It defies the imagination to consider how the new technology of 3D printers will affect the world. This is expected to impact every field of enterprise in the future. This is due to the fact that it will be as inexpensive to produce one single item as to produce a hundred or even a thousand.

There are ways to apply a three dimensional image to a two dimensional surface. This technique is called pad printing. Other methods, lenticular printing and holography, print 2D parallax stereograms that appear to be 3D to the eye. This is attributable to perception.

What the 3D printing process does is make a 3D object using a digital model. This additive process takes layers of material laid on one on top of the other, successively, and uses them to make different shapes. In 1984 this digital technology was invented. The sales of these industrial printing machines has grown significantly since the year 2000.

Many fields of endeavor can make use of this technology including construction, architecture, engineering and aerospace. It is becoming a mass marketing item. Purchases will be made for consumers at a lower price, which is always an advantage.

When the inkjet 3D printing system is used, the printer spreads a layer of powder in a process that imitates an inkjet. The layers are repeated. It facilitates full color prototypes. If the bonded powders used need to be strengthened, that can be done using wax to enhance them.

The lamination process uses thin plastic or sheet metal to produce the effect. Liquid is used in the process called photopolymerization. Another process is called multiphoton photopolymerization, which uses gel and is able to produce very small objects.

All these technologies are complex and an explanation in depth is beyond the scope of a generalized article. One important fact is that the machines that perform all these processes are now focusing on development of an affordable for use at home printer. The cost is to be under a thousand dollars.

The category of 3D printers that can be considered suitable and affordable for domestic uses, is being customized. They are going down in price and up in adaptability. They are capable of high-speed printing while achieving high definition.

The industrial models take a longer time to perform the printing. While the home version is not as fast as the standard home printer, it is much faster than the industrial model. These 3D printers will continue to affect all types of manufacturing in industrial fields. The impact of this technology is expected to continue to increase.