I’ve published my 2014 Trend report on 3D Printing. The 76 page powerpoint slide deck provides an overview of 3D Printing trend along marketplace research and insights and hundreds of links to additional resources.
About 3D Printing: Also called Additive Manufacturing, 3D printing has been hailed as a transformative manufacturing technology, 3D printing involves fabrication of physical objects by depositing a material using a nozzle, print head, or any another printer technology. Though initially used for prototyping of products, 3D printing has evolved and is currently capable of customized short-run manufacturing of industrial products, dental implants, and medical devices. The reality is that 3D printing is finding use in a diverse range of applications across varied markets.
Technological advancements are increasingly facilitating the use of 3D printers for manufacturing final products. The technology has now reached a stage where digital models can be replicated to produce physical components or prototypes, which would be similar to those of mass produced products. The declining cost of printers has led a wide range of industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to footwear and jewelry to adopt 3D printing technology for manufacturing desired objects. 3D printing technology is thus offering individuals as well as companies with the ability to design as well as manufacture objects at relatively lower costs.
