assignment on 3d printing

80 Best 3D Printing Ideas for the Classroom in 2024

Warm up the printer!

There’s something extra special about witnessing awe-inspired students as they eagerly watch their 3D printing creations take shape. With countless opportunities to design creative learning experiences and develop critical thinking skills, 3D printers are an innovative tech tool that can be used to teach just about any subject. But with so many possibilities available in the world of 3D printing, finding ideas that work with your educational objectives can seem overwhelming. Fear not—we’ve got you covered! Read on to discover 80 incredible 3D printing ideas you should try with your students.

3D Printing Ideas

1. Dragsters Powered by Balloons

Get your students engaged in science by hosting a balloon-powered dragster competition that teaches the principles of forces, motion, and Newton’s third law. This lesson encourages design thinking as students figure out the best size, shape, and weight for their car and wheels to travel the farthest in a straight line.

Learn more: Create a Balloon Powered Car

2. Fraction Blocks

Say goodbye to the struggles of teaching fractions! These printable math manipulatives are a game-changer for helping students grasp and visualize fractions with ease. By using your own 3D printer, you can conveniently print out as many manipulatives as you need for the classroom.

Learn more: Fraction Blocks, Teachable Classroom Math Manipulative Model!

3. Mini Catapult

If you’re looking for fun 3D printing ideas to tackle boredom when it strikes, consider creating a mini catapult. Once fully finished, give it a try and see what kind of mischief you can cause!

Learn more: Micro Catapult by Luke Tansell

4. Infinite Fidget Cube

Fidget toys have gained popularity for providing comfort and aiding concentration for kids with sensory needs in the classroom. These 3D-printed fidget toys are a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and effective solution to help students focus.

Learn more: Easy Infinite Cube Fidget

5. T-Rex Tape Dispenser

Why settle for an ordinary tape dispenser when you can make your own T-rex skull tape dispenser? We love 3D printing ideas that include fun and creative ways to incorporate dinosaurs into your lessons.

Learn more: T-Rex Tape Dispenser

Attention music and band teachers! If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to expensive musical instruments, look no further than this 3D-printed ocarina. Rest assured that it’s not only affordable but also musically accurate—perfect for your classroom needs.

Learn more: 12 Hole Ocarina by RobSoundtrack

7. No-Mess Frog Dissection

Impress your students with this innovative 3D-printed frog dissection kit. Say goodbye to the mess and unpleasantness that comes with traditional dissection methods.

Learn more: The Frog Dissection Kit by MakerBot

8. Poseable Snowman Fidget

Why settle for a standard fidget spinner when you can have a poseable seasonal snowman fidget toy? This creative alternative is sure to entertain and calm your students.

Learn more: Articulated Snowman Fidget by 3D Printy

9. Mount Everest

In geography class, 3D printing ideas can make topographical maps and other geographic features that involve students in creating mountains, oceans, plains, and more.

Learn more: Mount Everest by Jawensi

10. Retro Alarm Clock Stand

To add a vintage touch to your contemporary timepiece, simply gather some 3D-printed pieces, a Google Home Mini, and a few other components to assemble this stand.

Learn more: Retro Alarm Clock Stand by Yelt

11. Braille Models

Introduce students to the written language of braille and 3D modeling concepts through 3D printing ideas. Use this technology to create custom braille models, from basic blocks to braille signage for different areas of your school.

Learn more: Creating Braille Blocks

12. Spinning Tops

Get students involved in both toy design and concepts of forces and motion by guiding them in creating spinning tops. After 3D-printing their designs, students can compete to see whose spinning top can spin the longest and then analyze the results to make improvements to their designs.

Learn more: Design and Print a Spinning Top

13. Book Holder

Make reading and holding a book with one hand a breeze with this nifty tool. Bookworms who enjoy reading for long periods will especially appreciate the convenience it provides.

Learn more: Reading Aid

14. Assistive Bottle Openers

Students use Tinkercad to create assistive devices like bottle openers for individuals with arthritis or a weak grip. Through the design process, they’ll also learn about simple machines and the principles of levers. This project is a practical way to apply engineering principles while addressing a real-world problem.

Learn more: Assistive Bottle Openers

15. Historical Artifacts

Students in a classroom selected influential historical figures without memorials and designed monuments using 3D software and printers. This project allowed them to learn and teach about their chosen figure’s accomplishments in a unique way.

Learn more: 3D Printing in History Class

16. Reading Bar

This uncomplicated 3D-printed tool is a lifesaver for classroom settings with struggling readers or students with ADHD. The text isolator aids in helping students concentrate on one line of text at a time while reading, making it an effective tool for improving reading comprehension.

Learn more: Reading Bar (flat) by Makers Making Change

17. Hyperboloid Pencil Holder

This pencil holder design might surprise you with its ability to liven up an otherwise mundane object. The creator of this model promises that it’s as easy as “print, clip in pencils, admire …”!

Learn more: Hyperboloid Pencil Holder by MakeALot

18. Marble Maze

Looking for an engaging activity to keep students of all ages entertained for hours? Check out this 3D-printed marble maze! It’s not only a fantastic gift idea from teachers but also a fun present for students to give to others in their lives.

Learn more: Snap-Together Marble Maze by Ericman314

Instead of printing a standard cube, try printing dice. This simple shape is easy to print, and all students need to do is add the dots. Not only can they use it when playing board games, but they’ll also have the satisfaction of telling everyone they made it themselves. Pretty cool, right?

Learn more: Setting Up Your 3D Printed Dice Files for Printing

20. Parallel Line Drawer

Music teachers and primary educators looking to enhance their students’ printing skills, rejoice! This line-drawing tool is the perfect addition to your teaching tool kit.

Learn more: Parallel Line Drawing Tool (Parametric) by CodeCreations

21. Paint Palette

Check out these amazing 3D-printed palettes that fit snugly on your thumb! They’re perfect for wiping down your brush and mixing small amounts of color. Your students are bound to adore them!

Learn more: Petite Paint Palette by MerganMcFergan

22. Cali Cat

The Cali Cat is a popular 3D print option because of its fun and cute nature, often used for calibration and as a benchmark model for beginners. It is also kept as a souvenir by many students as they learn 3D printing ideas.

Learn more: Cali Cat – The Calibration Cat by Dezign

23. Checklist Stencil

Let’s tackle planning your day with ease. This printable planner stencil will simplify your to-do list and help you stay on track. With a quick glance, you can confirm which tasks haven’t been checked off yet and tackle them before they pile up.

Learn more: List Stencil by Kai Nightmode

24. Whistles

Before designing a whistle, teach students about sound waves, frequency, and amplitude. This project involves an iterative process where students can analyze and evaluate their creations to improve on their designs.

Learn more: Make a Whistle With Tinkercad by Neotekna  

25. Key Holder

Say no to the hassle of carrying around keys! Your students will appreciate the opportunity to create a personalized key holder to keep their house keys, car keys, and any other keys organized and easily accessible.

Learn more: Proteus Key Holder by ProteanMan

26. Doorstop

3D-printed doorstops are typically triangular in shape, but they serve an essential function in preventing doors from slamming due to drafts. For a more intricate design, you can experiment with engraving a word onto the stopper using 3D printing software. The possibilities are endless!

Learn more: Cheeze Door-Stop by Terenceang

27. Whiteboard Marker Holder

Say goodbye to a cluttered whiteboard area with this convenient marker holder. Capable of holding four Expo markers along with a brush and spray, this organizer is the perfect addition to your classroom setup.

Learn more: Expo Dry-Erase Marker Set Holder by Pdogman

28. Drink Coaster

Crafting your own drink coaster is a simple process that even students can accomplish. With a little practice, anyone can become a pro at designing custom drink coasters.

Learn more: The Ultimate Hexagon Coaster Set by SRunderkamp

29. Pen Cases

Teach students to create unique pen cases using intersecting shapes like pebbles in Tinkercad. In this lesson, they’ll also learn about mathematical linear sequences to determine the number of pebbles needed for a Bic Cristal biro cartridge to fit perfectly in the center.

Learn more: Design a 3D Printable Pen – Lesson Plan

30. USB Cable Holder

In today’s world, USB cables reign supreme. If you’re looking to save time and energy by avoiding the tedious task of untangling cords later, this printable organizer is just what you need to keep your space clutter-free.

Learn more: USB Cable Holder by Ajitam

31. Custom Jewelry

For students who are new to 3D printing ideas, a low poly ring is an excellent starting point. These rings are small and require minimal material, making them quick to print. Despite their simplicity, the design is still attractive and eye-catching.

Learn more: Low-Poly Ring by Levenement71

32. Human Organs to Scale

My students were deeply affected by this activity—the experience of holding a heart or skull in their own hands really made them contemplate and reflect.

Learn more: Human Skull by MakerBot

33. Customizable Bubble Wands

Bring some extra fun to your kindergarten or primary grade class with this delightful custom bubble wand project. Bubbles are always a hit among kids, and this personalized wand will make for an excellent souvenir that children can take home and enjoy over and over again.

Learn more: Bubble Wand With Nametag by Preealpha

34. Paintable Earth Model

Get your hands on a file for a paintable 3D-printed model of the Earth’s cutaway. This model displays the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core in intricate detail.

Learn more: Cutaway Earth Model by Kseluga

35. Hanging Planter

Add a touch of beauty to your classroom with this lovely hanging planter. It’s perfect for students to take home and enjoy or even to customize as a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift.

Learn more: Hanging Vase by ZSAviation

36. Egyptian Cartouche

Have students design their own cartouches as a fun way to learn about Egyptian hieroglyphics and monuments. Using a hieroglyphic alphabet, they can personalize their obelisk model by adding their name.

Learn more: Tinkercad Egyptian Cartouche Project

37. Phone Holder for Your Bike

This hands-free design allows you to access GPS maps with ease and receive vocal assistance to guide you along the way. Let’s make learning and exploring stress-free! The design can even easily be modified to fit any type of phone you have.

Learn more: Bicycle Phone Holder by Mowi

The options for 3D-printed stamps are endless, giving students the freedom to get as creative as they want. With numerous stamp forms to choose from and the ability to add letters, shapes, inspiring words, and other designs, there’s no limit to what can go on the actual stamp. Let your imagination run wild!

Learn more: Stamps by lkg218

39. Toothpick Dispenser

Your students are sure to adore this comical and charming toothpick dispenser. And it’s useful too!

Learn more: Funny Toothpick Dispenser by Shusy

40. Toothbrush Holder

Looking for a fun way to encourage better dental hygiene habits in your students? Look no further than these 3D-printed toothbrush holders! Shaped like a literal tooth, they’re sure to be a hit and make brushing just a bit more enjoyable.

Learn more: A Cup for Toothbrush and Toothpaste by ericman93

41. Classroom Fiddles

Interested in 3D printing ideas for a classroom instrument? OpenFab PDX offers several options for you to choose from, giving you the opportunity to print your very own four-string fiddle.

Learn more: Modular Fiddle Instructions

42. A Yo-Yo

To give it a personalized touch, consider adding cool engravings to the sides of this yo-yo. Once complete, all you need is a good string and it’s ready to use.

Learn more: Spiderman Yoyo by lolo_aguirre

43. Hurricane Satellite View

Visualize the incredible size of a hurricane with a 3D-printed satellite view model. This model showcases the eye and swirling clouds in stunning detail, helping students better understand the phenomenon. Plus, it includes outlines of land to provide a sense of scale.

Learn more: Hurricane Katrina by Conorokane

44. Gaming Controller Clips

This sleek controller holder is not only practical, but it’s a smart solution for those who need to maximize space in their living area. Whether you’re setting up your PS5 or Xbox Series X, this accessory adds a stylish touch.

Learn more: PS5 / Xbox Series X Controller Hanger by sa_shadow

45. Wrenches

Motivate your students to bring their household tools to life using a 3D printer. From screwdrivers and wrenches to adjustable wrenches and more, the possibilities are endless.

Learn more: 3D Printed “Print-in-Place” Adjustable Wrench by Daniel Norée 

46. Smartphone Stand

Take a look at this adorable turtle and his animal friends, which double as both a convenient smartphone stand and key chain. With this handy gadget, your students can keep their phone upright while on the go and always have their cute companion with them.

Learn more: Tortoise Keychain/Smartphone Stand by Sonia Verdu

47. Cookie Cutters

3D printing offers the opportunity to create cookie cutters in a variety of shapes. Because they are hollow, students can learn to 3D-print with minimal filament usage.

Learn more: 3D Christmas Cookie Cutters by asbeg

48. Bridge Building

Encourage students to explore the world of bridges by designing their own or creating 3D-printed models. From suspension and beam to arch, cantilever, truss, and cable-stayed, there are many types of bridges to consider. This project can be linked to specific cities and rivers where these bridges can be found.

49. Classroom Medals

Honor your students’ accomplishments with these personalized gold medals. These medals are an ideal award for recognizing outstanding achievements throughout the school year, such as Student of the Month or various successes.

Learn more: Gold Medal Name Plate/Olympic Medal by Murdoc

50. Animal Bookmarks

Looking for a cute and functional bookmark to help your students keep track of their reading in class? These adorable panda bookmarks are the perfect addition to any novel study or reading activity.

Learn more: Panda Bookmark by Ludmi_R

51. Assistive Devices

Students could work in teams to create an assistive device for a real user, guided by design instructions and human-centered principles.

Learn more: The Assistive Device Academy – 3D Printing Lesson Plan

52. Teaching Time

With the ubiquity of digital clocks these days, even my own students struggle to read analog clocks. Luckily, this 3D-printed analog clock model offers a solution for kids learning to tell time on analog clocks.

Learn more: Teaching Clock (Tell the Time) by phi.gl

53. Cable Organizer and Holder

Students can no longer use the excuse of uncharged technology in class, thanks to this clever desktop cable organizer. Not only does it ensure that cords remain tangle-free and organized, but it can be easily attached to desks at home or in the classroom, preventing cords from getting lost in the abyss.

Learn more: 6-Cable Organizer and Holder

54. 3D Bar Charts

Make presenting demographic information more exciting and readable with 3D bar charts. Whether it’s population, life expectancy, or other data, these charts provide a unique way to teach students to display information. Consider having students use demographic or survey information from your school to create customized 3D bar charts that showcase school-specific data.

Learn more: Tactile Graphs for Early Grades by Nicholas Builds

55. Desk-Mounted Headphone Holder

As more students incorporate technology into their classroom studies, it’s now commonplace to see headphones at every desk. Keep your classroom organized with this practical desk-mounted headphone holder, which provides a designated spot for students to store their headphones conveniently.

Learn more: Desk Mount Headphone Holder / Mount / Clamp

56. Earbud Holder

Tired of constantly misplacing or untangling your earphones? This practical 3D-printed earbud holder is a handy tool that keeps your earphones organized and tangle-free.

Learn more: Earbud Holder by Sneakypoo

57. Wall Outlet Shelf

Your students will definitely appreciate being able to create wall outlet shelves. These shelves provide a safe and stable spot for their phones to rest while charging.

Learn more: Wall Outlet Shelf by WallTosh

58. Snack Bag Clip Rex

Bag clips are a must-have in any classroom, especially with students who are always hungry. With these convenient clips, students can easily seal their snacks and avoid spills or messes in their backpacks or on the floor.

Learn more: Bag Clip Rex by Tquacken

59. Interlocking Equation Blocks

Enhance your students’ math skills with these versatile math manipulatives that can be used to create equations. These unique blocks are perfect for honing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills.

Learn more: Educational Interlocking Number Blocks Toy

60. Math Fact Spinner

These 3D-printed spinners can be customized to include different mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As students spin the spinner, they can work on solving the math problems that it lands on.

Learn more: 3D Printable Math Spinner Toy by Paulo Ricardo Blank

61. Desk or Table Bag Holder

Here’s another straightforward yet highly practical classroom design. These bag hooks are perfect for keeping student backpacks off the floor and in order. Plus, they can come in handy for hanging purses or bags at restaurants or other public places.

Learn more: Desk Bag Hook by PieSupplies

62. Sound-Amplifying Monster

Looking for a quick and easy way to amplify the sound from your smartphone? Meet this little monster! This handy gadget utilizes simple audio engineering to boost the volume of your device. Perfect for when you or your students need to turn up the volume.

