Thermoplastics aren’t just equal to many traditional metals and injection moulded plastics. In the right contexts, they outperform them. Carbon fibre materials can withstand millions of cycles on the shop floor. PEKK-based plastics remove the weight of steel whilst bearing superior chemical resistance. The possibilities of 3D printed materials have reached industrial-grade strength.

Offering a fast return on investment, with 3D printers turning weeks and months of lead time into hours and drastically cutting costs of outsourced labour, 3D printing presents an opportunity for engineers and manufacturers to possess their own means of production that isn’t contingent on raw materials and contractor availability.