When we think of a star wars replicator and compare that to 3D printing, the fuss is justified. It is however unrealistic.
My view is that 3D printing is good for designers and making and then refining prototypes. I have yet to see a product with lots of sales potential be made by the 3d printers and actually sell.
I would think that the UPS centers with the printers are the same as copy machines. Those designers not able to afford the machines can visit UPS and provide drawings to make a prototype
Bingo
Cannon just jumped into the 3D printing business. Companies like this can just buy the people and smaller companies to get up to speed. They admit they were slow to jump into the industry.
HP is also involved.
I have had occasion to use 3D printing to fashion a prototype. There are various ‘materials’ (the material used to build up the object, not really ink, and there are metals now being used, too) that can be used for construction giving different usage features such as flexibility or rigidity.