Is 3D printing only for rapid prototyping?

3D printing is an essential tool for accelerating the prototyping process. However, the applications extend far beyond prototyping and include other facets of a product's life cycle.

• Production - Design freedom and economically viable production in small to medium volumes provide new opportunities for product design and operational improvement. Combined, these two capabilities have the potential to transform decades-old supply chains and business models.
• Tooling - 3D printed tooling offers advantages such as on-demand production, customization, digitalization of designs and unlimited design flexibility. This eliminates costly suppliers, shortens lead times, enables digital storage and accelerates productivity.
• Sales and retail - 3D printing offers the opportunity to innovate, by delivering customized products and gaining new experiences, such as "co-designed" items developed together with customers.
• Supply - Companies that embrace 3D printing for spare parts and other replacement parts can replace spare parts warehouses with 3D printers.  They can also call on a 3D printing service agency to produce parts just-in-time.