3D printing is just hitting the acceptance curve for wide-scale adoption by manufacturers.

3D printing or, as it’s known more formally, additive manufacturing, has been with us for more than 40 years. But only recently has the technology matured to the point where it’s on the verge of being deployed in everyday operations across a wide range of manufacturers. Like any new and innovative technology, it has had to journey along the “Hype Cycle” of introduction, overselling, maturity and ultimate acceptance. But it’s just about at that point now, according to Greg Hayes, senior vice president of Global Additive Minds with EOS, a leader in powder bed fusion (PDF) additive manufacturing. He explains where the technology is today — having grabbed the addition of the U.S. Department of Defense, it’s even being used in submarines — and where it’s going. And he’s candid about the potential obstacles that stand in the way of full development. Hosted by Bob Bowman, Editor-in-Chief of SupplyChainBrain.

Show notes:

From EOS, a “Beginner’s Guide to Additive Manufacturing”.