3D Printing Gets a Boost and Opportunities with Polymer Materials.

3D printing has recently gained much attention from media and the scientific community, touted as a replacement for traditional manufacturing and a potential to change the way we develop, produce, market, and distribute all sorts of products. With a short introduction to the general idea and initial development of rapid prototyping, we have a look at the prevalent technologies which are now summarized as 3D printing, each with its specific properties and reliance on the materials adapted to the automated application process. Polymers in various forms, reactive, liquid solutions, or as thermoplastic melts, play a key role in many applications and the further expansion toward manufacturing robust, real end use products.