Learn more: Groovi Monster by 3DShook

63. 3D Water Cycle

A 3D printer can be used to create an educational and engaging model of the water cycle, showcasing each step of the process in intricate detail. This interactive tool helps students understand the importance of sustainability and water conservation, making science education more exciting and hands-on.

Learn more: 3D Water Cycle by Mr. Martens

64. Chopstick Trainer

Home economics and culinary teachers, rejoice! This tool is a dream come true for teaching students how to use chopsticks with ease.

Learn more: Chopstick Trainer by Zydac

65. Measuring Cube

3D printing ideas that serve practical purposes are some of our favorites! Take your cooking skills to the next level with this incredible measuring cube that can measure various increments. The best part? You won’t have to wash multiple small spoons anymore.

Learn more: Measuring Cubes by Jevus

66. Find the Match

Add a creative touch to classroom learning with this engaging matching game, made possible by 3D printing ideas. By using the provided templates, you can customize matching quizzes that are both fun and educational for your students to complete.

Learn more: Find Pairs by Jobla

67. Ancient Ruins

Create your own replicas of ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza, Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome, the Taj Mahal, and the Statue of Liberty with 3D printing. The possibilities are endless!

Learn more: Ancient Ruins

68. Custom Classroom Passes

Stay organized with these handy 3D-printed passes for tracking restroom breaks, library visits, and trips to the hall.

Learn more: Pernille Ripp’s Classroom Passes

69. Multicolor Cell Model

Introducing a multicolor 3D model of a cell is an excellent way to make science come alive for students who are studying the different parts of a cell. Not only does it engage their curiosity and imagination, but it also allows them to learn about 3D printing in the process.

Learn more: Multi-Color Cell Model by Mosaic Manufacturing

70. Flexible Chrome T-Rex

We all love the T-Rex game on Chrome that we can play when the Wi-Fi is out. Now, imagine having your own flexible version of this lovable character that can be used as a fidget or as a fun toy.

Learn more: Flexi Chrome T-Rex by JamesThePrinter

71. Small Parts Organizer

This pint-size organizer can help keep even the tiniest of screws and other objects in their place. It could even be used for those pesky little LEGO parts like Minifigure hands!

Learn more: Must-Have Small Parts Organizer

72. Bookends

We love books here at We Are Teachers so you can bet this is one of our favorite 3D printing ideas. Keep all those beloved books neat and tidy on your shelves with this simple but effective bookend!

Learn more: 3D Printing Optimized Bookend

73. A Sweet Key Chain

This simple project would make a great gift for anyone that loves 3D printing. You can keep it for yourself, too, since if you’re making this key chain, odds are you’re a big 3D printing fan!

Learn more: 3D Printing Keychain by Matt_2024

74. 3D Printed Bracelet

This is another sweet idea for a gift. If you run a class or a camp on 3D printing, you could even give this out to all of the enrollees. Or keep it for yourself and wear it with pride!

Learn more: Bracelet “3d Printing” by Trayectoria Maker

75. A Lampshade

Let’s shine a little light on this adorable lampshade! This project will take approximately four hours to complete, and we think the time spent is well worth it.

Learn more: 3D Printed Lampshade by Jeroen3

76. Squishy Turtle Pal

Are these not the most adorable little turtle pals? We especially love that the little legs bounce and the heads can disappear into the shell. Pick your favorite style and get creating a new desk buddy or good-luck charm.

Learn more: Squishy Turtle by jakejake

77. Spool Holder

The designer of this spool holder explains that while three different sizes are available, they aren’t necessary. There is an option for a universal spool holder that just won’t look as polished, though it will fit nearly any spool.

Learn more: Universal Spool Holder by jjpowelly

78. Shower Head

This shower head is intended to fit onto a standard 1/2-inch threaded shower pipe. We especially love 3D printing ideas that have a practical purpose, and this one does just that. The best part? You get to see your handiwork every day while getting clean!

Learn more: Shower Head MK1 by Mr_MegaTronic

79. Blossoming Lamp

This unique project uses captured joints where moving parts are printed together to eliminate the need for assembly. The 14 interlocking pieces work to open and close the flowers around the lamp, adding or reducing the light emitted. Everyone will certainly want to know where you got this lamp!

Learn more: Blossoming Lamp by emmett

80. Chess Piece

We love the idea of creating an entire chess board through 3D printing. Get started by creating this rook piece in the color of your choosing.

Learn more: Make: Rook – 2015 3D Printer Shoot Out Test Models

If you’re on the hunt for 3D printing ideas that are tailored to your grade level or subject matter, be sure to explore the education section on MyMiniFactory . You’ll find a plethora of project ideas and files there that are specifically designed for educators like you.

Looking for more 3D printing ideas? Try these Amazing Ways Teachers Can Use 3D Printing to Teach Math and Science!

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Your First 3D Printing Lesson Plan

• August 27, 2023
• 3D Printing , STEM
• Engaging Lessons , Fall STEM , Sub Plans

Are you a middle school teacher looking to incorporate 3D printing into your curriculum? This 3D printing lesson plan is designed to introduce your students to the exciting world of additive manufacturing. From understanding the basics of 3D printing to discovering the printer parts and functions, your students will be engaged and excited to learn. Get ready to bring the future of manufacturing into your classroom!

Short on time? Grab this no-prep introduction to 3D printing!

What are the benefits of 3D printing for kids?

3D printing offers numerous benefits for kids. They can bring their ideas to life and develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. Just imagine the thrill your students will experience as they transform their brilliant ideas into tangible objects right before their eyes. 

3D printing in the classroom also allows students to explore STEM concepts in a hands-on way and can even lead to exciting future career opportunities in fields such as engineering and design. 3D printing is a valuable tool for inspiring and empowering young learners.

Explore misconceptions about 3D printing

This 3D printing lesson starts out by having students examine common misconceptions about 3D printers and the field of additive manufacturing. Students share how much they agree or disagree with the provided statements in an interactive whole class discussion.

This helps you gauge your students’ prior knowledge of and baseline interest in 3D printing. Some may think it’s a magical process that can create anything instantly, while others may believe it’s too complicated for them to understand. The class discussion helps you identify where you may need to target and clarify student misconceptions throughout the lesson.

Learn about the history of 3D printing and present day uses

Next, students conduct research in an independent webquest activity. The graphic organizer provides students with a list of questions to research, along with suggested websites to visit, and space to record their findings.

They use the provided websites to discover the history of 3D printing and interesting modern day uses. This activity helps students develop an understanding of the wide reaching impacts of additive manufacturing and its importance in our everyday lives.

Discover 3D printer parts and functions

Next, students continue their research by defining common terms in 3D printing and learn about printer parts and their functions. Students learn the difference between traditional manufacturing and 3D printing. They discover the purpose of a printer’s frame, print bed, extruder, and filament. 

Practice 3D printing vocabulary

Finally, students apply their new knowledge about 3D printers to complete a matching activity. They’ll cut out the 3D printing terms, such as “additive manufacturing,” “extruder,” and “filament,”  and match the terms to the correct definitions. This check for understanding will help you identify any misunderstandings and provide students with timely feedback.

How to use this 3D printing lesson plan in your classroom

• Use the lesson at the beginning of your 3D printing unit to introduce concepts to your middle school students.
• Leave the lesson as a STEM sub plan.
• Assign the resource to early finishers.
• Learn about 3D printing for National STEM Day in November or Global Maker Day in October
• Use the resource as extra credit, a holiday break packet, or an extension activity.

Looking for more support teaching the basics of 3D printing?

Introducing middle school students to the basics of 3D printing can be tricky! This complete unit will engage and amaze your students as they learn the fundamentals of additive manufacturing. The bundle includes over 100 pages of resources. Use them individually where they fit best within your course or taught in sequence as a 5-week 3D printing unit. 

Grab these exciting lessons and activities today to get back your nights and weekends while knowing your students will be engaged in learning the basics of 3D printing!

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What is 3D Printing?

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three dimensional objects from a digital file.

The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.

There is one exception though, and it’s called volumetric 3D printing. With volumetric printing entire structures can be formed at once without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication. It’s worth noting, however, that as of now, volumetric technology is primarily in the research phase.

3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a block of material with for instance a milling machine.

3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods.

How Does 3D Printing Work?

3d printing industry, examples of 3d printing.

• 3D Printing Technologies & Processes
• Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing

Construction

Consumer products.

• All Technologies & Processes

Vat Photopolymerisation

Material jetting, binder jetting, material extrusion, powder bed fusion, directed energy deposition.

It all starts with a 3D model. You can opt to create one from the ground up or download it from a 3D library.

3D Software

There are many different software tools available. We’ve created an overview on our 3D software page.

We often recommend beginners to start with Tinkercad . Tinkercad is free and works in your browser, you don’t have to install it on your computer. Tinkercad offers beginner lessons and has a built-in feature to export your model as a printable file e.g .STL or .OBJ.

Now that you have a printable file, the next step is to prepare it for your 3D printer. This is called slicing.

Slicing: From file to 3D Printer

Slicing basically means slicing up a 3D model into hundreds or thousands of layers and is done with slicing software .

When your file is sliced, it’s ready for your 3D printer. Feeding the file to your printer can be done via USB, SD or Wi-Fi. Your sliced file is now ready to be 3D printed layer by layer .

Adoption of 3D printing has reached critical mass as those who have yet to integrate additive manufacturing somewhere in their supply chain are now part of an ever-shrinking minority. Where 3D printing was only suitable for prototyping and one-off manufacturing in the early stages, it is now rapidly transforming into a production technology .

Most of the current demand for 3D printing is industrial in nature. Acumen Research and Consulting forecasts the global 3D printing market to reach $41 billion by 2026 .

As it evolves, 3D printing technology is destined to transform almost every major industry.

3D printing encompasses many forms of technologies and materials as 3D printing is being used in almost all industries you could think of. It’s important to see it as a cluster of diverse industries with a myriad of different applications .

A few examples:

• – consumer products (eyewear, footwear, design, furniture)
• – industrial products (manufacturing tools, prototypes, functional end-use parts)
• – dental products
• – prosthetics
• – architectural scale models & maquettes
• – reconstructing fossils
• – replicating ancient artefacts
• – reconstructing evidence in forensic pathology
• – movie props

Rapid Prototyping & Rapid Manufacturing

Companies have used 3D printers in their design process to create prototypes since the late seventies. Using 3D printers for these purposes is called rapid prototyping .

Why use 3D Printers for Rapid Prototyping? In short: it’s fast and relatively cheap. From idea, to 3D model to holding a prototype in your hands is a matter of days instead of weeks. Iterations are easier and cheaper to make and you don’t need expensive molds or tools.

Besides rapid prototyping, 3D printing is also used for rapid manufacturing . Rapid manufacturing is a new method of manufacturing where businesses use 3D printers for short run / small batch custom manufacturing.

3D Printing as a Production Technology

Car manufacturers have been utilizing 3D printing for a long time. Automotive companies are printing spare parts, tools, jigs and fixtures but also end-use parts. 3D printing has enabled on-demand manufacturing which has lead to lower stock levels and has shortened design and production cycles.

Automotive enthusiasts all over the world are using 3D printed parts to restore old cars. One such example is when Australian engineers printed parts to bring a Delage Type-C back to life . In doing so, they had to print parts that were out of production for decades.

Recap: Automotive Additive Manufacturing in 2022

Aviation loves additive manufacturing, largely due to the promise of lightweight and stronger structures offered by 3D printing. We’ve seen a whole bunch of innovations in the domain of aviation lately, with the appearance of more critical parts being printed.

Turbine Center Frame

One such large component printed this year was the turbine center frame which was printed by GE as part of the EU Clean Sky 2 initiative.

The Advanced Additive Integrated Turbine Centre Frame (TCF) is a 1 meter diameter part printed in nickel alloy 718 by GE and a consortium from Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), TU Dresden (TUD) and Autodesk. It is one of the largest single metal parts printed for aviation.

Typically components like this are manufactured using casting, and consist of multiple parts. In the case of the 3D printed version, it was reduced from an assembly of 150 parts down to just 1 single piece. The printed version also benefits from a reduction of both cost and mass by 30%, and a reduction in lead time from 9 months to just 10 weeks.

Norsk Titanium’s 3D Printers Qualified for Airbus Production

Metal Parts Certified by EASA

Back in June 2022 it was reported that Lufthansa Technik and Premium AEROTEC had created the first load-bearing metal part that had been approved for use in aviation.

The new A-link was produced using LPBF and had demonstrated higher tensile strength compared to the traditionally-forged version.

The part was made at Premium AEROTEC’s facility in Varel, Germany, and a large number of test parts were printed and tested to ensure quality and repeatability for certification.

Printing the part represented a cost saving for the component and set the stage for using this manufacturing method for creating structurally important metal parts in the future. It was also used to test the process and to demonstrate the certification process of load-bearing AM parts.

Load-bearing Metal Parts Certified by EASA

Hypersonic Fuel Injector

This next printed item was never destined to be fitted to an aircraft, but rather it was designed to be installed in a facility for testing flow conditions at hypersonic speeds.

When flying in the hypersonic flight regime above (Mach 5), the air passing around the vehicle becomes incredibly hot, and the pressure increases significantly. These conditions can cause the air itself to become chemically reactive, which causes issues for fuel burning vehicles.

Simulating flow conditions with computational flow diagnostics (CFD) is computationally expensive (if not impossible), and so to replicate the flow conditions, researchers at Purdue fabricated a giant burner to recreate the hot, fast, high pressure experienced in hypersonic flight. In short, they basically built a rocket nozzle and they placed the test components in the exhaust plume to see how they performed.

The injectors that they printed feed fuel and air into the combustion chamber to create specific turbulent flow fields and a stable flame.

The injectors were printed with Hastelloy X, which is a superalloy with superior temperature resistance. The team printed multiple different injectors in rapid time, and tested them all in the burner to see which performed the best.

Now they are able to replicate the hypersonic conditions for flight on Earth at a fraction of the cost (and risk) associated with doing it miles above the Earth’s surface. This can benefit fast aircraft such as scramjet powered vehicles as well as space vehicles.

Purdue’s 3D Printed Fuel Injectors Undergo Hypersonic Testing

Relativity Space

US-based rocket printing company Relativity Space has a super large metal printer, dubbed the “Stargate”. The 4th gen Stargate 3D printer is capable of printing objects measuring 120ft long and 24ft in diameter.

This AI-assisted robotic printer has been able to achieve fast print speeds thanks to its innovative multi-wire print head. This print head allows for multiple metal feedstock wires to be fed into it at the same time, resulting in higher deposition rates.

The company has made their first LEO test flight of the printed Terran-1 rocket in 2023, so we just thought we would give them an honorable mention in this article as a reminder.

You can see the Terran-1 undergoing a hot fire test in the video below.

Is it possible to print walls? – yes it is. 3D printed houses are already commercially available. Some companies print parts prefab and others do it on-site.

Hydrogen Powered 3D Printed Data Centers Coming Soon

Most of the concrete printing stories we look at on this website are focused on large scale concrete printing systems with fairly large nozzles for a large flow rate. It’s great for laying down concrete layers in a fairly quick and repeatable manner. But for truly intricate concrete work that makes full use of the capabilities of 3D printing requires something a little more nimble, and with a finer touch.

Concrete Additive Manufacturing Gets Intricate

When we first started blogging about 3D printing back in 2011, 3D printing wasn’t ready to be used as a production method for large volumes. Nowadays there are numerous examples of end-use 3D printed consumer products.

Adidas’ 4D range has a fully 3D printed midsole and is being printed in large volumes. We did an article back then , explaining how Adidas were initially releasing just 5,000 pairs of the shoes to the public, and had aimed to sell 100,000 pairs of the AM-infused designs by 2018.

With their latest iterations of the shoe, it seems that they have surpassed that goal, or are on their way to surpassing it. The shoes are available all around the world from local Adidas stores and also from various 3rd party online outlets.

BOTTER and Reebok Reveal Mollusc-Inspired Printed Sneakers

The market of 3D printed eyewear is forecasted to reach $3.4 billion by 2028. A rapidly increasing section is that of end-use frames. 3D printing is a particularly suitable production method for eyewear frames because the measurements of an individual are easy to process in the end product.

