22Dec/11Off
3D Printers: Almost Mainstream
Smaller and cheaper
3D printing isn't new. .... But over the last 24 months, prices have dropped to a level that makes it appealing to a wider audience. ...
3D design gets easier
It's relatively easy to use a free tool such as Google SketchUp to create simple objects for 3D printing. But for complex shapes and geometries, designers still reach for professional modeling tools like SolidWorks. ...
Pete Basiliere, an analyst at Gartner who covers 3D printing, doesn't see consumers using the technology for personal printing of unique, one-off household items. "What's inhibiting consumer use is cost. It's too expensive for most people." Instead, he says, service bureaus may step in to fill those needs. ...
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