Before we ask where 3D printing is taking us, let's look at what has been already achieved or is near achievement across markets beyond printing prototypes, toys and models.

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Lightweight, high-performance metals leader Alcoa has announced plans to further expand its global aerospace business by acquiring privately held TITAL. The acquisition will strengthen Alcoa's global position to capture increasing demand for advanced jet engine components made of titanium.

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InfinityQS International Inc., a provider of software for manufacturing intelligence, has opened an office in the U.K., near London.

Industrial machinery production - which represents $1.6tr of the $3.8tr global industrial capital expenditure spending in 2013 - is the area to be most dramatically affected by advancing 3D printing technology, says Alex Chausovksy, senior principal analyst, industrial automation, at IHS.