This article explores additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. “Labeled an ‘emerging technology’, 3D printing has actually been around for more than 30 years.” The process “uses CAD data to simplify product specifications into 2D slices and in an additive process builds a product from the ground up, layer by layer.”
Many predict that 3D printing will profoundly impact the manufacturing industry as the technology becomes more affordable for home users. “You can make anything and everything will change,” said Finnegan partner John F. Hornick. “. . . you will sell designs not products.”