3D Printer

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• Article Title: 3D Printer

Overview

3D Printers are a subset of CNC machines: they use stepper motors to move along X, Y, and Z axes according to gCode - essentially a text file with thousands of lines of coordinates and special commands (such as "return to origin" or "set nozzle temperature"). As motors on each axis moves the nozzle through 3D space, an additional motor feeds plastic filament through a heating element, very much like an automatic hot glue gun.

The software that turns a 3D model (such as an .stl or .obj) into instructions telling the printer how to move is called a "slicer" - it slices a model into layers that will stack up to make the finished object.

Many options exist for controlling the printer with your computer - nowadays several "slicers" can also connect to the printer directly, streamlining the printing process.. As a central backbone of Digital Fabrication, the end goal of 3D printers is to be able to print anything.

Details

Applications

http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printing-3D-Print-A-Solderless-Circuit-Board/

https://www.reddit.com/r/functionalprint

http://readwrite.com/2014/01/31/why-you-want-a-3d-printer-in-your-home

Product Ecology

Product Ecology
3D Printer

From	Uses	Creates	Enables
3D Scanner CAD Laser Cutter Bioplastic Extruder Components XYZ Table Motors Controller Spindle Extruder Feeder Tool Changer	Bioplastic	3D Prints	Metal Casting Digital Fabrication

Status

See past work related to Factor e Farm at RepRap Build.

Currently 3D printer designs are being researched, with the goal of full integration into the Product Ecology of GVCS technologies.

3D printer technology is currently undergoing a flourishing of innovation. As a relatively new technology (2003), many experimental designs and techniques are being explored by thousands of groups worldwide.

See Also

• Comparison of 3D Printers
• RepRap Build
• Equipment/Lulzbot_a0_101
• Equipment/Taz
• RepLab
• 3D Ceramic
• Stepper Motor
• MIT Machines that Make
• Electron Beam Melting
• Sintering
• RepRap MetalicaRap subproject, investigating inexpensive, self-replicating electron beam melting machine design for 3D metal object and solar cell printing
• Cermets, materials that may be suitable for 3D ceramic printing techniques but give material properties superior to those of either metals or ceramics

Further reading

• 3D Printing and plastic materials blog
• Introduction to 3D Printing Technology

The Global Village Construction Set
Habitat	CEB Press	Cement Mixer	Sawmill	Bulldozer	Backhoe
Agriculture	Tractor	Seeder	Hay Rake	Well-Drilling Rig
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Industry	Multimachine	Ironworker	Laser Cutter	Welder	Plasma Cutter
	CNC Torch Table	Metal Roller	Rod and Wire Mill	Press Forge	Universal Rotor
	3D Printer	3D Scanner	CNC Circuit Mill	Industrial Robot	Chipper Hammermill
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Materials	Aluminum Extractor	Bioplastic Extruder
Transportation	Car	Truck
Key	Design	Planning	Prototype	Almost done	Full Release