Worldwide, the biggest single problem facing additive manufacturing (popularly known as 3D printing) is the lack of knowledge on the part of businesses seeking to use this technology. "The main problem is the knowledge gap in additive manufacturing, in terms of designing the manufacturing process, finding the right business models to profitably use the technology and the validation of parts for critical industries," EOS area sales manager: Russia, Israel and South Africa Peter Rosker told Engineering News Online on Thursday.

"The additive manufacturing machine business is aware of these problems," he added. "We need to offer training to our customer companies and to people involved in additive manufacturing, to close this gap."

Outside the companies actually designing and manufacturing 3D printing machines, there are very few additive manufacturing professionals -- unlike, for example, the case with CNC machines, for which there are now many professionals. "People need to be trained in additive manufacturing, in how to use it," he stressed. "Worldwide, lectures are now starting at universities. In South Africa, you are doing a great job. Universities here already teach this topic. They will produce lots of people who will be able to work in the additive manufacturing sector."

Closing the knowledge gap will then open the way to meeting the next big challenge in the sector. "In future, additive manufacturing machines will have to be redesigned to be integrated into high volume production environments."

Rosker expects that additive manufacturing will transform the world. But it will make its first big impacts in the aerospace and medical sectors. "Aerospace will be the big driver in the coming years."

Already, US major aero engine manufacturer General Electric is ramping up 3D printer production of fuel nozzles for its latest-generation LEAP engine to 40 000 per year. "We expect them to expand this [additive manufacturing] to other parts, in due course," he observed.

Although a German company, EOS originally stood for Electro Optical Systems. Established in 1989, it was focused on additive manufacturing technology and machines from the start, with an initial focus on enabling rapid prototyping. Its first target market was the US (hence its English-language name). Today it has offices and distributors in North and South America, across Europe (including Russia), in the Middle East, East Asia, South East Asia and South Asia. EOS now also offers additive manufacturing training and consultancy services.

Rosker also addressed the Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa 2015 conference in Kameeldrift, north-east of Pretoria, on Thursday.