3D printing has generated significant hype but also faces realities and challenges. While it may revolutionize manufacturing in some ways, instant printing of anything at home remains unlikely. Opportunities exist for both individuals and businesses in 3D printing services and applications across industrial, casual, scientific, and medical areas. However, technological obsolescence, regulatory barriers, and disruptive new technologies pose threats. Individual freelancing rates range from Rs. 500-5000 per hour while full-service business models could yield returns of 5-30% annually on investments of Rs. 2-40 crore.

1. 3D Printing in India:
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
27 FEB 2015

2. T h e H yp e C yc le
Gartner's 2014 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies
“3D printing may shape a new
manufacturing revolution”
– Engineering News, SA
“… revolutionize the way we
make almost everything.”
– Barack Obama
“… it will ease China's pressure
on energy and resources”
– China Daily
“A cheap way to print
electronic devices”
– The Economist
Consumer 3D Printing

3. M o re H yp e
“Printing your own food: a solution to the food crisis?”

4. M o re H yp e
“Jaw dropping fashion items made by 3D printers”

5. M o re H yp e
“Print me a jet engine” – The Economist

6. M o re H yp e
“World’s first all-in-one 3D printer, Blacksmith Genesis”

7. M o re H yp e
“Send your 3D printed copy to office in your place”
OK, that one’s just a joke.

8. Myths and Reality
• 3D Printing is hot new technology 
• Instantly manufacture anything at home 
• Just buy a 3D printer, instantly start printing 
• Traditional manufacturing methods are dead 
• To make easy money, get into 3D printing 

9. Technologies
Mechanism
• Extrusion
• Laser Sintering
• Photolithography
• Hybrid
• 3Dp + machining
• 3Dp + laser etch
• Future approaches
Materials
• Plastics, metals, resins
• Paper, Chocolate,
Icing!
• Various pastes
• Extrudable plastic
• Sinterable powder
Processes
• Single / multimaterial
• Mono / color
• Direct product
• Print  finishing
• Mold  casting
• Print  integration

12. Applications – Examples
Industrial
• Small-run products
• Engineering
components
• Masters and molds
• Design prototypes
• Working prototypes
• Complex shapes
Casual
• Jewelry
• Toys and figurines
• Personalized
products
• Display dummies
• Decorative items
• “Because I can”
Scientific
• Dental molds
• Prosthetic limbs
• Bio-prints (livers!)
• Architectural models
• Molecular models
• Hearing aids
• Printable optics

15. 3D Printing LifecycleInitiate
Concept
Visualization
Or:
Steal idea!
Design
3D modeling
CAD / CAE
Or:
Download /
copy
Manufacture
Additive
Manufacture
Finishing
(Integration)

20. Services
• CAD/CAE Process
Outsourcing (CPO)
• Sculpture,
Personalization
• Design-for-Additive-
Manufacture
• Education
Manufacturing
• 3DP Service Bureau
• Hybrid manufacture
• 3D “Selfie booth”
• Jewelry masters
• Medical (dental,
prosthetic, bio)
• Material production
Trading
• Representation
• Support-driven sales
e.g NVBots
• Tech licensing / TKD
• Niche-market
specialty boutique
• Materials ImpEx
Opportunities for businesses

23. Opportunities for individuals
Employment
• Print-optimized CAD
• Digital 3D sculpture
• (+) Mechanical,
thermal, material
science skills
• Teaching
• Tech presales
• Post-processing
Freelancing
• Sculpture (e.g. art,
merchandising)
• Selling @ShapeWays
• Product engineering
• Trainer / Workshops
• Technical support
• SME, production
troubleshooting
Entrepreneurial
• Run “Xerox center”
• “MakeXYZ.com” etc
• “Selfie booth” agent
• Scan & Fix facility
• AMC services
• Niche consulting
• Innovate/invent (?)

26. Threat Matrix
Technological
•Tech Obsolescence
•Software license costs
•“Trivially easy” HW/SW
•Commoditization (HP!)
•Expectation hype trap
•Qualitative skill trap
Regulatory
•Import barriers (CVD!)
•Paranoia = restrictions
•DIY-unfriendly policies
•“Made-in-India”
protectionism
•Usurious taxation
•… or extreme subsidy!
Disruptive
•Cost “air pockets” e.g.
FHD DLP, smartphones
•Newer hyped tech
•Leapfrogging by other
countries’ policies
•Sub-scale v/v demand

27. Show Me The Money!!!
Individual:
•Basic 3D model design Rs. 500 - 1500 per hour
•Print-optimized design Rs. 1000 - 3000 per hour
•Sculpture for 3D printing (color) Rs. 1000 - 5000 per hour
Business:
•Full life cycle CPO Rs. 30,000 - 80,000 per day
•Production bureau (e.g. ShapeWays) 5% - 30% pa, for Rs.8 - 40 Cr
•Production bureau (e.g. Xerox center) 10% - 20% pa, for Rs.2 – 10 Cr