Thursday 26 March 2015

Where Is The 3D Printing Industry Headed?


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 3D Printer printing a 3D printer?!? (Skynet is real, btw)


Despite all the media attention it is fair to say that this disruptive technology is still in its infancy. Industry pros like Terry Wohlers project the 3D sector at a 44% CAGR worth over 8 billion by 2020. Financially there is a lot of momentum behind these figures as companies make the switch from rapid prototyping to Rapid Manufacturing. Companies like Swedish manufacturer Arcam with the advent of their Q20 metal 3D printer have made a splash on the ground floors of companies like GE and Rolls Royce for use in their Aerospace divisions. Companies like Formalabs advancements in stereolithography have created superior resolutions capable of printing 1/1000 the thickness of a human hair which is measure in microns. Heck, even NASA is launching every shuttle from now forth with their own line of zero gravity 3D printers. Check them out here-> Made In Space

So what’s next? Humans? Are we going to be printing humans? Yes, actually. Organovo prints fully functional and accurate bioprinted human tissue as well as organs. Hmmmm…

Well this is all very rich to say the least. In short, this is the next industrial revolution. This IS how things WILL be made in the future and this IS where the 3D Printing Industry is Headed.


Agree/disagree? Do you welcome our robotic 3D Printed overlords or will you seek refuge in Siberia? Your thoughts are always welcome.


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