Patent Publication Number: US-9898776-B2

Title: Providing services related to item delivery via 3D manufacturing on demand

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part Application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/799,877, filed Mar. 13, 2013, issued to U.S. Pat. No. 9,159,106 on Oct. 13, 2015, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING PRODUCTS ON DEMAND, which is a Division of U.S. Pat. No. 8,412,588, filed Sep. 24, 2010 and issued on Apr. 2, 2013, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING PRODUCTS ON DEMAND,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     This application is also related to and incorporates by reference for all purposes the full disclosure of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,119, filed Nov. 8, 2013, entitled “ITEM DELIVERY USING 3D MANUFACTURING ON DEMAND,” co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,128, filed Nov. 8, 2013, entitled “VENDOR INTERFACE FOR ITEM DELIVERY VIA 3D MANUFACTURING ON DEMAND,” co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,133, filed Nov. 8, 2013, entitled “FULFILLMENT OF ORDERS FOR ITEMS USING 3D MANUFACTURING ON DEMAND,” and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/076,135, filed Nov. 8, 2013, entitled “CUSTOMIZATION AND OTHER FEATURES FOR ITEM DELIVERY VIA 3D MANUFACTURING ON DEMAND”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In the modern age of e-commerce, many items are bought or sold electronically. To facilitate such an electronic transaction, a service provider may provide a network site or other electronic marketplace through which a customer can select and order an item. The item may be one of many items offered by the electronic marketplace. The electronic marketplace may have systems for identifying the selected item and ensuring that it is delivered to the customer. The multiplicity of items offered may require the electronic marketplace owner/operator to maintain a large inventory requiring sufficient space to store the inventory. An electronic marketplace may also face the challenge of time delays related to the process of finding the selected item among a large inventory. Increased space to store additional inventory may raise costs for the electronic marketplace. Additionally, time delays between receiving an order and shipping the item to the customer may reduce customer satisfaction and affect revenues generated. Accordingly, an electronic marketplace may find it desirable to decrease the amount of warehouse or inventory storage space needed, to reduce the amount of time consumed between receiving an order and delivering the item to the customer, or both. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing an example system for providing one or more Manufactured-On-Demand (MOD) items to users via computer systems of a service provider in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram depicting an illustrative system or architecture in which techniques for providing one or more MOD items to users via computer systems may be implemented in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart representing a process for providing MOD items to users in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example order module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by the order module for receiving an order of a user for a MOD item in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example supplier interface module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by the supplier interface module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example manufacture module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by the manufacture module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram depicting aspects of an example delivery module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by the delivery module in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system to perform a first example delivery method in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system to perform a second example delivery method in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system to perform a third example delivery method in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system to perform a fourth example delivery method in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system to perform a fifth example delivery method in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for distributing MOD items on behalf of suppliers in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for determining the manner in which an item is provided to a user in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for associating environmental offsets with suppliers that utilize systems of a service provider to distribute MOD items to users in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 20  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for providing the designs and 3-Dimensional (3D) manufacturing apparatuses for producing MOD items in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 21  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for providing designs for producing MOD items in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an example of a network page providing options for selecting design services, 3D manufacturing services, and/or design and 3D manufacturing services in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 23  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order for an item in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 24  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item is an option on an item detail page in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 25  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item is a shipping option in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates an example of a network page showing a shipping page for a purchased item showing a first delivery option not including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions and a second delivery option including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 27  is a flow chart representing a process that can be executed by a system for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item is an option associated with a time and/or cost in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates an example of a network page showing an item detail page for an item showing a first option associated with a first price, a first time of delivery, and a first delivery method not involving manufacturing the first item based on 3D manufacturing instructions and second option associated with a second price, a second time of delivery, and a second delivery method involving manufacturing the second item based on 3D manufacturing instructions in accordance with embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates an environment in which various embodiments can be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
     Introduction 
     Techniques described herein include systems for providing items manufactured on demand to users. For example, a user can submit an order for an item offered in an electronic marketplace and request that the item be manufactured on demand by a manufacturing apparatus, e.g., a three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing apparatus. As may be appreciated, the term “manufacture” connotes production of a physical object. A service provider system can receive the order and access instructions for manufacturing the item by a manufacturing apparatus. The service provider system may interact with one or more suppliers to obtain the manufacturing instructions. The service provider system can provide the manufacturing instructions to the user so that the user can make the ordered item using the user&#39;s own manufacturing apparatus. Alternatively, the service provider system can utilize the manufacturing instructions to make the ordered item using a manufacturing apparatus maintained by the service provider. The item made on the manufacturing apparatus maintained by the service provider can be delivered to the user or to a location for pick-up by the user based on instructions provided by the service provider system. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example system  100  for providing one or more Manufactured-On-Demand (MOD) items  110  to users  102  via computer systems  106  of a service provider  101 . A user  102  can submit an order  104  via computer systems  106  of the service provider  101 . The computer systems  106  of the service provider  101  can provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to have the ordered item manufactured by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  as a MOD item  110 . In some aspects, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may include a 3D printer or some other on-demand 3D manufacturing apparatus(es)  108  described herein. 
     The 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may utilize any manufacturing technique that can be used to produce a three-dimensional physical object based on the 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . Both additive and subtractive manufacturing processes can be utilized. For example, manufacturing techniques can include fused deposition modeling, electron beam freeform fabrication, direct metal laser sintering, electron beam melting, selective laser melting, selective heat sintering, selective laser sintering, laminated object manufacturing, stereo lithography, digital light processing, and any 3D printing, including plaster-based, powder bed, and inkjet head 3D printing. Manufacturing techniques may also include automation of machine tools based on a digital model such as in computer numerical control (or CNC) techniques. 
     The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can include any type of data and/or instructions that can be used by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to make an item. The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can include any data or instructions utilized in producing a physical object based on a digital model or data of the object. In one example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may include combinations of dimensions, tolerances, and/or other part specifications that sufficiently describe the attributes of an item such that the item can be physically produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . In another example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may include digital models such as may be provided by Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) files or files for computer modeling programs. In another example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may include files in STL, PLY, or VRML formats, to name a few. In another example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may also include files representing cross sections of digital models referenced for building physical models one layer at a time. In another example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may also include executable code providing specific sequential instructions for controlling a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce a physical object. 
     In embodiments, the computer systems  106  of the service provider  101  can provide for an electronic marketplace. An electronic marketplace can be a virtual market for buyers and sellers implemented through a network. An electronic marketplace can provide an interface for sellers such that a plurality of sellers can provide items to be listed for consumption in the virtual market. An electronic marketplace can also provide an interface for buyers such that buyers may select and order from among the listed items. In embodiments, buyers and sellers can include users  102  and suppliers  103 . For example, users  102  can submit orders  104  for items listed in the electronic marketplace. In embodiments, the suppliers  103  can provide physical items for fulfilling orders  104  and/or the suppliers  103  can provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  (as at  105 ) that can be used to produce order-fulfilling MOD items  110  on-demand via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . In embodiments, orders  104  by users  102  for items can be fulfilled by providing a MOD item  110  or by providing a non-MOD item. In embodiments, the service provider  101  can also be a supplier  103 . 
     In embodiments, the service provider  101  can instruct delivery of the MOD item  110  to the users  102 . One or more delivery options may be provided by the service provider  101 . In one aspect, the MOD item  110  may be delivered via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  owned by the user  102 , as at  112 . For example, the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can be provided directly to the user  102 , and the MOD item  110  may be produced, using the 3D manufacturing instructions  107 , on a 3D printer at the home or office of the user  102 . In other aspects, a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  not owned or controlled by the user  102 , but owned or controlled by or otherwise accessible to the service provider  101 , may produce the MOD item  110  using the 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . As a non-limiting example, the MOD item  110  can be produced and stored at a pickup location for the user  102  to retrieve at the convenience of the user  102 , as at  114 . As another non-limiting example, the MOD item  110  can be printed or manufactured—for example using a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  located in a warehouse or on a truck owned by the service provider  101 —and then delivered to the user  102  according to delivery instructions provided by the user  102 , as at  116 . 
     An illustrative example of the operation of the system  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  follows. A faucet handle breaks off while a person (the user  102  in this illustrative example) is cleaning up after dinner, making adjustment of the water pressure/temperature difficult. The user  102  utilizes his or her smartphone to access an electronic marketplace network page (provided by the computer systems  106  of a service provider  101  in this example). The user  102  locates the replacement faucet handle on the network page, and places an order (i.e.,  104  in  FIG. 1 ) for the faucet handle, requesting remote pick-up. Upon completing the order  104 , the user  102  departs for the pick-up location indicated by the website. Meanwhile, the computer systems  106  retrieve a digital 3D model of the faucet handle from a database maintained by the original vendor of the faucet (i.e., interact with a supplier  103  at  105  to obtain 3D manufacturing instructions  107 ). The computer systems  106  then convert the 3D model into printing instructions for a 3D printer (i.e., the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  for the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 ). The printing instructions are used to produce the faucet handle as a MOD item  110  by a 3D printer located at a storage facility while the user  102  is en route. The MOD item  110  is picked up (i.e.,  114 ) by the user  102  and immediately installed to replace the broken faucet handle, thereby quickly resolving the faucet issue. 