Fitz Frames 3D Print Children’s Glasses Using App

But did you know it’s also possible to 3D print lenses? Traditional glass lenses don’t start out thin and light; they’re cut from a much larger block of material called a blank, about 80% of which goes to waste. When we consider how many people wear glasses and how often they need to get a new pair, 80% of those numbers is a lot of waste. On top of that, labs have to keep huge inventories of blanks to meet the custom vision needs of their clients. Finally, however, 3D printing technology has advanced enough to provide high-quality, custom ophthalmic lenses, doing away with the waste and inventory costs of the past. The Luxexcel VisionEngine 3D printer uses a UV-curable acrylate monomer to print two pairs of lenses per hour that require no polishing or post-processing of any kind. The focal areas can also be completely customized so that a certain area of the lens can provide better clarity at a distance while a different area of the lens provides better vision up close.

3D Printed Lenses for Smart Glasses

There are two ways of producing jewelry with a 3D printer. You can either use a direct or indirect production process. Direct refers to the creation of an object straight from the 3D design while indirect manufacturing means that the object (pattern) that is 3D printed eventually is used to create a mold for investment casting.

Why I 3D Print My Metal Jewelry

It’s not uncommon these days to see headlines about 3D printed implants. Often, those cases are experimental, which can make it seem like 3D printing is still a fringe technology in the medical and healthcare sectors, but that’s not the case anymore. Over the last decade , more than 100,000 hip replacements have been 3D printed by GE Additive.

The Delta-TT Cup designed by Dr. Guido Grappiolo and LimaCorporate is made of Trabecular Titanium, which is characterized by a regular, three-dimensional, hexagonal cell structure that imitates trabecular bone morphology. The trabecular structure increases the biocompatibility of the titanium by encouraging bone growth into the implant. Some of the first Delta-TT implants are still running strong over a decade later.

Another 3D printed healthcare component that does a good job of being undetectable is the hearing aid. It is estimated that 99% of hearing aids manufactured are made with the use of additive manufacturing, and it’s clear to see why.

Printing Rigid and Rubber Materials for Hearing Aids

In the dental industry , we see molds for clear aligners being possibly the most 3D printed objects in the world. Currently, the molds are 3D printed with both resin and powder based 3D printing processes , but also via material jetting. Crowns and dentures are already directly 3D printed, along with surgical guides.

Study finds 3D Printing is Superior for Dental Crowns

Bio-printing

As of the early two-thousands 3D printing technology has been studied by biotech firms and academia for possible use in tissue engineering applications where organs and body parts are built using inkjet techniques. Layers of living cells are deposited onto a gel medium and slowly built up to form three dimensional structures. We refer to this field of research with the term: bio-printing .

Using AI and AM for Organoid Production

Additive manufacturing invaded the food industry long time ago. Restaurants like Food Ink and Melisse use this as a unique selling point to attract customers from across the world.

Educators and students have long been using 3D printers in the classroom. 3D printing enables students to materialize their ideas in a fast and affordable way.

While additive manufacturing-specific degrees are fairly new, universities have long been using 3D printers in other disciplines. There are many educational courses one can take to engage with 3D printing. Universities offer courses on things that are adjacent to 3D printing like CAD and 3D design, which can be applied to 3D printing at a certain stage.

In terms of prototyping, many university programs are turning to printers. There are specializations in additive manufacturing one can attain through architecture or industrial design degrees. Printed prototypes are also very common in the arts, animation and fashion studies as well.

3D Printing in Education

Types of 3d printing technologies and processes.

Below we discuss six types of 3D printing. These are:

Stereolithography (SLA)

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

A 3D printer based on the Vat Photopolymerisation method has a container filled with photopolymer resin. The resin is hardened with a UV light source.

SLA was invented in 1986 by Charles Hull, who also at the time founded the company, 3D Systems. Stereolithography employs a vat of liquid curable photopolymer resin and an ultraviolet laser to build the object’s layers one at a time. For each layer, the laser beam traces a cross-section of the part pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. Exposure to the ultraviolet laser light cures and solidifies the pattern traced on the resin and fuses it to the layer below.

After the pattern has been traced, the SLA’s elevator platform descends by a distance equal to the thickness of a single layer, typically 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm (0.002″ to 0.006″). Then, a resin-filled blade sweeps across the cross section of the part, re-coating it with fresh material. On this new liquid surface, the subsequent layer pattern is traced, joining the previous layer. Depending on the object & print orientation, SLA often requires the use of support structures.

DLP or Digital Light Processing refers to a method of printing that makes use of light and photosensitive polymers. While it is very similar to SLA, the key difference is the light source. DLP utilizes other light sources like arc lamps. DLP is relatively quick compared to other 3D printing technologies.

CLIP is a proprietary 3D printing technology developed by Carbon. CLIP uses an oxygen-permeable window which creates a “dead zone” (a thin liquid interface) of uncured resin between the window and the object. This prevents the part from adhering to the bottom of the print basin. This technology allows for a continuous printing process, which significantly speeds up production.

In this process, material is applied in droplets through a small diameter nozzle, similar to the way a common inkjet paper printer works, but it is applied layer-by-layer to a build platform and then hardened by UV light.

With Binder Jetting two materials are used: powder base material and a liquid binder. In the build chamber, powder is spread in equal layers and binder is applied through jet nozzles that “glue” the powder particles in the required shape. After the print is finished, the remaining powder is cleaned off which often can be re-used printing the next object. This technology was first developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993.

FDM works using a plastic filament which is unwound from a spool and is supplied to an extrusion nozzle which can turn the flow on and off. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions by a numerically controlled mechanism. The object is produced by extruding melted material to form layers as the material hardens immediately after extrusion from the nozzle.

FDM was invented by Scott Crump in the late 80’s. After patenting this technology he started the company Stratasys in 1988.

The exactly equivalent term, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), was coined by the members of the RepRap project to give a phrase that would be legally unconstrained in its use.

SLS uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of powder into a mass that has the desired three dimensional shape. The laser selectively fuses powder by first scanning the cross-sections (or layers) on the surface of a powder bed. After each cross-section is scanned, the powder bed is lowered by one layer thickness. Then a new layer of material is applied on top and the process is repeated until the object is completed.

Multi Jet Fusion technology was developed by Hewlett Packard and works with a sweeping arm which deposits a layer of powder and then another arm equipped with inkjets which selectively applies a binder agent over the material. The inkjets also deposit a detailing agent around the binder to ensure precise dimensionality and smooth surfaces. Finally, the layer is exposed to a burst of thermal energy that causes the agents to react.

DMLS is basically the same as SLS, but uses metal powder instead. All unused powder remains as it is and becomes a support structure for the object. Unused powder can be re-used for the next print.

Due to of increased laser power, DMLS has evolved into a laser melting process. Read more about that and other metal technologies on our metal technologies overview page.

Metal 3D Printing: An Overview of the Most Common Types

This process is mostly used in the metal industry and in rapid manufacturing applications. The 3D printing apparatus is usually attached to a multi-axis robotic arm and consists of a nozzle that deposits metal powder or wire on a surface and an energy source (laser, electron beam or plasma arc) that melts it, forming a solid object.

Multiple materials can be used in additive manufacturing: plastics, metals, concrete, ceramics, paper and certain edibles (e.g. chocolate). Materials are often produced in wire feedstock a.k.a. filament, powder form or liquid resin. Learn more about materials on our materials category.

Looking to implement 3D printing in your production process? Get a quote for a custom part or order samples on our 3D print service page.

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Introduction to design computing, 3d printing.

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Daily News Lesson

July 25, 2024, 8:17 a.m.

The basics of 3D printing

Doug Scott teaches engineering and robotics at Hopkinton High School in Hopkinton, Mass. In an interview this week at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) National Teachers Summer Institute (NSTI) , Scott explains the basics of how a 3D printer works, what it can make — and how students can create their own designs.

Tweet by Doug Scott: “I don’t mind correcting notebooks on a Friday night… when they are as excellent as these by Engineers @HopkintonHS.” Photo courtesy of Doug Scott

When he is not in the classroom or in his basement 3D printing , Scott mentors teachers from all over the country on how they can help their students become inventors, including at NSTI and PBS NewsHour Classroom's Invention Education program.

Scott is clear about one thing: Anyone can be an inventor.

In fact, on Dec. 6, 2016, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Scott alongside 23 of his students Patent 9,511,833 B2 for inventing a robot for underwater search and rescue operations, and particularly suited for searches under ice.

Directions: Watch the video and then answer the questions below.

News alternative : Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

• Who is Doug Scott?
• What example does he show of a finished 3D-printed object?
• How does the 3D printer use a computer design to create a physical object?
• How many light bulb variations were printed before the final product?
• What are the steps to making a 3D-printed design?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

How do you think that 3D printing and invention could be connected? How can a 3D printer be used to create prototypes or final products of a new invention?

Media literacy : What are some objects you'd like to 3D print? What are some other ways that 3D printing could be used?

Alternative : See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

What students can do:

WATCH this video to see how 3D printing could be used in the future for bigger projects such as building houses.

Interested in learning more about the USPTO's National Teachers Summer Institute? Check out this video:

PBS NewsHour Classroom works with the USPTO on explaining the importance of intellectual property (IP) and why ideas need to be protected.

See Classroom's free invention ed lesson collection here .

This post was written by Raegan Lusk, a senior at the University of Southern California, and an intern with PBS NewsHour Classroom, and edited by NewsHour's Vic Pasquantonio.

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3D Printing

Discover what is 3D Printing and its usage in the industry.

Discover 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers

What is 3D Printing?

3D Printing is the process of creating objects by depositing layers of material on top of one another. 3D Printing is called additive manufacturing (AM) instead of traditional subtractive methods like CNC milling when used for industrial production.

This technology has been around for about four decades, invented in the early 1980s. While 3D printing started out as a slow and costly technique, extensive technological developments have made today’s AM technologies more affordable and faster than ever.

How does 3D printing work?

A digital 3D model is sliced into hundreds of thin layers by dedicated software to export in G-code format. This 3D printing format is a language that the 3D printer reads to know precisely when and where to deposit material.

Each layer corresponds to the exact 2D shape of one section or slice of the object. For example, if you were 3D Printing a pyramid, the first layer (bottom) would be a flat square, and the last layer (at the very top) would be a tiny dot.

The layers are consecutively 3D printed one at a time until you obtain the fully printed object.

Common 3D Printing Technologies

There are different ways to 3D print objects. The leading 3D printing technologies available today are:

• FFF (fused filament fabrication) or FDM (fused deposition modeling), which use spools of filament
• SLA (stereolithography), a technology that solidifies the photosensitive resin
• PBF (powder bed fusion), a range of powder-based methods that fuse particles with powerful lasers
• Material or binder jetting, where tiny droplets of material are deposited onto a bed of powder

These 3D printing technologies each have their own strengths and weaknesses and can adapt to different use cases and industries.

Why use 3D Printing?

3D Printing offers a considerable number of advantages, the most significant one being the ability to produce highly complex designs that would be impossible to make otherwise.

Another significant benefit of 3D printing is speed. Although 3D Printing an object can take hours or even entire days, it is still much faster than mainstream production methods such as injection molding.

Prototyping—which is one of the most popular professional uses for 3D printing —can be done in-house with little to no lead time, and design iterations can be implemented and printed on the spot.

This technology also offers many 3D printing material possibilities.

What can you 3D print?

It is possible to 3D print with almost any material. The most common 3D printing materials are plastic-based, ranging from standard PLA to advanced, highly resistant polymers such as PEEK or PEI, and much more. It is even possible to reinforce thermoplastics with carbon fiber or glass fiber.

Some niche 3D printing materials are gaining popularity, too. Scientists and biologists are experimenting with 3D bioprinting, chefs can have a go at food 3D printing, and contractors are increasingly looking into concrete 3D printing.

What can 3D Printing be used for?

Consumer-wise, 3D printing can help create personalized trinkets and decorations, practical household objects, figurines, and more. However, this technology presents the strongest advantages for professional use cases, which this article will focus on.

Thanks to a large number of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies available and the diversity of compatible 3D printing materials , an almost infinite range of applications exist with 3D printing.

Rapid prototyping

Prototyping is the most common use for 3D printing in the professional world. Called also rapid prototyping , you quickly design a model and 3D print shortly after.

The world recently witnessed one of the most impressive demonstrations during the global coronavirus pandemic. Respirators, swabs, and face shields were designed in a matter of days and mass-produced by the thousands in just a few weeks.

3D models continuously evolved according to gradual feedback from doctors and researchers. This immediate response was highly effective in the fight against the virus and perfectly illustrates the potential, adaptability, and speed (time-to-market) that additive manufacturing offers.

On a lighter note, these benefits could apply to normal, more fortunate situations in various industries, including Aerospace, Automotive, Education, Oil & Gas, Medical, and the list goes on.

End-use parts

With some post-processing, today's industrial-grade 3D printed parts are of such good quality, and industrials can use them directly.

Some automotive brands, for example, utilize  additive manufacturing to produce certain parts of a car's interior or motor components. This is also the case in aerospace, where weight optimization is of utmost importance. Indeed, 3D printing technologies can increase part strength and resistance while employing lighter materials.

Nonetheless, there are obstacles to overcome for 3D printing to be viable for end-use items. The parts need to be certified, especially for highly regulated industries like aerospace. They must be identical to obtain AM certification, which requires extremely precise 3D printers and standardized processes and materials.

Tools, Jigs, and Fixtures

Tooling is another leading use for 3D printing. 3D Printing service can manufacture tools, jigs, and fixtures quickly, then and there without holding back the production chain due to a missing device.

This also enables professionals to adapt their tools and utensils to the object or part they are working on and not the other way around.

Traditional methods like injection molding can take several weeks to be backed by a consequential budget to obtain a new, custom tool. 3D Printing isn't necessarily better than conventional manufacturing techniques for every use case, but it is often quicker and more affordable.

Mass customization

Mass production offers the significant advantage of lowering costs at scale, but each part must be identical.

Additive manufacturing, however, is enabling brands to mass-produce customized objects. This is called mass personalization or mass customization. Manufacturers can benefit from the same economies of scale while offering the added value of customization to their customers.

How 3D Printers Work: An Overview of 3D Printing Technologies

3D printers are able to replicate 3D objects just as regular 2D printers can print text or images on paper. Instead of one layer, there are hundreds or thousands of stacked layers.

Before any printing happens, manufacturers must prepare 3D models. You can design your own 3D object with CAD software like SOLIDWORKS, or you can find and download a 3D model online.

Once the 3D model is ready, dedicated slicing software (a.k.a. "slicer") must slice and convert into a format that the 3D printer can read .

The object can then be 3D printed. Numerous methods exist, but the main 3D printing technologies are the following:

• FFF (fused filament fabrication)
• SLA (stereolithography)
• PBF (powder bed fusion)
• Material or binder jetting

3D printer manufacturers often use their own acronyms, which can be confusing, but the four categories listed above are an excellent way to get a standard classification. The following sections will explain each of these general 3D printing technologies.

FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)

When people explain what 3D printing is, most tend to illustrate filament-based 3D printing methods as it is the most commonly used and easy to understand.

An FFF (or FDM, for Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer draws a layer of melted plastic onto its print bed or builds a plate. The melting happens inside an extruder, which heats up the plastic filament as gears push it through the nozzle.

SLA (Stereolithography)

Stereolithography is a resin 3D printing technique that uses a laser or light source to solidify photosensitive resin.

The solidification process is known as curing, and it can happen in several ways:

• Laser SLA : a laser cures the resin point by point, layer after layer.
• DLP (Digital Light Processing) : a device projects light that is precisely redirected towards the resin thanks to a mirror system.
• MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) : a device that projects light selectively masked by an LCD screen, as LCD stereolithography.

Resin 3D printers are able to print thinner layers than FFF 3D printers, offering a much higher level of detail that is sought after by jewelers or dentists, for example.

PBF (Powder Bed Fusion)

There are several powder-based 3D printing methods, the most common ones being SLM (Selective Laser Melting) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering).

A powerful laser source is aimed at a powder 3D printing material bed. The heat from the laser makes select particles of powder fuse or melt together. These techniques are often used to 3D print metal but are also compatible with plastics like Nylon.

