Talk:3D printing
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Semi-protected edit request: Add silicon to printable materials
I suggest a minor update to the "Materials" section under "General Principles" to reflect recent developments in the field.
Currently, the text lists polymers, metals, chocolate, and ceramics. I propose adding "semiconductors (such as silicon)" to this list, as recent peer-reviewed research has confirmed the viability of 3D printing single-crystal silicon.
Specifically, the sentence: "However, the method has rapidly evolved to not only print various polymers[104] but also metals,[105][106] chocolates,[107] and ceramics,[108] making 3D printing a versatile option for manufacturing." could be revised to: "However, the method has rapidly evolved to not only print various polymers[104] but also metals,[105][106] semiconductors (such as silicon), chocolates,[107] and ceramics,[108] making 3D printing a versatile option for manufacturing."
Here is a reliable source confirming that single-crystal silicon can indeed be 3D printed: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2025.105029 YangXJ1994 (talk) 08:43, 3 December 2025 (UTC)
- I agree also I think using a table or providing examples of the materials could help Nope195f (talk) 05:28, 30 December 2025 (UTC)
- Agree ~2025-43660-20 (talk) 12:57, 31 December 2025 (UTC)
design ~2025-41629-57 (talk) 05:36, 20 December 2025 (UTC)
design drone ~2025-41629-57 (talk) 05:38, 20 December 2025 (UTC)
Wiki Education assignment: Technology and Culture
This article is currently the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 15 January 2026 and 1 May 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Salink298 (article contribs). Peer reviewers: MacadeC, Yewonn 81, Mathis40, Grc04, Feng426, Rhutchek, Fleckal, Jharmeyer.
— Assignment last updated by Allisonwd (talk) 01:50, 9 March 2026 (UTC)
Peer Reviewed
Semi-protected edit request on 3 March 2026
 | This edit request has been answered. Set the |answered= parameter to no to reactivate your request. |
Change: "3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model."
To: "3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model, typically created by adding material layer by layer."
Reason: This revision improves clarity for general readers by briefly explaining the layer-by-layer process without changing the meaning of the definition. ~2026-13798-78 (talk) 07:24, 4 March 2026 (UTC)
Not done: The addition makes the sentence less readable and the same explanation is already included in the next sentence at the top of the lede. ScrubbedFalcon (talk) 10:35, 4 March 2026 (UTC)
1980s History Section Could be Clarified
Under the "1980s" subheading of the "history," there is a paragraph that begins with "In 1983, Robert Howard started R.H. Research..." The gist of this paragraph seems to be that Howtek-developed inkjets were used in many early printers across various companies, and that there is a central connection between many of the individuals. However, there seems to be extra information regarding a lot of people and places that take away from the overall message. I did my best to address some run-on sentences and other formatting oversights. However, I'm unfamiliar with the subject, so I'm hesitant to make larger changes that would alter the meaning of the text or remove information. I'd like to see if someone with more familiarity on the subject can evaluate the paragraph to see if the information could be streamlined to be clearer. I'm not sure if this is considered an edit request or not. This is my first Talk page subject, so please forgive any oversights in the structure of my request. Ethanreed517 (talk) 19:37, 23 March 2026 (UTC)