3D printer
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Summary
3D printers, or rapid prototyping (RP) machines, are used by many engineering and design labs to produce prototype models from 3D CAD drawings. The term 3D printer is typically used to refer to a sub class of RP machines that build the object by applying material to it (a CNC mill could be used as an RP machine, but would not be a 3D printer).
While 3D printers are actually very different from 2D paper printers, there are some similarities. The zCorporation Z-Printer, for example, uses an off-the-shelf inkjet printhead to apply a binder that selectively glues layers of plaster or starch powder together.
Printing Methods
Most 3D printers work by building an object layer-by-layer. A program first creates 2-dimensional cross sections of the 3D model to be printed, and the printer uses these to create the object. There are many methods available for doing this, powders can be hardened by fusing or binding, liquids can be solidified, solids can be melted and applied, etc...
Output and materials
The actual output of a 3D printer depends, of course, on the material and process used. Many types of 3D printers can use several types of material while others are restricted to a single material. The strength of the part also varies depending on the process used.
Many types of 3D printers produce printed objects that are fragile and are not usually suitable for use in a functional prototype. This, combined with the high cost of operation for many 3D printers limits their use significantly.
The future
While the commercial use of 3D printers has been primarily limited to printing engineering design models so far, there are many experimental designs that could change this. These new designs are capable of printing things such as electronic devices or [organic tissue].
Eventually, 3D printers may be able to print everything from micro-machines to transplantable organs.
