Three dimensional printing is much different from regular everyday printing done with a printer in people’s homes. The book What is the Future of 3D Printing? states that 3D printing is “the process that creates an object using a device connected to a computer” (Marcovitz, 2017, p.10). 3D printers are similar to the traditional printer that prints documents or photographs but prints in three dimensions, producing objects that can be of use every day (Marcovitz, 2017, p. 10). According to 3D Printing by Steven Otfinoski, three dimensional printing creates new objects from raw materials (Otfinoski, 2016, p. 7).
Manufacturing was called a “subtractive” process before 3D printers were developed. The “subtractive” process indicates that “the finished product is made from raw materials that are subtracted from the process as the product moves down an assembly line” (Markovitz, 2017, p. 11). Products are traditionally made by either using molds or cutting them from raw materials (Markovitz, 2017, p. 12). 3D printing is known as “additive manufacturing”. An additive is the material that is put into the printer to allow for the object to be made. Traditional printers such as ink-jet printers and 3D printers are similar in terms of their process. With traditional printers, a nozzle sprays the ink on top of a piece of paper to replicate what is on the computer screen. 3D printing is also a process that uses a nozzle to design the object. However, with 3D printing, the additive must be added to the nozzle prior to the creation of the object (Markovitz, 2017, 13-14). 3D printing seems to be an efficient and useful way to print desirable objects; however, there are some aspects that make 3D printing a questionable printing option.