TCT Magazine Chips Challenge: Could 3D printing help with the semiconductor shortage? "Itâs an undiscovered, really interesting area for additive manufacturing that has the opportunity to affect everybody today." The world is experiencing an ongoing shortage of semiconductors; those essential components which live inside all of our electronic devices. The scarcity of chips has arisen from an accumulation of factors ranging from pandemic-related backlogs, a growing demand for smart and connected devices, and the launch of next-generation products like electric vehicles, games consoles and mobile phones. If you tried to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch to escape the boredom of another lockdown, for example, your supply issues likely ran much deeper than the stock levels at your local Amazon warehouse.