3D Printers Are Here—And They Make More Than You Think

28 October 2010

Stratasys officials Woody Frost, left, and Fred Fischer with a uPrint 3D printer in Bangalore, India last year

This is the VOA Special English Economics Report.

When we print something, a flat page comes to mind. For example, you might use a photocopier.

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Photocopiers print in two dimensions.

Now, imagine how this would work for three dimensions. A machine prints layers of material—usually plastic—one on top of the other. The layers are very thin—usually one-fifth or one-tenth of a millimeter. The layers then combine to form a solid object.

There are many versions of this kind of technology. But the basic idea is the same for most 3-D printers. The process is called additive fabrication.

These 3-D printers have become powerful tools for product designers. Computer-aided design programs use software to direct the printer. Designers can then create a solid model in a short time and easily make changes and tests.

The 3-D printing technology was first developed in the nineteen eighties. But high cost put them out of the reach of many researchers and businesses. Early printers were limited. High cost and limited uses meant the 3-D printer market was small.

Now, lower-cost printers are available to a much wider market, including small businesses and individuals.