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To understand the still-growing and fragmented 3D printing industry, one must start with its complex terminology.

Over the past 24 months, the 3D printing industry has enjoyed a tsunami of media coverage and a tidal wave of social-media conversations. But stories of phenomenal growth and the idea that consumers will soon manufacture their own goods aren't entirely accurate. To understand this fragmented industry and the opportunities presented, one must begin with a fundamental understanding of the language of 3D printing, which this piece explores and clarifies.