Life & Work with Timothy Butler of Smyrna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Butler

Hi Timothy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my business Zax Dezignz; during covid; we all remember that. I took all of my stimulus and all of my income tax and I bought one 3D printer. I had no idea what I was getting into. The first machine I bought was a Anycubic Mega X, it could print up to 13 cubic inches. About 30 days after purchasing the machine I was about to give up. I sat beside one print that took 19 hours and every layer I sat there with a putty knife making sure each layer was flat. All my previous attempts, the model had been picked up by the head called the extruder and slung all over the place and a huge spaghetti mess was created. Such a waste of time and material. Finally I was able to print Groot and then it hit me and I understood what I needed to do. From then on prints were successful. I wanted to run this business the right way so, I didn’t want to steal people’s files. I designed some but not very many at the time of starting the business. So I reached out to buy files from other creators so that I would have commercial rights and do things the right way. Upon doing so, I gathered more file types that were not related to the 3D printer. I found out that those file types were actually for other types of machines so I purchased a snapmaker a350t. This machine was capable of 3D printing, CNC, and Laser. So as I picked up these new trades and started to learn about them as well and gaining more different file types. I realized those file types would actually work for other machines, like sublimation and vinyl. Now unfortunately, I do not 3D print in resin. I found out I am allergic to it. Now I only use FDM printers. Now I have done a lot of prototype work, a lot of work for companies, I have a TikTok Showcase and I’m now on AMAZON. I have since downgraded and I do not offer sublimation or vinyl anymore. So that I can focus more on laser and 3D. Also; about 3 years ago; I added the addition of photogrammetry which is the ability to 3D scan an object and recreate it with reverse CAD. So where does this put me now, I now own a Bambu A1 a Bambu A1 Mini a Bambu X1 Carbon, a Snapmaker A350T with just the laser and 3D portions. I sold the CNC it was too slow for me. I also have had three different 3D scanners and now use the creality ferret for my photogrammetry needs. I also have an Epson 8550 sublimation machine and a cricket maker 3 and a 16×24 press. Recently; as of November 2024; I have just got my business on Amazon.

I enjoy what I do. I enjoy making people happy and I enjoy preserving memories. There was a lady who came to me a few years back with a set of plaster dipped hands in a 5 gallon bucket and it was crumbling. She asked me if I could help. It took a little over 500 hours to create two exact clones. She wanted to give one to each daughter. The hands were a father and two daughters and the father died to cancer. The people were thoroughly thrilled with the hands that I was able to give them and I enjoyed doing it so much.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I said when I first began the first 30 days with the toughest. Also when people are looking at getting a 3D printer they always ask me what’s the cheapest one what’s the best way to go. No one ever thinks about where’s the repair shop who’s going to fix it when it breaks how do I fix it these are questions that people need to ask first I had no clue of this information myself. Thank goodness for the internet and Facebook groups any hurdles that I’ve ever had I was able to overcome with the internet and these groups so far. Adhesion for 3D printing is the biggest obstacle for any 3D print operator. If the model is pulled from the plate during printing the machine does not know it most of the time. It’s a machine. Doing business the right way with license and not stealing people’s models and selling them for cheap to destroy the market has been very difficult to make a good business out of it. Also once you start doing good so many other people want to bring you down you’ve got to overlook that and keep pressing forward and pray. At least that’s what I do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for preserving people’s memories in plastic. I make what’s called a lithophane. A lithophane is a translucent, three-dimensional image that appears when lit from behind. So people can send me pictures for custom work and I can print it inside a plastic so that when you hold it up to light you’ll be able to see it as if you were looking in a photo book. I’m also a licensed manufacturer of falkor from The NeverEnding Story and The Rock biter and his bicycle the steamroller. Thirdly I’m also known for doing illusions. In a 3D print world most of these Illusions are called Ambigrams. An ambigram is a word or design that can be read in different ways, depending on the perspective or orientation. So if you were to give me two words with the same number of characters in each word, I could 3D print you a centerpiece for your coffee table. So that when you walk in you would read one word and when you walk out you would read another.

My business is also known for Recycling waste. Every time my 3D printer changes colors, It creates waste. I melt this back down Into other objects. Also, when I do laser cuts, I use the scrap wood and I cut stuff out of the scrap like earrings, words, or crosses. You can find my jars of scrap wood on Amazon. I have jars of joy and some other Prank stuff.

What sets me apart from others, my heart, my willingness to try, and my willingness to listen and make my customers happy.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When I first started 3D printing, I had no clue that I was going to be the repairman. It didn’t even pass my mind as to what I would do if the machine broke. It’s not always about how cheap the machine is or how cheap the material is, you get what you pay for. But remember; when you pay for something; make sure you have all the knowledge too. There are no 3D print repair shops. There should be.. what a great idea, someone should invest in that.

Pricing:

• Models are listed on Amazon
• Pricing for custom work is per customer

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ZaxDezignz.com