If you are planning on getting into 3d printing, there are many things you will want to consider. Before you take the plunge, make sure to ask yourself these six questions:
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1. What am I going to 3D print?
There are many things you can 3D print on your own. These include: pieces for a dollhouse, a longboard, figurines of your favorite characters (think Pokémon), jewelry, decorations and more. So many things where the limit is basically your own imagination (and the size of your printer!)
Once you know what you want to 3d print, the next step is to find an online design. The good thing about 3D printing is that if you need a specific object, you can find someone who has already created it. For example, if you want to print a Star Wars figurine, you can search online for a design and have it sent over to your printer!
2. What materials will I need to 3D print it?
So, you know what you want to print, but what materials do you need? It depends on what you want to print. Some materials include eSUN, ABS, PLA and more!
To get started with 3D printing, you’ll need the following: -A computer;-A CAD software;-A printer that prints PLA (plastic) or ABS (plastic);-3d modelling design software such as SketchUp, Sculptris/ZBrush; and A slicer.
3. What size are the things I need to 3D print?
This is the fun part! The things you can 3D print are as big or as small, depending on your printer’s capabilities! You can even make something so tiny it can only be seen by looking at it through a microscope!
4. How do I get started?
If you’re new to 3D printing, it can be difficult to start. Here are some resources that might help: -Begin by learning what CAD software and slicer are;-Think of objects you can design and print then search online for a design that interests you – and check out sites like Thingiverse for free models to print.
5. How much will I be paying for my printer?
Printers can range from $300 to even $2000! Depending on your needs and your budget, you can purchase a good printer for $500-$1000. You can find affordable and high-quality printers online as well as offline – just make sure that whatever you buy is compatible with your computer.
5. How long will it take to print?
It all depends on the complexity of the design that you are printing and your time frame for getting it printed. It might take your printer a few hours to print a small figurine-sized object. However, if you’re trying to print something that uses complicated materials (such as ABS or eSun) you could be waiting for a few days to get it done!
6. What do I do with my printed designs?
3D printing is a techy hobby, and that can be fun, but at the end of the day, you have your design and what you made of it. You can sell your designs online through sites like Shapeways or eBay.
7. How large can my printed object be?
The size of the object you are planning on printing depends on what printer you have and its capabilities. It can be as small as something that can only be seen with a microscope. Some have the capabilities of printing on a large scale, while others have the ability to print only in a small scale.
8. How does 3D printing affect the quality of my design?
It depends! The quality of the print depends on the hardware and software you’re using, as well as your skills and patience. It’s very difficult to get perfect results from a small printer, so it’s a good idea to use it for your first prints, rather than a final product. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a finished product that looks really cool!
9. How do I design the the model for printing and how do I know if it’s a good model or not?
How do you design a model that will be printed? It’s all about the scaling. You have to ensure it will print at the right size and without any distortions. This includes making sure your 3D model is sufficiently thick and not too detailed.
10. Will the 3d printed parts fit together?
Yes! If you do a good design then the parts will always fit together and work as intended. However, if you do not prepare well enough, it will be hard to get them to fit, especially if they are made of different materials that require a specific type of glue (ABS or PLA).
Thank you for reading our blog! We hope that this article gave you some insight into 3D printing. If you’re considering getting a printer, make sure to ask yourself the questions we listed earlier, and do your research on your own time.
If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with your friends! Feel free to ask us any questions about 3D printing in the comment section below, and happy printing! Want to read something else relating to this? Check out – what are 3d printing shells?
