Additive manufacturing (AM) is hurtling into its wide and wonderful future. Right now heavy attention is being given to the promise AM offers to toy and fanciful trinkets makers or to heavyweights in the aerospace industry. Deservedly, there are great investments and enthusiastic anticipation in both of these markets.

The true promise of AM, however, is likely to echo the evolution of the radio. The military and amateurs were eventually overtaken by the mainstream commercial manufacturers. Think of the Internet or a dozen other innovations and you can imagine how AM might migrate to greatly affect our lives and economy.

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