The technology is still relatively primitive but 3D printing (Box 1) is becoming widespread and its potential impact is already making headlines. The purpose of this article is not to focus on the ‘science-fiction’ stories carried by the media (Box 2) but rather to look at the opportunities created and threats posed by this emerging technology in day-to-day business. In particular, we will focus on the manufacturing and retail sectors where, it is argued, 3D printing will have the biggest impact. Firms that embrace this technology quickest should gain a significant competitive advantage over their rivals.
The design for a product is created using appropriate software and the saved design file is uploaded to a 3D printer.
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