Image of 3D printing

3D printing

Technology

Advanced construction method proposed to quickly build massive housing and infrastructure projects in LA.


First Mentioned

5/23/2026, 6:03:02 AM

Last Updated

5/30/2026, 6:24:52 AM

Research Retrieved

5/30/2026, 6:24:52 AM

Summary

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that constructs three-dimensional objects layer-by-layer from digital CAD models. First invented in the 1980s by Chuck Hull, the technology has evolved from rapid prototyping to a viable industrial-production method capable of producing complex geometries with minimal material waste. In contemporary political and economic proposals, such as Spencer Pratt's mayoral campaign platform for Los Angeles, 3D printing is envisioned as a tool for rapid architectural construction to bypass bureaucratic delays and address housing or infrastructure needs.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Inventor

    Chuck Hull

  • Invention Era

    1980s

  • Market Forecast

    $41 billion by 2026

  • Alternative Name

    Additive manufacturing

  • Primary Advantage

    Ability to produce complex geometries with minimal material waste

  • Most Common Process

    Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

Timeline
  • Chuck Hull invents 3D printing, initially termed rapid prototyping, suitable only for functional or aesthetic prototypes. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1980-01-01

  • Peter Zelinski, editor-in-chief of Additive Manufacturing magazine, notes that 3D printing and additive manufacturing are often used synonymously. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2017-01-01

  • The precision, repeatability, and material range of 3D printing increase to make it a viable industrial-production technology. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2019-01-01

  • Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is established as the most common 3D printing process in use. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2020-01-01

  • The global 3D printing market is forecasted to reach $41 billion by Acumen Research and Consulting. (Source: https://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing)

    2026-12-31

3D printing

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with the material being added together (e.g. plastics, liquids, or powder grains being fused), typically layer by layer. In the 1980s, 3D printing techniques were considered suitable only for the production of functional or aesthetic prototypes, and a more appropriate term for it at the time was rapid prototyping. As of 2019, the precision, repeatability, and material range of 3D printing have increased to the point that some 3D printing processes are considered viable as an industrial-production technology; in this context, the term additive manufacturing can be used synonymously with 3D printing. One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise infeasible to construct by hand, including hollow parts or parts with internal truss structures to reduce weight while creating less material waste. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), which uses a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material, is the most common 3D printing process in use as of 2020.

Web Search Results
  • What is 3D printing? How does a 3D printer work? Learn 3D printing

    qidi # What is 3D Printing? # What is 3D Printing? 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional objects from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object. There is one exception though, and it’s called volumetric 3D printing. With volumetric printing entire structures can be formed at once without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication. It’s worth noting, however, that as of now, volumetric technology is primarily in the research phase. [...] 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a block of material with for instance a milling machine. 3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods. How Does 3D Printing Work? 3D Printing Industry Examples of 3D Printing 3D Printing Technologies & Processes Materials Services Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing Automotive Aviation Construction Consumer Products Healthcare Food Education All Technologies & Processes Vat Photopolymerisation Material Jetting Binder Jetting Material Extrusion Powder Bed Fusion Directed Energy Deposition ## How Does 3D Printing Work? [...] When your file is sliced, it’s ready for your 3D printer. Feeding the file to your printer can be done via USB, SD or Wi-Fi. Your sliced file is now ready to be 3D printed layer by layer. ## 3D Printing Industry Adoption of 3D printing has reached critical mass as those who have yet to integrate additive manufacturing somewhere in their supply chain are now part of an ever-shrinking minority. Where 3D printing was only suitable for prototyping and one-off manufacturing in the early stages, it is now rapidly transforming into a production technology. Most of the current demand for 3D printing is industrial in nature. Acumen Research and Consulting forecasts the global 3D printing market to reach $41 billion by 2026.

