A distributed light-guided processing method includes obtaining an order from a requester, for at least one completed product. Raw components are provided to at least one selected remote processing location. The selected remote processing location includes a light guided system. Work instructions are provided to the selected remote processing location, wherein the work instructions enable the light guided system to guide construction of the completed product. The completed product is processed, using at least the raw components, the work instructions, and the light guided system. The completed product is shipped from the selected remote processing location upon completion of the processing.

The invention relates to, inter alia, an installation including a first computing infrastructure with a web server which is configured to provide a user interface by means of which a component can be selected by a user logged into the web server, and a second computing infrastructure which can be connected to a plurality of additive manufacturing devices in a plurality of local networks for operating the additive manufacturing devices. The first computing infrastructure sends to the second computing infrastructure instructions which prompt an additive manufacturing device to additively manufacture the selected component in a multiplicity of layers, and a manufacturer identifier which references an additive manufacturing device associated with the logged-in user. The second computing infrastructure receives the instructions and the manufacturer identifier and instructs the additive manufacturing device referenced in the received manufacturer identifier to additively manufacture the selected component according to the received instructions.

A system and method facilitates brokered delivery of three-dimensional objects. A networked computing device sends an object description file to a broker with a request to initiate a rendering of an object defined by the object description file at a designated destination. The broker server relays the object description file to a rendering device at the designated destination, such as a three-dimensional printer, which commences rendering the object. Senders and recipients can register with the broker prior to transmission of the object description file. The broker can charge a fee associated with the transaction.