     System Architecture 
       FIG. 2  depicts an illustrative system or architecture  200  in which techniques for providing one or more MOD items  110  to users  102  via computer systems  106  may be implemented. In architecture  200 , one or more users  102  may utilize user computing devices  204 ( 1 )-(N) (collectively, user devices  204 ) to access a browser application  206  (e.g., a web browser) or a user interface (UI) accessible through the browser application  206 , via one or more networks  212 . The “browser application”  206  can be any browser control or native application that can access and display a network page or other information. In some aspects, the browser application  206  may be hosted, managed, and/or provided by a computing resources service or service provider, such as by utilizing one or more service provider computers  216 . The one or more service provider computers  216  may, in some examples, provide computing resources such as, but not limited to, client entities, low latency data storage, durable data storage, data access, management, virtualization, hosted-computing-system-based software solutions, electronic content performance management, etc. The one or more service provider computers  216  may also be operable to provide web or network hosting, computer application development, and/or implementation platforms, combinations of the foregoing, or the like to the one or more users  102 . 
     In one illustrative configuration, the user devices  204  may include at least one memory  208  and one or more processing units or processor(s)  210 . The processor(s)  210  may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processor(s)  210  may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The user devices  204  may also include geo-location devices (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) device or the like) for providing and/or recording geographic location information associated with the user devices  204 . 
     The memory  208  may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor(s)  210 , as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of user device  204 , the memory  208  may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.). The user device  204  may also include additional removable storage and/or non-removable storage including, but not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks, and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory  208  may include multiple different types of memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or ROM. 
     Turning to the components of the memory  208  in more detail, the memory  208  may include an operating system and one or more application programs or services for implementing the features disclosed herein via the browser application  206  or dedicated applications (e.g., smart phone applications, tablet applications, etc.). The browser application  206  may be configured to receive, store, and/or display a website, a link to an electronic marketplace, or other interface for interacting with the one or more service provider computers  216 . Additionally, the memory  208  may store access credentials and/or other user information such as, but not limited to, user IDs, passwords, and/or other user information. In some examples, the user information may include information for authenticating an account such as, but not limited to, a device ID, a cookie, an IP address, a location, or the like. In addition, the user information may include a user  102  provided response to a security question or a geographic location obtained by the user device  204 . 
     In some examples, the networks  212  may include any one or a combination of many different types of networks, such as cable networks, the Internet, wireless networks, cellular networks and other private and/or public networks. While the illustrated example represents the users  102  accessing the browser application  206  over the networks  212 , the described techniques may equally apply in instances where the users  102  interact with the one or more service provider computers  216  via the one or more user devices  204  over a landline phone, via a kiosk, or in any other manner. It is also noted that the described techniques may apply in other client/server arrangements (e.g., set-top boxes, etc.), as well as in non-client/server arrangements (e.g., locally stored applications, etc.). 
     As described briefly above, the browser application  206  may allow the users  102  to interact with the one or more service provider computers  216  (e.g., the computer systems  106  of the service provider  101 ), such as to access content like webpages or network pages. The one or more service provider computers  216 , perhaps arranged in a cluster of servers or as a server farm, may host the browser application  206  and/or cloud-based software services. Other server architectures may also be used to host the browser application  206  and/or cloud-based software services. The browser application  206  may be capable of handling requests from many users  102  and serving, in response, various user interfaces that can be rendered at the user devices  204  such as, but not limited to, a webpage, a website, network site, or network page. The browser application  206  can interact with any type of website or network site that supports user interaction, including social networking sites, electronic retailers, informational sites, blog sites, search engine sites, news and entertainment sites, and so forth. The described techniques can similarly be implemented outside of the browser application  206 , such as with other applications running on the user device  204 . 
     The one or more service provider computers  216  may be any type of computing device such as, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server computer, electronic book (e-book) reader, a thin-client device, a tablet PC, etc. Additionally, it should be noted that in some embodiments, the one or more service provider computers  216  may be executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in a hosted computing environment. The hosted computing environment may include one or more rapidly provisioned and released computing resources, which computing resources may include computing, networking, and/or storage devices. A hosted computing environment may also be referred to as a cloud computing environment. In some examples, the one or more service provider computers  216  may be in communication with the user device  204  via the networks  212 , or via other network connections. The one or more service provider computers  216  may include one or more servers, perhaps arranged in a cluster or as individual servers not associated with one another. The one or more service provider computers  216  may be in communication with one or more third party computers  214  via networks  212 . The one or more service provider computers  216  that host the browser application  206  may obtain and provide data to third party computers  214  via networks  212  in accordance with embodiments described herein. 
     In one illustrative configuration, the one or more service provider computers  216  may include at least one memory  218  and one or more processing units or processors(s)  221 . The processor(s)  221  may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processor(s)  221  may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The memory  218  may store program instructions that are loadable and executable on the processor(s)  221 , as well as data generated during the execution of these programs. Depending on the configuration and type of the one or more service provider computers  216 , the memory  218  may be volatile (such as RAM) and/or non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.). The one or more service provider computers  216  or servers may also include additional storage  222 , which may include removable storage and/or non-removable storage. The additional storage  222  may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage, optical disks and/or tape storage. The disk drives and their associated computer-readable media may provide non-volatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing devices. In some implementations, the memory  218  may include multiple different types of memory, such as SRAM, DRAM, or ROM. 
     The memory  218 , the additional storage  222 , both removable and non-removable, are all examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media. For example, computer-readable storage media may include volatile or non-volatile, removable or non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The memory  218  and the additional storage  222  are all examples of computer storage media. Additional types of computer storage media that may be present in the one or more service provider computers  216  may include, but are not limited to, PRAM, SRAM, DRAM, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium, which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the one or more service provider computers  216 . Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     The one or more service provider computers  216  may also contain communication connection(s)  223  that allow the one or more service provider computers  216  to communicate with a stored database, another computing device or server, user terminals and/or other devices on the networks  212 . The one or more service provider computers  216  may also include I/O device(s)  224 , such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, a display, speakers, a printer, etc. 
     Turning to the contents of the memory  218  in more detail, the memory  218  may include an operating system  220 , one or more data stores  240  and/or one or more application programs, services, or other software modules, which are generally executed by a processor (e.g., the processors  210  and/or  221 ) for implementing the features disclosed herein. 
     Example modules are shown in  FIG. 2 , but functions and embodiments described herein can utilize a subset of the features provided by the modules and/or additional functions can be provided. Additionally, while the example modules will now be briefly discussed with regard to  FIG. 2 , further specific details regarding the example modules are provided below in the descriptions of subsequent Figures. 
     As an example module of memory  218 , an order module  402  can be provided for receiving and/or processing orders  104  for MOD items  110 . A supplier interface module  602  can be provided for interfacing with suppliers  103  of 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with MOD items  110 . A manufacture module  802  can be provided for providing instructions, for example to the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , for manufacturing one or more MOD item(s)  110 . A delivery module  1002  can be provided for coordinating delivery of the MOD item  110  to the user  102 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart representing a process  300  for providing MOD items  110  to users  102  in accordance with some embodiments. Some or all of the process  300  (or any other processes described herein, or variations and/or combinations thereof) may be performed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions, such as the modules described herein, and may be implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs or one or more applications) executing collectively on one or more processors, by hardware or combinations thereof. The code may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program including a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may be non-transitory. Moreover, unless indicated otherwise, acts shown in the processes are not necessary performed in the order shown, and/or some acts can be omitted in embodiments. 
     The process  300  includes an order operation  302 , an interface with supplier(s) operation  304 , a manufacture operation  306  and a deliver operation  308 . In the order operation  302 , the order module  402  (e.g., of  FIGS. 2, 4 ) can receive and/or process an order  104 , for example received from a user  102  via a user device  204 . In operation  304 , the supplier interface module  602  (e.g., of  FIGS. 2, 6 ) can communicate with third party computers  214  associated with suppliers  103  of 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected MOD item  110 . 
     As can be understood, the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may be obtained and stored well prior to receipt of orders  104  from users  102 , so that the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  are available when an order  104  is placed. In addition, in embodiments, the supplier interface module  602  is not used and/or operation  304  is omitted. For example, the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can be generated by the service provider computers  216 . In the manufacture operation  306 , the manufacture module  802  can prepare instructions for a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce a MOD item  110 . In the deliver operation  308 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions regarding the delivery of the MOD item  110 , including, but not limited to, determining a delivery method for the MOD item  110  (e.g., to provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  directly to the user  102  as at  112  in  FIG. 1 ; to provide a MOD item  110  at a pick-up location as at  114   FIG. 1 ; or to ship a MOD item  110  to the user  102  as at  116  in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 4  depicts aspects of an example order module  402 . Order module  402  can include an item selection module  404 , an authorization module  406 , a customization module  408 , a delivery preferences module  410 , and/or a payment module  412 . The item selection module  404  can be provided for receiving and/or processing a selection by a user  102  of an item provided by the service provider computers  106 , which may be, for example, the MOD item  110 . An authorization module  406  can be provided for verifying authorization credentials of a user  102 . A customization module  408  can be provided for receiving customization options selected by a user  102  for the selected MOD item  110 . A delivery preferences module  410  can be provided for receiving delivery preferences of a user  102  for the MOD item  110 . A payment module  412  can be provided for receiving payment by a user  102  for the MOD item  110 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart representing a process  500  that can be executed by the order module  402  for receiving an order  104  of a user  102  for a MOD item  110 . At  502 , the order module  402  can receive a selection from a user  102  of a MOD item  110  via the network  212  and/or the user device  204 . For example, the user  102  may select a MOD item  110  displayed via the browser application  206  on the user device  204  in the form of a part number, description, and/or image of a MOD item  110 , and the item selection module  404  can receive the selection. In some aspects, the order module  402  may provide a user interface for a user  102  to select a subcomponent out of a larger assembly, and the item selection module  404  can receive the selection of the subcomponent as a MOD item  110 . 
