The 3D printer at the Crisfield Library gives users only a taste of what's out there in this high tech field. An open house Nov. 7 at a new firm in Salisbury will showcase a lot more and also is sponsoring a contest for 3D designers as well.

SALISBURY — If you’ve ever watched or used the 3D printer in action at the Crisfield Public Library, you know this is groundbreaking technology. Now a new enterprise in Salisbury has made entering the world of 3D manufacturing and digital fabrication through rapid prototyping easier on the Lower Eastern Shore. And having a contest as part of its upcoming open house.

Revolution Labs, a new initiative of the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, assists manufacturing companies with the ability to design and bring new products to the market place through idea development, product engineering, digital design and prototype fabrication. Simply put, New Products = New Profits for the manufacturers of the Eastern Shore.

Digital fabrication allows manufacturers of any size to shape what’s next in developing future products. Through the resources of Revolution labs, businesses and entrepreneurs can achieve optimal performance and maintain a competitive edge. Per the 2014 Gartner Survey, respondents indicated that prototyping (24.5%), product development (16.1%) and innovation (11.1%) are the three most common reasons companies are pursuing 3D printing.

3D manufacturing does not impact companies alone, but also workers. Research has found that industries using 3D manufacturing account for 13% of all jobs in the U.S. — nearly 24 million people are employed in industries using 3D manufacturing and they are compensated more highly thavn other workers. The average worker in an industry using 3D processes makes nearly $95,000, compared to an average of about $73,000 over all manufacturing industries. Workers in traditional manufacturing industries make only about $57,000.

Revolution Labs aims to be a leader in digital prototyping and fabrication on the Eastern Shore, and is launching Maryland Digital Fabrication Day on Monday, Nov. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m., at hotDesks, 31901 Tri-County Way in Salisbury. The celebration includes a 3D Open House event which will feature a ribbon cutting of a new professional-grade Stratasys Dimension 1200es 3D printer, along with 3D exhibitors, manufacturers, and digital designers.

As part of the festivities on November 7th, Revolution Labs is sponsoring a 3D Design Contest. A panel of industry experts will review designs submitted online and determine the best design for 3D printing and presentation at the Open House and Ribbon Cutting event. To submit a 3D design for consideration or for more information, visit www.RevolutionLabs.org or call Bill Bernard at 443.786.4471.