Abstract:
It was only a few years ago that we heard the term "3D printing" for the very first time. The idea that an object could literally be printed into existence seemed far-fetched to say the least—much like something out of a science fiction movie. Skip ahead to today, and 3D printing has become a common topic of conversation, with the business implications of this controversial manufacturing tool suggestive of a significant and global impact. In fact, the McKinsey Global Institute predicts that, by 2025, the economic influence of 3D printing could reach between $230 billion and $550 billion per year.
