3D printing was named rapid prototyping after its main purpose - to create and test out prototypes before they reach the assembly line. When designing a new product, like a keyboard or mobile phone, a designer needs to 'feel' the product in order to get a full grasp of it before sending his design to the assembly line. Sometimes the designer would want to test out a feature or make sure the panels don't overlap. This is what 3D printing was originally intended to assist with. Rather than send the raw design to a factory, have them send a sample, test that sample and send a corrected design, the designer could simply print a prototype, correct it and send a perfected model to the assembly line.

As technology evolved it became an industry standard and today every cell phone and mouse you use were initially a 3D image that was printed. Much like any new technology 3D printing faces two main difficulties: the hardware aspect and the practical aspect. The hardware aspect is slowly progressing and I expect that soon enough not only will 3D printing be widely available in every high-tech company but the increasing range of equipment will enable high end devices to produce medical grade prosthetics while the low end devices will effect everyday use.

The second challenge 3D printing will face is of practicality: where does this technology fit into our lives? How can we use it and how will it grow?
Desoute the fact that 3D printing is limited only by our imagination many people are either unaware of it or do not understand how this technology can serve them. Unlimited customization enables anyone with an imaginative mind and access to a 3D imaging software to create a model from a file but many people are unaware of how much 3D printing can assist them.

For example, many interior designers are discovering that printing an item directly from their rendered project adds a personal touch to their work and is more convenient than looking for a similar item on the market. On the other end of the spectrum hobbyist robot and gadget designers find it easier to simply print their work before assembling it so they can present conventions and investors a working model rather than a rendered version.

Analysts are forecasting 3D printing as the technology of the future, so what are you waiting for, log in.