Since 2015, advancements in resin printing and faster SLA and networked FDM systems have brought 3D printing closer to mainstream production.
Ten years ago, 3D printing was used as a tool for rapid prototyping only. Since then most significant advancement has been increased, moving the industry focus from only demonstrations to repeatable, networked production. Continuous resin-printing methods include all previous innovations, such as Carbon’s CLIP based Digital Light Synthesis 3d printer filiment, which uses oxygen-permeable optics to cure resin continuously, slowed earlier printers.
Australia’s Gizmo 3D Printers decided to change situation and introduced animated printing on its top-down SLA/DLP platforms. They offered a significantly shorter build process compared to the traditional layer-by-layer method. But GiziMate manufacturer was focused more on industrial applications rather than the consumer market.
Modern fast 3d printer machines have no limits on high-speed performance. Beginning from 2024 such printer as Formlabs’ Form 4 uses stereolithography. It makes to complete most parts in under two hours. The larger Form 4L, that was launched in October 2024, targets higher workflows and larger parts.
High performance and speed in modern 3D printing is a standard due to firmware and motion-control improvements. A printer, such as Prusa’s MK4 enables faster printing without compromising dimensional accuracy.
Today focus has moved to managing printers at scale. Beginning on 2025 Bamboo Labs 3d printer Farm Manager demonstrates how desktop printers are operated like small factories. They often prioritize local cloud-free control for organizations with data privacy concerns.
Usage of material diversity and visual fidelity has become a must-have features of modern printers. Appearance of the 3D printer multi color category gave the ability for designers to prototype realistic products without post-processing. Every new generation of colour 3D printer improves color accuracy, surface finish, and durability and is widely used in marketing, education, product visualization and everywhere, where appearance is just as important as mechanical strength.
The demand for functional parts has driven the development of the industrial carbon fiber 3D printer, which combines lightweight composites with extreme strength and heat resistance. 3D Printers also used in aerospace, automotive, and tooling applications, where traditional metal parts can be replaced with reinforced polymers that are cheaper, faster to produce, and easier to modify.
The modern 3D printer and scanner combo allows users to easily scan physical objects and reproduce or even modify them digitally in a single workflow. Reverse engineering, medical customization, and small-batch manufacturing - a little list of spheres it can be used in.
The emergence of the large volume 3D printer made scale no longer a limitation, enabling the production of furniture, automotive panels, architectural components and full-size prototypes in a single print. These machines reduce the need for part segmentation and assembly.
Polymer 3D printer, which continues to dominate the market due to its versatility, affordability, and expanding range of materials. From flexible elastomers to heat-resistant composites, polymers now cover applications that were once exclusive to metals.
As a result 3D printing is no longer just a prototyping tool, it is now a scalable, production-ready technology - the future of design, engineering, and industry.