterHackers customers include the E3D V6: something that’s amazingly reliable and needs very little tuning, and easy to slap on almost any machine. Beyond that there’s the extrusion systems themselves: Hemera is a great way to improve your printing and performance out of any 3D printer.
Hemera by E3D – An integrated extruder HotEnd
“Hemera is a great way to improve your printing and performance out of any 3D printer.”
Which customers would you recommend E3D products to and why?
I would recommend E3D products to anyone who thinks their HotEnd or extrusion system could use a little bit more punch, a little bit more reliability, a little bit more breadth of materials. Many machines have great systems right off the bat – I don’t think it’s worth tinkering with the ones that are really well dialled in – but anything you think needs just a little bit of a step in the right direction, even if it’s just a different style nozzle, for example, the Nozzle X is a great way to expand the breadth of materials that you can 3D print with, then it’s really worth it.
What’s the benefit of partnering with E3D?
I’m so proud MatterHackers is partners with E3D. I think together we’ve been able to bring these European-made products to the US market, distribute them widely, and make some really great content and tutorials about how to use them, which is beneficial for users who use E3D components.
In your opinion, what’s the best thing about working in the 3D printing industry?
I personally love working in the 3D printing community, being able to provide things that teachers are using to teach young students. I think of mini Dave running around in third or fourth grade. If I knew 3D printing was available then, it really would have changed my life. I found a path through mechanical engineering, and I think the more technology we can introduce to younger students, that is just such a helpful thing. I love distributing that knowledge and getting this technology widely adopted.
Most important question: when things are back to normal, when can you visit us and what drink can we get you?
When things open, which they’re beginning to in Southern California anyhow, I very much look forward to travelling more broadly and grabbing a beer with Sanjay!
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E3D develop advanced, cost-effective, user-focused extrusion system hardware for FFF 3D printing, and we know the fundamental physics of extrusion systems better than anyone. Want to resell our products? Partner with us and set your customers up for 3D printing success.