3D Printing Printing: The democratisation of objects through recent developments in generative manufacturing processes

Media coverage of the new technology of 3D printing is constantly bringing new developments, products and, above all, practical applications every week. It has always been people's dream to create things from their own thoughts. This is one reason why this technology is so fascinating. It allows real objects to be created directly from a digital model on the screen. There is no need to worry about shape or function; the objects come out of the printer ready to use. Technical advances and the innovative potential of the maker movement are enabling additive manufacturing to make the leap from industry to the home desk. The market offers devices that are not much larger than an inkjet printer and not much more expensive than a MacBook. How 3D printers can contribute to such a development and in what ways they are changing the things around us is the subject of this book.