Though full of possibilities, 3D printing also raises many legal, ethical and practical concerns. This is according to analysts and legal experts, as manufacturing industries, healthcare providers and supply chains accelerate their practical uses of 3D printing.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technique that uses a device to create physical objects from digital models. The output can be a prototype, tooling, jig, fixture or finished good. 3D printing consists of seven manufacturing technologies to produce items from a wide range of plastic, ceramic, glass, metal and biomaterials. The range of 3D-printable materials has grown significantly, making the technology appealing to a wider array of organisations. According to market analyst firm Gartner, worldwide more than 100 manufacturers produce enterprise-class 3D printers, costing from $2 500 to several million dollars. It notes the number of providers has more than doubled over the past three years, the result […]

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