In today's world, 3D printing has become a familiar term, a seemingly recent phenomenon propelling everything from industrial manufacturing to DIY projects. However, the roots of 3D printing stretch back further than many realize. Join us on a journey through time as we uncover the remarkable history and major innovations of 3D printing.
-1981: Birth of Rapid Prototyping
The concept of 3D printing or additive manufacturing first came to light in Japan in 1981. Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute introduced a method for fabricating 3D models layer by layer, which is the core principle of today's 3D printing.
-1984: Stereolithography Emerges
Three years later, in 1984, Charles Hull invented Stereolithography (SLA), a printing method that uses UV lasers to solidify photopolymer that creates 3D parts layer by layer. In 1986, Hull established 3D Systems, the first commercial 3D printing company.
-1988: First SLA and SLS Machines
In 1992, 3D Systems produced the first Stereolithographic Apparatus (SLA) machine, which made it possible to fabricate complex parts layer by layer in a fraction of the time of traditional methods. That same year, DTM Inc., later acquired by 3D Systems, launched the first Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machine, introducing the power of laser sintering to the industry.
-1999: A Medical Milestone
The end of the 20th century saw a significant milestone in 3D printing when scientists at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine printed synthetic scaffolds of a human bladder and then coated them with the cells of human patients. This marked the first 3D printed organ that was implanted into a human.
-2005: Introduction of RepRap Project
The RepRap Project, initiated by Dr. Adrian Bowyer, aimed to create a self-replicating machine that could build components for itself. This open-source initiative ignited the "democratization" of 3D printing, leading to the development of affordable desktop printers.
-2008: First Self-Replicating Printer
Building on the RepRap concept, the first self-replicating printer, capable of printing half of its own parts, was born. This development lowered costs and made 3D printing more accessible to hobbyists and smaller businesses.
-2009: Birth of FDM Printing
The expiration of Stratasys's patent on Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology in 2009 opened the door for a variety of companies to capitalize on the technology. MakerBot, one of the pioneers in this space, was founded the same year, bringing 3D printing to a broader consumer market.
-2012: Introduction of SLA to Desktop
Formlabs, a Massachusetts-based company, introduced the first desktop SLA 3D printer, the Form 1. This marked a shift in the industry, bringing high-resolution 3D printing into homes and small businesses.
-2014: New Materials Introduced
Until 2014, most consumer 3D printers could only process a small range of plastics. This year marked a change when MarkForged introduced the first 3D printer capable of printing in carbon fiber, followed by various companies introducing printers that could handle materials like metal and wood.
-2021: 3D Printing in Space
NASA's Mars Rover Perseverance, which landed in February 2021, included 11 3D printed metal parts. This marked the first time 3D printed components were used on the Mars Rover, showcasing the technology's potential in space exploration.
The history of 3D printing is a testament to human ingenuity and innovation. From the birth of rapid prototyping in the 1980s to today's increasingly diverse applications, 3D printing continues to transform the way we design, manufacture, and think about objects. As we look forward, there's no doubt that 3D printing's journey is far from over, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.