3D Printing development is extremely crucial to start ups.

In manufacturing, 3D printing is already used to create production tooling and other low-quantity parts; manufacturers can customize to what they need, quickly. Replacement is as easy as reprinting parts. 3D printing in manufacturing will continue to expand and will become pervasive in industries at different rates, driven by technology, maturity, and cost reduction. 3D printing will become a commonplace manufacturing technology alongside more traditional processes like injection molding, forming, and milling.

Currently, 3D printing is most used in industries and applications with low-volume, high-unit cost and the need for customization, where costs of 3D printing are outweighed by the benefits. However, technology improvement has been pushing the limits of the technology and unlocking its use in mass production applications. Uses such as external medical devices, custom consumer products, and aerospace and automotive parts designed for fuel efficiency will become commonplace in the next five to seven years.

Technology maturity is also driving development of a broad 3D ecosystem. The core of the ecosystem is made up of product designers, users, printer manufacturers, material producers, and software providers. Many companies are trying to push expansion of the core. For example, HP has launched an open materials platform to encourage more materials providers into the ecosystem. Other types of players are joining the mix as well; for example, systems integrators are needed to help manufacturers effectively integrate the new 3D printing technologies with existing manufacturing systems. Design software companies also play a role, as existing design software is not able to capitalize on the technological innovations available in the latest 3D printers, such as voxel-level control.

New business models are entering the ecosystem such as service bureaus, which are locally based 3D printing facilities. Local Service bureaus provide access to digital manufacturing methods for entrepreneurs, startups, and small-to-medium businesses to prototype or manufacture new products. Through service bureaus, 3D printing creates lower barriers for entry and greater degrees of manufacturing speed and flexibility.

For example, Forecast 3D is a full-production capable service bureau with 12 HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers that can produce 600,000 functional parts in a single week.91 Historically, access to this level of manufacturing at a viable cost would require the creation of a complex global supply chain; but now it is as easy as a walk down the street. This access to manufacturing in turn enables further innovation in products and business models. Other new business models may be developed as well, such as content libraries, like an iTunes for 3D designs, to store and secure 3D printing designs. There are also opportunities in data management and security, and design services (to help consumers generate a design), etc.