     At  504 , the authorization module  406  can determine whether or not the selected MOD item  110  requires authorization. For example, a selected MOD item  110  might be a medical device or a firearm or another MOD item  110  of a restricted or regulated category. At  506 , if the authorization module  406  determines that the MOD item  110  requires authorization, the authorization module  406  can assess user credentials. For example, the authorization module  406  can compare a license or code number associated with a user  102  to determine if the user  102  is authorized to purchase the MOD item  110 . The authorization module  406  can access authorization information utilized at operations  504  and  506 —such as authorization requirements and/or user credentials—via a user device  204 , a third party computer  214 , a service provider computer  216 , or any combination thereof. 
     At operation  508 , if the authorization module  406  determines that the user  102  is not authorized for the MOD item  110  (e.g., credentials associated with the user  102  are insufficient for the MOD item  110 ), the authorization module  406  can proceed to operation  510  and handle accordingly, such as terminate the transaction, request further credentials, send a message to the user  102 , or some other handling operation. The process  500  may return to operation  502  after handling so as to provide the user  102  an opportunity to select a different MOD item  110  that does not require the authorization. If the user  102  is authorized to order a MOD item  110  at  508 , or if the MOD item  110  does not require authorization at  504 , the process  500  can proceed to operation  512 . 
     At operation  512 , the customization module  408  can receive a selection of the user  102  of customization options. As non-limiting examples, the customization module  408  can receive one or more user-selected customization options for the MOD item  110  such as size, material, color, text, symbols, logos, or other design modifications to the MOD item  110 . The customization module  408  can provide the customization options as a finite list, such as a drop down menu, item selection list, or other options provided by the browser application  206 . In some aspects, an additional user interface may be provided for manipulation and customization of a virtual model of the MOD item  110  and the MOD item  110  can be manufactured based on the virtual model, e.g., the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can be modified to reflect the customized virtual model. Customization may also include customizing all or a part of a selected MOD item  110 . As a non-limiting example, a user  102  might select a particular kind of buckle or clasp to be produced as a MOD item  110  and delivered as part of an assembled or unassembled garment or bag. In another non-limiting example, a user  102  may select a particular hinge or fastening device to be manufactured as a MOD item  110  as part of a larger assembly. The larger assembly may or may not include all components that are MOD items  110 . A size or other options may also be selected. In some aspects, the customization module  408  can provide for customization based on a functionality requested by the user  102 . For example, rather than submitting a request indicating structural changes to a MOD item  110 , the user  102  may submit a request specifying functional changes or goals. In a non-limiting example, a user  102  is building a piece of machinery that involves a rotating shaft and a pulley wheel that need to turn at different speeds, but lacks a component to mechanically link the two components. The user  102  utilizes his or her tablet to access an electronic marketplace network page and ultimately selects a generic gear offered as a MOD item  110 . In a customization portion of the order, the user  102  requests that the selected gear be modified for attachment to the pulley wheel and interaction with the rotating shaft such that the pulley wheel will turn at a certain fraction of the rotating shaft&#39;s speed. The customization module  408  receives the request and interfaces with other modules such that the user  102  can ultimately use his own 3D printer to produce a MOD item  110  that will serve the requested function. In some aspects, customization to match a requested functionality can involve allowing a user  102  to select from multiple designs generated to meet the requested functionality. For example, the multiple designs may be generated by different algorithms accessible to the customization module  408  or by people that received the functionality request via the customization module  408 . 
     At operation  514  in process  500 , the delivery preferences module  410  can receive a selection of a user  102  of delivery options. For example, the delivery preferences module  410  may receive preferences of a user  102  as to the time or method of delivery of the MOD item  110 . The delivery preferences module  410  may provide a user interface to the user  102  displaying delivery preference options for a user  102  to select and for the delivery preferences module  410  to receive at  514 . Non-limiting examples of delivery preferences may include fastest option available, most economic option available, delivery to pick-up or storage location, delivery via vehicle, and delivery via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  owned by the user  102 . The delivery preferences of a user  102  received by the delivery preferences module  410  may be utilized by delivery module  1002 , as discussed in greater detail with regard to  FIGS. 10 and 11  below. 
     At operation  516 , the payment module  412  can determine a payment to be assessed for the MOD item  110 . The amount of the payment assessed may be determined based on earlier selected options of the user  102  such as, but not limited to, the delivery options selected by the user  102 , the customization options selected by the user  102 , and/or whether or not the user  102  has an adequate level of authorization to change pricing considerations for the MOD item  110 . At operation  518 , the payment module  412  can receive a payment of the user  102 . For example, the payment module  412  can receive a payment of the user  102  in the form of a credit card payment, a redemption code, a virtual payment service, or any other payment type. 
     An illustrative example of the process  500  follows. A user  102  may interact with a browser application  206  to order a MOD item  110 . In this illustrative example, the MOD item  110  is a trophy. At operation  502 , the order module  402  receives the selection by the user  102  via the browser application  206 , which indicates the trophy as the selected item. At operation  504 , the authorization module  406  determines that a trophy is not a restricted class (No at operation  504 ) and the process  500  proceeds to operation  512 . The customization module  408  provides the user  102  with a number of customization options via the browser application  206 . The user  102  is first presented with three customization options for a sport figurine for the top of the trophy: a football player, a tennis player, and a basketball player. Although the selection of the sports figurine could also reflect a user selection of a sports-specific trophy at operation  502 , the sports figurine selection is discussed here as a customization option to highlight the versatility of the customization module  408 ). At operation  512 , the customization module  408  receives the selection by the user  102  of the tennis player figurine. The browser application  206  next presents the user  102  with a text field associated with the base of the trophy. Still at operation  512 , the customization module  408  receives the user&#39;s entry of “MVP 2016”. The browser application  206  next presents the user  102  with a virtual model of the trophy. Still at operation  512 , the customization module  408  receives the open-ended manipulation of the model by the user  102 , including beveling the top four corners of the base and a 20% scale reduction in the size of the trophy. At  514 , the delivery preferences module  410  checks to see if the user  102  has a default delivery preference established, and finding none, prompts the user  102  for delivery preferences. The delivery preferences module  410  detects that the user  102  has identified a 3D printer belonging to the user  102  and provides delivery options of print MOD item  110  at home or deliver MOD item  110  via vehicle. At  514 , the delivery preferences module  410  receives the selection by the user  102  of print MOD item  110  at home. At  516 , the payment module  412  determines the cost associated with printing the trophy at home and the cost adjustments (if any) for the customization of the trophy. At  518 , the payment module  412  receives payment from the user  102  from the user&#39;s account with the service provider  101 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts aspects of an example supplier interface module  602 . Supplier interface module  602  can include a 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604 , an authorization module  606 , an environmental offset module  608 , and a payment module  610 . The 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604  can be provided for retrieving 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a MOD item  110  from a supplier  103  associated with the MOD item  110 . The authorization module  606  can be provided for verifying permission from a supplier  103  to utilize 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a MOD item  110  and the supplier  103 . For example, the authorization module  606  of the supplier interface module  602  may be associated with permissions imposed by a supplier  103  and may be related to or distinct from permissions associated with the authorization module  406  of the order module  402 , which may be imposed by a service provider  101 . The environmental offset module  608  can be provided for facilitating environmental offset programs associated with the production of MOD items  110  for suppliers  103  associated with MOD items  110  and participating in the environmental offset program. Non-limiting examples of environmental offset programs include carbon credit programs and energy conservation projects. A payment module  610  can be provided for coordinating payment between a supplier  103  associated with a MOD item  110  and users  102  or the service provider  101 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart representing a process  700  that can be executed by the supplier interface module  602 . At  702 , the 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604  can identify 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected MOD item  110  that are to be supplied by a third party supplier  103 . The selected MOD item  110  can be the same MOD item  110  selected by the user  102  and received at operation  502  as discussed above. 3D manufacturing instructions  107  identified at operation  702  can include base files associated with the MOD item  110  that are provided by suppliers  103  of the MOD item  110 . For example, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  identified at  702  can be a part file including specifications for a MOD item  110  from a manufacturer. Alternatively, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  identified at operation  702  may include customization files or options provided for a MOD item  110 . The customization files may be provided by a third party and not the service provider  101 . The 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604  can interact with third party computers  214  via the network  212  so as to retrieve the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  from third party suppliers  103  identified in operation  702 . 
