3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by laying down successive layers of material. 3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies. 3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. Advanced 3D printing technologies yield models that closely emulate the look, feel and functionality of product prototypes.

A 3D printer works by taking a 3D computer file and using and making a series of cross-sectional slices. Each slice is then printed one on top of the other to create the 3D object.

Since 2003 there has been large growth in the sale of 3D printers. Additionally, the cost of 3D printers has declined. The technology also finds use in the jewellery, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries.

This book is your ultimate resource for 3D Printing. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, analysis, background and everything you need to know.

In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about 3D Printing right away, covering: 3D printing, Pad printing, Lenticular printing, History of printing, Woodblock printing, Movable type, Printing press, Etching, Mezzotint, Aquatint, Lithography, Chromolithography, Rotary printing press, Offset printing, Hot metal typesetting, Screen printing, Dye-sublimation printer, Phototypesetting, Dot matrix printer, Laser printer, Thermal printer, Inkjet printer, Stereolithography, Digital printing, Additive manufacturing, Three-dimensional space, Prototype, 3D scanner, Rapid prototyping, Selective laser sintering, Fused deposition modeling, Economies of scale, Global spread of the printing press, Digital Light Processing, Stratasys, Sintering, Direct metal laser sintering, 3D microfabrication, Two-photon absorption, Nonlinear optics, Dots per inch, MeshLab, 3D modeling, RepRap Project, Direct digital manufacturing, Digital fabricator, Self-replicating machine, Solid freeform fabrication, Planographic printing, Relief print, D-Shape, Decorative laminate, Dimension (company), Laser engraving, Mimeo.com Inc., Ozalid process, Photogravure, Photozincography, Reprography, Split-fount Inking, Stochastic screening, Surface printing, Thermal transfer

This book explains in-depth the real drivers and workings of 3D Printing. It reduces the risk of your technology, time and resources investment decisions by enabling you to compare your understanding of 3D Printing with the objectivity of experienced professionals.