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Sean Smyth of Digital Demand World, the publication for the digital print industry, looks at the progress of 3D printing and the momentum being built that promises an emerging technology that commercial printers can profit from.
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About Sean Smyth
Sean Smyth is print consultant at Smithers Pira, the worldwide authority on the packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Sean has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
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Discussion
By Marco F. PICASSO on Feb 18, 2014
3D printing is 30 years old, but only now it becomes popular. Anyway no conventional printers, up to now, at least here in Italy, have understood the opportunities they have to increase their dropping business. It is difficult to convince them that 3D printing is something like digital printing before IPEX 1993.
Marco F. Picasso - www.metaprintart.info
By Andy McCourt on Feb 23, 2014
Great article by Sean. The resistance to 3D printing by those in the 2D printing world is puzzling. With Stratasys now offering a CMY 3D printer, maybe this will change. Architectural models would appear to be a natch for those already in plan printing. Most printers I hear from are fearful of entering 3D at an investment level of 'peanuts' and yet will spend $2 million on a new press when the prospects to fill its capacity are uncertain. Sure, the business model for 3D printing has yet to be clearly defined and only niche areas mentioned by Sean seem to be profitable; but if we don't 'play in the sandpit' with these new technologies - what is that saying about the industry's character?