     At operation  704 , the authorization module  606  can determine if the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  require authorization from the supplier  103 . For example, the authorization module  606  may determine if the supplier  103  will require authorization to be established on behalf of a user  102  before the supplier  103  will permit 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the supplier  103  to be used to fulfill an order  104  from the user  102  for a MOD item  110 . In some embodiments, the supplier  103  may also request that the service provider  101  establish authorization for the service provider  101  to utilize manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the supplier  103 . If the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  require authorization at  706 , authorization verification can be provided to the supplier  103 , such as to third party computers  214 . In some aspects, the authorization module  606  can limit the ability of a user  102  to order a MOD item  110  if adequate authorization is not established on behalf of the user  102 . In some aspects, the authorization verification is provided by the user  102  to indicate that the user  102  is authorized to utilize the base or customization files being requested from the supplier  103 . In alternative aspects, the service provider computers  216  may provide authorization verification regardless of the particular user  102  involved in the transaction. In some embodiments, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a supplier  103  are stored on service provider computers  216 , and authorization provided at  706  permits the service provider  101  to utilize the manufacturing instructions  107  to produce a MOD item  110 . In some embodiments, 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a supplier  103  are stored on third party computers  214 , and authorization provided at  706  permits the service provider  101  to access the manufacturing instructions  107  via the network  212 . When the authorization module  606  has provided authorization verification at  706  or determined that the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  do not require authorization at  704 , the process  700  may continue at  708 . 
     At  708 , the 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604  can retrieve 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected MOD item  110 . The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  retrieved may be the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  identified by the 3D manufacturing instructions retrieval module  604  at  702 . The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  retrieved at  708  may be subject to authorization at  704  or not subject to authorization at  704 . The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  retrieved at  708  can include encrypted data for securing the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  and/or preventing improper copying. 
     At operation  710 , the environmental offset module  608  can communicate environmental offset information associated with the purchase of a selected MOD item  110 . The environmental offset may be awarded to a supplier  103 , for example, if the supplier  103  sells a part or item as a MOD item  110  as opposed to manufacturing the part or item via conventional manufacturing methods. For example, the environmental offset module  608  may communicate information regarding an environmental offset value of the selected MOD item  110  to the supplier  103  or to an agency administering the environmental offset program in which the supplier  103  participates. The environmental offset value may be based upon the amount of energy conserved or carbon reduced by producing the item as a MOD item  110  as opposed to via conventional methods. In a non-limiting example, a part manufactured in a factory operating on coal power may require ten units worth of energy associated with a carbon footprint to produce. The same part produced as a MOD item may only require three units worth of energy to produce. The environmental offset module  608  in such a situation could assign the supplier  103  a credit of seven environmental offset credits based on the energy savings associated with producing the item as a MOD item rather than via the conventional coal factory approach. In some aspects, the environmental offset applied in operation  710  can be based also in part on the materials used or on the kinds of customization selected by the user  102 . 
     At operation  712 , the payment module  610  can coordinate payment associated with a supplier  103 . The payment module  610  can coordinate payment between any of the users  102 , the service provider  101 , and/or the suppliers  103 . In some embodiments, the service provider  101  pays the supplier  103  for the use of 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the supplier  103 , and the payment module  610  provides this function. In one example, the payment module  610  may communicate sales information and/or a payment to the supplier  103  for every MOD item  110  that is produced and associated with 3D manufacturing instructions  107  received from the supplier  103 . In some embodiments, the supplier  103  pays the service provider  101  for the production of MOD items  110  that are based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the supplier  103 , and the payment module  610  provides this function. In one non-limiting example, the payment module  610  provides a bill to the third party supplier  103  for every 3D manufacturing instructions  107  retrieved by the supplier interface module  602 . As a specific example, if a manufacturer (as a supplier  103 ) utilizes systems herein to provide MOD items  110  to fulfill warranties on parts for the manufacturer&#39;s products, the manufacturer may provide the user  102  with a code when the user  102  calls the manufacturer regarding a manufacturer warranty. The user  102  might enter that code as payment for the part to be delivered as a MOD item  110 , and the service provider  101  may coordinate payment directly with the manufacturer/supplier  103  instead of with the user  102  based on the code entered by the user  102 . In some embodiments, the payment module  610  can coordinate payment from the supplier  103  to the service provider  101  for the service of offering the items of the supplier  103  as MOD items  110 . In some embodiments, the payment module  610  can coordinate revenue splitting between various entities. For example, the payment module  610  can coordinate revenue splitting between service providers  101 , users  102 , suppliers  103 , and/or other relevant parties. In a specific example, a payment is received from a user  102  for a phone cover with an embossed sports team logo (i.e., a MOD item  110 ), and the payment module  610  distributes payment between a vendor of the phone cover (i.e., a first supplier  103 , which provided the base file for the MOD item  110 ), the phone manufacturer (i.e., a first relevant party, which holds rights associated with the phone&#39;s design), a broker for sports logos (i.e., a second supplier  103 , which provided the customization file for the MOD item  110 ), the sports team (i.e., a second relevant party, which holds rights associated with the logo), and/or the entity providing the electronic marketplace by which the purchase was completed (i.e., the service provider  101 ). Revenue splitting can be between any number of vendors, including only one, and the electronic marketplace service provider, or may be split only between vendors. 
       FIG. 8  depicts aspects of an example manufacture module  802 . Manufacture module  802  can include a 3D manufacturing instructions determination module  804 , a 3D manufacturing instructions reconfiguration module  806 , a 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808 , and a manufacturing instructions module  810 . The 3D manufacturing instructions determination module  804  can be provided for determining which 3D manufacturing instructions  107  are associated with a selected MOD item  110 . The 3D manufacturing instructions reconfiguration module  806  can be provided to reconfigure 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the MOD item  110 . The 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  can be provided for determining the specific 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  that is to be used for manufacturing the MOD item  110 . The manufacturing instructions module  810  can be provided for producing the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  that will be used to cause the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to manufacture the MOD item  110 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart representing a process  900  that can be executed by the manufacture module  802 . At  902 , the 3D manufacturing instructions determination module  804  can determine 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a selected item. The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can be base files or customization files. The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can also be provided by the service provider  101  and/or by third party suppliers  103 . The 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may be stored on the service provider computer  216  such as in a data store  240 , and/or 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with a selected item may be retrieved from third party computers  214  via the network  212 . 
     At  904 , 3D manufacturing instructions reconfiguration module  806  can reconfigure 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected MOD item  110 . Reconfiguring may include modifying the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to reflect customization done by the customization module  408 , described above, for a selected MOD item  110 . 
     At  906 , the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  can determine which 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  will be used to manufacture the MOD item  110 . The determination may be based at least in part upon the material selected for manufacturing the MOD item  110 , the type of machines available for producing a MOD item  110  of that material, and/or the location of the user  102 . The determination may also be based on a rating of the various 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  available and whether the rating is sufficient to manufacture a MOD item  110  of a sufficient caliber or quality to comply with the selection of the MOD item. The determination of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may also be based upon the location of the available 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108 . The determination may also be based upon what kind of 3D manufacturing instructions  107  the MOD item  110  has associated with it and whether available 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  can support that kind of 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . 
     At operation  908 , the 3D manufacturing instructions reconfiguration module  806  can reconfigure 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected MOD item  110  to for the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . For example, the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  may be reconfigured so as to convert the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to a type that is supported by the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . Alternatively, the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  might be reconfigured to reflect the resolution or quality of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  and to convert the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to an appropriate caliber for the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . 
     At operation  910 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . The manufacturing instructions  107  can reflect the reconfiguration performed in operation  908 . The manufacturing instructions  107  may also be provided to a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  based on the kind of 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts aspects of an example delivery module  1002 . The delivery module  1002  can include a notification module  1004 , a location determination module  1006 , and a delivery instructions module  1008 . The notification module  1004  can be provided for notifying a user  102  regarding the status of the manufacture or delivery of a MOD item  110 . The location determination module  1006  can be provided for determining a location of manufacture and/or delivery of the MOD item  110 . The delivery instructions module  1008  can be provided for generating and communicating instructions regarding delivery of the MOD item  110  to the user  102 . 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart representing a process  1100  that can be executed by the delivery module  1002 . At  1102 , the delivery module  1002  can identify the selected delivery method for the MOD item  110 . In some aspects, the selected delivery method may be determined by the delivery module  1002  based on parameters associated with one or more delivery methods. Non-limiting examples of parameters that may be evaluated in determining a delivery method include user location information (such as geo-positioning information from a user device, a location stored in a profile of the user, an address inputted by the user, or a place within a defined distance from a location associated with other user location information), time of delivery, cost to make, shipping or other delivery cost, storage cost, location of existing parts, location of 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , availability of 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , longevity or expected useful life of an item, preferences of a supplier  103 , preferences of a service provider  101 , preferences of a user  102 , and preferences of another relevant party (e.g., a rights-holder that is not a service provider  101 , a user  102 , or a supplier  103 ). In some aspects, the selected delivery method may be based upon delivery preferences received from the user  102  at operation  514  discussed above in  FIG. 5 . In one example, a user  102  indicates a preference for a delivery method utilizing a manufacturing apparatus  108  within 10 miles of a home address of the user  102 , and the delivery method is determined based at least in part upon the delivery methods associated with the manufacturing apparatuses  108  within that zone. 
