For those unfamiliar with 3D printing, 3D printing is essentially a manufacturing process that takes a 3D model and turns it into a physical object by recreating the 3D model
layer by layer, with each additional layer built upon the previous one (after the first layer has been set). 3D printing is similar to other on-demand manufacturing technologies such as
Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines and laser cutters, in that these technologies all create physical replicas of digital designs. The notable difference with 3D printing, though,
is that it creates objects through a process of addition, adding material to already existing material, whereas other on-demand manufacturing methods work through methods
of subtraction, carving out a smaller design from a larger object such as a block of wood. 3D printing is also notable for its accessible price point, with lower-end 3D
printers retailing for around US$500