3d printing is the future of manufacturing.

However, I do believe that 3d printing will launch a paradigm shift in certain consumer behaviors, due to the creative possibilities it opens up. This, combined with the availability of diverse "open source" designs on the internet, will allow individuals and small businesses to provide customized solutions to a variety of problems they face.

Additionally, learnings from the technology will transform how manufacturing is done for select items/goods. For example, toys can be created cheaply and with greater customization - reaching niche markets at lower costs for smaller players.

There will always be hype when innovative technologies receive public praise. However, I think that discounting the new opportunities it unlocks would be unwise - especially for entrepreneurial types (like me).

Point taken.

As for 'additive manufacturing engineer', I don't see that title coming up soon. What are commonly known around here as "3D printers" are more often called "rapid prototypers" in industry. That's about all they're used for-prototyping, not production. Additive processes such as fused deposition modeling aren't able to reach (note even close for the most part) the throughput and detail abilities that other process using the same materials are, such as injection molding or rotomolding. If a company was using 3D printers to make a product they were selling to customers, they are best off selling it for a very high price and making relatively few of them. Otherwise, if they need low per unit costs or large throughputs, there are other ways to make what they need to sell.