3D printing with polymers: Challenges among expanding options and opportunities.
OBJECTIVE
Additive manufacturing, which is more colloquially referred to as 3D printing, is quickly approaching mainstream adoption as a highly flexible processing technique that can be applied to plastic, metal, ceramic, concrete and other building materials. However, taking advantage of the tremendous versatility associated with in situ photopolymerization as well as the ability to select from a variety of preformed processible polymers, 3D printing predominantly targets the production of polymeric parts and models. The goal of this review is to connect the various additive manufacturing techniques with the monomeric and polymeric materials they use while highlighting emerging material-based developments.


METHODS
Modern additive manufacturing technology was introduced approximately three decades ago but this review compiles recent peer-reviewed literature reports to demonstrate the evolution underway with respect to the various building techniques that differ significantly in approach as well as the new variations in polymer-based materials being employed.


RESULTS
Recent growth of 3D printing has been dramatic and the ability of the various platform technologies to expand from rapid production prototypic models to the greater volume of readily customizable production of working parts is critical for continued high growth rates. This transition to working part production is highly dependent on adapting materials that deliver not only the requisite design accuracy but also the physical and mechanical properties necessary for the application.


CONCLUSIONS
With the weighty distinction of being called the next industrial revolution, 3D printing technologies is already altering many industrial and academic operations including changing models for future healthcare delivery in medicine and dentistry.
Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, MS 8310, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue , Boulder, CO 80303, USA. Electronic address: jeffrey.stansbury@ucdenver.edu.
Jeffrey W
JW
Stansbury
Colorado Photopolymer Solutions, 1880 South Flatirons Ct, Suite F, Boulder, CO 80301, USA. Electronic address: mike.idacavage@cpspolymers.com.
Mike J
MJ
Idacavage
D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional
D003764:Dental Materials; D011108:Polymers
3D printing; Additive manufacturing; Dental materials; Layered materials; Photopolymer; Prepolymer; Rapid prototyping; Thermoplastic