3D printing technology has been around in the industrial sector for several years, but the technology garnered mainstream attention when the hobbyist/maker 3D printing market took off. That was powered by fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology, which uses a heated nozzle to print material in layers, building up an object over time. The detail on the object is typically imperfect because of the difficulty of putting layers precisely on top of each other.

Next up the price scale are stereolithography and digital light processing (SLA and DLP), which use a liquid resin photopolymer cured by light. Whereas FDM is suitable for low-cost prototypes, these two methods, with their high level of detail, lend themselves to more intricate prototypes. SLA made its way into the prosumer market (goods of a standard between those aimed at consumers and professionals) via companies such as Formlabs, which focuses on clients such as startups, who want to use it for prototyping or custom short-run manufacturing.

Startups will use this to refine their products in the early stages before investing in costly injection moulding techniques, explains Michael Sorkin, European general manager at Formlabs.

[This is a more efficient way of changing the product in the beginning. Startups are using this more at the beginning than later on," he says.

At the mid- to high-end, you`ll find selective laser sintering, which uses lasers to heat powdered material (typically nylon), turning it into a solid. This technology is useful for complex designs. Even more sophisticated material jetting technology is used for highly detailed, realistic prototypes.