There are several companies that have jumped on the 3D bandwagon to offer 3D printing services to consumers that cannot afford their own machinery at home.
Shapeways, an online firm, allows artists, designers and consumers to create and upload their own designs before choosing materials -- whether plastic, stainless steel, silver or ceramic -- prints them, and ships the products worldwide. The service is in such high demand that weeks are required before products are shipped. MakerBot recently opened a store that lets customers download schematics for products to print at home.
These businesses have been formed due to investment and innovation in the industry, and rising competition as well as potential profit will make more businesses join the fray.
We predict that the low cost of production and a decline in the price of 3D printers will prove to be the catalyst for the industry to expand, and eventually, 3D-printed products will be commonplace -- in the same way that smartphones replaced feature phones.
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