The rise of smart future printing technology, 3D printing (additive manufacturing), has entered the modern world stage with its incredible potential. It is the method of creating a three-dimensional object layer by layer using a computer-aided design model. It can turn any imagination into 3D printed objects. 3D printing works by creating a virtual design using CAD-like software and then printing layer by layer using the desired material. This fast-emerging technology is widely used in the field of Agriculture for customized tools and equipment, in Aerospace for rapid prototyping and aircraft parts, in Education for designing and producing models, in Medicine for bioprinting, in Construction for fabricating building or construction components, in Art and Jewelry for experimenting with designs not possible in traditional making. These are just a few of the countless fields that 3D printing touches.

Ralf Baker’s work in the 1920s inspired Hideo Kodama, who started experimenting with laser-cured resin rapid prototyping in 1981. Over the next three decades, this technology evolved, leading to the introduction of stereolithography in 1984. In 1987, Chuck Hull from 3D Systems created the first 3D printer using stereolithography. This was followed by other methods like selective laser sintering and selective laser melting. In the 1990s and 2000s, more costly 3D printing systems were developed, but their prices dropped significantly when their patents expired in 2009, making the technology more accessible.

Is 3D printing a good option for the future? The answer is yes because this technology is becoming low cost with fewer labor requirements, supports cheap and rapid prototyping processes. In 2023, advancements in software have made 3D printing more approachable and user-friendly. This year’s outlook for 3D printing materials is characterized by increased diversity, enhanced performance, and a stronger focus on sustainability. 3D printing is paving the way for a new era of development in the developing world.