     In some instances, the delivery preference options presented to the user  102  by the delivery preferences module  410  for the delivery preferences module  410  to receive at  514  may be determined based on one or more of these parameters. In a non-limiting example, the delivery module  1002  may determine that an order  104  can be fulfilled by any of three delivery methods. In this example, the first delivery method involves producing and shipping a MOD item  110  from an available 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  in a warehouse, the second delivery method involves producing the MOD item  110  via an available 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  at a pick-up location, and the third delivery method involves producing the MOD item  110  on an available 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  located on a truck that can add the delivery to its present route. The delivery module  1002  may instruct the delivery preferences module  410  to only present the third delivery option to the user  102 , based on a determination that the cost of fulfilling the order  104  via the first delivery method would exceed a cost threshold previously established by the supplier  103  and the pick-up location would not meet location criteria previously established by the user  102 . 
     At operation  1104 , the location determination module  1006  can identify the location of the MOD item  110 . The location of the MOD item may be a real time determination. The location of the MOD item  110  may also be a prospective determination. For example, the location determination module  1006  may determine where the MOD item  110  is anticipated to be at a given time based on the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  selected in operation  906  and the delivery method identified in operation  1102 . 
     At  1106 , the location determination module  1006  can determine the delivery location for the MOD item  110 . The delivery location may be determined by the user-selected delivery preferences. The delivery location may also be determined by the delivery module  1002  based on parameters as stated above. The delivery module  1002  may determine the default delivery location based on the quality of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to be used to manufacture MOD item  110  or the proximity of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . 
     At operation  1108 , the delivery module  1002  may determine an estimated delivery timeline of a MOD item  110  to the user  102 . For example, the delivery module  1002  can determine an estimated length of time remaining before the user  102  can retrieve the MOD item  110  from a pickup location. As another example, the delivery module  1002  can determine an estimated time that the MOD item will be delivered to a location designated by the location determination module  1006  at operation  1106 . In some aspects, the delivery module  1002  at  1108  determines an estimated delivery timeline of the MOD item  110  based on the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  selected in operation  906 , the delivery method identified in operation  1102 , and/or the delivery location identified in operation  1106 . 
     At operation  1110 , the notification module  1004  can notify the user  102  about the status of the MOD item  110 . For example, the notification module  1004  may notify the user  102  that the MOD item  110  is ready to be picked up. The notification module  1004  may alternatively notify the user  102  that the MOD item  110  is estimated to arrive to the delivery address at a certain time, i.e., providing an estimated time for pickup or delivery. The notification module  1004  may also provide the user  102  with an access code for accessing or verifying that the user  102  is the intended recipient of the MOD item  110 . In some aspects, the notification is based on preferences identified by the user  202 . For example, the notification may be provided by one or more of email, text, or push notifications. 
     At operation  1112 , the delivery instructions module  1008  may provide delivery instructions regarding the MOD item  110 . For example, the delivery instructions module  1008  may provide instructions regarding where the MOD item  110  is to be delivered or stored for receipt by the user  102 . The details of the delivery instructions provided by the delivery instructions module  1008  may depend upon the delivery method utilized. 
     Delivery Methods 
     Various delivery methods may be utilized with systems discussed herein. The delivery method selected for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102  may affect the functions performed by various modules discussed above. The following discussion of examples of delivery methods may illustrate ways that a selected delivery method may affect the functions performed by previously discussed modules. 
     In a first example of a delivery method for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102 , the MOD item  110  can be produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  located in a warehouse or a fulfillment center. For example, a user  102  may request a MOD item  110  be delivered directly to his or her house. The location determination module  1006  selects an appropriate fulfillment center, for example, based on the proximity to the user  102 . The 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  selects a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for printing the MOD item  110  based on the availability of 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  located at the selected fulfillment center. The manufacturing instructions module  810  sends 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  and the MOD item  110  is fabricated. The delivery instructions module  1008  provides a delivery address, and a local shipping agency, such as the United Parcel Service (UPS), can then pick up the MOD item  110  and delivery it to the user  102 .  FIG. 12  is a flow chart representing a process  1200  that can be executed by a system  200  to perform a first example delivery method. 
     At  1202 , the order module  402  can receive an order  104  for a MOD item  110  from a user  102 . Delivery via a warehouse can be selected as the delivery method. As may be the case regarding any of the examples of delivery methods discussed in this section, the selection of the delivery method may be based upon a selection by the user  102  received by the delivery preferences module  410  or may be a determination made by a module (such as the order module  402  or delivery module  1002 ) utilizing an algorithm for determining a default delivery method. 
     At  1204 , the location determination module  1006  can determine the location to which the MOD item  110  is to be delivered. As may be the case regarding any of the examples of delivery methods discussed in this section, the location determination module  1006  may prompt the user  102  for a delivery location via the browser application  206  or the location determination module  1006  may utilize a default delivery location associated with an account or profile of the user  102 . 
     At  1208 , a location of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be selected. For example, the location determination module  1006  may utilize the delivery location for the MOD item  110  in selecting a warehouse having at least one 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  available to manufacture the MOD item  110 . The 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  can select a particular 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  at the warehouse for producing the MOD item  110 . 
     At  1210 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can generate manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  in the warehouse. At  1212 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can send the manufacturing instructions  107  to produce the MOD item  110  to the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  in the warehouse. 
     At  1214 , the delivery instructions module  1008  can provide delivery instructions for transporting the MOD item  110  from the warehouse of manufacture to the delivery location. For example, the delivery instructions module  1008  may provide a delivery address and appropriate instructions for transporting the MOD item  110  to the address via a delivery vehicle or courier service. 
     At  1216 , the notification module  1004  may notify the user  102  of the status of the MOD item  110 , such as the progress in manufacturing the MOD item  110  in the warehouse, the location of the MOD item  110 , the time remaining before the arrival of the MOD item  110  to the delivery location, or confirmation of delivery of the MOD item  110 . 
     In a second example of a delivery method for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102 , the MOD item  110  can be produced by a mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . By “mobile”, we mean that the position of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  changes because it is mounted within or contained within a moving vehicle or other structure. A vehicle for a mobile manufacturing apparatus  108  can include a computer communications link such that information can be exchanged between the service provider computers  216  and the vehicle and/or the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . For example, the computer communications link can facilitate the sending and/or receiving of delivery route instructions or status, 3D manufacturing instructions  107 , and/or availability or other status information for the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . A vehicle having a mobile manufacturing apparatus  108  may be specially designated solely for the delivery of MOD items  110  or the vehicle may also be designated for additional purposes. For example, a vehicle utilized for delivery of non-MOD items (such as groceries) may also include a mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for the production and delivery of MOD items  110  en route to deliver the non-MOD items. By using a mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , a MOD item  110  can be delivered during routine runs, or a drop may be arranged using a trip planning algorithm. 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart representing a process  1300  that can be executed by a system  200  to perform a second example delivery method. At  1302 , the order module  402  can receive an order  104  for a MOD item  110  from a user  102 . Delivery via a mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be selected by the user  102  as the delivery method, or can be selected due to convenience by the service provider  101 . At  1304 , the location determination module  1006  can determine the location to which the MOD item  110  is to be delivered, which may have been given with the order  104 . 
     At  1306 , the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  can identify an available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . The 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  may utilize the delivery location for the MOD item  110  in identifying an available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . For example, the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  may identify mobile 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  that are nearby the delivery location or that will be nearby within a certain window of time. The window of time may be based on an estimated amount of time for the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce the MOD item  110 . The estimated amount of time for the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce the MOD item  110  may be based in part on whether the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is in use or immediately available to begin manufacturing the MOD item  110 . 
     At  1308 , the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  can select a particular available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for producing the MOD item  110 . The selection may be based at least in part upon the estimated amount of time for the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce the MOD item  110 , the distance of the mobile manufacturing unit from the delivery location, the amount of deviation in time or distance from a route of the mobile manufacturing unit to reach the delivery location, other considerations, or any combination thereof. 
     At  1310 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can generate manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via the selected mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . At  1312 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can send the manufacturing instructions  107  to produce the MOD item  110  to the selected mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . 
     At  1314 , the delivery instructions module  1008  can provide delivery instructions for delivering the MOD item  110  to the delivery location. For example, the delivery instructions module  1008  may provide a delivery address and appropriate instructions for transporting the MOD item  110  to the address. 
     At  1316 , the notification module  1004  may notify the user  102  of the status of the MOD item  110 , such as the progress in manufacturing the MOD item  110  via the selected mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , the location of the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  and/or the MOD item  110 , the time remaining before the arrival of the MOD item  110  to the delivery location, or confirmation of delivery of the MOD item  110 . 
