How 3-D Printing Could Transform Amazon and Online Shopping

Amazon's recent decision to create an e-commerce storefront for 3-D printed products could finally bring 3-D printing to the mainstream, but not in the way you might think.

If you take a look at some of the nylon plastic products on offer via Amazon's partner, 3DLT, it's easy to come to the conclusion that the new pilot program is just an incremental e-commerce push at Amazon. In other words, Amazon now allows you to buy jewelry designs and quirky plastic toys made by 3-D printers on Amazon.com rather than on a third-party site.