What Is 3D Printing?

What Is 3D Printing?  3D printing is a technology that has been around for quite some time. It has been used in industry and research for many years, but it was not until the last decade or so that it began to become more mainstream. 3D printers are now being used by hobbyists and professionals alike to produce all sorts of products ranging from jewelry to plastic toys to prosthetics.

Birth of the 3D Printer

The first 3D printer was invented in 1986 by Chuck Hull at the University of Michigan. He patented his invention in 1989 and the patent was licensed to Stratasys in 1991. The first commercial 3D printer was introduced in 1992. The technology has come a long way since then and is now being used to create everything from plastic toys to prosthetics. While it is still very expensive to purchase a 3D printer, it is now much cheaper than it was a few years ago.

What Is 3D Printing & How Does It Work?

The 3D printer uses an additive process. This means that layers of material are added one at a time to build up the product. In this process, a computer controls the movement of the print head and the flow of material to build up the product. Once the object is complete, it is removed from the machine and can be used as is or finished with other materials to make it even better. The end result is a product that is exactly the same as what was created using traditional manufacturing methods.

While 3D printers are still very expensive to purchase, they are becoming much less expensive. They are now available to purchase for under $1,000. While it may seem like a lot of money, it is only a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing. For example, a simple toy could cost over $10,000 to manufacture using traditional methods. Using a 3D printer, the same toy would cost about $200. The difference in price between the two is staggering.

While there are many different types of 3D printers, most of them use the same basic technology. The most popular type of 3D printer is the FDM printer. These printers work by extruding a thin layer of molten polymer through a nozzle. A computer moves the nozzle back and forth to build up the product. There are also other types of 3D printers such as the SLA printer, which uses photopolymer instead of plastic. Other types of 3D printers include fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS) and laminated object manufacturing (LOM).

3D Printers & 3D Printing Services

There are many companies that offer 3D printers and 3D printing services. Some of the more well known names include Stratasys, 3D Systems, MakerBot, Formlabs and ExOne. There are many more companies that offer 3D printers as well. The prices vary greatly depending on the model. For example, a Makerbot Replicator 2 costs over $2,000. The price will vary depending on the features and options included in the printer.

As the technology continues to develop, it will continue to change the way that we do business. Many people have already started using 3D printers to create their own products. Many are also starting to use 3D printers in their businesses. As the technology becomes more affordable, it will become easier to use 3D printers for everyday tasks.

3D printers are changing the world. They are making it possible to create objects that were once impossible to create.