     In an illustrative example of the execution of the process  1300 , an order  104  is received at  1302  from a user  102  requesting a MOD item  110  delivered via a mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . At  1304 , the delivery location is determined to be an address, 742 Evergreen Terrace. At  1306 , the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  identifies three available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  that could produce and deliver the selected MOD item  110  within the next hour. A first available mobile manufacturing apparatus  108  can be a grocery delivery truck outfitted with a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  not presently engaged in producing a MOD item  110 . The first available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is capable of producing the ordered MOD item  110  in 12 minutes. The grocery delivery truck is located 5 miles away from 742 Evergreen Terrace and scheduled to deliver groceries to 744 Evergreen Terrace (the house next door to 742 Evergreen Terrace) during its present route in 32 minutes. The second available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be a warehouse item delivery van outfitted with a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  not presently engaged in producing a MOD item  110 . The second available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is also capable of producing the selected MOD item  110  in 12 minutes. The warehouse item delivery van is located 3 miles away and could deliver the MOD item  110  in 19 minutes to 742 Evergreen Terrace with a 2.5 mile deviation from its present route. The third available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be the third of three 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  located on a vehicle designated solely for mobile manufacturing. All three 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  on the mobile manufacturing vehicle are occupied producing other MOD items  110 , although the third available mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is estimated to finish and be available for manufacturing the selected MOD item  110  in 2 minutes. The third available 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 —a newer model than the first and second available 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108 —is capable of producing the selected MOD item  110  in 8 minutes such that the selected MOD item  110  could be produced in a total of 10 minutes including the 2 minute wait until availability. The mobile manufacturing vehicle is located 2 miles away and could deliver the MOD item  110  in 24 minutes to 742 Evergreen Terrace with a 1.5 mile deviation from its present route. At  1308 , the 3D manufacturing apparatus determination module  808  selects the first available mobile manufacturing located on the grocery truck, in this case, based on the minimal deviation from the present route of the grocery truck. At  1310 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  generates manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  specific to the model of the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  located on the grocery truck. At  1312 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  sends the manufacturing instructions  107  to the mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  located on the grocery truck. At  1314 , the delivery instructions module  1008  provides delivery instructions that direct the driver of the grocery truck to deliver the MOD item  110  to 742 Evergreen Terrace prior to delivering the groceries to 744 Evergreen Terrace during the delivery route. Thus, the decision for a particular mobile 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be based upon a number of factors and could be resolved in accordance with an algorithm or another software decision process. 
     In a third example of a delivery method for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102 , the MOD item  110  can be produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with a pick-up location. For example, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may be associated with a locker designated as the pick-up location for a user  102  to pick-up an ordered MOD item  110 . In some aspects, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is located within a single locker and produces a MOD item  110  in the locker. In other aspects, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is located near a cluster of lockers, and when a MOD item  110  is produced by the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , the MOD item is automatically transferred the short distance from the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  into a locker designated as the pick-up location of the MOD item  110  by the user  102 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flow chart representing a process  1400  that can be executed by a system  200  to perform a third example delivery method. At  1402 , the order module  402  can receive an order  104  for a MOD item  110  from a user  102 . Delivery via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with a pick-up location can be selected as the delivery method. At  1404 , the location determination module  1006  can determine available pick-up locations. For example, the location determination module  1006  can identify pick-up locations that include lockers that are not occupied with MOD items  110  awaiting pick-up. At  1408 , the location determination module  1006  can select an available pick-up location. The selection may be based at least in part upon the estimated amount of time for the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to produce the MOD item  110 , the distance between the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  and a location associated with the user  102 , other considerations, or any combination thereof. 
     At  1410 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can generate manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with the selected pick-up location. At  1412 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can send the manufacturing instructions  107  to produce the MOD item  110  to the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with the selected pick-up location. The manufacturing instructions  107  may include instructions for transferring the MOD item from the selected 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with the selected pick-up location to the selected pick-up location. 
     At  1416 , the notification module  1004  may notify the user  102  of the status of the MOD item  110 , such as the progress in manufacturing the MOD item  110  at the selected pick-up location, the location of the selected pick-up location, access information for retrieving the MOD item  112  from the selected pick-up location, the time remaining until the MOD item  110  can be accessed at the selected pick-up location, or confirmation of availability of the MOD item  110  at the pickup location. 
     In a fourth example of a delivery method for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102 , the MOD item  110  can be produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with an order and storage location. For example, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may be associated with a kiosk provided for receiving an order  104  from a user  102  for a MOD item  110  and storing the MOD item  110  for subsequent retrieval by the user  102 . In some aspects, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be located within a single storage unit and produces a MOD item  110  in the single storage unit. In other aspects, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  can be located near a cluster of storage units, and when a MOD item  110  is produced by the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , the MOD item can be automatically transferred the short distance from the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  into an individual storage unit designated for the MOD item  110  until retrieval by the user  102 . 
       FIG. 15  is a flow chart representing a process  1500  that can be executed by a system  200  to perform a fourth example delivery method. At  1502 , the order module  402  can receive an order  104  for a MOD item  110  from a user  102 . The order  104  may be received from an order unit associated with one or more 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  and one or more storage units. Delivery via a storage unit associated with an order unit can be selected as the delivery method. 
     At  1510 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can generate manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with the order unit. At  1512 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can send the manufacturing instructions  107 . At  1514 , the delivery module  1002  can send storage instructions. In some aspects, such as when only one 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  is associated with the order unit, the manufacturing instructions  107  can be sent directly to the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . In some aspects, such as when multiple storage units are associated with a single 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , the storage instructions may include a selection of a storage unit and instructions for moving the MOD item  110  from the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to the selected storage unit. In some aspects, such as when multiple storage units are associated with an order unit and each storage unit includes a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , the storage instructions may include a selection of a storage unit and the manufacturing instructions  107  can be sent to the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  associated with the selected storage unit. 
     At  1516 , the notification module  1004  may notify the user  102  of the status of the MOD item  110 , such as the progress in manufacturing the MOD item  110  at the order location, identification of the selected storage unit storing the MOD item  110 , access information for retrieving the MOD item  112  from the selected storage unit, the time remaining until the MOD item  110  can be accessed at the selected storage unit, or confirmation of availability of the MOD item  110  at the storage unit. 
     In a fifth example of a delivery method for providing a MOD item  110  to a user  102 , the MOD item  110  can be produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of a user  102 . For example, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may be a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  owned by a user  102 , such as a 3-D printer in the user&#39;s home. As another example, the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  may be a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  controlled by a user  102 , such as a rapid prototyping machine at the user&#39;s place of work or at a service center renting the use of the machine to the user  102 . 
       FIG. 16  is a flow chart representing a process  1600  that can be executed by a system  200  to perform a fifth example delivery method. At  1602 , the order module  402  can receive an order  104  for a MOD item  110  from a user  102 . The order  104  may be received by an electronic marketplace provided by the order module  402 . Delivery via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102  can be selected as the delivery method. At  1608 , the order module  402  can receive information about the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 . For example, the information about the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102  may include the make or model of the apparatus, format(s) of manufacturing instructions  107  usable by the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , manufacturing materials utilized by the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , size of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , and other considerations. At  1610 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can generate manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 . The instructions may be based on information received about the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102  at  1608 . At  1612 , the manufacturing instructions module  810  can provide to the customer manufacturing instructions  107  for producing the MOD item  110  via the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 . In some aspects, the manufacturing instructions  107  can be provided to the customer by sending the manufacturing instructions  107  directly to the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 . In some aspects, the manufacturing instructions  107  are provided to the customer, and further actions of the customer can cause the manufacturing instructions  107  to be sent to the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 . For example, a digital file including 3D manufacturing instructions  107  can be provided to the user  102  such that the user  102  can access the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  later to produce the MOD item  110  on a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102 , such as in the user&#39;s home or at a service center renting the use of the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to the user  102 . The manufacturing instructions  107  provided at  1612  may be configured such that the manufacturing instructions  107  can be transferred from the user  102  to a provider of a manufacturing apparatus  108  designated by the user  102 . 
     Supplier Features 
     Systems discussed herein may provide various methods for interfacing with suppliers  103 . The methods utilized for interfacing with suppliers  103  may affect the functions performed by various modules discussed above. The following discussion of examples of methods for interfacing with suppliers  103  may illustrate ways that such methods may affect the functions performed by previously discussed modules. 
     Methods can be provided for suppliers  103  or vendors of items to utilize systems of a service provider  101  for distribution of MOD items  110 .  FIG. 17  is a flow chart representing a process  1700  that can be executed by a system  200  for distributing MOD items  110  on behalf of suppliers  103 . At  1702 , the supplier interface module  602  can receive information associated with one or more items from a supplier  103 . The information associated with the item(s) can include information for obtaining the item(s) as a non-MOD item, such as the location of the item(s) or information for accessing the item(s). The information associated with the item(s) can also include information for manufacturing one or more of the item(s) as a MOD item  110 , such as specifications of the item(s) or manufacturing instructions  107  for the item(s). At  1704 , the supplier interface module  602  can provide a supplier  103  an option for listing a MOD item in an electronic marketplace. At  1706 , the supplier interface module  602  can provide a supplier  103  an option for listing a non-MOD item in the electronic marketplace. The items listed in the electronic marketplace can be made available for consumption via the electronic marketplace. With these options, a supplier  103  may choose to list an item in the marketplace as a non-MOD item, to list an item in the marketplace as a MOD item  110 , or to list an item in the marketplace as available either as a non-MOD item or as a MOD item  110 . Listing an item in the marketplace as available as a MOD item  110  can reduce the physical space a supplier  103  maintains for storing items as non-MOD items. At  1708 , the order module  402  can list the item in an electronic marketplace accessible by a user  102 . The order module  402  may list the item in the marketplace designating the item as a MOD item, designating it as a non-MOD item, designating it as either a MOD item or a non-MOD item, or without designating it as a MOD item or non-MOD item. At  1710 , the order module  402  can receive a request for an item listed in the marketplace. At  1712 , the manufacture module  802  can provide information for manufacturing the item as a MOD item. At  1714 , the delivery module  1002  can provide information for delivery of the item as a non-MOD item. In embodiments, an order  104  may involve providing both a MOD item  110  and a non-MOD item. In some embodiments, the non-MOD item may be an assembly that includes a subcomponent produced as a MOD item  110 . For example, an order  104  may involve a bag having a number of buckles or clasps. One or more of the buckles or clasps may be printed via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  (i.e., subcomponents produced as MOD items  110 ) and included with or installed on the bag (i.e., non-MOD item assembly) that is shipped to the user  102 . 
