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What is 3D printing?
In this day and age, there's a high chance that you have heard of 3D printing. But have you ever wondered how it actually works? If so, then this article is for you! First of all, what is 3D printing? Well, it is the process that creates a three-dimensional object by adding material rather than eliminating it (as in drilling or cutting.) It works by carefully placing layers of material on top of one another until the object of your choice is complete. As demonstrated below:
The object that you intend to 3D print has to first be created inside a 3D program, so you can then export it to the printer. This can be done either through the use of a micro SD card or a USB connection. Nowadays anyone can learn how to create objects using 3D programs because of the thousands of tutorial videos out there. However if you are still unable to create an object of your own, or if you are looking for inspiration. Websites such as thingiverse.com offer free to use objects and files.
Can/should I get a 3D printer?
As of 2009, 3D printing became commercially available to the general public. And as a result, nearly everybody reading this article is capable of owning a 3D printer. And there are numerous reasons to buy one. Because it isn’t simply about making things. It’s all about learning, pushing your imagination to its limits, and being a part of a continuously changing and expanding field of technology. This is as long as you are prepared to put in the effort, and do the research.
Since 3D printing is a process that strengthens your creativity as well as teaching you more about the world of technology. It is widely considered to be the perfect mix between science, art, and technology. However fun as it can be, it doesn't just have to be a hobby. But it can also be something that saves you a lot of time and money.
Here's a hypothetical situation. Say you’re at home and your phone chargers and wires start to get tangled again. You could untangle them and desperately hope they won’t tangle again. But why suffer? You could always order a wire organizer online, however shipping delays occur way too frequently. Sometimes taking up to 10 - 15 days. Not to mention the price of shipping and taxes. But this can all be avoided by simply taking half an hour to print an exact copy that you designed yourself.
Are there any limits?
Contrary to popular beliefs, you can’t print ANYTHING on a 3D printer. For example, you aren’t able to 3D print a cookie and then eat it later. The most common material used in 3D printing is PLA plastic. Which costs around 30$ per kilogram. 3D printing can also be limited by your free time, because it can take a lot of time for a 3D printer to create an object. Especially when it has to build it up one layer at a time while trying to be as precise as possible. As a matter of fact, the Eiffel tower time-lapse in paragraph 1 took about 20 hours in total print time. Which can be an inconvenience for those who don’t have enough time.
How big can a 3D print be?
Some people might also think that size is a limiting factor, especially for budget printers. As they can only print on a 235 x 235 mm base. But this isn’t as much of a limitation as you might think. No one should be limited in their creativity simply because of the size of their printer. Instead what people could do is split up the model and print them in separate pieces. And then assemble them afterwards to create the original object.
Will 3D printing influence our future?
This is a question that has no real answer, since time travel is still just a science fiction dream. The answer to this question could go both ways. In many ways 3D printing has already made a difference in the lives of millions. Companies worldwide are actively using 3D printing as a method of rapidly prototyping models. Take for example, vehicle manufacturers. They use 3D printing all the time whenever they need to test, size, or validate the functionality of moving parts. Even the device that you are using to read this right now has likely been prototyped through 3D printing. But what about for household use? Well, considering that 3D printers are becoming more affordable than ever, it is almost a certainty that 3D printing will become a staple in our future. While not everyone will want to pay money for one, there's a very high chance that many people will have one of these unique machines in their house.
3D printing in our own homes is no longer some fantasy of the future. While it still requires patience and the willingness to learn how to operate one of these machines. But once you do, you’ll find that it helps motivate you to come up with original ideas for modern problems rather than buying products to solve them for you.
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