T. A. Grimm & Associates, Inc.

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana

Today, 3-D printers are growing in popularity. However, as the RP industry realized in the 1990s, early success does not guarantee sustained rapid growth over the long haul. Continued or accelerated growth in 3-D printers will hinge upon the industry's answer to the question "Are these mini RP machines or are they expensive gadgets?"

Knowledge of both technologies is important for the selection of the right tool for the job.

What has the RP industry taken from this German inventor and the processes that followed.

Although the definition of rapid prototyping is varied and the application of the term is diverse, it will continue to be the commonly used term to describe such processes as SLA, SLS and FDM.

The key to RP success is a strategic plan for the future while acquiring the people, processes and skills necessary to supoort the plan.