The potential presented in additive manufacturing as it matures suggests a fundamental transformation in the production of material goods.

 

With the potential already developing to print everything from engine parts to whole houses by moving production directly to the customers' sites, many cargo container ships will be put out of business if the 3D Industrial Revolution reaches a fraction of the promise of its potential.

 

3D printing, crowdfunding, robotics, ad-hoc media content, and a host of other technologies - taken together - will not only alter the course of production but fundamentally shatter traditional manufacturing practices and related industries such as advertising and marketing.

 

In engineering settings, the success of additive manufacturing has been thoroughly proven. For example, 3D Printing will provide the tools and possibly even the food needed during journeys to Mars. In medicine, 3D Printing may soon provide replacement parts for human bodies.