There are many limits of 3D printing to develop such as materials, machines, worry about intellectual property, moral challenge, commitment of costs and so on.
Limitation of materials
Firstly, one of the limits is materials. Although high-end industrial printing can realize the printing of plastics, some metals or ceramics, the materials that cannot realize the printing are relatively expensive and scarce. In addition, the printer has not yet reached a mature level, unable to support a variety of materials in daily life.
Researchers have made some progress in multi material printing. However, unless these advances are mature and effective, materials will still be a major obstacle to 3D printing.
Limitations of the machine
Secondly, the other one of the limits is machines. 3D printing technology has achieved a certain level in reconstructing the geometry and function of objects. Almost any static shape can be printed out, but the moving objects and their clarity are difficult to achieve. This difficulty may be solved for manufacturers. But if 3D printing technology wants to enter the ordinary family, everyone can print what they want at will. And then the limitations of the machine must be solved.
Worry about intellectual property
Thirdly, worry about intellectual property is also the limits of 3D printing . In the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in intellectual property in the music, film and television industries. 3D printing technology will also involve this problem, because many things in reality will be more widely spread. People can copy anything they want, and there’s no limit to the number.
How to make laws and regulations of 3D printing to protect intellectual property rights is also one of the problems we are facing, otherwise there will be flooding.
Moral challenge
Fourthly, moral challenge is one, too. Morality is the bottom line. It is difficult to define what kind of things will violate the law of morality. If someone prints out biological organs and living tissues, they will face great moral challenges in the near future.
Commitment of costs
Finally, it is commitment of costs. The cost of 3D printing technology is high. The first 3D printer sold for $2500. If you want to popularize to the public, price reduction is necessary, but it will conflict with the cost.
Every new technology will face these similar obstacles at the beginning of its birth, but I believe that to find a reasonable solution. The development of 3D printing technology will be more rapid, just like any rendering software, constantly updated to achieve the final improvement.