3D printing: how can you exploit it without breaking the bank?

3D printing or "additive manufacturing" includes all processes used to manufacture a physical object layer by layer, by adding material, from a digital model. Now a proven technology, it offers many advantages including a high degree of freedom in the creation of parts, structural streamlining and savings in design and manufacturing time. Often more expensive than conventional processes, how can these technologies best be exploited to generate value? First-hand accounts by major manufacturers boosted by successful adoption of industrial 3D printing.