3D Printing

3D printing is a casual term for a form of manufacturing created in 1983 by Chuck Hull. Essentially, melted plastic is printed in thin layers, one on top of another, to create a 3D object. Mr. Hull patented this technology in the United States in 1986, so for a while it could be used by license only. After 20 years, his and other patents relating to 3D printing began to expire, and the general public was then able to begin using the technology free of charge.

Today, countless 3D printer manufacturers, print services companies, model-hosting websites, and other new businesses built around this exciting new technology exist around the world. 3D printing continues to evolve as new printer technology is developed, new filaments are created, and more people join the industry.

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We should have 3D Printing in education because 3D Modeling has become an essential skill required of almost all engineering fields. Being able to think through and design your models in a CAD environment is an essential skill that employers are looking for.

Not only that, but having a 3D Printing class has been great for our students because they have been able to think outside of the box and create things that don't exist inside of a store. They can design something that is unique to them, or unique in solving a problem that might not be a typical issue others are faced with.

The students have learned to be more appreciative of the common designs they come into contact with every day (e.g. pens), and they have also had an impact on real people in a meaningful way (e.g. ECI toys). -by Steve Hagadorn

More Reasons

1. “Making is about having a 'maker attitude',” remarked Peggy Reimers earlier this year. A reluctant convert to 3D printing, I had often asked myself the question, “Why make stuff when you can just order it on Amazon?” That was before I realized how important it is for each of us to own again the experience of “making” things, as well as “programming” things. It's important because by 2020, over 50 billion devices will need to be created, programmed, and available in every facet of our lives (find out more). -Miguel Guhlin, TCEA Director of PD

2. “With 3D printing there is no limit to what you can build and it is this design freedom which makes the technology so exciting by bringing to life what was previously considered to be impossible. This landmark technology allows us as designers to innovate faster and create personalized, ready-to-wear fashion in a digital world with no geometrical constraints and almost zero waste material. We envisage that with further development of the technology, we could 3D print a garment within 24 hours” (Source: Science Daily).

3. You don't have to be a doctor to craft a 3D printed prosthetic arm, hand, or foot. But you do have to know how to manipulate the software, interact and collaborate with others at a distance while developing a 3D design.

Build plate (a.k.a. print bed) - This is a plastic or glass in which your 3D-printed creation will be printed on.

Build Tape - This is the tape used to cover the glass (the "bed" or "build plate"), upon which the 3D-printed object will rest. Non-heated printbeds normally need to be covered in blue tape (painters tape) or even Kapton tape (i.e. polyimide tape - very heat resistant) in order to make the print stick to the printbed. The tape helps with initial adhesion of the thermoplastic and keeps everything in place during the print. The object needs to be firmly fixed to the printbed, as the slightest movement of the printed object itself will most probably result in a botched-up print. As the adhesion factor of the blue tape wears out quickly, it needs to be replaced regularly.

Extrusion or print nozzle - This refers to the nozzle from which the filament emerges from. Also known as the "hot end."

Extruder - The extruder is actually the part that is responsible for feeding the filament into the so-called "hot-end". See diagram shown right. (Source)

Extruder arm - This is the arm to which the extrusion nozzle--where the filament is distributed from onto the build plate--is attached. The arm moves in the pre-arranged design, laid out in layers.

FFF - Fused Filament Fabrication is another way of referring to an FDM 3D printer, except the term isn't copyrighted or trademarked. "FFF printers are by far the most common 3D printer type used for home 3D printing, i.e. desktop 3D printers. If you are considering to buy your own 3D printer, a FFF is most likely the 3D printing technology that you will end up using. Fused Filament Fabrication is nothing but a fancy word to describe a process by which a machine deposits a filament (picture something like a small string) of a certain material (normally thermoplastics, wax or similar products) on top or next to the same material, in order to create a joint

Filament: There are several types of filament, including the following:

PLA - This is "pretty" filament, food safe and plastic.

ABS - This is strong and is what is usually used for logos. It has toxins so it's not safe for food items (e.g. mugs).

PLA/PHA - Strong and pretty looking.

Co-Polyster - ninjaflex, rubbery

Composite PLA - Shavings of organic material such as copper, limestone, poplar wood, cedar, plastic. You can use this to make small objects that appears to be made of metal.

Filament + Perfume - These are used to get rid of the "burnt" smell and have a nice odor. Good for schools where the 3D Printer is in a common area.

Getting Started

http://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-Bubble-Wands/

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