The following blog is from Katun/Media Sciences
Sure a 3D printer sounds like something that should be spitting out weird future food aboard the Starship Enterprise. In reality, it’s a trend in manufacturing that allows companies to build prototypes or even completed products through an additive process similar to how toner is sprayed on paper. The 3D printer sprays layer after layer of plastic or other materials until a finished object is complete—kind of like building a sandcastle one layer at a time.
3D printing has already seen significant use in biomedical and aerospace fields but as it becomes more accessibly priced 3D printers are popping up in smaller businesses and even homes. The possibilities for new business methods and models are just beginning to surface.
Imagine print shops offering 3D printing services to small businesses and homes in the same way offering photocopying was a big deal a generation ago. Need a replacement part? Maybe instead of shipping replacement parts companies could email you CAD drawings. Lose a piece to your kid’s favorite game? Print a new one at the local Kinko’s. Supply chain issues could be totally upended as manufacturers print new components on demand instead of waiting for backorders.
It might sound far-fetched, but there are many businesses that offer 3D printing services already. Consider what the future might hold for you, or your clients. Get in early on this new trend and you just might ride it all the way to the top.
Click here to read more articles from Katun/Media Sciences