Material and Binder Jetting

Material jetting 3D printers are what resemble 2D printers the most. Hundreds of tiny nozzles that deposit ink onto a layer of powdered material mount them.

Either the ink is the goal material, or the ink is a binding agent (basically glue) dropped onto the goal material.

The 3D Printing Industry Ecosystem

The 3D printing industry encompasses much more than 3D printers and their manufacturers. It's fueled by a range of other key players that, though often overlooked, are essential to making this technology thrive.

Aside from 3D printer manufacturers, there are material manufacturers, software companies, post-processing machine manufacturers, and service providers.

Many important media outlets and event organizers also largely contribute to the market's evolution, though it won't be the focus in this article.

3D printer manufacturers

Starting with the obvious, 3D printing would not exist without the actual machines that do the work and the companies that produce them. There are multinational companies such as 3D Systems at the unicorn level and startups like Desktop Metal and SMEs.

The competition is fierce, meaning technologies are moving fast and prices are lowering. Nowadays, the most affordable 3D printers are available for a couple of hundred dollars or euros. However, they are, of course, far from providing the same performances as professional or industrial 3D printers.

3D Printing Material Manufacturers

3D printers need consumables to print. These consumables are available in various formats, from filament, resin, and powder to special inks. There's also a wide choice of 3D printing materials , including dozens of thermoplastics, metals, and even concrete.

Most 3D printer manufacturers sell their own consumables—which may or may not be rebranded from major chemical companies like Arkema—or specialized 3D printing material manufacturers.

Software companies

Software is another essential part of the additive manufacturing ecosystem. The first type of 3D printing software that comes to mind is CAD suites like SOLIDWORKS and slicers, which prepare 3D files for printing.

There are also solutions to manage fleets of 3D printers, also called 3D printer farms. This type of software is generally developed in-house by the 3D printer manufacturer.

More complex solutions must be developed and used for end-to-end additive manufacturing chains. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) is the common term for them , tracking and monitoring parts from the beginning of the printing process to the very last post-processing steps.

Post-processing System Manufacturers

Post-processing is perhaps the most hidden face of 3D printing. Paradoxically, 3D printed parts almost always need to undergo at least some form of post-processing to finish the work.

This umbrella term groups several steps and techniques, from support removal and depowdering to surface finishing and part coloring.

Some 3D printer manufacturers bundle dedicated solutions with their 3D printers, but there are a number of companies specializing in post-processing machines, too.

Additive manufacturing service providers

For those that don't necessarily have the funds to acquire a 3D printer or enough time and space to dedicate to one, 3D printing services are a great option. There are literally dozens of service providers to choose from all over the world.

They enable users to upload their design and have it 3D printed with a specific 3D printing technology or material, benefitting from the provider's experience and industrial-grade AM systems.

Main 3D Printing Materials: What Can You 3D Print With?

There is an incredibly vast amount of 3D printing materials available today for different 3D printing technologies . From thermoplastics to metals and ceramics, and from food to organic living cells and concrete, it's possible to 3D print with almost any material.

Thermoplastics: Standard, Engineering, and High-Performance

Plastic represents the most common 3D printing material. We can categorize 3D printing thermoplastics into three main types:

• Engineering or performance
• High-performance

Both hobbyists and professionals often use standard plastics. They namely include PLA and ABS, which are easy to 3D print.

Like Nylon or PETG , engineering plastics are tougher to print, requiring higher extrusion temperatures and, typically, a closed frame to protect from drafts or temperature changes.

High-performance polymers like PEEK are privileged when parts must withstand high temperatures, chemicals, humidity, and more. These 3D printing materials cost more and require a high-temperature 3D printer.

Composite 3D printing materials

To benefit from various benefits provided by different kinds of materials, it is possible to 3D print composites, which are a mix of two or more materials.

Composite materials can include basics like wood-filled PLA but can also contain very strong and resistant materials like carbon-fiber-filled Nylon or PEEK. It is even possible to deposit long strands of fiber directly during the 3D printing process with the right equipment.

Metals and ceramics

An increasing number of manufacturers in the 3D printing ecosystem are developing solutions to 3D print metals and ceramics.

Most of these solutions are expensive, industrial-grade additive manufacturing machines that produce green parts. Post-processing steps such as debinding or sintering are necessary before these raw parts are ready for end-use.

Concrete 3D Printing

3D Printing for the construction industry is also gaining ground thanks to special concrete mixes that operators use to print foundations, bridges, outdoor structures, sculptures, and more.

3D bioprinting

Although 3D bioprinting still has a way to go before it is possible to 3D print human organs that can actually be transplanted, the technology is capable of 3D Printing a variety of living cells.

Specific hydrogels typically contain these cells. They can be extruded to grow skin or cartilage at low temperatures.

Food 3D Printing

At the moment, food 3D printing possibilities are pretty limited. Food must be in some form of extrudable paste to be 3D printing.

That's why the most common form of food 3D printing today is chocolate 3D printing, though it is still challenging to print; Temperature fluctuations modify the taste of chocolate. Hence, it is essential to heat it just enough to be printed and sufficiently cool it down for the layers to solidify.

These are only just the main 3D printing materials available, and they all require different kinds of 3D printers. Sometimes, it's easier to use a 3D printing service provider, as they have access to all or most of these materials and 3D printer types.

What 3D Printing File Formats exist?

It is essential to distinguish 3D file formats and 3D printable files. 3D models, or digital blueprints, must be in a format convertible into a 3D printable format.

3D File Formats for 3D Printing

Dozens of 3D file formats exist due to the vast amount of 3D software options available. Some are specific to certain use cases, while others are relatively standard formats, like the ones we list below.

Choosing the proper format will depend on the 3D printing technology used and the 3D printing material .

STL is the most common type of 3D printing file format and was actually the first to be invented specifically for 3D printing. It stands for stereolithography, which was also the first 3D printing technology globally.

This type of 3D printing file includes the 3D shape of the object as a solid block of thousands of tiny triangles, which form what is called a mesh. It is ideal for single-material, single-color 3D prints.

Thanks to its multicolor capacities, the open-source OBJ (OBJ for objects) format is gaining popularity.

With more and more color 3D printers on the market, OBJ files could soon overthrow the STL format's long-standing reign. However, the number of software solutions to edit or repair OBJ files is limited.

AMF is an acronym for Additive Manufacturing File, also known as STL 2.0. The aim of AMF is to replace heavy, monocolor STL files gradually. It stores various properties, including the 3D object itself, colors (a.k.a. textures), materials, and metadata.

Whereas the STL file format only uses regular flat triangles, the AMF file can use curved triangles. Only a handful of software suites, including SOLIDWORKS, are able to support this kind of file.

3MF stands for 3D Manufacturing Format. Microsoft developed the 3MF file type in collaboration with some of the biggest brands and manufacturers in the 3D printing industry , including Dassault Systèmes, 3D Systems, Stratasys, Materialise, and more.

Their goal with 3MF is to provide a solid alternative to STL files, much like AMF, while keeping it simple, "lightweight," comprehensive, and—importantly—free to exploit by all software suites.

Indeed, the widespread adoption of the 3MF file extension must be open source to allow all developers to integrate the file type to their software freely.

3D Printable File Format: G-Code

The 3D file formats previously mentioned must be converted to a file type that 3D printers can read. Today, the G-code format largely dominates the market.

STL, OBJ, AMF, 3MF, and other 3D files are sliced into hundreds or thousands of layers, with information on where to start, when to stop, how fast to deposit material, when to switch colors (not applicable to STL files), and more. That is part of how 3D printers work .

G-Code also works for other kinds of computer-controlled machines such as CNC lasers and engravers.

3D Printing Trends for Industrial Applications

While 3D Printing used to be a trend itself, there are now several specific fields within the ever-growing 3D printing industry that are emerging (or continuing to emerge) as their own trends.

Here is a quick overview of some of today's main 3D printing  trends .

3D Printing demanding materials

Today in industrial applications, users are searching for materials with increasingly advanced mechanical properties. There are namely three niche-material markets where both hardware and material manufacturers are pushing for innovation.

Metal 3D printing isn't a novelty, but it has been gaining quite a bit of traction lately. The competition is tough, with manufacturers striving to answer the equally strong demand for metal printers, metal 3D printing materials , and metal 3D printing services while lowering prices.

Composite Materials and Continuous Fibers

The main interest in composite 3D printing comes from combining desirable properties from two different materials. Typically chopped carbon fibers reinforce a thermoplastic filament like Nylon or PEEK for added strength and resistance.

Continuous fiber prints are at a level above regular composite 3D printing. In a nutshell, parts are reinforced with continuous strands of fiber—often carbon or glass fiber—during the 3D printing process . This makes it possible to focus on strengthening specific weak points and further optimizing a part's weight.

PEEK, PEKK, and PEI high-performance materials

We generally consider PEEK, PEI, PEKK, and other PAEK derivatives, as high-performance materials thanks to their above-average resistance to high temperatures, chemicals, water, and other extreme conditions.

However, these PAEK materials must be 3D printed with high-temperature 3D printers. There were only a handful of these printers a few years ago, but now there are dozens. They can reach higher temperatures, and entry-level solutions are more affordable than ever.

Post-processing, a high-potential market

Post-processing 3D printed parts is a time-consuming process, including removing support structures, post-cure resin objects, depowder parts, or applying surface finishing techniques.

Previously, since professionals mainly used 3D printing for occasional, single parts or small production series, post-processing didn't represent as big of a bottleneck as today.

As businesses scale up their 3D printing production and diversify their use cases for the technology, the demand for efficient, automated post-processing solutions is booming.

Software and automation

For 3D printing to become a solid manufacturing alternative, powerful, intelligent software and machines must back the end-to-end 3D printing process.

This begins with automatic file preparation, where software can automatically repair the models if needed and place them in a way that best makes use of the available build space.

It is also possible to automate material handling and load up to a certain extent; industrial additive manufacturing systems often use material cartridges or have large material tanks that can last for several days of non-stop printing.

In 3D printing factories and farms, it's even possible to automate print removal with a mix of vacuum systems, conveyor belts, or robots. They direct the parts to different post-processing machines before being ready for use or sale.

Such additive manufacturing factories are mainly run by MES (Manufacturing Execution System) software. 3D printer manufacturers are increasingly focusing on these kinds of software and automation capabilities.

3D Printing Service: How to Choose the Right One?

Choosing the right 3D printing service is no easy task. There are many variables to take into considerations, the main ones being:

File preparation

Finishing options, certification.

Not all 3D models are 3D printable, especially if your file isn't in the proper 3D file format . Some 3D printing service providers have teams ready to help you optimize your models or even design your prototype from scratch.

Once your file is ready, you'll need to decide how you want your part to be 3D printed. Many leading service providers have access to FFF, resin, and powder-based 3D printing technologies .

On-demand manufacturing platforms also have other types of manufacturing possibilities, both subtractive and additive. It can be interesting to combine several technologies.

For example, you could mix 3D Printing and CNC milling for tighter tolerances or 3D printing and injection molding for a higher return on investment.

3D printing materials are another aspect of choosing a 3D printing service. Popular materials include plastic, composites, wax, metals, sand, and ceramics.

If you already know which material you'd like to print with, you can significantly reduce your search perimeter.

Depending on what is the usage of your part, you may need finishing options to undergo certain post-processing techniques to enhance its strength or resistance to specific conditions.

Heat treatments, such as annealing or Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) will make parts more robust. If you need your part to resist humidity, you can choose a waterproof coating.

What do you want your part to look like or feel like? There are dozens of surface finishing options, from sanding to polishing and tumbling, and hundreds of colors—standard, shiny, or matte—to choose from.

After going through different finishing techniques, it's almost impossible to tell if a part was 3D printed or traditionally manufactured.

The ability to certify parts is a growing trend in the 3D printing industry . Indeed, it is crucial for users to know that the objects they buy provide a certain level of safety and durability.

Only a select few of the hundreds of available service providers can produce certified parts. You can order parts that respect international standards set by leading organizations such as PRI (Performance Review Institute) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

If you need next-day delivery, you'll have to choose a provider capable of doing so. As with any service, some 3D printing bureaus are quicker than others.

Remember that lead times will significantly depend on the technology and finishing options you decide to use.

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Assignments

Due before class on week 2:.

Create a portfolio post (be sure to categorize it under Student Portfolios).  Your portfolio post should have three different sections.  The first is “Hello” (written in a header font 3 or less).  The post should include a picture that represents you in some way and that same image should be set as the “Featured Image” for your whole Portfolio post.  In this section, tell us something about yourself.  We will be adding to your Portfolio all semester.  The second subsection should be headed with your grab bag noun (for example “Circus Tent”) again written in a header font 3 or less.  In this section, you will talk about your design and print process for your grab bag noun.  You need to include at least one screen shot from your design process and at least one photo of your final print.  The third section is “20 objects”.  In this section, please name your 20 objects and tell us a bit about each of them.  This section must contain at least one (preferably several) screenshot of all 20 of your objects on a single build plane so that each can be seen well in at least one picture.  This section is your opportunity to play with the program.  Have fun with it!  Try some Shape Generators!  Try making something challenging, even if it doesn’t work!  All of these things should take maybe 2 hours at home designing and writing.

Due before class on Week 3:

Add to your portfolio!  Print at least one of your 20 objects and include photos of that print in your “20 objects” section.  Add a new section (in a Header font) called “Moving parts”.  Your next assignment is to print moving parts.  This is your first taste of iteration in 3D printing.  You will need to print and reprint until the parts move the way they are supposed to.  Also, while you do this, think about what you’d like to do for your final Tinkercad project.

Due before class on Week 4:

Add a new section to your portfolio “Tinkercad Final Project: (whatever you are making)”. This project will be your final opus of what is possible for you to do in Tinkercad.  Please make this project ambitious, not something you can do in a few hours, but something that is difficult to design/difficult to print/is well beyond anything you have attempted to construct in Tinkercad up to this moment.  Your final Tinkercad print and design are not due until Week 5, so for next week, I’d like to see significant progress both in planning (what you’re going to make) and in the design process (how you’re going to make it).  Your post should include at least one screen shot of your design process.

Due before class on Week 5

You and your partner’s print for the Silly/Serious class challenge should be ready to present.  More importantly, your Final Tinkercad project print is to be presented to the class.

Due before class on Week 6

Document your Final Tinkercad project with a post of its own that goes through your design process in detail.  This post can be built off of your previous post in your portfolio, but should include at least 4 pictures and loads of detail on the issues you had with the printing/designing process.  Please categorize this post in Tinkercad Final Project.  You and your partner should also have a short post for your Silly/Serious Class Challenge which should be categorized in Class Challenges.  Your design assignment due is the Fusion 360 ring tutorial (which should be sized correctly, decorated using Meshmixer, and printed).  Please create a new section in your portfolio for this project.

Due before class on Week 7

Create 20 objects in Fusion 360, document them, and print at least two of them.  Create a new section in your portfolio for this project.  Your ring may be one of your 20 objects, but for the rest, I strongly suggest you use the tools in “Create” and “Modify”.  Fusion is a much more difficult program than Tinkercad, so don’t worry if your objects are not recognizable things like chairs and lamps.

Due before class on Week 8

Create a new post and categorize it in Fusion 360 Final Project.  Document your progress planning and designing this project.

Due before class on Week 9

All outreach events are canceled due to CORVID19.  For Week 9 finish your Fusion 360 Final Project digital design.  Be sure to take multiple screen shots of the design process, you’ll need them for later, but the documentation for this project will be due the week after, so concentrate on making the design the best it can be.  We will be meeting during class time using the WebEx format (you’ll get an email with more details within a few days).

Due before class on Week 10

Documentation for your Fusion 360 Final Project.  Similar to the documentation for your Tinkercad final project, this should include at least 4 pictures and loads of detail on the issues you had with the printing/designing process (if you did manage to get some prints in before break).  Categorize the post under Fusion Final Project.  Also due are your answer to the second Class Challenge!  This Challenge involves going to https://makerware.thingiverse.com/challenges , picking one of the challenges (or the challenge we were going to do in class which was “Make it Fly”) and either in pairs or on your own design something that will satisfy that challenge.  You will also need to write a short post about it and categorize it under Class Challenges.

