By Dr. Michael Grieves, Florida Institute of Technology
After decades of hype and predictions surrounding additive manufacturing (AM), AM is poised to be on the brink of becoming the disruptive technology that many have long expected. Disruptive technologies are often deemed too costly, less capable, or too niche to replace incumbent technology. But over time, many of these technologies reach a tipping point and rapidly replace these incumbents.
AM is one such disruptor. It may not completely replace subtractive manufacturing, but if AM makes even small inroads into areas that have
been historically subtractive realms it will have a huge impact on 21st Century manufacturing.[…]