Introduction to 3D Printing

Learn the basics of 3D printing with this introduction to 3D printing which shows you how to get from an idea to a physically 3D printed object.

ABOUT 3D PRINTERS

3D printers create three dimensional physical objects from digital design files.

While traditional manufacturing might involve carving away unwanted material to create a finished object or maybe pouring molten material into a mould and letting it set into the right shape, 3D printing builds an object from the ground up. It’s a form of additive manufacturing where objects are made by adding material, bit by bit and layer by layer until the ‘print’ is completed.

The different methods generally referred to as 3D printing are fused deposition modelling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS). There are other methods, however generally when referring to 3D printing you will be talking about a machine that employs one of those three methods. Consumer desktop printers, such as the Ultimaker 3D printers, generally use FDM, which is where filament (including PLA or ABS) is pushed through an extruder head to make objects layer by layer.

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HOW TO CREATE A 3D DESIGN

Design

You can use design software, such as SketchUp or AutoCAD, or online software like Leopoly to create your 3D design

Download

You can download completed 3D printable designs from online platforms, such as Thingiverse or YouMagine

Scan

You can use 3D scanners to scan physical objects and turn it into digital 3D designs.

CHOOSING THE MATERIAL

Typical desktop 3D printers can usually print in either PLA or ABS filament. PLA is more commonly used as it comes in a wider range of colours and does not require any ventilation in the room. Whereas ABS produces a strong smell that can be toxic so you need to be in a well ventilated room, ABS is however better at withstanding high impacts and can be used in wet locations. Click here to find out all the differences between PLA and ABS filament.

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PREPARING THE PRINT

Before your 3D design is ready to be printed, the design needs to be turned into the information that a 3D printer can understand. This is made easy with 3D printing software, such as Cura from Ultimaker. Simply export your 3D design as an STL, OBJ, DAE or AMF file and then import it into the 3D printing software.

Once your design is in the 3D printing software you can specify the quality, fill density, print speed, etc. Then click print and watch your design turn into a physical object in front of your eyes.

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