Due before class on Week 11

There’s only one more program which is OpenSCAD.  Our first OpenSCAD assignment was to use the 3rd tutorial at https://sites.jmu.edu/3SPACE/project/designing-with-openscad/ (the site is down right now, but I’ve given the tutorial its own page on our site).  The tutorial uses a for loop at the end to make a snowflake, and the assignment due is to make something impossible to print (chaos) using a for loop.  I demonstrated how one might do that in class by just modifying Tony’s code.  The point is to fill up space using for loops.  Remember, part of the point is it should be unprintable!

Due before class on Week 12

Here is a quick-start guide to OpenSCAD by math-grrl.  Your OpenSCAD 20 objects due (make 20 different objects using OpenSCAD).  We will trouble-shoot your code in class if it has issues (also due is a for loop version of chaos if you didn’t use one for the previous week).  Your portfolio should be updated with your work in OpenSCAD (chaos for-loop and 20 objects).  All code should be posted separately under the category OpenSCAD code.  Today is also your second chance for your equipment quiz if you haven’t already taken it.

Due before class on Week 13

Today we have another Class Challenge, Fix It!  Everyone must bring to class a broken household object that we will figure out how to fix using 3D design (if we were in class, we would actually fix the objects).  Also due are progress reports on your Final OpenSCAD project (this should be a separate post categorized under OpenSCAD Final Project) and a proposal (no design work yet) for your Final Final Project (separate post under Final Final Project).  Your Final Final Project can use any/all of the design programs we used in class, or use another program altogether.  The only requirement is that it be ambitious!  Ideally, it should be so ambitious that you’re not sure you can do it.

Due before class on Week 14

Progress reports on your Final Project are due, as well as your Fix It! Class Challenge designs.  Also due are any outstanding missing assignments (ask me if you have any missing assignments).  This class is your last opportunity to present (or post about) any missing assignments for credit.

Due before class on Final’s Week

Your Final Final Project is due by the class Final Exam Time (3:30pm on Wednesday May 6).  Your Final Final Project can use any/all of the design tools that we used this semester, its only requirement is that it be a challenge for you to make!  Also, your Final Presentation blog post should be posted before class on Final’s week.  There is no longer any synchronous requirement for this class.  Your Final Presentation post should consist of at least four objects: your final projects for each of the three programs we used (Tinkercad, Fusion360, and OpenSCAD) and your Final Final Project.  You should be sure to include anything that you’re particularly proud of that you did this semester.  Your Final Presentation post should tell the story of you and this class, how you adapted to the printers and the various programs we used to create designs.  Which design tools did you like?  Which did you suffer through?  Tell your story of the class in your own words in your Final Presentation!

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3D Printing : Module 5 of 10

3D Printing is a form of additive technology manufacturing. An object is built-up layer-by-layer rather than being carved or sculpted out of a larger block of material. A common analogy is to refer to a 3D printer as a robotic glue-gun: the 3D printer squeezes out or "extrudes" melted plastic through a heated tip, while the head moves back and forth to print out the design. As the platform that the model sits on lowers, the model builds up, layer-by-layer. 

As of February 8th, 2023, this page will no longer be updated and maintained. Some of the content of these pages has been redistributed to other sections of The Learning Portal. If you have any questions, please contact: [email protected]

Tutorial - The basics of 3D printing

Where can i 3d print.

There are many public libraries across Ontario that offer 3D Printing. Check with your local branch for more information.

Some Ontario Colleges offer 3D printing services:

• Algonquin College - opens in a new window
• Centennial College - opens in a new window
• Conestoga College - opens in a new window
• Durham College - opens in a new window
• George Brown College - opens in a new window
• Humber College - opens in a new window
• Niagara College - opens in a new window
• Northern College - opens in a new window
• Seneca College - opens in a new window

Note: This material is meant as a general guide, if your professor's instructions differ from the information we've provided, always follow your professor's instructions. Also note, icons on this site are used through a Noun Project Pro license. Please be sure to provide proper attribution if you reuse them.

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Assignment: 3D Printing

In this assignment, you will design a chess piece using Fusion360, experiment with the various settings of a slicer software (Ultimaker Cura) on a 3D object and simulate the 3D print process. You will also attempt to create a 3D print of the knight piece that you have created.

I have provided approximate timings for you so that you do NOT spend all your time (doing something you like and neglecting other modules!)

This is a short assignment, since you have Mid-semester tests & assignments

Here is a quick guide:

• Use Google to search for “knight chess piece outline” to get an outline of the chess piece, save the image to use as a template
• mark out a rectangle of approximately 35mm x 50mm, that will be the approximate size of your design
• attach the image and resize to match your rectangle
• sketch out the head of the knight
• use extrusion to create the head
• use revolution to create the base of the knight piece
• modify your design such that the base is hollow to save material
• When complete, generate the STL file for the model.
• Write down the reasons why a knight chess piece is suitable to demonstrate the basic features of 3D design and printing.
• Search YouTube using the keywords “Cura”, “beginner”, “tutorial” and watch an introduction to using the Ultimaker Cura Slicer program.
• Select, as your printer, Ultimaker 2+ with a nozzle size of 0.4mm. You will be using PLA filament.
• Use your Fusion 360 knight model.
• Make sure the dimensions are no larger than 50x30 (Height, base-radius).
• Play with the parameters shown above (using Cura)
• Simulate a 3D print using Cura
• Layer height
• Wall thickness
• Bed adhesion
• Use Cura and select the Ultimaker 2+ as the 3D Printer with PLA filament. Tune your settings such that you are able to 3D print your chess piece within 45 minutes. Send the gcode file to the FabLab for printing.

Printing your chess piece

• When you are ready to print, contact your lecturer or Fablab staff to print your object on the printer.
• the printing process
• the finished product with supports
• the completed piece
• photos of the process
• the Fusion 360 design file (.f3d)
• the Cura settings and the Cura output file
• the “hero” shot
• what you learnt about the 3D printing process.

This assignment is graded and will contribute to a component mark in your assessment. The grading will be based on the content published on the blog-site.

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8 Types of 3D Printing Processes

Get familiar with these common 3D printing methods and machines and learn what each brings to the build plate

When it comes to 3D printing, you’re only limited by your imagination. Nowadays, it’s easier to ask the question, “What can’t you print using this process?” rather than listing the long and never-ending list of what can be produced. 3D printing is able to make simple tools, pump out full-blown architectural models, and even create prosthetics. 

Not all printing needs will be the same, and there are actually quite a few methods you can choose from. For instance, at Xometry, we offer nine unique 3D printing processes, and are always aiming to add more. Each of these processes has its own pros and cons. Some are better for working with metal, other styles cure with lasers, and some are built for beginners interested in trying printing for the first time. Up ahead, learn about the different types of 3D printing and get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each.

.css-2xf3ee{font-size:0.6em;margin-left:-2em;position:absolute;color:#22445F;} .css-14nvrlq{display:inline-block;line-height:1;height:1em;background-color:currentColor;-webkit-mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;-webkit-mask:url(https://assets.xometry.com/fontawesome-pro/v6/svgs/light/link.svg) no-repeat center/contain content-box;aspect-ratio:640/512;vertical-align:-15%;}.css-14nvrlq:before{content:"";} 1. Polyjet Printing

While 3D printers may seem pretty futuristic, PolyJet printing is the closest thing to the good ol’ fashioned inkjet printing you’re probably most familiar with. These machines use print heads to sprinkle tiny droplets of photopolymer resin onto a build plate, which then get hardened by a UV light in layers. Xometry’s PolyJet machines are capable of full-color and multi-material prints, making them ideal for creating lifelike models and visual prototypes. Be warned, though, PolyJet materials are not known for durability and are not suitable for end-use components.

The photo below shows one of our PolyJet printers creating full-color parts:

Xometry's PolyJet 3D printer creating multi-color parts.

This table shows the materials a polyjet printer can use, what it can make, and its strengths.

2. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) machines can be found anywhere from a desk of a hobbyist, to the manufacturing floors of production facilities like Xometrys. This popular method involves moving a plastic filament through a heated nozzle to melt it and build up a part layer by layer until the final product is finished. There are many different filament materials to choose from, whether you’re after a more rigid plastic or bendy thermoplastic elastomer.

The image below shows one of Xometrys industrial printers capable of producing parts up to three feet in length:

One of Xometry’s many industrial FDM 3D printers

This table shares the materials a fused deposition modeling printer uses, what it can make, and its advantages compared to other printers.

3. Stereolithography (SLA)

Stereolithography (SLA) was the first kind of 3D printing that everyday people could get their hands on. This printer uses a high-powered laser to cure liquid photopolymer on its build plate. The laser zips around in the shape of the part’s cross-section, curing it and getting it ready for the next layer. It works with a process called polymerization to build the item you’ve designed layer by layer. It’s a great printing option if you want to build intricate models or products. Xometry offers many different SLA materials, many of which are transparent and useful for creating parts that you need to see through.

The photo shows some parts created through Xometry’s SLA service:

Various transparent tags made using SLA 3D printing

This chart points out the strengths and uses for an SLA printer. It also shows the materials it can manage and the types of things it can create.

Get Instant Quoting Across 9 Different 3D Printing Processes

.css-706nk0{position:absolute;margin-left:-2em;margin-top:3px;font-size:0.5em;color:#22445f;opacity:0;} 4. selective laser sintering (sls).

Selective laser sintering (SLS) swaps in those well-known plastic filaments for powdered plastic; typically nylon. This machine spreads a thin layer of this powder using a device called a recoater, then traces out the part’s cross-section with a laser. During the tracing, the heat from the laser melts the powder and it fuses together. The build chamber piston will then lower slightly, and another layer of powder will be spread across, and the process repeats until your product comes to life. This type of printing method does not require support structures as the un-sintered powder encases the parts throughout the medium, supporting them. For this reason, many parts can be built simultaneously in a single build which makes this type of printing superb for creating lots of parts at the same time, while retaining accuracy and quality.

The following diagram shows how an SLS 3D printer system works:

SLS 3D printing system.

This table lays out the materials you can send through this printer, what it makes, and its advantages.

5. Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF)

Multi-jet fusion printing has a lot of moving parts. On these machines, a layer of plastic powder is deposited that’s then warmed up by a heating head. An inkjet-style array hovers over top and precisely sprays fusing and detailing agents into the powder. The heating elements fuse it all together, and the process repeats. Like SLS printing, MJF parts do not require support structures due to the powder-based method, and therefore many parts can be printed simultaneously both horizontally and vertically in the build chamber. At Xometry, we offer both rigid and flexible materials through MJF and multiple finishing options, such as dyeing and chemical vapor smoothing to enhance the prints further.

The image below is an example of a part made using MJF, which in this case, has also been dyed black:

Nylon 12 part printed using MJF with a dyed black finish.

The following table shares the materials you can use with an MJF printer, what it can create, and its advantages.

6. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)

When you’re in the market for a process that can 3D print directly in metal, look to direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Similar to selective laser sintering, DMLS machines deposit a thin layer of metallic powder, then use their powerful lasers to trace out each part’s cross section layer by layer, fusing the metallic particles together to form parts. Unlike SLS, support structures are required as the heat and stress generated by sintering metal is much greater than with plastics. Due to their size, high cost, and the extensive post-processing steps required on parts after printing is completed, DMLS machines tend to only be found in industrial shops, such as those within Xometry’s network.

This picture shows a DMLS printer at Xometry in the midst of sintering parts from steel powder:

DMLS 3D printer sintering steel powder to form parts.

The following chart breaks down what you can make with DMLS printers, the materials you can use, and what kind of applications it’s good for.

7. Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

If you dial up the difficulty level, you’ll come across printing methods such as electron beam melting (EBM). Like DMLS, these machines fall into the industrial category and require the related expertise. Its process is all in the name—it uses electron beams to fuse metal particles together. The machine puts down a layer of metal powder, then the beam does the tracing and melting. The beam can even be split to tackle multiple areas all at once. 

In this chart, you’ll see the materials an EBM 3D printer uses, what it can build, and its strengths.

8. Digital Light Process (DLP)

Some 3D printing options are similar to others, which is the case with digital light process (DLP) and SLA printers. The main difference is that a DLP machine will project an image using a UV light across the entire material vat at one time, instead of drawing the cross section one point at a time with a laser. Digital light processing has made access to photopolymer printing more accessible. It’s cheaper and faster than SLA, but it can still make high-quality parts. 

This chart breaks down the materials, uses, and strengths of a DLP printer:

3D Printing Factors to Consider

There are all sorts of 3D printers out there for every kind of need. You’ll want to think about the end product you’re trying to build, the materials you’d like it to be made of, and the budget and timescale you have. If you’re looking for a printer you can have at home for enjoyment and low-key production, hobbyist FDM or SLA printers may fit the bill. More advanced printers, like DMLS machines, are a better fit for industrial spaces and industries like aerospace, engineering, or medicine. 

What Is the Most Common Type of 3D Printing?

For hobbyists and smaller-scale endeavors, you’ll find FDM 3D printing is the most common. They can be easily recognized by the spools of plastic filament that feed into the machines. What about larger, more complicated printers? An MFJ or SLS printer might not be popular among your friends or colleagues, but they’ll be more common in industries that need super-detailed products or a high level of accuracy.

That is one of the magical things about our platform, we handle the tough part of housing and operating advanced machinery while giving customers of all types easy access to these technologies. In this way, it makes the more advanced additive manufacturing techniques less of a rarity and more accessible.

What’s the Best 3D Printing Process for Beginners?

If you are (or your business is) just starting to learn the inner workings of 3D printing, FDM 3D printers are best for beginners. The learning curve is smaller and the materials and machines are cheaper, too. After FDM, SLA or DLP printing is a great next step.

This article provided a look at 8 different 3D printing technologies, their applications, and their strengths. 

The content appearing on this webpage is for informational purposes only. Xometry makes no representation or warranty of any kind, be it expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be inferred to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through Xometry’s network. Buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for those parts. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more information.

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67 Cool Things to 3D Print

3D printing has taken the world by storm—and it’s time for you to get on the trend. Stumped for 3D printing ideas? We have 67 3D printer designs for you to try!

3D printing is such a fun way to produce creative work—and it has totally taken off. Now, creators are using this amazing new technology to create all kinds of wild and wonderful 3D printer projects that were previously all but impossible to make at home.

These 3D printer projects are a great addition to your online design portfolio . This is such a hot space that shows your mastery of this chic craft could win you some big new clients. You can showcase a collection of cool things to 3D print and some of your best 3D printings too.

Want to get in on this cool 3D prints trend? We’ve compiled a list of 67 inspiring 3D printing ideas to fuel your next 3D printer design. So, what can you make with a 3D printer? Well, there’s something cool for everyone!

The 3DBenchy appears to be nothing more than an adorable plastic boat, but it’s more than that. This little guy was designed specifically to test the limits of your machine and calibrate it to operate optimally. It’s one of the simplest—and most useful—3D printer projects you can start with.

Survival Whistle

Next in our list of cool things to 3D print is a simple project that can be completed in approximately one hour and will produce a whistle. It can produce an eye-popping 118db sound, perfect for camping or sporting events.

Sunglass Visor Clip

A handy and practical creation—and one of the simplest 3d printer designs on the list—this quick-to-create project allows you to affix your sunglasses to the visor of your car.

Earbud Case

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that earbud cords are a pain in the butt to keep organized. They constantly get tangled and eventually produce the dreaded earphone-crackle, rendering your treasured music-makers useless. This is a great example of what you can make with a 3D printer that can improve your everyday life.

This carabiner is surprisingly durable, with a strong frame and a flexible hinge. It can withstand up to 30kg of weight, which is pretty substantial for rendered plastic! Don’t, however, be tempted to use this to support your own weight, as they are not designed to support that much strain.

A simple toy originally created for Settlers of Catan, this project is durable and (in our opinion) cute. This is one of those 3D printer projects you could use in a few ways: gaming, office desk decoration, children’s toy, you name it! Plus, T-Rexes are (always!) cool.

Inspired by Swiss Army Knives, the Proteus Key Holder is a wonderful pocket device that will keep your keys all organized in a logical fashion. Hands-down one of the best things to 3D print, thanks to all the time you’ll save fishing through your pockets.

