Ever thought of printing something in 3D? I think you’ll wonder if it’s real. Yes it is now! But first you should know how the people progressed in developing this remarkable innovation; it was first developed by Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute in 1982 and the first published account of a printed solid model was made. The first working 3D printer was created in 1984 by Charles W. Hull of 3D Systems Corp. Throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s a host of new technologies continued to be introduced and it still focused exclusively on industrial applications and while they were still largely processes for prototyping applications, other developments in 3D printing technologies and processes were also emerging through the years but 3D printing in the early days was very expensive and not feasible for the general market. It did not really impact the global market at that time.
As the times preceded the 3D printers were mostly prototypes but it wasn’t until January 2009 that the first commercially available 3D printer – in kit form and based on the RepRap concept – was offered for sale. This was the BfB RapMan 3D printer. As we moved into the 21st century, however, costs drastically dropped, allowing 3D printers to find their way to a more affordable market. 3D printing has managed its way into a number of markets. As a result of the market divergence, significant advances at the industrial level with capabilities and applications, dramatic increase in awareness and uptake across a growing maker movement, 2012 was also the year that many different mainstream media channels picked up on the technology. 2013 was a year of significant growth and consolidation. The technology is now used in prototyping and distributed manufacturing with applications in architecture, construction, industrial design, automotive design, aerospace, military, engineering, etc. It has also become popular in areas such as dental and medical technology, fashion, footwear, jewelry, eyewear, and more. Interestingly, even food may one day be printed, which may help feed the ballooning population.
Even NASA is investing in 3D printing as one of the many transformation technologies that will help to create the new knowledge and capabilities needed to enable future space missions while benefiting life here on Earth. Recently, NASA installed the First Zero-Gravity 3D Printer on the International Space Station which will help astronauts to experiment with additive manufacturing in microgravity.
As the technology advances, more and more practical uses are expected to come about as a result of additive manufacturing and along with the many useful everyday things that 3D printers can give us. This year 3D printers are now simpler, smaller, easier to use and more advanced with the addition of 3D digitizers, 3D sensors and 3D scanners like the FLUX 3D Printer linked above. The possibilities in this 3D Printing technology are almost endless.
