Steve Heller

Stratasys’ recent move to purchase the largest independently operated 3-D printing service bureau in the U.S. for $295 million mitigates the long-term risk of commoditization on the sales of its products while differentiating itself from the competition.

3D Systems is raising funds to solidify what management believes is a first-mover advantage.

In a recent interview, Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman confirmed that the company will be announcing its 3-D printing plans at the end of this year.

The consumer 3-D printing industry is likely to face pricing pressures in the years ahead as it becomes more commoditized.

From an investment perspective, the industrial segment is particularly exciting because large-scale manufacturers have begun taking a greater interest in how 3-D printing can benefit their operations.

For investors with a small appetite for expensive stocks, buying 3D Systems or Stratasys and participating in the long-term-growth potential that 3-D printing offers may not be an option.

The use case for consumer 3-D printers is still lacking, and the threat of commoditization is very real.

What it means for Stratasys and 3D Systems investors.

It's important that retail investors understand the types of risks facing every 3-D printing stock before making any investment in the space.

Learn more about GE’s perspective on 3-D printing and advanced manufacturing.

How can we get kids excited about engineering and manufacturing: 3-D printing.

Everything you need to know about 3-D printing’s biggest name.

Here’s a scenario that could lead to 3-D printing’s biggest name raising guidance.

Although mindful of the competition, 3D Systems believes its business is more vertically integrated, and therefore gives it a first-mover advantage over the competition.

A better understanding of the science behind 3-D printing -- especially around metal 3-D printing, which often involves metal alloy powders and laser beams -- needs to happen.

General Electric uses its size to its advantage so that it can get smarter.

3-D inking offers the potential to make products and components even smarter.

See what Christine Furstoss, who heads ups General Electric’s 3-D printing research division, has to say about it.

Governments around the world have been stepping up their investments in 3-D printing.

In order for 3-D printing to make up a greater percentage of the worldwide manufacturing base, there are some major obstacles to overcome.