About
3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique that involves adding material, unlike techniques that involve removing material, such as machining. 3D printing can be used to create everyday objects, spare parts, and even prototypes for testing. The starting point is a computer file representing the object in three dimensions, broken down into slices. This information is sent to a 3D printer, which will then produce the object by adding successive layers.
There's a real history to 3D printing: Additive manufacturing isn't a new manufacturing technique. But do you know what the very first technology developed was? Stereolithography, or SLA. The first attempt was made by a team of French engineers including Alain Le Méhauté, Olivier de Witte, and Jean-Claude André. However, due to a lack of business perspective, the project was abandoned.
It was at the same time that the American Charles Hull developed this technology and filed a first patent for SLA Stereolithography in 1986. He founded 3D Systems Corporation and in 1988, the SLA-1, his very first commercial product, was launched.
In the 1990s, major technologies were developed, such as Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM. This is when major 3D printers and CAD tools were developed.
Since the early 2000s, developments in additive manufacturing have been accelerating, and new applications are being found every year: 3D printing in the medical field, in the automotive industry, or even for mechanical applications... This technology offers new opportunities in all sectors.
There's a real history to 3D printing: Additive manufacturing isn't a new manufacturing technique. But do you know what the very first technology developed was? Stereolithography, or SLA. The first attempt was made by a team of French engineers including Alain Le Méhauté, Olivier de Witte, and Jean-Claude André. However, due to a lack of business perspective, the project was abandoned.
It was at the same time that the American Charles Hull developed this technology and filed a first patent for SLA Stereolithography in 1986. He founded 3D Systems Corporation and in 1988, the SLA-1, his very first commercial product, was launched.
In the 1990s, major technologies were developed, such as Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM. This is when major 3D printers and CAD tools were developed.
Since the early 2000s, developments in additive manufacturing have been accelerating, and new applications are being found every year: 3D printing in the medical field, in the automotive industry, or even for mechanical applications... This technology offers new opportunities in all sectors.