     Methods can be provided for determining the manner in which an item is provided to a user  102 . For example, a method may be provided for determining whether an item will be provided to a user  102  as a MOD item or as a non-MOD item. In various aspects, a supplier  103  or vendor of an item may select parameters for determining the manner in which the item will be provided to a user  102 . In some aspects, the manner in which an item is to be provided to a user  102  may be determined utilizing parameters without supplier  103  involvement.  FIG. 18  is a flow chart representing a process  1800  that can be executed by a system  200  for determining the manner in which an item is provided to a user  102 . At  1802 , the delivery module  1002  or the supplier interface module  602  can receive an order  104  for an item from a user  102  in an electronic marketplace. The item can be associated with 3D manufacturing instructions  107  such that the item can be produced as a MOD item  110 . At  1804 , the order module  402  can evaluate one or more parameters associated with various manners of fulfilling the order  104 . Non-limiting examples of parameters that may be evaluated in determining a delivery method include time of delivery, cost to make, shipping or other delivery cost, location of existing parts, location of 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , availability of 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 , longevity or expected useful life of an item, supplier  103  preferences, service provider  101  preferences, and user preferences. At  1806 , the delivery module  1002  can determine whether one or more of the parameters are met. If the parameter(s) are met (Yes at  1806 ), then at  1808 , the manufacture module  802  can provide instructions for manufacturing the item as a MOD item  110 . At  1812 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions for providing the MOD item  110  to the user  102 . As non-limiting examples, the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions to manufacture the MOD item  110  and deliver the MOD item to an address, to manufacture the MOD item  110  and deliver the MOD item to a pick-up location, or to manufacture the MOD item  110  on a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of a user  102 . If the parameter(s) are not met (No at  1806 ), then at  1810 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions for obtaining the item as a non-MOD item, such as an item previously manufactured before receipt of the order  104 . At  1812 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions for providing the obtained item to the user  102 . 
     Methods can be provided for associating environmental offsets with suppliers  103  that utilize systems of a service provider  101  to distribute MOD items  110  to users  102 .  FIG. 19  is a flow chart representing a process  1900  that can be executed by a system  200  for associating environmental offsets with suppliers  103  that utilize systems of a service provider  101  to distribute MOD items  110  to users  102 . At  1902 , the order module  402  can provide items from a plurality of suppliers  103  or vendors for consumption in an electronic marketplace. At  1904 , the supplier interface module  602  can maintain information about orders  104  for items that were fulfilled via MOD items  110  on behalf of suppliers  103 . The MOD items  110  utilized to fulfill orders  104  can be based on a 3D manufacturing instructions  107  provided by the supplier  103 . At  1906 , the supplier interface module  602  can provide the information about the fulfillment via MOD items  110  to an environmental offset program. For example, the information may include an evaluation of resources consumed in producing the MOD item  110  used in fulfilling an order  104 . The information may also include an evaluation of the resources that would have been consumed had the item been producing in another fashion and not as a MOD item  110 . Information provided at  1906  can be provided to an entity administering an environmental offset program, to the supplier  103 , to the user  102 , other interested parties, or to any combination thereof. 
     Digital Store for MOD Items 
     Systems discussed herein may provide various methods for providing services associated with mod items  110 . The methods utilized for providing services associated with mod items  110  may affect the functions performed by various modules discussed above. The following discussion of examples of methods for providing services associated with mod items  110  may illustrate ways that such methods may affect the functions performed by previously discussed modules. 
     Methods can be provided for providing services associated with MOD items  110 . For example, services associated with MOD items  110  may include services that provide the designs and/or 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  for producing MOD items  110 . In some aspects, a user  102  may be interested in services providing both the designs and the use of a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for producing MOD items  110 . For example, the user  102  may be cost conscious and prefer to peruse ready made designs for production upon request rather than invest time or resources into developing designs or purchasing a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for producing a MOD item  110 .  FIG. 20  is a flow chart representing a process  2000  that can be executed by a system  200  for providing the designs and 3D manufacturing apparatuses  108  for producing mod items  110 . At  2002 , the order module  402  can provide an electronic marketplace for consumption of a plurality of items. Each of the items can have 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the particular item. For example, a library of designs can be presented to a user  102 . These designs may be provided by the service provider  101  and/or one or more suppliers  103 . The user  102  may select a design for a MOD item  110  that the user  102  would like produced by a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the service provider  101 . At  2004 , responsive to selection of one of the items by a user  102 , the manufacture module  802  can provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to manufacture the item based on the 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . At  2006 , the delivery module  1002  can provide delivery instructions for delivering the manufactured item to the user  102 . 
     In some aspects, a user  102  may be only interested in services providing the use of a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  for producing MOD items  110 . For example, the user  102  may already have designs for producing a MOD item  110  via the 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . As more specific examples, the user  102  may be an engineer with a virtual model of a part that he or she would like to physically manipulate or an architect with a CAD model of a building that he or she would like to convert into a physical model to provide to a client. At  2008 , the order module  402  can receive data that can be utilized for producing 3D manufacturing instructions  107  (e.g., a 3D model) from a user  102 . The data can be provided by the user  102  via the browser application  206 . The data can be associated with a design for a MOD item  110  not available in the plurality of items presented in the electronic marketplace. For example, the data may be a model produced in modeling software by the user  102 . In another example, the data may be a model produced by a 3-dimensional scan of an object. At  2010 , the manufacture module  802  can provide 3D manufacturing instructions  107  to a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to manufacture the item based on the data received at  2008 . At  2012 , the delivery module  1002  can provide delivery instructions for delivering the MOD item to the user  102 . 
     In some aspects, a user  102  may be only interested in designs for producing MOD items  110 . For example, the user  102  may already own or control a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  and may desire to produce a MOD item  110  via that 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . As a more specific example, a user  102  may wish to sample a texture of a fabric before ordering clothing having that fabric.  FIG. 21  is a flow chart representing a process  2100  that can be executed by a system  200  for providing designs for producing MOD items  110 . At  2102 , the order module  402  can provide an electronic marketplace for consumption of a plurality of items. Each of the items can have a separate 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the particular item. For example, a library of designs can be presented to a user  102 . The user  102  may select a design for a MOD item  110  that the user  102  would like to produce on the user&#39;s 3D manufacturing apparatus  108 . At  2104 , responsive to selection of one of the items by a user  102 , the delivery module  1002  can provide to the user  102  with access to the design. For example, the delivery module  1002  may provide the user  102  with access to the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  associated with the selected item such that the user  102  can use the 3D manufacturing instructions  107  in a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  to manufacture the selected item as a MOD item  110 . In some aspects, the user&#39;s access to the design is limited. For example, the user&#39;s access to the design may be limited by rights management mechanisms, such as permission restrictions that limit use of the design to a certain time window and/or to a certain number of uses. For example, the access to the design may be limited to a single use or to an amount of time based on an estimated amount of time for the manufacturing apparatus  108  of the user  102  to produce a MOD item  110  from the design. As another example, the access to the design may be limited to use initiated within a certain window (e.g., 24 hours after access is first granted). In some aspects, the user&#39;s access to the design is limited by providing executable code for producing the design on the user&#39;s 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  rather than providing the design code. In some aspects, data encryption can secure design data and/or prevent improper copying. 
     In some aspects, one or more of the services discussed above (providing designs, providing 3D manufacturing services, or providing designs and 3D manufacturing services) can be presented to a user  102 .  FIG. 22  is an example network page  2200  providing options for selecting design services  2202 , 3D manufacturing services  2204 , and/or design and 3D manufacturing services  2206 . 
     Electronic Marketplace for MOD Items 
     Systems discussed herein may provide various methods for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item  110  is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order  104  for an item. The methods utilized for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item  110  is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order  104  for an item may affect the functions performed by various modules discussed above. The following discussion of examples of methods for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item  110  is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order  104  for an item may illustrate ways that such methods may affect the functions performed by previously discussed modules. 
     Methods can be provided for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item  110  is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order  104  for an item.  FIG. 23  is a flow chart representing a process  2300  that can be executed by a system  200  for providing an electronic marketplace in which providing a MOD item  110  is one of multiple options for fulfilling an order  104  for an item. At  2302 , the order module  402  can provide an electronic market place with items for consumption. Each item in the electronic marketplace can be designated as either a first-type item or a second-type item. The first-type items can be designated for production as a MOD item  110 . The second-type items can be designated not for production as MOD items  110 . At  2304 , the order module  402  can receive a request for an item. The item may be either a first-type item or a second type item. If the requested item is a first-type item (YES at  2306 ), then at  2308  the manufacture module  802  can provide instructions to manufacture the first-type item as a MOD item  110 . At  2310 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions for providing the manufactured first-type item. For example, the delivery module  1002  may provide instructions that the manufactured item be provided via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of a user  102 , or instructions that the manufactured item be provided via a 3D manufacturing apparatus  108  of the service provider  101  and delivered to the user  102 . If the requested item is a second-type item (NO at  2306 ), then at  2312 , the order module  402  can provide instructions for obtaining the second-type item. At  2314 , the delivery module  1002  can provide instructions for providing the obtained second-type item. 
