Is 3-D Printing Ready for Takeoff?

The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which analyst John Reeves and advisor David Meier discuss topics across the investing world.

Boeing was recently quoted as saying that it would like to use 3-D printing technology to manufacture plane wings one day. That's quite an endorsement of the rising technology. And this isn't an isolated incident. Companies like General Electric and United Technologies, two of the biggest and best-diversified manufacturing companies in the world, are using the technology today, and want to find new ways to use it tomorrow. There's still plenty of work to be done to make 3-D printing a mainstream technology source, but it's likely to be a $2 billion industry this year. The best ways to play this burgeoning trend are Stratasys and 3D Systems. Both companies make the printers that make it happen in this space. And as more people think of ways to use this technology, they could sell lots more printers over the next decade.

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The article Is 3-D Printing Ready for Takeoff? originally appeared on Fool.com.

David Meierhas no positions in the stocks mentioned above.John Reeveshas no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and has the following options: short AUG 2012 $30.00 calls on 3D Systems.Motley Fool newsletter services recommend3D Systems and Stratasys. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.

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