3D printing is the pillar of innovation.
AT Kearney 17. Global management consulting firm with offices in more than 40 countries worldwide, consistently ranked among the top consulting firms. AT Kearney. “3D Printing: ensuring manufacturing leadership in the 21st century.” https://saratech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/HP-3D-Printing_-ensuring-manufacturing-leadership-in-the-21st-century_SARATECH.pdf
3D printing is already enabling innovation for both improved efficiency and new product capabilities. As the 3D printing technology itself improves, the innovations will be even greater, moving into increased level control, multiple materials, and even more unique structures.
3D printing will also enable materials to be increasingly customized for purpose. Just as materials in injection molding are blended and fit for purpose, materials for 3D printing will expand to be fit for purpose. The realm of possibilities for 3D printing is even greater because there are more custom applications to solve for, and material properties can be controlled within a design down to the voxel level.
As it advances, 3D printing will be key to technology and innovation leadership for countries, as many other technologies have been in the past. Personal computers, for example, enabled access to information for the masses which scaled innovation on a broad level. As individuals and small business have greater access to manufacturing, they will be empowered to drive further innovation. Countries that have a supportive environment for innovators to gain value within the value chain will experience greater opportunities to advance in technology and innovation leadership through 3D printing.