09-02-2013, 02:32 PM
A BRIEF HISTORY OF 3D PRINTING
[attachment=50358]
The inception of 3D printing can be traced back to 1976, when the inkjet printer was invented. In 1984,
adaptations and advances on the inkjet concept morphed the technology from printing with ink to
printing with materials. In the decades since, a variety of applications of 3D printing technology have been
developed across several industries. The following is a brief history of the major milestones along the way.
A WORKING 3D KIDNEY
Scientists engineer a miniature functional kidney that is able to lter
blood and produce diluted urine in an animal. The development led
to research at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
that aims to “print” organs and tissues using 3D printing technology.
SLS LEADS TO MASS CUSTOMIZATION IN MANUFACTURING
The rst SLS (selective laser sintering) machine becomes viable. This
type of machine uses a laser to fuse materials into 3D products. This
breakthrough opens the door to mass customization and on-demand
manufacturing of industrial parts, and later, prostheses.
That same year Objet, a 3D printing systems and materials provider,
creates a machine capable of printing in multiple materials, including
elastomers and polymers. The machine permits a single part to be
made with a variety of densities and material properties.
[attachment=50358]
The inception of 3D printing can be traced back to 1976, when the inkjet printer was invented. In 1984,
adaptations and advances on the inkjet concept morphed the technology from printing with ink to
printing with materials. In the decades since, a variety of applications of 3D printing technology have been
developed across several industries. The following is a brief history of the major milestones along the way.
A WORKING 3D KIDNEY
Scientists engineer a miniature functional kidney that is able to lter
blood and produce diluted urine in an animal. The development led
to research at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
that aims to “print” organs and tissues using 3D printing technology.
SLS LEADS TO MASS CUSTOMIZATION IN MANUFACTURING
The rst SLS (selective laser sintering) machine becomes viable. This
type of machine uses a laser to fuse materials into 3D products. This
breakthrough opens the door to mass customization and on-demand
manufacturing of industrial parts, and later, prostheses.
That same year Objet, a 3D printing systems and materials provider,
creates a machine capable of printing in multiple materials, including
elastomers and polymers. The machine permits a single part to be
made with a variety of densities and material properties.