How technological freedom and the hardware revolution made 3D print accessible to everyone
The story of 3D print is the tale of a technology that moved from closed laboratories to your desk. Today, you calculate a 3D print price in a few seconds, but 40 years ago, it required enormous budgets and specialized knowledge. The development is not just the story of machines, but of how knowledge was set free so that the price could fall.
Who actually invented the first 3D printer in 1981?
Dr. Hideo Kodama from Japan invented the first method for creating three-dimensional objects in 1981. He used a robot-controlled system with UV light to cure liquid resin. Dr. Kodama never completed his patent application, but his work laid the foundation for what we today call SLA. Although the technology worked, it remained in an early stage without commercial distribution in the first years. This shows that the foundation of the technology is older than many users assume.
Why did a 3D printer cost over 8,000,000 INR in the 1980s?
In 1986, Charles “Chuck” Hull took the next big step. He obtained the patent for stereolithography and founded the company 3D Systems Corporation. When the company launched the SLA-1 in 1988, the machine cost staggering amounts. The price reflected the enormous development costs and the fact that no one else was allowed to produce the technology. Simultaneously, Chuck Hull invented the STL file format. We still use this format today when assessing a 3D print and its geometry. The price was then so high that only the largest industrial companies could afford to experiment with the technology.
Which role did the RepRap project play for your 3D print price?
In 2004, Adrian Bowyer started the RepRap project at the University of Bath in England. He wanted to create a 3D printer that could replicate itself by printing its own spare parts. Bowyer obtained two expensive machines through a research grant and realized immediately that the technology should be accessible to everyone. This shifted the focus from profit to accessibility. Around 2007, people began using Arduino microcontrollers as the brain in the machines. This removed the need for expensive, custom-built circuits. By 2012, the price of a DIY kit dropped to 500 USD (approx. 42,000 INR), which is a significant drop from the earlier 15,000 USD (approx. 1,200,000 INR).
How did expired patents remove the high costs of 3D print?
Many believe that the expiration of patents in 2009 was the only cause of the low prices. When Scott Crump’s patent on FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) expired in January 2009, companies like MakerBot started immediately. But the real reason for the drop in your 3D print price was the combination of free patents and cheap hardware. When the technology became open-source, thousands of people contributed to improving the machines. This created healthy competition, which forced prices down and quality up for the 3D print itself.
Was it really only patents that kept the 3D printer price high?
Technological progress in electronics played just as big a role as the law. Before 2007, you had to be an expert in electronics to build a machine. You had to solder complex boards and control motors manually. When Arduino and later RAMPS boards hit the market, it became easy to control a 3D printer with cheap standard components. This hardware revolution made it possible for hobbyists to build machines in their own homes. This pressured industrial manufacturers to think in new ways and lower their prices.
Why did PLA become the most popular material for 3D print?
In the early days of the technology, most people used ABS plastic. However, ABS requires a lot of heat and smells strongly during the 3D print itself. In 2007, Vic Oliver suggested using PLA as an alternative. PLA is easier to work with, does not require a closed cabinet, and is available today in every conceivable color. As failure rates dropped with PLA, the total 3D print time fell, and thus the real costs for the user. You save money because the machine rarely makes mistakes during production.
What is the difference between the value of a 3D print then and now?
Before 2008, you had to be skilled in 3D CAD to have anything to print. The value of a 3D printer was limited by your own ability to draw. With the launch of Thingiverse in 2008, everything changed. Now everyone could download finished models. Josef Prusa in Prague used the RepRap design to create machines that set new standards for precision. Today, you get an accuracy of 0.1 mm for a fraction of what a rough prototype cost in the 1990s. This means you get industrial quality at an accessible 3D print price.
What has been achieved with 3D print in the medical world?
The technology is now saving human lives and changing medical treatment. In 1999, researchers at Wake Forest printed the first bladder for a patient. In 2012, a patient had the first 3D printed jaw implanted. Anthony Atala has shown how to print bones and kidneys using human cells. These breakthroughs prove that the technology has grown out of the hobby room and into the most advanced operating theaters. It emphasizes the technology’s reliability and the extreme requirements it can now meet.
What does it cost to have a 3D print made today?
The price depends on the object’s size, material choice, and total 3D print time. By using an online price calculator, you can quickly get an accurate overview of the costs. Modern machines and cheap materials like PLA have made it possible to produce prototypes for very small amounts.
When was the first 3D printer invented?
The first working method was invented in 1981 by Dr. Hideo Kodama from Japan. He developed a system that used UV light to cure resin layer by layer. Although he did not get the patent, his work laid the foundation for the industry we know and use today.
What significance did RepRap have for the market?
The RepRap project started in 2004 and introduced the idea of a 3D printer that can print its own parts. This removed the need for expensive spare parts from large manufacturers and made the technology accessible to hobbyists. It was the starting point for the democratization that has lowered the price of the 3D print itself.
Why is PLA the most used material?
PLA became popular around 2007 because it is easy to work with and does not smell during production. It requires less heat than older materials like ABS, reducing power consumption and the risk of errors. This makes the material the most economical choice for most tasks.
How do patents affect the price of the technology?
Patents give inventors exclusive rights, which often leads to high prices in the first twenty years. When the most important patents on FDM technology expired in 2009, it created an explosion of new, cheap manufacturers. This healthy competition is the main reason you can get a cheap 3D print today.
What can 3D print be used for today?
The technology is used for everything from simple spare parts and prototypes to advanced medical implants and bones. Its flexibility means you can create complex geometries that are impossible with traditional methods. Today, it is an indispensable tool in both industry and for private projects.
See what the production of the future costs you today
Development started with expensive patents and closed systems in the 1980s. Through the RepRap project, cheap Arduino chips, and expired patents in 2009, prices fell drastically. Today, you get higher precision, faster 3D print time, and access to advanced materials at a very low price. We have gone from machines costing millions of INR to efficient solutions that everyone can afford. You should utilize this historical democratization for your own projects and prototypes.
If you want to see what it costs to bring your own ideas to life with modern technology, you should use our price calculator. Here you get a precise answer immediately so you can move forward with your production without delay.
Visit our price calculator here and get your 3D print price immediately:
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