Editor’s note: Besides following tech developments, our author is a musical composer (Juilliard-trained). He has provided a musical composition for you to listen to while reading this column. This piece is called “You Can Make it.”
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating a three-dimensional object layer-by-layer using a computer-created design. 3D printing is an additive process whereby layers of material are built up to create a 3D item.
Ten years ago, in 2014, at CES, the consumer electronics show, I witnessed the introduction of several 3D printers that could print chocolate confections for events like weddings with the names and designs of chocolate-loving couples. For those of you who don’t know, CES has been known as the world’s largest stage to introduce innovations. Every year, hundreds of thousands of attendees witness thousands of companies introducing new products, and that year was the first year that 3D printing became large enough to have a printing tech zone with 30 exhibitors, including chocolate 3D printers. 3D Systems showcased the ChefJet and ChefJet Pro, 3D printers capable of creating intricate chocolate and sugar-based confections.
These devices could produce sweets in various flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, mint, sour apple, cherry, and watermelon. Solid Idea introduced the ChocaByte, a 3D printer designed to create personalized chocolate confections. Initially offered at a special price of $99 for a limited run of 500 units, the ChocaByte aimed to make 3D chocolate printing accessible to a broader audience. The printer utilized pre-filled chocolate cartridges, which users would heat before inserting into the device to produce custom designs in under 10 minutes. I almost bought one even though the ChocaByte’s print area was relatively small, measuring 2 x 2 x 1 inches (5 x 5 x 2.5 cm), which limited the size of the confections it could produce. Despite the initial excitement, the ChocaByte did not achieve widespread adoption, and Solid Idea eventually discontinued the product.
Nevertheless, the world of 3D printing continues to add an astounding variety of materials. Advanced plastics are designed with features like elasticity, conductivity, biocompatibility, and UV resistance. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is the perfect middle ground between rubbery flexibility and plastic durability, working in powder-based printing methods like Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Ceramics create unique, heat-loving parts. Metal-infused materials bring muscle and heat resistance. (To my surprise, antique car owners are buying the printers that work with metal-infused materials. They could not get replacement parts for their old cars, so they started printing their own.)
There were entry-level printers for a couple of hundred dollars and industrial commercial printers over $100,000. During these last 10 years, the market has grown from $4.4 billion globally in $2014 to $20 billion in 2023, with the expectation of reaching $37 billion by 2026. The compound annual growth rate is expected to be over 20 percent from 2024 through 2030. Grand View Research
The ability to create complex and intricate designs, such as lattice structures, opens doors to designs that traditional manufacturing can’t achieve. This innovation directly benefits industries like aerospace, where lightweight components improve fuel efficiency. GE Aviation’s 3D-printed fuel nozzle, for example, is 25 percent lighter and five times more durable than its traditionally manufactured counterpart. Additive manufacturing also shines in cost and time efficiency by minimizing material waste through layer-by-layer construction and accelerating production cycles. Companies like Rolls-Royce and Boeing leverage these benefits to produce engine parts on tight schedules, streamlining development and reducing lead times.
In addition to engineers, hobbyists have embraced 3D printing as a versatile tool for creativity, practicality, and education, allowing them to bring their ideas to life in tangible ways. On the creative front, enthusiasts use 3D printers to craft custom figurines and models for hobbies like tabletop gaming and model railroading, or to produce personalized art and design pieces. DIY enthusiasts explore the technology to build unique gadgets and customized components, such as enclosures for Raspberry Pi and Arduino projects. Beyond artistic endeavors, practical uses abound: from printing hard-to-find replacement parts for household items to creating specialized tools and organizers tailored to specific needs, hobbyists leverage 3D printing to solve everyday problems with ingenuity and flair.
The appeal of 3D printing also extends into education and community engagement. Many hobbyists use it as a learning tool, exploring design and engineering concepts or building STEM-related models for demonstrations and challenges. It’s equally popular in niche interests, such as cosplay, where custom armor and props come to life, or fandoms, where collectibles and replicas celebrate favorite movies and games. The sense of community is strong too, with enthusiasts sharing designs and collaborating through open-source platforms like Thingiverse. From artistic expression to functional innovation, 3D printing empowers hobbyists to combine creativity with problem-solving in accessible and affordable ways.
The advantages of 3D printing extend further into material innovation, part consolidation, and maintenance. Advanced alloys like titanium and Inconel provide the strength, heat resistance, and corrosion tolerance necessary for high-performance applications like jet engines. The technology also simplifies assembly by merging multiple components into single parts, as demonstrated by GE’s LEAP engine nozzle, consolidating 20 parts into one. For repairs, metal 3D printing extends the lifespan of critical components, such as turbine blades, and supports the on-demand production of replacements, reducing inventory costs. Industries beyond aerospace are taking notice—NASA and SpaceX use 3D printing for rocket engine parts, while automotive and defense sectors deploy it for race cars and military vehicles. Leaders like GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus are paving the way, with 3D-printed parts becoming integral to modern engineering solutions.
As technologies evolve, the line between these two realms is blurring. Affordable metal 3D printers are emerging, and industrial machines are becoming more user-friendly. Tomorrow’s hobbyist might craft a jet engine part, while aerospace engineers might dabble in designing whimsical figurines.
This is a delightful duality—powerful precision on one side and playful creativity on the other make the world of 3D printing fascinating. It’s a testament to how one technology can cater to both the practical and the imaginative, proving that there’s room for everyone at the table, whether you’re building jet engines or dragon figurines.
