The History Of 3D Printing Solid Concepts

By Elaine Guthrie


3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a ground breaking technology and is revolutionizing the world we live in today. This rapidly evolving technology is widely being used in all parts of the world so to speak. Some even say it is more popular than the interwebs already. But people will believe anything.

Simply put, 3D printing is the process of creating a physical object based on a three dimensional digital model. Understanding what 3D printing solid concepts is is essential if you are interested in starting up a business of your own some day as well as how it is changing the world bit by bit. But in order for us to fully understand what additive manufacturing really is, we need to take a quick look into its history and background.

Since the dawn of time, humans have always been dependent on manual labor when we look to produce something in great amounts. A great example of this is the pyramids which many of its laborers faced unfortunate deaths. But thanks to modern technology today like 3D printing and the like, worrying about such things are now a thing of the past.

Today, companies can simply manufacture products just by a push of a button if they wish so. By letting these machines work their magic, companies could just lay back and relax while the system does its algorithm. And we have no one else to thank but the geniuses behind the inception of such a technology. Who are they, you ask.

Additive manufacturing or Rapid Prototyping as it was once called before was first publicized in the 1980s. The patent was first sent out and made to be known in 1986 by Charles Hull who coincidentally also invented its prototype. After countless and what seemed to be endless testing, he was able to finally sell one in 1988.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, production of these systems were still widely sought out. Newer models were also introduced around these times as well and were met with increasingly great demand. The idea of mass producing these systems was instantly pitched and immediately approved. Amazingly enough, every one of these systems, new and old, are still surprisingly based on the first patent and prototype. Truly staying true to its roots.

Not too long after in 2007, an idea to produce an entry level 3D printing machine was pitched and later approved. But unfortunately the attempt was a complete failure due to the fact the product in question was priced at a hefty $10,000. It did not click with its target audience leading to the product to ultimately be phased out.

Later on, companies strove for a $5,000 mark for the sole reason of opening up a whole new different audience to this kind of technology. It was not until 2009 that the very first affordable 3D printing machine was introduced and sold to the public. It was met with wide acclaim.

More and more versions of this machine will surely come into fruition some day. It will not be as surprising though considering the rate its development is going in. Truly, evolution does not only pertain to living beings as it is clearly present in machines as well.




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