From creating products within traditional manufacturing limitations to more a design driven focus, as 3D printing exceeds many of the limits found in traditional manufacturing. This allows for innovation and creates many new trends in the industry like bio mimicry, 4D application & reverse engineering.

Products are now able to be customer specific thanks to 3D printing / 3D scanning. For example, athlete’s sports equipment is able to be custom fitted without trading off in performance. In fact, in some respects, 3D printing increases performance because items like footwear, helmet, padding, etc. are all comfortably fitted to the user.

In the past, product design would take months or years for a product to reach the market. 3D printing shortens that time with the ability to allow for complex design in fully functional prototypes. Additive manufacturing is no longer just for industry use but also able to create consumer products. For example, companies like DC for Life collaborate with designers to use EOS facilities & wide range of materials to create home décor, fashion pieces and lighting décor.