The document discusses the author's research into 3D printing through three projects: a research proposal, essay, and presentation. The research proposal explored digital fabrication and sources for the essay. The essay narrowed the topic to 3D printing's potential for an industrial revolution by enabling customization. The presentation introduces 3D printing's process and applications like food, medicine, consumer goods, and manufacturing. 3D printing allows moving from mass production to customized products and expanding beyond prototyping into final products.

1. 3D Printing
a new industrial revolution

2. Introduction
I chose to research 3D printing and how it is on its way to revolutionizing our lives. I was first exposed to 3D
printing in my studio class, which got me interested in finding out more about it. Throughout the semester I
have completed three projects in regards to 3D printing: a research proposal and annotated bibliography, a
research essay, and a PowerPoint presentation.
The research proposal and annotated bibliography got me thinking about what I wanted to learn from my
research and how I would go about doing so. At this point in my research process I was looking at digital
fabrication as a whole, which included much more than just 3D printing. The annotated bibliography helped
me think about what sources would be beneficial and how I might be able to integrate them into my research
essay.
The research essay was the meat and potatoes of my research process. I narrowed my topic down to 3D
printing at this point and was focusing on an impending industrial revolution. I saw what kind of impact 3D
printing is having on a wide variety of applications: designers, engineers, medical
researchers, manufacturers, and even hobbyists have begun utilizing this technology in exciting ways. The
possibilities for 3D printing are truly endless.
My final project, a PowerPoint presentation, is meant to expose you to 3D printing and just some of what it is
capable of. The presentation briefly describes the process of 3D printing and just a few ways it is being used.

3. What is 3D printing?
“Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is a process
of making three dimensional solid objects from a
digital model. 3D printing is achieved using additive
processes, where an object is created by laying
down successive layers of material.”
“3D printing is considered distinct from traditional
machining techniques (subtractive processes) which
mostly rely on the removal of material by
drilling, cutting etc.”
www.3dprinting.com

6. Importance of 3D Printing
• Ability to revolutionize manufacturing and
society
– Shift from mass production to customized
products for consumers
• Affect every facet of business
• Expansion beyond simple prototyping
– Printers have ability to print final products

8. New Opportunities
• Food industry
• Medical science and research
• Consumers
• Manufacturing

13. Images source
blog.sculpteo.com