What is 3D Printing?
Copyright 2010 by Wohlers Associates, Inc.

3D printing is the fabrication of objects through the deposition of a material using a print head, nozzle, or another printer technology. The term is often used synonymously with additive manufacturing; in particular associated with machines that are low end in price and/or overall capability.

  
Alaris30 3D printer, courtesy of Objet Geometries

Because of their relatively low cost, small size, and office friendliness, customers are installing them in offices near their CAD systems. 3D printers are manufactured and sold by companies such as Objet Geometries, Stratasys, 3D Systems, and Z Corporation.