The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing: History, Tech, and Practical Tips

3D printing has become a common way to manufacture everything from plastic trinkets to advanced aerospace components. The category of 3D printing covers a wide range of technologies, techniques, and materials.

This article will cover topics all about 3D printing including: 3D printing history, how 3D printing works, things to make with 3D printers, the pros and cons of 3D printing, examples of 3D printer uses, and some general optimization advice to help you print high-quality parts.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing has become a common way to manufacture everything from plastic trinkets to advanced aerospace components. The category of 3D printing covers a wide range of technologies, techniques, and materials.

This article will cover topics all about 3D printing including: 3D printing history, how 3D printing works, things to make with 3D printers, the pros and cons of 3D printing, examples of 3D printer uses, and some general optimization advice to help you print high-quality parts.

Who was the First to Invent 3D Printing?

According to the generally accepted history of 3D printing, Charles Hull is the inventor of 3D printing. He implemented and patented the process of stereolithography 3D printing in 1986. Charles Hull also co-founded DTM Inc, later called 3D systems, which is a world-leading 3D printing machine manufacturer to this day. It must be noted that Hideo Kodama first published a paper about using photopolymers to rapidly fabricate plastic parts in 1980 but was unable to secure a patent.

When Were 3D Printers Introduced?

3D Systems was founded in 1986 by Charles Hull to commercialize 3D printers. In 1987, 3D Systems developed the SLA-1. It is the first 3D printer and was based on his patented stereolithography process. An ultraviolet laser was used to harden the photopolymer to create a final part. The image below shows what the SLA-1 looked like:

What can you Make with 3D Printer?

Modern 3D printers can create almost any type of component. Some important examples are described below to highlight some of the more advanced things you can make with a 3d printer:

• Rocket Fuselages: Relativity Space is a US-based rocketry company that uses SLM metal printing techniques. They 3D-print rocket components like engine nozzles, fuel tanks, and even the rocket fuselage. 
• Medical Implants: Skåne University Hospital in Sweden was one of the first to 3D print a skull implant from PEEK, an advanced engineering thermoplastic.
• Boat Hulls: An entire boat hull was printed by the University of Maine using a massive gantry-mounted FDM-style 3D printer. The hull was completely watertight after printing. 

Industrial applications are the big-ticket uses, but there are many things you can make with a 3D printer at home too. Online platforms like Thingiverse maintain extensive catalogs of cool stuff to 3D print.