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The future of manufacturing may lie with companies like Italy's Isinnova, which saw a need for respirator valves in its coronavirus-stricken area and was able to make hundreds in two days using 3D printing rather than waiting a week for ones made in Chinese factories.
It's an example of how the United States and Europe are leading in innovation in additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, according to a new study by the European Patent Office. While relatively few patents are issued each year, it's the fastest-growing technology field, with companies like General Electric, Raytheon and Siemens getting the most patents.
"Most of them are industrial actors that are considering this technology to change their approach to manufacturing," said EPO's chief economist, Yann Meniere. "It has a very high versatility-it's very flexible and scalable."
The...