The 3D Printshow 2012 will be held in London in October and is intended to introduce people to a growing area of technology.
Unlike traditional printers, which print ink on paper, 3D printers create objects by adding layer upon layer of material to make a replica of an object from 3D model data. The technology has been around for more than 20 years but over the last decade the costs have come down significantly, making 3D printing a possibility for students, small businesses and even individuals.
Kerry Hogarth, the organiser of the show, said the show would introduce people to the entire process involved in 3D printing: scanning real world objects to make replicas, designing new objects using computer software and then printing the results.