3D Printing Creating ‘a Whole New World’

What makes it likely that a company like FOC is just one of the earliest of what could be a world-changing industry is the proliferation of high-quality 3D printers. Two years ago, (Owner Janne) Kyttanen said, there were about 40,000 machines in the world. By the end of this year, that number is probably going to hit 100,000, he said. That means competition for printing jobs—which can be farmed out by designers—and hopefully, lower prices.

FOC’s products are not cheap. They can cost as much or more than quality items made using traditional methods. A high-end lamp can cost about $572.