3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing that uses digital files and materials cartridges to quickly print 3D objects on a machine connected to a computer. Charles Hull developed the first 3D printing technique called stereolithography in 1984 and obtained a patent for it in 1986. Since then, different 3D printing technologies have been introduced that use various materials like plastics, metals, and ceramics in different printing processes. 3D printing offers benefits like customization, rapid prototyping, low production costs, and opportunities for employment and organ transplants but also has limitations and risks regarding intellectual property, security, size, and material restrictions.

2.  3D printing is a form of additive
manufacturing technology
 It is a mechanized method whereby 3D
objects are quickly made on a reasonably
sized machine connected to a computer
containing blueprints for the object.
 The basic principles include materials
cartridges, flexibility of output, and
translation of code into a visible pattern.

3.  The technology for printing physical 3D objects
from digital data was first developed by Charles
Hull in 1984. He named the technique as Stereo
lithography and obtained a patent for the
technique in 1986.
 While Stereo lithography systems had become
popular by the end of 1980s, other similar
technologies such as Fused Deposition
Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering
(SLS) were introduced.

4. How it works
 The different types of 3D printers each
employ a different technology that processes
different materials in different ways.
 Others include sanding, lacquer, paint or
other types of traditional finishing touches,
which all typically need to be done by hand
and require skill and/or time and patience.

5. The materials available for 3D printing have come a
long way since the early days of the technology. There
is now a wide variety of different material types, that
are supplied in different states.
 Plastics
 Metals
 Ceramics
 Paper
 Bio Materials
 Food
 Other

6.  Medical and Dental
 Aerospace
 Automotive
 Jewellery
 Art / Design/ Sculpture
 Architecture
 Fashion
 Food

7.  3D Printing: Make anything you want

8.  Ability to customize products
 Rapid production of prototypes
 Low cost of production
 No storage cost
 Increased employment opportunities
 Quick availability of organs

9.  Intellectual property issues
 Unchecked production of dangerous items
 Limitations of size
 Limitations of raw material
 Cost of printers