I believe that in 2020 the 3D printing industry will come together to demonstrate convincingly that additive manufacturing is the most sustainable manufacturing technology available. I hope by the end of the decade that Additive Manufacturing will be the defining transformative force in democratizing habitat and mobility on earth and in space.

2020 is the year that in-house 3D printing will start to be seen as a viable, sustainable alternative to outsourcing mid-volume orders of plastic parts. Even as the manufacturing sector is slowing down, 3D printers are producing higher quality parts at a lower cost. Manufacturers under pressure to reduce lead times and inventory levels will turn their attention to adoption of fully autonomous 3D printing networks to deliver quality parts on demand. This focus on innovation will also help companies achieve their sustainability goals by reducing bulk shipping and warehousing and reducing waste.