You are stuck in the old business model of mass-producing a widget in a central location and then distributing it.
The 3D business model is the opposite in that the widgets are printed on demand by the end users (who have their own 3D printers).
So instead of making say 500,000 widgets at a factory and then shipping them to 40,000 customers, you now have 40,000 customers with their own 3D printers and you just send them the file and charge a fee for each widget produced.
Most of those 40,000 customers will only be printing a few of them so the speed is now not a factor. Others with high volume needs will likely have more than one 3D printer or they will outsource as needed.
Who’s responsible when some doofus uses the “wrong ink” or the part requires heat treating and it doesn’t get done? The whole part is compromised. What I’m suggesting is that the individual user will need more than a modicum of engineering & materials know-how to use this tool effectively.
3D printing will probably be the next EDM machine... a necessary tool in certain types of manufacturing shops.
I respect the point that you’re trying to make. And maybe my own manufacturing background is making me overly skeptical.