The Costs of 3D Printing

1. developing a security and device management system
2. patent and copyright concerns
3. safety and security issues (3D printing can be subject to criminal uses and purposes)
4. high maintenance and repair costs
5. limited material
6. required FDA approval for use in healthcare (creates a major barrier to the adoption of 3D printing in the medical industry, as one of the primary benefits to using 3D printing is that you can create a product and have it in your hands after just a few hours of designing/printing)
7. need for 3D printing input data (this has been a continuous issue for many industrial users as there seems to be a lack of softwares designed to implement and create forms that exploit 3D printing; as of now, 3D CAD system softwares are the main source of input data for 3D printing, however, the development of further models and softwares are required to capture all complexities of this technology; simple and easy input is essential to the increase in the industrial adoption of 3D printing)
8. large initial capital investment required