What is 3D Printing
So, you've found yourself on this page, and you're very intrigued to buy something, but then you ask yourself the following question: "What the hell is 3D printing??"
I'm glad you asked. There are several types of 3D printing. My shop uses all FDM printers which is the most common.
What is FDM?
FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, is the process, or the way that the printer builds the model. Most other printer types involve lasers being used in different mediums to create an object. FDM on the other hand just uses heat and plastic.
How Does It Work?
So, I have a 3d printer, now what? Well you need some 3d filament. 3d filament comes on a spool usually 1kg or 2.2lbs. It is about as thick as a toothpick. Once my printer is ready to go, I insert the filament into the printer. The printer heats up to an average of 200 degrees Celsius, where it extracts that plastic through a small metal nozzle. This creates a very fine thread, like fishing line. Don't use it to fish though, it will be a sad day.
Once that thread is being fed through the hot nozzle, the print begins! 1 layer after another, from the bottom up, the printer begins laying down thin lines and sheets of plastic that stick to each other. Or at least, that is the goal. Sometimes it doesn't work out the way we intend, and we're left with quite the mess to clean up!
Fortunately for us, 3D printing is a recyclable process. So all of the waste will eventually make it's way back through the nozzle to support more printing! Isn't that neat?
And now you know how it works! Happy shopping!