Disruptive technology, or the function of not only meeting society's or an industry's needs, but also anticipating future needs. When put in the proper context, something that usually has negative connotations, a word like disrupt can morph into a positive term about the development of an entire industry. In that context, 3D printing is a perfect example of a disruptive technology.
3D printing has met the needs of many companies across a multitude of industries, but its ability to innovate, to push those industries forward and allow professionals to realize their potential is what makes 3D printing disruptive. Making the planning and prototyping processes faster and cheaper has had innumerable effects on industry.
Over the next twenty pages, you'll learn how 3D printing has caused a disruption in low-volume production, life cycle sustainability, increased part functionality, supply chain realignment, personalization, and design complexity. Aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, consumer electronics, medical, and process industries have all seen disruptions from the incredible technology that is additive manufacturing.
