One problem; they have jumped over the ‘copy’ function. I have not yet found an outfit near me that will take my specially shaped lump of inert metal and . . . . MAKE ANOTHER ONE. That’s all I want - another one! But they want computer files: stl, obj, zip, step, stp, iges, igs, 3ds, wrl. I just want another one of these.
They have printers with scanners in them already. It does work like a copier.
There will be a new industry where 3D print shops spring up. It would be hard for a printshop to have all the needs of a print job in one place.
Right now there is IMaterialize, they will print it in many different materials and ship it to you.
Kind of a challenge if a metal part acquires strength from the grain alignment achieved through forging, or altered properties from heat treatment.