3D printing: the dawn of a new era in manufacturing?

This article aims to provide an introduction to 3D printing technology and its applications.

Following an introduction, this first describes the many different 3D printing technologies and then discusses a number of existing and emerging applications. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

This shows that 3D printing technologies have evolved rapidly in recent years and can be use with a wide range of different materials. In addition to rapid prototyping, the dominant use in the past, they are now being used in all manner of manufacturing applications in a diversity of industries. In the future 3D printing may change the way many products are developed and produced and herald an era of “personal manufacturing”.

This article provides a timely review of 3D printing technology and its applications.