     Methods can be provided for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is an option on an item detail page.  FIG. 24  is a flow chart representing a process  2400  that can be executed by a system  200  for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is an option on an item detail page. At  2402 , the order module  402  can provide an electronic market place with items for consumption. At  2404 , the electronic marketplace can provide at least a first item associated with a first price and a first fulfillment method. The first fulfillment method can be completed without manufacturing the first item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . For example, the first fulfillment method can involve providing the item as a non-MOD item. At  2406 , the electronic marketplace can provide a second item associated with a second price and a second fulfillment method. The second fulfillment method can involve manufacturing the second item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . For example, the second fulfillment method can involve providing the item as a MOD item  110 . 
     Methods can be provided for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is a shipping option.  FIG. 25  is a flow chart representing a process  2500  that can be executed by a system  200  providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is a shipping option. At  2502 , order module  402  can provide an electronic market place with items for purchase. At  2504 , responsive to a purchase of an item in the electronic marketplace, the order module  402  can provide a first delivery option not including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . At  2506 , a second delivery option can be provided including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . 
       FIG. 26  is an example network page showing a shipping page  2600  for a purchased item  2610  showing a first delivery option  2620  not including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107  and a second delivery option  2630  including manufacturing the purchased item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . 
     Methods can be provided for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is an option associated with a time and/or cost.  FIG. 27  is a flow chart representing a process  2700  that can be executed by a system  200  for providing an electronic marketplace in which ordering an item as a MOD item  110  is an option associated with a time and/or cost. At  2702 , the order module  402  can provide an electronic market place with items for consumption. At  2704 , the electronic marketplace can provide at least one item having a first option for consumption. At  2706 , the electronic marketplace can provide a second option for consumption of the at least one item. The first option can be associated with a first price, a first time of delivery, and a first delivery method not involving manufacturing the first item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . The second option can be associated with a second price, a second time of delivery, and a second delivery method involving manufacturing the second item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . 
       FIG. 28  is an example network page showing an item detail page  2800  for an item  2810  showing a first option  2820  associated with a first price  2822 , a first time of delivery  2824 , and a first delivery method  2828  not involving manufacturing the first item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107  and second option  2830  associated with a second price  2832 , a second time of delivery  2834 , and a second delivery method  2838  involving manufacturing the second item based on 3D manufacturing instructions  107 . 
     As can be seen from the above examples, embodiments herein can provide an electronic marketplace with a number of options for delivery of an item, including allowing a selection of manufacturing via a 3D manufacturing apparatus or not, selecting where an item is manufactured (if that option is selected), and selecting a speed of delivery. These options may be provided with different pricing options, as shown in  FIG. 28 . Thus, 3D manufacturing can provide a user  102  with a variety of options including very fast delivery. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates aspects of an example environment  2900  for implementing aspects in accordance with various embodiments. As will be appreciated, although a Web-based environment is used for purposes of explanation, different environments may be used, as appropriate, to implement various embodiments. The environment includes an electronic client device  2902 , which can include any appropriate device operable to send and receive requests, messages or information over an appropriate network  2904  and convey information back to a user of the device. Examples of such client devices include personal computers, cell phones, handheld messaging devices, laptop computers, set-top boxes, personal data assistants, electronic book readers and the like. The network can include any appropriate network, including an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a local area network or any other such network or combination thereof. Components used for such a system can depend at least in part upon the type of network and/or environment selected. Protocols and components for communicating via such a network are well known and will not be discussed herein in detail. Communication over the network can be enabled by wired or wireless connections and combinations thereof. In this example, the network includes the Internet, as the environment includes a Web server  2906  for receiving requests and serving content in response thereto, although for other networks an alternative device serving a similar purpose could be used as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The illustrative environment includes at least one application server  2908  and a data store  2910 . It should be understood that there can be several application servers, layers, or other elements, processes or components, which may be chained or otherwise configured, which can interact to perform tasks such as obtaining data from an appropriate data store. As used herein the term “data store” refers to any device or combination of devices capable of storing, accessing and retrieving data, which may include any combination and number of data servers, databases, data storage devices and data storage media, in any standard, distributed or clustered environment. The application server can include any appropriate hardware and software for integrating with the data store as needed to execute aspects of one or more applications for the client device, handling a majority of the data access and business logic for an application. The application server provides access control services in cooperation with the data store and is able to generate content such as text, graphics, audio and/or video to be transferred to the user, which may be served to the user by the Web server in the form of HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”), Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) or another appropriate structured language in this example. The handling of all requests and responses, as well as the delivery of content between the client device  2902  and the application server  2908 , can be handled by the Web server. It should be understood that the Web and application servers are not required and are merely example components, as structured code discussed herein can be executed on any appropriate device or host machine as discussed elsewhere herein. 
     The data store  2910  can include several separate data tables, databases or other data storage mechanisms and media for storing data relating to a particular aspect. For example, the data store illustrated includes mechanisms for storing production data  2912  and user information  2916 , which can be used to serve content for the production side. The data store also is shown to include a mechanism for storing log data  2914 , which can be used for reporting, analysis or other such purposes. It should be understood that there can be many other aspects that may need to be stored in the data store, such as for page image information and to access right information, which can be stored in any of the above listed mechanisms as appropriate or in additional mechanisms in the data store  2910 . The data store  2910  is operable, through logic associated therewith, to receive instructions from the application server  2908  and obtain, update or otherwise process data in response thereto. In one example, a user might submit a search request for a certain type of item. In this case, the data store might access the user information to verify the identity of the user and can access the catalog detail information to obtain information about items of that type. The information then can be returned to the user, such as in a results listing on a Web page that the user is able to view via a browser on the client device  2902 . Information for a particular item of interest can be viewed in a dedicated page or window of the browser. 
     Each server typically will include an operating system that provides executable program instructions for the general administration and operation of that server and typically will include a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a hard disk, random access memory, read only memory, etc.) storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of the server, allow the server to perform its intended functions. Suitable implementations for the operating system and general functionality of the servers are known or commercially available and are readily implemented by persons having ordinary skill in the art, particularly in light of the disclosure herein. 
     The environment in one embodiment is a distributed computing environment utilizing several computer systems and components that are interconnected via communication links, using one or more computer networks or direct connections. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equally well in a system having fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIG. 29 . Thus, the depiction of the system  2900  in  FIG. 29  should be taken as being illustrative in nature and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
     The various embodiments further can be implemented in a wide variety of operating environments, which in some cases can include one or more user computers, computing devices or processing devices which can be used to operate any of a number of applications. User or client devices can include any of a number of general purpose personal computers, such as desktop or laptop computers running a standard operating system, as well as cellular, wireless and handheld devices running mobile software and capable of supporting a number of networking and messaging protocols. Such a system also can include a number of workstations running any of a variety of commercially-available operating systems and other known applications for purposes such as development and database management. These devices also can include other electronic devices, such as dummy terminals, thin-clients, gaming systems and other devices capable of communicating via a network. 
     Most embodiments utilize at least one network that would be familiar to those skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of a variety of commercially-available protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”), Open System Interconnection (“OSI”), File Transfer Protocol (“FTP”), Universal Plug and Play (“UpnP”), Network File System (“NFS”), Common Internet File System (“CIFS”) and AppleTalk. The network can be, for example, a local area network, a wide-area network, a virtual private network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network, an infrared network, a wireless network and any combination thereof. 
     In embodiments utilizing a Web server, the Web server can run any of a variety of server or mid-tier applications, including Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”) servers, FTP servers, Common Gateway Interface (“CGI”) servers, data servers, Java servers and business application servers. The server(s) also may be capable of executing programs or scripts in response requests from user devices, such as by executing one or more Web applications that may be implemented as one or more scripts or programs written in any programming language, such as Java®, C, C# or C++, or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python or TCL, as well as combinations thereof. The server(s) may also include database servers, including without limitation those commercially available from Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase® and IBM®. 
     The environment can include a variety of data stores and other memory and storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety of locations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) one or more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computers across the network. In a particular set of embodiments, the information may reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”) familiar to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functions attributed to the computers, servers or other network devices may be stored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includes computerized devices, each such device can include hardware elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, for example, at least one central processing unit (“CPU”), at least one input device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch screen or keypad) and at least one output device (e.g., a display device, printer or speaker). Such a system may also include one or more storage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices and solid-state storage devices such as random access memory (“RAM”) or read-only memory (“ROM”), as well as removable media devices, memory cards, flash cards, etc. 
     Such devices also can include a computer-readable storage media reader, a communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, etc.) and working memory as described above. The computer-readable storage media reader can be connected with, or configured to receive, a computer-readable storage medium, representing remote, local, fixed and/or removable storage devices as well as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanently containing, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readable information. The system and various devices also typically will include a number of software applications, modules, services or other elements located within at least one working memory device, including an operating system and application programs, such as a client application or Web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate embodiments may have numerous variations from that described above. For example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets) or both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed. 
     Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, or portions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in the art, including storage media and communication media, such as but not limited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmission of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, including RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (“CD-ROM”), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other medium, which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the a system device. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the various embodiments. 
     The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. 
     Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. 
     Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.