The Start of 3D Printing
Over the years, many developmental prototypes had to be modeled or created in some form of physical medium. This made the research into the development of new products costly and time-consuming. This could involve multiple versions of the same prototype having to be made, and small adjustments could result in even more time and money. The first solution to this problem was first addressed in the 1980s by a man named Dr. Hideo Kodama of the Municipal Industrial Research Institute. He originally was the first to file a patent application for Rapid Prototyping technology. This early printing technology used resin that has been cured by UV light, layer by layer.
3D Printing Today
Starting in the early 2000s, 3D printing technology was made open-source and was brought to the mainstream marketplace. Nowadays, there are many different types and brands of 3D printers. While 3D resin printing is still a popular format for getting more detailed prints, there are many different types of filament printers. Filament used for 3D printing can be many different materials such as PLA, ABS, PETG, and even a flexible TPU. All of these different types can also come in many different colors, and some have different print settings and temperatures. Printers have also gotten faster and faster. There are many different models of these printers that can range from slower print speeds to hyper speed printers that can print 6-8 times faster than beginner printers.