3D Printing Problems
There are two problems with 3D printing that will impact this.
First, is the issue of time. 3D printing is SLOW. Compare injection molding with 3D printing. In the time that the 3D printer can make a single part, the injection molding machine will make a couple of dozed, or even a couple of hundred. Time is a big cost. That's the whole reason for Mass Production.
Second is the issue of materials. because of the time factor above, any single 3D printer will not use a terribly large amount of material. Because of the larger throughput, the injection molding machine will use much more, so the amount purchased will be much larger, driving the cost per Kg down.
Adding these two factors together, relegates the 3D printer to a niche area of manufacturing.
Still, there is a place where 3D printing shines. That is in prototyping situations, and where there is only a very limited product run needed. Those are the areas where a 3D printer will really make an impact.
I wouldn't want to rely on a 3D printer if my business is selling screws or screwdrivers, but, it would be really valuable on say a spaceship, where a replacement part is vital, and we are weeks away from any factory. It would also be quite useful for a car buff that needs a part that hasn't been made for 40 years.
In industry, it is already very useful for making the parts that are then used to make the molds for mass production. 3D printing will never make everything we as a planetary economy want and need. It will, however be added as another valuable tool. Every new tool adds some value.
