3D printing, or additive manufacturing has been gaining a lot of grounds recently. There are even people that are comparing 3D printing to the next industrial revolution. True or not, we can not ignore the fact that it is becoming more prevalent and also more affordable to the general public.
3D printing is not a new invention, according to 3ders the first 3-D printer came around 1984. However, the fast decreasing cost for resins and printer cost is what is making it caught on. The vision is that soon, general consumers will be bale to customize products exactly to their needs Merchandise like this toothbrush that are made customized to anyone's teeth is no longer matter of possibility but matter of price.
There are also a large community out there for building 3 D printers, since the current cost range for a commercial one range from $2000 to $15000. Take a look at this recent kick starter project that are promoting homemade 3D printers as low as $100.
The good news are not just for general consumers too, big companys have also started eyeing on 3D printing, most likely due to the possbibilities of complex shape and the ease it may have transfering from design to manufacturing. A while ago, GE just announced that they have used 3-D printed nozzle parts for their LEAP-1A engine. This raises some good possibilities as it is easy to see if part of a jet engine will be using parts that are 3D printed, they obviously meet the stringent requirement of the traditional manufactured part.
Maybe 3D printer will bring the the new wave of change like the PC did back in the 90s.
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