04-05-2016
3D printing at drupa 2016
Author: Greg Mills
Although for me the word “game-changing” generally falls into the same category of overused words as “unique” and “strategic”, a look at the impact that 3D printing is already having and could yet have suggests that game-changing really could be an appropriate adjective to use to describe this technology. Although more accurately called “additive manufacturing”, the adoption of 3D printing is picking up pace (almost 133,000 3D printers were shipped worldwide in 2014, 68 % up on 2013) and we’re starting to see regular stories about how the technology is being used for a huge variety of purposes – from bra sizing to road-ready cars to pharmaceutical drugs to prosthetic feet for ducks and hoofs for horses.