Until recently, printing -- on clay, papyrus, cloth or paper -- was always a two-dimensional process. Then, starting in the 1980s, various technologies evolved to add the 'z' axis, which allowed ...

3D printing, the process of making a solid object from a digital model, is a form of additive manufacturing. Here’s a diagram of how 3D printers work.

How a 3D printer works can vary depending on the type of printing it's doing. Use this guide to understand the variations in materials and technique.

Depending on the type of 3D printing process involved in the production cycle, different manufacturing defects can compromise the consistency, reliability, and performance of the 3D-printed materials.