3d Printing State of the "Art" Industry Draft
Areas where small businesses can succeed at 3d printing.
1. Making just in time high value replacement parts.
2. Creating "impossible" items that can not be built by subtractive means practically.
3. Making parts for products that have been discontinued or are no longer supported.
4. Making items that are ergonomically personalized.
5. Dialing in specific materials on custom machines enabling engineering
grade materials to be run at there most cost effective mode.
The 3d printing technology arena does suffer a bit from what I call patent disease.
What I call patent disease is the protection of various designs and methods to the end that a truly
optimal product can not be built. I have negotiated licensing of technology from the acquiring end and often enough
greed becomes a factor. I have had the deal "sealed" and have the the accountants on the behalf of the licenser suddenly
decide they want multiple times more royalty per unit. This can throw a companies finances into extreme turmoil depending
on how many associated commitments had been made.
That out of the way ....
There are trends that point to the cottage industry possibly flourishing
while the big capital shoots each other in the foot but
once again one must beware if you flourish prominently you can contemplate the patent holders to take you to task.