2. What is 3-D printing?  3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is created by successive layers of material.  3D printers offer product developers the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process.  3D printers are generally faster, more affordable and easier to use than other additive manufacturing technologies.

3. History  Charles Hull first developed the technology for printing physical 3D objects from digital data in 1984.  Charles Hull founded 3D systems and developed the first commercial 3D Printing machine.  Stereolithography Apparatus was the official name for 3-D printing.  In 1996, three major products, "Genisys" from Stratasys, "Actua 2100" from 3D Systems and "Z402" from Z Corporation, were introduced.

4. Effects on Lifestyle  3D printing can be used in the near future to save the environment  Download products to your home printer like you do music today.  This technology can custom- manufacture body parts, medical devices, lifestyle goods, etc.  The printing of parts and products has the potential to transform manufacturing because it lowers the costs and risks.

5. Development  With the new development in 3D printing, old glass products and broken glass can be used to create new glass products such as glassware.  It has the possibility to set up a business in the future for the mass-manufacturing of recycled products through 3D printing.  Since 2003 there has been large growth in the sale of 3D printers.

6. Current Uses  Artwork  Jewelry  Hearing Aides  Prototypes  Home décor  Engineering and construction (AEC)  Components/Manufacturing  Medicine

7. Types of 3-D Printers

8. Cost  The cost of 3-D printers range from about $15,000-$19,000  Since 2003 the cost of 3D printers has declined.

9. 3-D productions

10. Works Cited  http://www.myofficeportal.org/saving- the-environment-through-3d-printing.htm http://www.myofficeportal.org/saving- the-environment-through-3d-printing.htm  http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/201 1-05/9/david-rowan-3d-printing http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/201 1-05/9/david-rowan-3d-printing  http://www.mahalo.com/3d-printers/ http://www.mahalo.com/3d-printers/  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing  http://www.economist.com/node/181142 21 http://www.economist.com/node/181142 21