Page 152 - The Fourth Industrial Revolution
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Shift 21: 3D Printing and Consumer
Products
The tipping point: 5% of consumer products printed in 3D
By 2025: 81% of respondents expected this tipping point to have occurred
Because 3D printing can be done by anyone with a 3D printer, it creates opportunities for typical
consumer products to be printed locally and on demand, instead of having to be bought at shops. A 3D
printer will eventually be an office or even a home appliance. This further reduces the cost of
accessing consumer goods and increases the availability of 3D printed objects. Current usage areas for
3D printing (Figure VII) indicate several sectors related to developing and producing consumer
products (proof of concept, prototype and production).
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