Executive’s guide to the business possibilities of 3D printing (free ebook)

3D printing is one of today's most hyped technologies. But it's also a technology to watch.

Once almost the sole province of engineers, 3D printing is now finding its way into more and more industries and businesses. And thanks to dropping prices and wider opportunities for use, the consumer market is growing as well. In fact, Gartner predicts that 3D technology will reach mainstream adoption in both enterprise and consumer markets within 10 years.

There seems to be little doubt that 3D printing will have a tremendous impact on the way products are designed, produced, and distributed. No wonder it's being touted as the next Industrial Revolution. But some hefty obstacles stand in the way of widespread implementation of 3D printing technologies, including massive energy consumption, pollution, ethical considerations, the ability to create banned or illegal items, and concerns over threats to intellectual property.

We've put together this guide to help you understand how 3D printing is evolving, the effect it could have on various industries, what possibilities it might open up for your business, and what disruptions are likely to follow as the technology matures and gains traction.  

The ebook is available as a free PDF download for registered ZDNet and TechRepublic members. If you're not already a member, you can click here to register. It only takes a moment.