Pencil Holder

Organize your desk, and add a little flair at the same time! With these simple 3D printer designs, you’ll have all you need to generate truly unique desktop organizers that not only keep your stuff where it needs to be but look cool as well. You can 3D print a pencil holder that is unique to your own personality and have others mistaking your pencil holders again.

Headphone Stand

Get your headphones off your desk and onto a specially crafted hanger of your own design. Great for home and the office, these are the kinds of simple and effective 3D printer ideas that can make a big impact with very little effort.

With a 3D printer you’ll be able to replace your dinnerware with new and original 3D printer designs in no time at all. Take this blueberry-themed bowl, for example. Why stop there? There are numerous other designs for plates and bowls out there to make eating at home a unique experience.

One of the cool things to 3D print is an abstract planter for your succulents and cacti. Why use traditional planters to hold your plants? There are cool 3D prints out there that don’t allow you to skip the traditional clay pots. These modular little guys are modern and fresh and guaranteed to make your mini-garden more attractive.

Platform Jack

While it won’t be holding up a car in a garage any time soon, this platform jack can still withstand a fairly reasonable amount of weight, allowing you access to pesky undersides. 3D print your own platform jack at home for an easy tool that’s great for painting models and other hobbyist tasks.

Measuring Cube

Get rid of those 72 measuring spoons from your utensil drawer and replace them all with a single implement! One of the most immediately useful and cool 3D prints in this list, it’ll make for an interesting tool that others will want when they see it.

Mitre boxes are extremely useful when it comes to crafting. In just a few minutes, your 3D printer can spit one out and have you making exact cuts in your crafting projects in no time at all. Just add a blade, and you’re golden.

USB keys are useful devices—until you misplace them and lose all your precious data. Help prevent this by manufacturing your own desktop device to hold all your various keys! You can 3D print one of the most useful 3D printed objects available for your office.

Faucet Water Saver

We all need to do our part in cutting down on our water usage, right? Well, this water-saving attachment for your faucet is super quick to 3D print, a breeze to install, and uses very little material to create!

Cable Holder

Stop the tyranny of cords taking over your desk and entertainment unit and 3D print some space-saving cable management devices. You’ll cut back on desk clutter and all that cord-related aggravation. These are the blessed 3D printed objects that make life a little less annoying!

Sometimes the office gets boring. Pass the time by constructing these cool things to 3d print: little catapults! Work on your (probably) lacking marksperson skills with these adorable wee “weapons” that can fire small projectiles up to two meters away (perfect for mastering your paper-in-wastebasket game).

One of the cool things to 3D print is your own set of cutlery. If you dig camping or just want a convenient set of small cutlery for use at the office or in the cafeteria, you can’t go wrong with this 3D printer design. They’re functional, portable, and take only a short time to create! The best part about this 3D is that they’re completely reusable.

Keychain Smartphone Stand

Nearly everyone these days has a smartphone, and we’ve likely all had moments where we wanted to prop up our phones for viewing video or photos and had to resort to piled books or whatever else is on hand. And it rarely works out as well as we hope! That makes this tiny project one of the coolest 3D printed objects on the list. Plus, they look like cats. Cats are good.

Small projects like this are what really make 3D printer designs a delight. Nearly all of us need some form of brush or comb to keep our untamed locks from becoming a tangled mess, and when it’s this simple to create, why not give this 3D print a shot?

Spirographs

A perennial childhood favorite, kids love them just as much today. Of course, adults can enjoy these toys, too. They could be just the ticket to break through some creative block !

Toothpaste Squeezer

Remember that Malcolm in the Middle scene where the family resorted to driving over the toothpaste to get the last little drops out of the tube? Now you can 3D print a device that will make squeezing out every bit of Colgate much easier.

This one gets our vote for one of the best 3D printer designs in this list. Bookworms! Want a nice, easy way to keep your pages propped open? Designed with larger books in mind, this tool is delightfully useful.

Bottle Opener

Another one of the cool things to 3D print is this awesome tool. With this device, you can open bottles—using only one hand! Keep one or two in your drawer at home, or make a few and keep them on hand as great host gifts.

Stop dog-earing those pristine pages! These cool 3D prints allow you to remember exactly where you left off in your mystery novel or adventure yarn. Added bonus: Hedwig greets you every time you come back to reading!

Today in you can do that?! : wallets made in a 3D printer. Why pay $50 a pop for a leather one when you can create one in your house in an hour, complete with card slots? This is one of those cool things to 3D print that we all could use. In addition, you can 3D print a design that is completely unique to you.

Business Card

A truly inspiring 3D printing idea, these pop-out business cards allow you to speak to clients in a way they won’t have experienced many times (if ever) before! Rather than a drab piece of cardboard, hand them a toy they can assemble that speaks much louder than a traditional printed card.

Fidget Spinner

Can’t sit still? Searching for a 3D printer project to help you focus? Look no further. Fidget spinners are an excellent way to occupy your mind, and this 3D printed object will definitely do the trick.

Tin Can Dumbell

We’re all trying to squeeze in any little bit of exercise we can into our busy days. This is another project in our list of cool things to 3D print for folks looking for office or hotel fitness hacks. The tin-can dumbbell provides a super-budget means to pump some iron by affixing two cans of food to a plastic handle. Now, you can work out anywhere! All you need are some cans.

Veggie Toys

This is probably one of the most fun and cool things to 3D print, these gimmicky little toys are quite literally affixed to food items found in your house. A lemon helicopter? A banana-car? Why not! Easy to print and awesome for providing hours of enjoyment to restless rainy-day kiddos.

Penny Whistle

Now, this is neat! With a 3D printer and just a small amount of time, you can 3D print an actual musical instrument. Savor the wayback-playback of rocking out on a whistle, just like your grade school days.

Definitely among the most interesting and cool things to 3D print in this list (and showcasing a bit more complexity than other entries), the dragonfly is a tiny little flying machine you can whip up in a short time. It’s perfect for providing a little entertainment for your kids on a rainy day.

Why settle for boring cutlery in your drawer? With minimal effort, you can produce some decorative handles for your eating utensils and wow visitors to your humble abode. When they inevitably ask “so, what can you print with a 3D printer?”, you can tell them they’re eating with it!

Drop your phone into these useful little devices to amplify the sound from its speakers. They offer surprisingly high-quality sound—and now you don’t need to lug portable speakers around on picnics or at the beach.

If you’re looking for some more simple and cool 3D printing ideas, consider 3D printing a set of drink coasters. Thanks to simple 3D printer designs like this, we won’t need to spend our hard-earned cash on flimsy little discs anymore. Make your own coasters with whatever designs you want, and say goodbye to tacky freebies and over-priced novelty ones. This idea makes for one of the cool things to 3D print as gifts!

Balloon-Powered Car

A fun toy and a great example of what you can print with a 3D printer that goes outside the norm, these little chassis are fun to play with and uber-simple to make. Toss a few together for a birthday party and the kids will be kept busy for quite a while.

Leather Stamps

Whether you are a leatherworker or just want to make your guitar strap look more interesting, these tiny little devices will make your plain leather goods look much cooler. (Bonus: they can also be used as ink stamps!)

3D printing isn’t all gimmicks and fun toys: there are very real applications for this technology in the health industry, and they are swiftly becoming the best things to 3D print. For those of us suffering from flat feet or other foot-related ailments, orthotics can be prohibitively expensive. With a few bucks, you can engineer your own and improve your well-being. (Just be sure to consult a doctor before using them.)

Popsicle Mould

Definitely one of the most original ideas in this list, the Post-Box Popsicle is designed to help you send freezable liquids in a mould, ready to freeze, to friends and family. Just fill the mould with liquid, seal it, and send it off!

Food Moulds

While we’re talking about moulds, why not engineer some cool forms for chocolate, ice, baking, or other delicious things? These are killer for parties, thanks to your treats shaped like superheroes or cute animals.

Pinhole Camera

This one is seriously impressive: a fully functional camera made almost entirely out of 3D printed objects! It’s an interesting project well worth your time just to see what these fantastic machines can really do.

Topographic Maps

You can also create mini topographies in your 3D printer, and then turn them into cute objects for home or office! Want a Mt.Fuji paperweight? How about a New York skyline bookend? Or even a 3D map for tabletop strategy gaming! Worth exploring, this is one of the most interesting 3D printer designs.

“Strandbeest”

A truly original idea, these sculpts are a clever mix of art and engineering that are totally wind-powered. Set it down and watch it walk around!

If you’re an audiophile, you’ll truly appreciate this entry as one of the best things to 3d print. By converting audio files, you can create your own records that will play on turntables. Why limit it to music? Record your own special messages to loved ones and send out the love!

Now things are getting complicated! With a 3D printer, you’re able to produce lab-ready tools that are complex enough to extract DNA at home . Whoa!

Glasses Repair

Did your frames break again? That’s never a pleasant experience, but with a 3D printer handy, you won’t ever need to worry about it again. This is for certain one of the most useful 3d printing ideas on our list.

Simple 3D printer designs like this are great to have on hand. Hinges are always useful, and come in handy all over the house. These particular designs are super-simple, even by 3D printing standards, requiring just a single step!

With a sliding clasp, these unique chip clip designs work quite well and are fantastically simple things to 3D print.

Lightweight and surprisingly sturdy, this 3D printer design functions on-par with its more common metal counterparts.

Electric Violin

Another musical instrument, the electric violin is more complicated than the penny whistle was, but well worth the extra effort. Violin music can be truly beautiful, and the sounds produced by this cheap project rival professional violins at a fraction of the cost. If you are looking to explore cool things to 3D print and want to learn the instrument, then this is a no-brainer!

Drawing Machine

A larger-scale project than other 3D printing ideas, the Drawing Machine is quite unique: attach a pen and create works of art from files on your computer. This 3D printer project can help you produce invitations, cards or any other manner of drawings.

Topping our list of cool things to 3D print, an old-style orrery not only looks awesome but gives accurate representations of the current positions of planets and moons in our solar system. Note that this is a complicated task involving more than simple plastics, and will take more than basic understanding of your 3D printer to produce.

Coffee Maker

Coffee makes life worth living. Without it, office life would be all but intolerable! But what if your coffee machine is on the fritz and you don’t have a replacement handy? Print one! Who would have guessed it could be one of the things to 3D print? This project is one of those fun things to 3D print that makes a great conversation-starter, or gift for the java-obsessed friend in your life.

Split Flap Display

Some nostalgic old-timey engineering comes into play with these uber-neat 3D printing ideas. Relive the past and have your desk decorated with a sign that uses something other than LED or LCD displays!

Camera Slider

If you’re a photographer, you know how much a camera slider can cost you (i.e. an arm and a leg), so why pay out of pocket when you can manufacture your own with a little bit of time and dedication? They’re fully motorized and work like a charm.

If you’re wondering what you can make with a 3D printer that is truly amazing, would you believe you can manufacture your own telescope? Link it up with the power of a microcomputer to perform marvelous feats of stargazing.

A real robot made in your house with only a few wires and some 3D printed materials? Yes, please. While you won’t be taking over earth with a robotic army any time soon, it’s a start! Begin assembling your robotic horde today! This is definitely one of the coolest 3d printed objects on our list.

You want cool things to 3D print? How about a remote-controlled hovercraft that you can zoom around on land and water? It’ll need some extra parts to properly function, but is well worth the time and effort to get them and take your vessel out on her maiden voyage.

Thanks to this DIY project, you can produce your own functioning drone for a small fraction of the cost of those available on the market. You can even toss a camera in there! Hands down, this is one of the coolest 3D printed projects on our list.

This is perhaps one of the most advanced projects here: a fully-functioning robot arm. It can be programmed and used for a variety of purposes—but most important of all, it’ll sharpen your skills and really show the world what you can do with 3D printer designs.

Electric Unicycle

With a bit of technology, effort, and time, you can even design a fully-functioning electric unicycle to help you get around. It’s a complicated but amazing 3D printing project to explore due to the various techniques involved; it will really hone your ability to work with your device.

This hobby has really boomed in the last several years, and 3D printers are part of the reason why. Thanks to them, some truly awe-inspiring costumes can be produced for a relatively affordable price. It’s hard not to be inspired by such creations. Some cool things to 3D print for your cosplay includes armor shields and fake weapons that go great with your character.

One of the coolest 3D printing ideas is for musicians or the casual guitar player is to 3D print your own guitar at home. This project allows you to 3D print a guitar with a super slick and unique design. All you have to do is assemble the 3D printed pieces together using super glue! If you’re looking for ideas on cool things to 3D print, try 3D printing a guitar for yourself or for a guitarist you know. One of the cool things about this 3D printed guitar is that it’s smaller than usual guitar, which is perfect for those who have limited space in their home.

Laptop Stand

When setting up a home office, most people like to connect their laptops to multiple screens for easier viewing. This project allows you to 3D print a laptop stand so that you can easily mount your laptop higher for easier use. The design of this 3D printed laptop stand is perfect for those who want the ability to change the height and adjust the height of your laptop. Simply 3D print 4 parts and assemble them together for a cool 3D printed laptop stand.

SD Card Storage Box

There are a lot of cool things to 3D print, but this one is more on the practical side. For photographers looking for 3D printing ideas, this project allows you to organize your SD cards all in one place. Try and 3D print your own SD card storage box and keep all your cards in one place. With this 3D printed storage box, you won’t risk losing them again!

More Cool Things About 3D Printing

From pencil holders to robotic arms, 3D printing can do a whole lot. What might have taken hours, days, and even months to build can now be 3D printed using this technology to create your unique designs quickly. Even though there are a lot of 3d printing ideas for you to start getting things printed, 3D printing technology is still incredibly new to many. So we’re going to answer some of the most common questions about 3D printing and turning things to 3D.

Can 3D Printers Print Metal?

Generally speaking, yes they can! However, the process and the materials used to print metal is slightly different. In fact, not all printers can print metal. In 3D printing, there are different manufacturing processes. For 3D printing metal, there are three top ways to 3D print —metal-binding jetter, powder bed fusion, and directed energy deposition. These methods use metal powder or metal wires to layer the materials and print the design in 3D. However, 3D printing metal can’t be done at home because of how expensive the machine to support this type of 3D printing is.

When it comes to 3D printing metal, there are people who may choose to use a laser cutter instead. The reason is that 3D printed projects using metal can be costly and time-consuming. However, the two are quite different. 3D printing is an additive process, while laser cutting is a subtractive process. Depending on your needs, those that are looking to create multiple pieces at a quicker pace may choose the laser cutter as it can conveniently cut multiple materials and larger size.

With digital trends of raw and rustic design, you might be considering 3D printing cool things at home with metal. However, printing metal is extremely costly due to its process and the machinery required. If you’re looking for cool things to 3D print at home with a metal-looking finish, we recommend using materials on the market that can create metal-like 3D printed objects instead. These materials give the illusion that your 3D printed pencil holder or camera mount is made out of metal but without the actual cost.

What Are Some Cool Things 3d Printers Can Do?

One of the cool things 3D printing can do is be used in the field of science for research. Scientists have successfully 3D printed bespoke equipment and even body parts in the laboratory. Using 3D printed human organs, surgeons are able to use this life-like organ to perform practice surgeries. With today’s advanced technology, 3D printed organs also allow surgeons to work on difficult procedures and rare scenarios without real-world consequences, such as bleeding.

Thanks to 3D printing, it has also made highly-customizable prosthesis possible. One of the coolest things about 3D printed prosthesis is that they can create custom fits for the patient and also a much lower cost. Instead of creating static designs that are “one size fits all”, 3D print gives companies the opportunity to create products that are affordable and personalized. What would have cost lots of money to create is now more accessible thanks to 3D printed prostheses.

Beyond science, 3D printed homes and shelters have also become one of the cool things to 3D print across the world. To address the housing issue around the world, companies have been using this technology to print emergency shelters and 3D printed homes. With this technology, companies and cities can build a community in a much shorter amount of time and for a cost cheaper than traditional home building methods. Each home inside the community can then be purchased at a more affordable cost.

What Would Be Something Cool to Make With a 3D Pen?

