 |
3D printing still blows my mind.
Having been around for decades, 3D printing technologies turned a corner when companies like MakerBot brought microwave-sized 3D printers to desktops.
Full of promise, the reward was never fully realized because the average Joe was a bit too average to sufficiently harness and utilize the technology.
The hype faded. But the industry keeps trudging along.
Perhaps now is a chance to invest before a new wave of innovation brings 3D printing back into the spotlight.
My brother is currently 3D printing prototypes for a product he’s — for lack of a better term — inventing. When I last spoke with him, I asked about the durability of the 3D-printed prototype versus his vision of the final product.
He was clear: 3D printing could not produce a viable end-use product at a reasonable cost compared to conventional manufacturing.
For starters, the prototype is some type of composite resin plastic stuff. The final product probably needs to be aluminum.
In fact, metal additive manufacturing has recently gained traction in the 3D printing universe. It began as “printing metal” by adding metal additives into a sort of mold. More recently, a process called sintering will take 3D printing in metal (as well as thermoplastics) to a new level.
But as my brother said, it’s just not cost effective. Yet.
|
[URGENT] 25 Dangerous Stocks to Sell Now Some of the biggest names in stocks — Wall Street darlings you probably thought you could count on — are ticking time-bombs. That’s why I’m releasing the names of 25 toxic stocks you need to sell now. Some of these big-name stocks are hanging by a thread — just the slightest hiccup in the market could bring them down. And if you’re holding any of these stocks, your money is going down with them. The complete list of stocks to sell immediately is yours Get your free copy now. |
Needless to say, the industry will keep innovating. So, I have my eye on a mainstay in 3D printing: Stratasys (SSYS).
Stratasys is big. But it’s adapted to industry trends. It developed GrabCAD, an online system and community to bridge the skills gap for the average Joe who wants to get serious. It offers options to print stuff that’s more “traditional,” as well as solutions to print end-use products in bulk.
And by seeking out partnerships with major manufacturers including Airbus and Siemens, Stratasys has endless opportunities to expand its businesses that provide parts, services and expertise.
Wherever this industry goes, Stratasys is sure to be there with quality solutions.
Do right,
JR Crooks
{ 6 comments }
I wonder if 3D will go the same way as inkjet printers….cheap units with expensive propiatory consumables.
What about 3D, DDD?
Right, the average Joe happens to not be an inventor or a designer or a scratch-build train/plane/car/etc. modeler, so the main issue would appear to be general uselessness around the typical home, just as AutoCAD and ilk are useless on the typical home computer. And there’s also the disparity in quality (and cost, given the expense of the printer and the raw materials) between 3D-printed and commercially-manufactured items. And for those who have an actual on-going use for 3D printing, there will always be a much better 3D printer at the commercial facility that will print whatever CAD file you send to them, so why buy one?
I say it will take another five years before they have something to brag about.
After reading this interesting article,I did some online research.It appears that the best way to play this is through HP(symbol HPQ).It seems that HP is growing its business faster than competitors and has the money,unlike loss making competitors,to invest in 3D.They are promising to come out with metal 3D technology by next year.
HPQ has great potential to provide silicon to the photovoltaic industry, but for powdered metals for mim (metal injection moulding) it is not the company you want. The one that you want is PYR (pyrogenesis) which has licensed HOQ some of their technology! It is a company worth doing some serious due diligence on.
Disclosure: I am a shareholder in and am long PYR.