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“3D printer” describes a range of devices. The term sometimes gets applied to machines that make production parts or tooling from metal powder. Since machines making parts like these don’t even resemble a printer, I am not sure about this use of the term. The term seems more fitting when applied to less expensive machines making polymer parts, particularly desktop machines. In any case, all these devices have a future in manufacturing.
The metal systems will increasingly be used to make near-net-shape industrial parts—and that will be interesting. But for a moment, I would like to consider the lower end of the scale. In the future, I think practically every machining business will have some sort of low-cost 3D printer. That is, I think we will one day take it for granted that the typical job shop has at least a desktop 3D printer, and routinely uses it as a complement to its CNC machine tools.
Part of the reason I think this is anecdotal. The recurring theme I hear in job shops’ testimonies about their 3D printers is that they were surprised to discover how useful these devices proved to be. But the other part of my reasoning is the basis I see for this usefulness. A 3D printer and a machine tool make such good partners because the former fills a role the other can’t fill efficiently.
That role has to do with the fact that not every item made in a machine shop is a production part. Some items are created for internal use, and some are made for communication with the customer. In a job shop, it would be great if every piece produced was fully and directly billable, but that’s not reality. The additional items that are necessary get made on the very same machine tools that run production, because in a small shop, what other choice is there?