  • 3D Printing Guide: Types of 3D Printers, Materials, and Applications | Formlabs

    Formlabs Logo background ## Guide to 3D Printing #### Learn how 3D printers work, explore the different types of 3D printers, materials, and explore applications of 3D printing. ## What is 3D Printing? 3D printing — also known as additive manufacturing — is the process of creating physical objects by building them up layer by layer from digital designs. Instead of carving material away (subtractive) or forcing material into a mold (formative), additive manufacturing deposits or solidifies material only where it is needed. That means faster iteration, less waste, on-demand customization, and the ability to produce shapes that are difficult — or downright impossible — with traditional methods. [...] #### Request a Free SLA 3D Printed Sample Part See and feel Formlabs quality firsthand. We’ll ship a free sample part printed on a Form Series MSLA 3D printer to your office. ### Powder Printing (SLS/MJF) Powder bed fusion 3D printing, commonly referred to as powder 3D printing, is the most common additive manufacturing technology for industrial applications, trusted by engineers and manufacturers across different industries for its ability to produce strong, functional parts. The two most popular processes are selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) technology.

  • 3D printing - Wikipedia

    Furthermore, the capabilities of 3D printing have extended beyond traditional manufacturing, like lightweight construction, or repair and maintenance with applications in prosthetics, bioprinting, food industry, rocket building, design and art and renewable energy systems. 3D printing technology can be used to produce battery energy storage systems, which are essential for sustainable energy generation and distribution. Another benefit of 3D printing is the technology's ability to produce complex geometries with high precision and accuracy. This is particularly relevant in the field of microwave engineering, where 3D printing can be used to produce components with unique properties that are difficult to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. [...] 3D printing, and open source 3D printers, in particular, are the latest technologies making inroads into the classroom. Higher education has proven to be a major buyer of desktop and professional 3D printers which industry experts generally view as a positive indicator. Some authors have claimed that 3D printers offer an unprecedented "revolution" in STEM education. The evidence for such claims comes from both the low-cost ability for rapid prototyping in the classroom by students, but also the fabrication of low-cost high-quality scientific equipment from open hardware designs forming open-source labs. Additionally, Libraries around the world have also become locations to house smaller 3D printers for educational and community access. Future applications for 3D printing might include [...] By the early 2010s, the terms 3D printing and additive manufacturing evolved senses in which they were alternate umbrella terms for additive technologies, one being used in popular language by consumer-maker communities and the media, and the other used more formally by industrial end-use part producers, machine manufacturers, and global technical standards organizations. Until recently, the term 3D printing has been associated with machines low in price or capability. 3D printing and additive manufacturing reflect that the technologies share the theme of material addition or joining throughout a 3D work envelope under automated control. Peter Zelinski, the editor-in-chief of Additive Manufacturing magazine, pointed out in 2017 that the terms are still often synonymous in casual usage,

  • What is 3D Printing and what is Additive Manufacturing? | HP® Official Site

    ## What is 3D printing? The term 3D printing is typically used to refer to all types of additive manufacturing. However, this is not quite accurate. Strictly speaking, 3D printing refers only to the transformation of a digital CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file into a three-dimensional physical solid object or part. This object is produced by a 3D printer, which “translates” the CAD file into a 3D model. It typically does this by depositing material layer by layer in precise geometric shapes using a printhead, nozzle, or other printing technology. Each layer can be considered a thinly sliced cross-section of the final object being built. Though it is most common to 3D print plastics, as you’ll see in our Complete Guide to 3D printing materials, this is just the beginning.

  • What is 3D Printing? - Technology Definition and Types - TWI

    Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and events from TWI: # What is 3D Printing? - Technology Definition and Types 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating a three dimensional object layer-by-layer using a computer created design. 3D printing is an additive process whereby layers of material are built up to create a 3D part. This is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing processes, where a final design is cut from a larger block of material. As a result, 3D printing creates less material wastage. This article is one of a series of TWI frequently asked questions (FAQs). 3D printing is also perfectly suited to the creation of complex, bespoke items, making it ideal for rapid prototyping. ## Contents ## TWI

Location Data

3D printing, kunnumpuram, Kunnumpuram - Kakkad Road, Abdurahiman Nagar, Thotasseriyara, Tirurangadi, Malappuram, Kerala, 676305, India

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Coordinates: 11.0838696, 75.9519396

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