If you’re looking for a smaller and more affordable option, 3D pens are a great choice to get your creativity flowing too. 3D pens are affordable, easy to manage, smaller in size, and more practical. Using a 3D pen you can easily turn things to 3D. Design and personalize cool things to 3D using your imagination and 3D pen. From making repairs by using 3D pen as an adhesive to creating pieces of artwork, 3D pens give you the flexibility to draw your ideas immediately.

If you love architecture and buildings, companies have created kits that allow people to replicate architectural structures and other cool things with a 3D pen. For boardgame lovers, you 3D print your own figurines by drawing it with your 3D pen. You can also turn your favorite cartoon show characters or movie heroes into 3D. While a 3D pen allows you to draw 2D things to 3D, their limitation tends to be the size of the project you can make. If you’re looking to 3D print a life-size chair, it may be easier to use a printer because 3D pens may not be able to create something as durable.

What Are Some Cool Things That Take Less Than an Hour to 3d Print?

If you’re short on time and looking for some quick projects, there are lots of cool things to 3D print in less than an hour! In our 3D print list above, projects like the keychain, hinge, handles, bookmarks, smartphone stand, and whistles are some of the cool things to 3D print in less than an hour. Aside from those things to 3D print, you can also try some of these awesome projects:

• Tangram : A super easy and fun game to play with your kids or friends. If you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to pass time, this 3D printed tangram makes for portable entertainment.
• Klöts (Quick shoe ties) : Some cool things to 3D print for your kids are these quick shoe ties. With this project, you’ll spend less time worrying about their shoelaces being undone and risking a fall.
• Puzzle Keychain : This heart puzzle is perfect as a gift or personal use. If you’re tight on schedule for an anniversary or valentine’s day gift, this heart puzzle is one of the quickest things to 3D print.
• Door Stop : Some things to 3D print for practical uses are these door stops. Whether you’re using it at home or for your office, printing them is super easy and fast.
• Light Switch Locks : This definitely tops for cool things to 3D print, especially for parents. This awesome tool can prevent your kids from turning the lights on and off at home. Keep certain lights off to save energy.

Share Your 3D Printer Projects With the World

Now that you’ve got a bunch of really amazing 3D printed projects completed, why not showcase your best 3D prints? We’d recommend an online portfolio website that has a variety of stylish templates to choose from (so you can find one that fits with your brand identity ) and offers a free trial (that way, you can make sure it has all the features you need). With all the cool things to 3D print, you’ll be able to update your portfolio with a wide variety of products. Once clients see all your 3D printer designs, they’ll be clamoring to have you print something magical just for them.

Ready to build a design portfolio website that captures clients’ attention? From gorgeous themes to a built-in proofing tool, we’ve got designers covered. Start your free trial with Format today!

Now get out there, get creative, and start turning heads with amazing 3D creations!

Need some more design project inspiration? How to Start a Creative Project by ADAMJK 5 Ways to Fund Your Personal Project 10 Steps to Building Your Perfect Online Portfolio

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24+ Best 3D Printing Projects for Engineers

Written by: Scott Hamill

February 20, 2024

3D printing projects for engineers are a step beyond easy beginner creations . These projects involve intricate, multi-part designs that require a significant level of skill, time, and effort.

If you’re an engineer, an avid builder, or simply someone looking for a challenging project with remarkable results, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve curated a list of over my 24 favorite 3D printing projects specifically for engineers, ranging from intricate clocks to high-performance turbines and even robotic pets.

These projects not only serve as functional mechanisms but also as valuable educational tools for engineering students.

Whether you’re interested in timekeeping mechanisms like the Self-Winding Pendulum Clock , remote-controlled Cars , Planes , and Drones , or even making your own Robo-Pet companion, I’ve covered something for everyone

Dive into our list to discover these and many more exciting projects, and stay with us as we explore the future of 3D printing in engineering.

3D Printed Engineering Projects

• Clocks – From Self-Winding to Smart Tech
• RC Vehicles – Cars, Planes, and Drones
• Turbines – Wind, Solar, and Hydroelectric
• Robo-Pets – 3D Printed Robotic Cats and Dogs
• Honorable Mentions – Drawing Machines, Robot Arms and More

Smart Clock

Hydroelectric turbine.

While simple enough by most engineering standards, clocks are excellent 3D printer projects for engineering students who are spreading their wings for the first time.

The best thing about 3D printing a clock as an engineering project is that it can be as complicated as you want it to be.

Traiaxial Tourbillon Clock

• Download : Thingiverse
• Designer : mcmaven

Price : Free

Take this Triaxial Tourbillon Clock, for example.

Upgraded from the original design, it’s a fully functional clock that features better weight balancing and ball-bearing support to improve integrity as well as an overhauled internal mechanism to improve timekeeping accuracy.

Self-Winding Pendulum Clock

• Designer : krahut

One of the coolest clocks I found that’s great as an engineering project is this self-winding pendulum clock. It’s a little more complicated for those of you looking for a challenging next project or engineering students wanting to expand their skills further.

Born as an upgrade to a previous pendulum clock design, the creator decided to make an even more complex self-winding mechanism that should keep itself going automatically for up to 200 days.

If you want to give yourself even more of a challenge, then why not try your hand at improving the mechanism from the files here to further increase its accuracy or lifespan?

• Designer : Surrbradl08

If you prefer your timepieces on the digital side, or just prefer electrical engineering to mechanical, you can find plenty of awesome 3D printing projects like this smart clock to keep your mental motors running.

The thing about the smart clock is that it also requires some coding skills, using software systems to keep it going.

If you happen to have a hand in computer science as well as hardware technology, then it’s a great way to exercise multiple skills at once. If you don’t, however, then it could make for a fun collaborative project between engineering students or a joined effort if you want to get a differently-trained friend involved!

Of course, you can always try your hand at learning to code if you’re interested in using this kind of project as a learning experience.

These are just a few of the coolest clock projects for engineering students out there, but there are plenty more in so many styles and model types that should keep any engineer inspired and interested for a good long while.

RC Vehicles

3D printing toys are a good use of your printer if you have little ones in your life or if you just love to play with things. But as projects for engineers go, they’re often a little too simple.

A great way for engineers to practice their craft while making toys is by 3D printing remote-controlled vehicles.

Example Download : Cults3D

Designers : Varies

Price : Variable

There are a lot of 3D printable RC cars out there , with plenty of models mimicking real-life cars or taking on more traditional toy-like aesthetics and even the Batmobile.

In fact, by wiring up your car to the right size base, you can even make RC cars with swappable chassis for a fantastic, ever-changing toy.

If you’re good with a circuit board, you can make an RC car from scratch with a simple motor and remote sensor.

If you really want a challenge, though, then I recommend trying your hand at making airborne RC vehicles.  3D printed RC planes  are really fun and a lot of the models online are unfinished and ripe for improvement, which is great news for you fixer-upper-loving engineers and and engineering students looking for some extra credit.

3D printed RC helicopter designs are few and far between, making them an excellent project for you engineers out there looking to make your mark on the 3D printing world.

In basic terms, because they aren’t naturally aerodynamic in shape, you’ll either have to design from scratch or piece together different printed parts like the blades, body, and landing equipment to cobble together your own working RC helicopter.

If you manage it, you can even sell your created design online, as there seems to be a gap in the market for good quality 3D printed RC helicopters out there now. The world will thank you and you could make some good scratch on the side.

If you’re still feeling more adventurous, a lot of engineers have taken to  3D printing their own drones as personal DIY project endeavours, some are even created with stands for Go-Pros, for more memorable excursions outdoors.

Like clocks, 3D printing drones can be as complicated or as simple in concept as you like. The real trick is getting your designs in the air, but once you do it you’ll know just how satisfying that particular feat is.

If you’re a dedicated engineer, you’ve probably already either learned or figured that it is possible to make turbines with a 3D printer. As you can see in our article here , wind turbines, both decorative and functional, are possible to 3D print.

While you can make  wind turbines that are purely for aesthetic purposes , like a more complicated pinwheel, you probably aren’t here for that, and are instead looking for a DIY project that can actually power electronics.

So 3D printing wind turbines that actually generate energy is what we’ll look at here. Not only are they immensely satisfying to complete, they’re also great projects for engineering students who want to make something as impressive as it is practical.

If you’re an engineer looking to make your life a little eco-friendlier with your own designs, then 3D printing turbines for electronics is a fantastic way to go.

They are complex and very satisfying to make, if a little involved, and the end result is an alternative to your small-scale energy concerns while helping to make the world a little greener.

Of course, unless you have a lot of time on your hands, you shouldn’t expect to go printing something that’s going to power your whole house. But there are some very cool and completely functional 3D printed wind turbine designs.

50-Watt Turbine

• Designer : 3dprintable1

The 50-watt turbine , for example, was designed to need little to nothing by way of post-processing or supports if printed using PLA material, which is quite an apt material for an energy-conscious project for electrical devices.

Those of you who know your filaments will likely be aware that PLA is one of the most biodegradable materials out there, making it one of the greenest.

While you shouldn’t expect this homemade turbine to power your car, it’s ideal for recharging batteries or low-scale home use like outdoor lighting. It is the little differences that all add up after all.

Solar Wind Turbine

• Designer : PhilippHee

This combination 3D printed wind turbine and solar panel is a great project for any engineer looking to go greener still.

You will need some extra components to make it work at maximum efficiency, which you can either buy from the links included by the designer or find your own preferred parts.

The concept behind the design revolves around the solar panel using its stored energy to further power the turbine. But if you’re handy enough, you could work out a more efficient way to employ both power sources for domestic use.

• Designer : mochr

If you’re lucky enough to have a river or stream run by your yard, then you can also 3D print water turbines and use hydroelectricity to power some of your home.

The most impressive one I could find was this functioning model of a hydroelectric power plant .

There’s something about having a pet. The companionship is priceless and the feeling of being needed is a sweet one indeed.

Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to be in a good position to have a pet. I know I could never find the time to take care of one. If you’re still in this boat but feel your home could use a little more movement, then why not try your hand at making a robo-pet?

Headless Cat

• Designer : JohnThinger

If you’re newer to the sophisticated wiring that most kinds of advanced robotic pets will need, then you can always practice with the simpler models like  this headless cat , a fun project that uses motors and gears ( which you can also 3D print ) to move around.

Articulated Robot Cat

• Designer : ittonru

If that’s a little too basic, I found this robot cat with multiple points of automatic articulation to be strangely adorable, and I’m not even much of a cat person.

The details of this cat’s design were so in-depth that the designer even discovered the importance of a cat’s tail while editing!

Arduino Quadruped Robot

• Download : CGTrader
• Designer : cengiztezel
• Price : $15.00

Like the example above, robot dogs don’t often actually look like dogs.

This is because ‘robot dog’ is the name given to most quadrupedal robot designs like this one , regardless of whether or not they were supposed to look like dogs.

That’s not to say you can’t either create your own body and casing to look like a real (or real enough anyway) canine companion.

• Download : Cults3D
• Designer : K3AVD
• Price : $1.22

This design looks very professional and pretty cute to match. The only downside is that it was made as a fairly simple and educational example of a robo-pet.

But that shouldn’t discourage those of you looking for a challenge though.

It can become a great 3D printed engineering project by making your own tweaks and, if you can, even coding in your own AI to make a truly functional robot pet.

The possibilities here are enormous.

Depending on your skill level and comfort with electronics and coding, you could over time create an actual, working robot companion with the kinds of features that make it an ideal project.

It’s not just pets that you can make either.

• Download : Pinshape
• Designer : nwayland

This robot arm with impressively balanced weight distribution and full articulation is an excellent project that’s both educational and fun to use. It will take a bit of doing, but you’ll have this thing passing you drinks or parts while you’re working in no time.

Of course, it’s not the most efficient of desktop helpers, but as a 3D printer engineering project, this robotic arm should satisfy that itch to make something as cool as it is complex. You can also help with this project’s development process by using the STL files here and improving the robotic arm to be more useful, dextrous, and multi-functional.

Drawing Machine

Download : Printables

Designer : CYUL

As well as robotic arms, you can also 3D print a drawing machine for a more creative spin on an engineering project. Similar in concept to CNC machines or laser cutters, the drawing machine can be programmed to follow a specific ‘route’ while holding a pen or pencil to draw any given image automatically.

A drawing machine makes for an excellent project for engineering students as it combines electronics, the 3D printing process, coding, and automation all in a single piece of mechanical machinery.

Ending on a personal favorite of mine, orreries have always been really cool to me, and there are some really cool models out there to 3D print, some are exceedingly complex while others are small and simple.

While orreries can be motorized, they don’t have to be.

This makes it a great 3D printer project for engineers who are either not comfortable with or are simply sick of working around electronics.

That is to say, orreries can be considered to represent mechanical engineering in its purest and possibly even most aesthetically pleasing form.

Small mechanical orreries are good starting points, like this work-in-progress mechanical orrery or this oddly cute example including to-scale models of our Earth, moon, and sun.

Of course, these are miniature and easy to print, so won’t be much of a struggle for you engineers. For that, I recommend the coolest, multi-piece designs.

My absolute favorite is this mechanical planetarium that stands tall and is accurate in both size and distance between planets.

It’s even been designed so if built correctly, one full rotation of the planetarium is equivalent to exactly two weeks of time.

If you don’t have the time or space to accommodate something that complex, I also quite like this smaller, slightly less complicated planetarium that’s still accurately depicting our solar system but on a smaller scale.

As an honorary mention, I’d like to link to this music box orrery . I’ve not tried it out for myself, but the concept seems really cool, even if it only has the Earth.

What is the future of 3D printing in engineering?

3D printing has revolutionized many industries, including engineering. From fast and inexpensive prototyping for things like car parts and other mechanical inventions, to making 3D printed, fully functioning jet engine designs. 3D printing is opening many doors in the engineering world and will continue to play an important role well into the future.

Other articles you may be interested in :

• 13 Great 3D Printing Projects To Try At Home
• Beginner-level 3D printing projects
• The 34 Coolest & Most Useful Things To 3D Print
• 25 Useful 3D Printed Tools You Can Print Today (For Free!)
• 3D Printed Boats
• 4 Ways Militaries Use 3D Printing To Modernize

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Scott Hamill

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85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best 3d printing topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ most interesting 3d printing topics to write about.

