Eoin Treacy's view I was at the dentist this morning having a crown fitted and it occurred to me that dentistry is one of a number of sectors where 3-D printing could have a large influence. Since crowns are by definition custom made and generally carry a high price tag they are ripe for productivity gains. On getting back to my desk I perused the websites of a number of 3-D printing companies and found this video from Stratasys which may be of interest to subscribers.

A rapid process of consolidation is underway in the 3-D printing sector but three of the more relevant shares are:

Stratasys has an estimated P/E of 53 and has held a progression of higher reaction lows within an overall uptrend for nearly two years. It found support this week in the region of $92 and a sustained move below $84 would be required to question the consistency of the advance.

3-D Systems Corp has an estimated P/E of 51. The share hit a new high this week but is somewhat overbought relative to the 200-day MA and susceptible to mean reversion.

ExOne does not have an estimated P/E. The share IPOed in February and has pulled back from an August peak near $80 to test the region of the 200-day MA near $50. A sustained move below that level would be required to question the medium-term upward bias.

In the graphics and software sector Mentor Graphics and Flir Systems are both susceptible to mean reversion.

In the components sector, Sensata Technologies has been consolidating in the region of the June peak since early August and a sustained move below the 200-day MA would be required to question medium-term scope for a successful upward break