As the 3D printing market grows, there are major concerns, I’m sure, in Washington DC about where the technology is headed, as well as a wave of optimism about where this technology can take the country from a manufacturing perspective. Yesterday, the House Small Business Committee had a hearing titled, “The Rise of 3D Printing: Opportunities of Entrepreneurs.”
The main purpose of the hearing was to discuss ways in which government can help the industry grow, as well as make sure that they do not get in the way of that growth. On hand were several executives within the industry, which included, Patrick O’Neill, CEO, Olloclip LLC, Jonathon Cobb, executive vice president, Public Affairs, Stratasys Inc., Peter Weijmarshausen, CEO, Shapeaways, and Jan Baum, executive director, 3D Maryland, Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship.
Jonathan Cobb, discussed with the committee how Stratasys has helped dozens of companies save millions of dollars in the last few years, by turning them onto the latest additive manufacturing machines. Cobb testified,
“We take pride in stories like this. To us, they demonstrate that we are not just in the business of producing 3D machines, we are also helping empower entrepreneurs by bringing manufacturing into their homes and workplaces.”
Shapeways CEO, Peter Weijmarshausen, discussed with the committee, ways in which they assure that the 100,000+ new designs they receive onto their site each month are free of copyright concerns, as well as ways in which copyrights can be protected as the industry grows. He also suggested having some sort of method to work with the DMCA to avoid patent issues on Shapeways.com as well as other design marketplaces.
In order for government to avoid stifling growth of a very important industry, which will likely expand America’s manufacturing capabilities over the next decade, they need to pay attention to those within the industry. This is exactly what this hearing has achieved. You can watch the entire hearing via CSPAN below. Also feel free to discuss this hearing at 3dPrintBoard.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Havaianas Collaborates with Zellerfeld to Launch 3D Printed Flip-Flops
The shoe of the summer is undoubtedly the flip-flop. Easy on, easy off, your feet won’t get sweaty because there’s not much material, and they’re available in a veritable rainbow...
UCLA Researchers Develop 3D Printed Pen that May Help Detect Parkinson’s Disease
Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease is difficult. Often, early symptoms of the progressive neurological condition may be overlooked, or mistaken for signs of aging. Early diagnosis can help save lives and improve...
Printing Money Episode 30: Q1 2025 Public 3D Printing Earnings Review with Troy Jensen, Cantor Fitzgerald
Printing Money is back with Episode 30, and it’s that quarterly time, so we are happy and thankful to welcome back Troy Jensen (Managing Director, Cantor Fitzgerald) to review the...
Heating Up: 3D Systems’ Scott Green Discusses 3D Printing’s Potential in the Data Center Industry
The relentless rise of NVIDIA, the steadily increasing pledges of major private and public investments in national infrastructure projects around the world, and the general cultural obsession with AI have...