Though 3D printing has been around since the 80s, it has just started to become increasingly popular over the last several years especially. Thanks to the increase in popularity, the application has widened as far as what you can do with these machines and the cost of them has decreased as well. The 3D printer is helping people in a number of professions, from cooking and engineering, to the medical field and architecture, there are many applications for 3D printer technology.
It seems that the capability with this technology is rather endless, as it has enabled us to already do a number of things like build household items like forks and hammers, or shoes, to create works of food art, or even printing bones to help heal fractures. Want a shower head? It can do that too. They can print guns, toys, tools, you name it.
As more people fuel the interest in the market for more affordable options in the line of 3d printing it's helped bring the price down over the years and you can now get a printer for a few hundred dollars, up to anywhere around $4000. There are individual 3D printers that you can use at home and then they go up to commercial sized printers that are much more complex and expensive.
As research in this area continues, we can expect to see more options in printers, capability, and price. They've even crafted one that is small enough to fit in your bag or purse. These machines offer a lot of convenience to those who have them, in that they can print critical items that they need without having to leave where they are to meet that need. And they can also be used to help lower the cost of production for their business.
It has been said that the 3d printer might revolutionize the medical industry. And it's already helping to make parts for planes, assist chefs in making a variety of treats, building cars, houses, and much more.
Many people are still unaware of this technology though and even those who are aware of it, many haven't been able to try it yet for themselves. Could this ever become so prevalent that everyone you know has a 3d printer inside their own home similar to how we have printers nowadays? It will be interesting to see what else we can use these printers for and how they can help us in the market to meet the needs of people in a number of ways.
sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2016/sep/29/3d-printing-revolutionise-medical-profession
https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/09/17/companies-are-now-making-shoes-using-3d-printers.html
http://mashable.com/2016/09/29/affordable-3d-printing-with-robo/#xHCpXBErzsqZ
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3817234/Fixing-fracture-idiot-proof-way-thanks-3D-printer-speeds-recovery-saves-patients-repeat-operations.html