3D Printing History
No one truly knows when the "birth" of 3D printing was; estimates are anywhere between 1979-1984. However, the popularity of the process and the machines didn't boom until at least the early 2000's. The market for 3D printing surpassed the $5 billion mark in 2016 and it isn't showing any signs of going away anytime soon.
Applications of 3D Printing
Medical Industry
This is where I believe 3D printing has the biggest upside (I am biased as a biomedical engineer though). As 3D printing technology advances to include new types of materials that can be printed, the 3D printing medical industry will skyrocket. The early 2000's saw scientists 3D print a fully functional kidney for several animals. However, the greatest medical advancement in the 3D printing field is the ability to print prosthetic limbs that require no assembly. This was first done in 2008.
Pre-Production Models
Have an idea for a new product and want to test out a design you made? In the future, 3D printing will be the easiest and simplest way to create a model of your product at home. Purchasing a 3D printer isn't currently feasible for the average person just to create a model of a product they thought of, but some day it could be. Prices of printers and the filaments have decreased greatly over the past few years and are set to keep going down.
Every Day Uses
3D printing has the potential to be used in lots of traditional products. Just on my keychain I have two 3D printed objects: a bottle opener with a penny as the fulcrum and a double hinged square that spins into a cube (better than a fidget spinner). These simple products are fun and easy to make on a basic 3D printer that can be purchased for around $600.
3D Printer Pricing (Future Predictions)
A basic, average sized 3D printer today can be purchased for anywhere between $500-$1000. Mini 3D printers can be purchased for around $300. Although much more affordable than just 5 years ago, these prices are still above what the average person is willing to spend on one. I see these prices decreasing, maybe even cutting in half, in the next few years once bigger tech companies (Microsoft, Google, Apple) start to see the potential in the industry. So if you can't currently afford one, I would recommend holding off and waiting a couple years to purchase one.
Sources:
https://individual.troweprice.com/staticFiles/Retail/Shared/PDFs/3D_Printing_Infographic_FINAL.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2016/04/25/wohlers-report-2016-3d-printer-industry-surpassed-5-1-billion/#65358b5e19a0
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