Neil van Es on Driving 3D Printing into Production – Parts on Demand Founder

This interview was first featured in AMFG’s State of the Industry Survey 2019: AM Service Providers. To download the 36‑page report, click here.

Founded in 2014 and based in the Netherlands, Parts on Demand is a 3D printing service bureau that specialises in series production, tooling, moulds and machine‑part fabrication. Automotive, automation and machine‑building applications now make up 80‑90% of its business.

We spoke with Neil van Es, Founder of Parts on Demand, about the firm’s focus on end‑part production, emerging tech trends, and the nuances of the Dutch manufacturing landscape.

Taking 3D printing to production

Neil explains that Parts on Demand “has always been laser‑focused on 3D printing for production.” While many peers began in prototyping, the company deliberately targets finished parts, harnessing the inherent complexity of additive manufacturing to deliver more efficient, high‑quality components for production lines, automotive tooling, and bridge construction.

“We’re now gradually getting to the point where 3D printing is being adopted as a production technology rather than just a means of prototyping.”

Transitioning to production, however, demands a cultural shift and market education. “The main challenge is educating customers and engineers on how to properly leverage the design freedom of 3D printing,” Neil notes. “We must demonstrate how it can create smarter, more efficient products.”

Highlighting the benefits, Neil observes that today’s manufacturing is driven by rapid technology adoption. Production runs are larger, and product lifecycles are shortening. With 3D printing, companies can quickly incorporate customer feedback into the next batch, enabling dynamic product development rather than static, long‑cycle releases.

Challenges

Production‑level use places a premium on repeatability and quality control—areas where many service bureaus still struggle. Neil explains, “While prototyping firms excel at single‑piece precision, consistency across batches remains a hurdle.” He also points to metal AM as a frontier that requires further maturation. “Metal printing is costlier and less widespread in the Netherlands, so we focus on Selective Laser Sintering for its proven efficiency.”

Looking to the future

Despite these hurdles, the industry is ripe for innovation. Neil is particularly excited about EOS’s LaserProFusion technology, which, if it delivers on promises, could transform polymer printing. He also stresses that post‑processing automation will be a key growth area, as “the real step change will come from automating the entire workflow, not just the printing phase.”

“You have to consider the whole process; many overlook that 3D printing is only part of the value chain.”

Understanding the market is crucial for service bureaus. “The Netherlands hosts a dense network of machine manufacturers and automation adopters in food, agriculture, and packaging,” Neil says. “Our work is closely tied to these sectors. In contrast, Germany’s large bureaus serve automotive and industrial goods—highlighting the need for clear market positioning.”

To learn more about Parts on Demand, visit: https://partsondemand.eu/en