3D printers will increasingly be used to manufacture direct production parts and finished goods in a variety of applications.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, allows solid objects to be built from a series of layers using plastic, metal, or other materials. This technology can thereby produce sophisticated structures with greater flexibility and efficiency and less waste compared to traditional manufacturing techniques, which require longer setup times and higher material and labor costs.
The use of 3D printers to make prototypes considerably reduces product development cycles and can even help protect confidentiality by allowing for greater independence in design and production. Given its relatively low setup costs, additive manufacturing also represents an attractive alternative to conventional manufacturing when only limited quantities of items need to be produced.