BuildParts
Full-service additive manufacturing and 3D printing service bureau providing rapid prototyping, production parts, and finishing services across multiple polymer technologies
- CEO / Founder
- Mike Littrell
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $150K
- Key Investors
- No key investors found
Technology & Products
Key Products
Rapid Rigid Parts; Finishing Services; Urethane Casting; Design & Engineering Services; Marketing Models; Trade Show Displays
Technological Advantage
Over 25 years of AM experience with 1,000,000+ successful projects completed; operates 30+ industrial AM machines across FDM, SLA, SLS, PolyJet, and DLS/CLIP technologies; proprietary ABS M100 material developed in-house
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Acts as a 'free RP consulting company' that partners with clients rather than just working for them, providing comprehensive AM services from design verification to finished parts with expert guidance
How They Differentiate
Unlike larger service bureaus that focus on scale, CIDEAS emphasizes personalized 'consulting partnership' approach with clients; combines 5 different polymer AM processes with extensive finishing capabilities in one facility; 25+ years of specialized AM experience vs newer entrants
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Manufacturers, product developers, aerospace companies, medical device makers, consumer product companies, marketing agencies
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Consumer Products; Medical; Automotive; Education; Marketing & Entertainment
Competitors
Fathom Digital Manufacturing; Proto Labs; Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
1,000,000+ successful projects completed over 26 years; grew from single FDM machine in 1998 to operating 30+ industrial AM machines; recognized as world's largest independent FDM service provider in early 2010s
Major Milestones
1998: Founded with borrowed office and refurbished FDM 1650; Early 2010s: Relocated to state-of-the-art Chicago-land facility; 2012: Mike Littrell received AMUG DINO award; 2015: Recognized as McHenry County EDC Business Champion; 2025: Featured in EOS service provider spotlight with 1M+ projects completed
Notable Customers
FormulaSAE student teams (sponsored projects); Various aerospace companies (unspecified); Consumer product manufacturers (unspecified)