• 💡 Good Essay Topics on 3D Printings

❓3D Printing Research Questions

• 3D Printing Industry and Market One can understand the industry of 3D technologies in terms of the software technology, the hardware and the nature of the products.
• Process Description: 3D Printing The material is the string-like strand of plastic coiled in the back of the printer. In turn, the movement of the print head is directed by the 3D file sent to the printer.
• Cloning, 3D Printing, and Artificial Parts: Replacement Strategies The possibility to turn such cells into any other is the main advantage of the method. This is 3D printing, apparently; as mentioned, it continues to grow more popular in medicine, which calls for studying […]
• 3D Printing in the Medical Field The key issue in the field of bioprinting remains the areas of application in medicine and the establishment of certain boundaries for this technology.
• 3D Printing Development for Fashion Industry The fashion industry was not moved or altered by 3D printing during the earlier days because most of the inventions covered the need to modify and improve the printing capability.
• UAE Government Foresight and Scenarios Program: The 3D Concrete Printing The 3D concrete printing initiative is the future of modernised, affordable, durable, and efficient means of construction for government projects across the UAE.
• 3D Printed Food and Utensils Safety The former is typically implemented in the production of simple foods and components, whereas the latter is used in combined culinary, with the implementation of both natural and printed ingredients.
• 3D Printing Technology in Medicine Notably, doctors need to learn how to use the printer in developing organs for patients in need of them. Employees need to be trained on how to use it at the workplace.
• 3D Heart Printing and Its Future Lee and Dai attributed the probability of the success of 3D technology to the materials used since they support the cellular components during and after bioprinting procedures.
• 3D Printer Elements and Features The objects that can be created with this printer should be at least 5x5x5 inches. These are some of the details that should be considered by the seller.
• Technology and Business: 3D Printer Impact This paper outlines the technology used for a Form 1 3D printer, as well as the impact this technology has had on business over the past ten years, the future of technology and business, the […]
• 3D Bioprinting of Physical Organs This sort of technology can be compared to the current prostatic usage and it has proven to be extremely beneficial for people.
• 3D Printing Industry in the UK Moreover, this research related the background of Makism 3D Corporation and the future of the 3D industry in the United Kingdom.
• 3D Bioprinting of Brown Adipose Tissue
• Additive Manufacturing: 3D Printing and the Future of Organizational Design
• Charting the Environmental Dimensions of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
• 3D Printing and the Future of Nursing Education
• Current Applications and Future Perspectives of the Use of 3D Printing
• Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing
• 3D Printing and Its Effects on the World of Manufacturing
• Innovation Ecosystems Across Science, Technology, and Business: 3D Printing in China
• Financial and Funding Plan for a Biotech 3D Printing Company
• 3D Printing Food: Fiction or Reality?
• History, Future, and Applications of 3D Printing
• Limitations and Common Issues With 3D Printing
• Making Rare Materials Hands-On: 3D Printing a Possibility for Rare Materials
• Moral and Ethical Implications of 3D Printing Technology
• Nanoparticle Exposure During Processes Related to a Metal Object 3D Printing
• New Industrial Platforms and Radical Technology Foresight: 3D Printing in Europe
• 3D Printing Materials: Status, Opportunities, Market Forecasts
• Professional Skills for Information Technology for 3D Printing
• Reviewing Gun Control and 3D Printing in America
• Strategic Marketing Recommendation for the Launch of a 3D Printing Machine

💡 Good Essay Topics on 3D Printing

• Successful Business Models for 3D Printing Companies
• The Challenges and Boundaries of 3D Printing
• Overview of the Current Medical Uses of 3D Printing
• The Development and Challenge of 3D Printing
• The Different Areas and Applications of 3D Printing
• The Relationship Between Medical and Dental Industry and 3D Printing
• Biomimetic Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: 3D Printing Techniques in Regenerative Medicine
• Tripolyphosphate-Crosslinked Chitosan & Gelatin Biocomposite Ink for 3D Printing of Uniaxial Scaffolds
• Understanding the Main Uses of 3D Printing
• The Potential Uses of 3D Printing Technology in the Modern World
• The Positive Impact of 3D Printing on Our Health and the Environment
• Why 3D Printing Service Bureaus Need to Be Automated
• The Effect of Three-Dimensional Printing on Prosthetic Limbs
• 3D Printing: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
• The Link Between 3D Printing and Bioprinting Revolutionizing Healthcare
• 3D Printing Usage to Boost Competitive Advantage of American Manufacturing
• Technology and Ecology: Inventions With 3D Printer That Will Surprise You
• Development of Direct Metal Laser Sintering Machine
• 3D Printing and Its Effects on the Economy
• Digital Printing and Its Impact on the 3D Printing Future Growth
• What Are the Positive and Negative Impacts of 3D Printing?
• How Does 3D Printing Help Society?
• Can 3D Printing Make Everything?
• What Are the Potential Uses of 3D Printing?
• Is 3D Printing Used in Business Today?
• What Could 3D Printing Be Used for in the Future?
• Does 3D Printing Use Artificial Intelligence?
• How Does 3D Printing Affect the Modern Industry?
• Who Will Benefit the Most From 3D Printing?
• How Is 3D Printing Changing the World?
• Is 3D Printing Technology Improving?
• What Problems Can 3D Printing Solve?
• Is 3D Printing the Future of Sustainable Manufacturing?
• Does 3D Printing Save Energy?
• Will 3D Printing Change the World?
• How Can 3D Printing Help the Environment?
• What Is the Use of 3D Printing in Modern Technology?
• Can 3D Printing Help the Economy?
• How Is 3D Printing Used in Medicine?
• Is 3D Printing the Future of Fashion?
• Where Is 3D Printing Used in Industry?
• How Is 3D Printing Advancing the World We Live In?
• Which Industries Use 3D Printing Most?
• Can 3D Printing Help Developing Countries?
• What Is the Future Growth of 3D Printing?
• Is 3D Printing Good for the Environment?
• What Products Are Made Using 3D Printing?
• Does the Aerospace Industry Use 3D Printing Services?
• Why Is 3D Printing Important for the Future?
• Can 3D Printing Be Used for Architecture?
• Digital Transformation Topics
• Contemporary Art Questions
• Robots Questions
• Pop Art Titles
• Tattoo Research Ideas
• Cyberspace Topics
• Data Mining Titles
• Plastic Surgery Essay Titles
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, September 26). 85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/3d-printing-essay-topics/

"85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Sept. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/3d-printing-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 26 September.

IvyPanda . 2023. "85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/3d-printing-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/3d-printing-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "85 3D Printing Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/3d-printing-essay-topics/.

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ZhiLing's Bloggggg

• 10 min read

BLOG 4: 3D PRINTING

Updated: 2 days ago

Hello guys! Welcome back to my LAST blog for my ICPD module!

I have shared with you guys about 3D modelling in my blog 3, and now I am going to write about the physical printing for the design created in fusion! IT SOUNDS SO FUN, RIGHT?

For my final blog entry, I plan to make it XXXTRA special by writing it in the style of a diary.

LETS GET STARTED!!!

20 JULY 2024 (SAT)

I start to work on this assignment practical 5 today. I am tasked to design a print in place artefact with at least one moving joint.

Well, what is the print in place technique?

Print-in-place refers to 3D-printed objects that incorporate various types of joints, moving parts, and hinges that are printed in a single task, which means that the moveable parts of this print-in-place model can be printed as a single piece! These objects are designed to be printed without the need for any further manual assembly, and one can start using the part right away. Print-in-place models can achieve an impressive amount of detail and still maintain a high degree of mobility. The video below offers a visual explanation of the print-in-place technique, complete with the examples.

However, I did not notice that print in place technique is required, and I do research on the 3d design that has movable joint only. Therefore, I am passionate to make a legoman with complicated components as tutorial is available online even though I need to do the design myself. Although I started doing the design which does not fulfill the requirements of this assignment, I have learnt a lot of undiscovered function in fusion 360 which built up my skills on using 3d design software.

These are few parts that I have made for the legoman, hahaha... (head, body and arms)

legoman head

legoman body

22 JULY 2024 (MON)

When I realized that my clumsy vision had caused me to overlook the need for the print-in-place technique, I knew I had made a mistake. 😶

So, I decided to look for a print-in-place hinged box to create instead. However, another mistake occured. 😀 I followed a tutorial video that does not teach on how to do the print in place hinged.....😶This is how it looks like in different components without applying the print in place technique.

Spending an entire day making a legoman wasn't wasted. I am able to modify the stick to be in the same component with the box that allows all the parts to be printed together. Basically, it just requires extruding the hole on the bottom part of the hinged box, to extend a stick that can join the top part of hinged box together becoming a single object.

This is how it looks like that all components are in the same object to be printed.

It looks very aesthetic like the air Pod case, right? HOWEVER, I decided to abandon my design againnnnn. HAHAHAHAH

Because I realized my hinged part required a lot of support, which was unfavorable for my assignment. If I insisted to do hinged box, I think it is better to be printed with the orientation lying flat on the printer surface like what the below picture has shown, to avoid large amount of support.

23 JULY 2024 (TUE)

Instead of redoing hinged box which a lot of my friends wanted to do this design as well, I searched for other print-in-place 3d object that is more suitable for my assignment. Eventually, I have decided to make a gyroscope which looks extremely interesting to me. Although I am not sure if the design steps in tutorial video will work well on the final printed object as it looks simple, I decided to give it a try. Below is the reference video that I follow for the design.

However, I did not follow the tutorial completely to make it become a keychain because I want it to be no support needed while printing this design which fulfills my assignment requirement. I will continue writing about the steps I took to create the gyroscope design.

Click modify and change parameter to ensure all the space between every ring is consistent.

2. Set the ring thickness to 3mm.

3. Set the ring clearance to 0.4mm.

4. Create sketch on XZ plane as we need to revolve the sketch to make it lies flat on the

5. Create a 12mm line at the middle.

6. Create a 3-point arc somewhere at the right side.

7. Click on MID POINT CONSTRAINT and select the mid point of arc and the mid point of 12mm line.

8. Click on horizontal constraint and select both edge of the arc and line to align the dimension.

9. Select SKETCH and insert a 20 mm diameter for the 3 point arc.

10. Click on OFFSET and select the arc to copy it. Move the copied arc inwards and decide the dimension later.

11. Delete the constraint to define the dimension between the two curves.

12. Add the dimension as RING THICKNESS, which is the 3mm parameter that we set at the first step.

13. Add the horizontal constraint again on both of the curves to align them.

14. Sketch lines to close the top and bottom gap of both arcs. The first ring is done!

15. Repeat the steps by offset the inside arc.

16. Delete the constraint again to define its dimension.

17. At this point, dimension selected in between these 2 arcs is the RING CLEARANCE 0.4mm.

18. Align the top and bottom of arc with the horizontal constraint tool again.

19. Repeat step 10 to 18 for 3 times. You will get a shape as shown below.

20. Add a line on the last curve to close the shape.

21. Here comes the magical part! By revolving the sketch around its axis, it transform into a gyroscope.

22. This is how our final design looks like!

24 JULY 2024 (WED)

After completing the design, it is time to test it out with 3d printing!

Today is the day which I am having my practical session at W3. There is few 3d printers in my school lab. I try to print my gyroscope design after class, and this is my first time using a 3d printer.

Below is a random rooster I came across while walking to the printing lab hehe.

I will record down the steps to use Ulti maker 3d printer in my lab although it is easier than I expected.

Write our name, class, admission number and time we start to use the 3d printer, onto a log sheet.

2. Take the pen drive to save our file design.

3. Insert the pen drive into the 3d printer and select the correct file name for printing.

4. The printer will preheat the nozzle and build the plate. Then, it will process print file by itself! All you have to do is just wait for the printed object to be completed.

5. This is how my final printed gyroscope looks like. Overall it is acceptable but the joint aren't smooth.

Eating kaya butter toast🍞 + half boiled egg🥚+korean ramen🍜 at food court 1 after I have done with my 3d printing. 🫦🫦🫦

"A well-fed person can think more clearly, work more effectively, and enjoy life more fully."

-------- Unknown

29 JULY 2024 (MON)

The sky at 7am, painted with early morning colours.

早八人 leaving home for school. 😭

Obviously, I was not satisfied with the printed gyroscope version 1. Therefore, I decided to try printing it again in the T1442 printing lab.

*TO ALL MY SP FRIENDS WHO ARE READING MY BLOG, DO NOT FORGET TO WEAR LONG PANTS WHEN ENTERING THE PRINTING LAB!

Since the flow of printing is about the same with what I have introduce in the previous part, I will dive into the therapeutic printing video of my gyroscope directly.

My version 2 gyroscope is printingggg.

So the 3d printer I am using in this lab is the Bambu Lab brand. It also has faster printing time than the Ultimake printer. It only took 26mins to complete printing the original size of my gyroscope whereas to achieve the same printing time with printing using Ultimaker printer, I have to scale the object down becoming 75%.

Unexpectedly, the quality of printing in this lab is way better than the printer in my practical lab with the same STL file! The joint is smoooooooooth. YES FINALLY.

And what's even more surprising is that I found out from my lecturer that the better printer (Bambu Lab) is significantly cheaper than the ULTIMAKER printer.......

HAHA, anyway this is my final printed gyroscope model looks like.

It is extremely smooth but my demonstration abit cacat.😀

Trying out KFC's newly launched ondeh-ondeh egg tart and michelin popiah at Clementi after printing.😻

31 JULY 2024(WED)

It is my practical test today and I am back to W3 lab. Submitted my printed gyroscope.

Eaten a mentaki salmon bowl and sambal petai prawn for lunch today.

1 AUGUST 2024(THU)

Today doing the write up for my practical 5 submission~~~

Firstly, I have to explain why my design cannot be easily manufactured by subtractive technology.

So, what is subtractive technology?

Subtractive technology, or subtractive manufacturing, is a process where material is removed from a solid block, or workpiece, to create a desired shape, contrasting with additive manufacturing (i.e. 3d printing) where material is added layer by layer. Subtractive manufacturing by manually cutting the material is also possible. In fact, before the Industrial Revolution, that was how most of it was done. This traditional form of manufacturing has evolved over centuries from simple handcrafting to sophisticated CNC machinery, reflecting the technological growth of society. A milling machine cutting/hollowing out a piece of metal or plastic is an example of subtractive manufacturing.

In this image, the machine is gradually removing bits from the block. This is an example of subtractive manufacturing.

-----------

Gyroscope cannot be easily manufactured by subtractive technology. These are the reasons:

Actual gyroscope image

1.    Complexity of gyroscope’s geometry

Subtractive technology is removing part of the material from a round solid to create the shape of gyroscope of with different sizes of ring. As you can see from the above pictures, the actual gyroscope has spin axis and pin to allow different parts to rotate on their respective directions. Therefore, using traditional subtractive technology, the gyroscope frame, gimbal and rotor need to be produced separately in a single piece and assembled them together with the pins. Due to the reason that the geometry of gyroscope is complex, the assembly will require high accuracy of measurement and alignment on every single part of the gyroscope. If there is error in dimension, this gyroscope model might not be able to move smoothly. Therefore, by using the additive manufacturing, which is our 3d printing to build the gyroscope, it is much more convenient. Using the print in place technique, the gyroscope is printed layer by layer with appropriate ring thickness and ring clearance. Then, the printed object can be rotate and move without assembling process.

2.    Time consuming

By using subtractive technology, it involves multiple steps from producing the round shape of gyroscope, removing additional part in this round object to create ring clearance and assembling the pins together with every rings. Thus, it requires more manpower, tools and machines to complete the gyroscope. Every process needs to be highly precise and consistent on the measurement of dimension of every part of the gyroscope especially the removal of the ring clearance. As these processes can be slow due to the complexity, more time is required as it goes through complicated processes.

3.    Waste of material

As nowadays the world is working towards sustainability, producing the object by subtractive technology could be hard due to environmental concerns. By creating a round solid object and removing the excessive ring clearance part to build a gyroscope will produce waste of materials. Higher cost will also be needed due to more materials required. Therefore, it is hard to use subtractive technology in producing the gyroscope as it is economically and environmentally undesirable.

4.    Fragility of material

By using subtractive technology, it is easily break and crack while adding force to cut away the unwanted parts of ring clearance due to the hardness of material. Therefore, instead of using subtractive technology, an additive technology could be an easier operated choice as the ring of gyroscope is built from melted filament according to the desired ring thickness, so it does not require to remove excessive ring clearance from a solid material.

Then, I also wrote about the slicer setting and print quality of my 3d-printed gyroscope.

Print setting of gyroscope in Cura preview model

1. The orientation of my design is as photo shown above. The best thing about this gyroscope design is that there is no any support needed as it lies flat on the 3d printer while printing. Hence there is also no rough edges required to touch up after printing.

2. No adhesion needed as well because it is easy to take off from the 3d printer after printing. Thus, disabling the adhesion will result a skirt around the gyroscope by default.

3. As this gyroscope printing is for demonstration purpose, infill selected is 10% to save printing time and filament material. This infill pattern triangle is chosen because it is strong and enough to support the strength of my tiny gyroscope. These setting reduce the weight of my printed gyroscope as well as its printing time. By choosing these infill setting, it is proved that the printed gyroscope that I have submitted does not break easily.

4. Fast resolution 0.2mm is chosen because it does not require fine printing for my gyroscope.

5. Although the estimated printing time is 49 minutes with 12g of my object (original size) on Cura app, I used the Bambu Lab 3d printer instead to print my design that has a faster printing time and better printing quality. As shown as the photo attached below the printing time for my gyroscope design is only 26 minutes with a 10.9g. Therefore, it does not exceed the required printing time which is 1 hour.

6. In terms of joint smoothness, the printed gyroscope that I have submitted shown that it is perfectly smooth for every ring and their direction.

Hence, after looking through a lot of tutorials online, I have chosen to do this gyroscope design as this is perfectly fit for this assignment that fulfils the requirements that is print-in-place technique and cannot be easily manufactured by subtractive technology. Moreover, all the joints are smooth, short printing time, no support and adhesion needed as well as no post printing touch-up required.

Last but not least, the is the fusion file for my final design object that I have submitted.

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