9 Things You Should Know as a 3D Beginner

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Everyone who knows or has heard about the amazing possibilities of 3D printing is surely excited at the thought of what this technology can achieve. The thought of printing your own models of brings with it endless possibilities but before you venture even further, it will be good to note that there are many things you should know and learn before even getting started.

There are many lessons for 3D beginners to learn in order to understand and excel in the industry and whether you want to do it as a business venture or a hobbyist. With so many 3D printers in the market, it is good to note that different printers come with varying specifications thus designed to only cater for specific needs.

As such, do not just buy a 3D printer without gaining some knowledge about the industry. Here are 9 things you should know as a 3D beginner:

1. Know the type of available 3D printers

Before jumping into 3D printing, it will be good for you to do a little bit of research and understand the different printers available in the market. Mostly, many beginners are only aware of printers that are popular among hobbyists or have just heard about the technology. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most common type of 3D printing technology many are aware of but there are others that one need to know. Other models include SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) and Stereolithography and this are a little bit expensive and ideal for professional and commercial use.

2. The quality you get determines the price

There are cheaper and expensive 3D printers but the cost is largely determined by the quality of output you get from each model. If you are a beginner, it will be better to start with cheaper models which could cost as low as a $100. The most expensive models have a price tag ranging up to $2000.

3. Know the printing materials used

3D printing requires two main materials and these are ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PLA (Poly Lactic Acid). These two are thermoplastics that become malleable and soft once heated and frozen when they are cooled. Knowing which material to use for your projects is very important.

4. The 3D printer you buy depends on the material used

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The kind of printer you buy should be determined by the kind of material you want to use. Some printers are designed to use either Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or Poly Lactic Acid while there are also those designed to accept both. Always have this at the back of your mind when purchasing a 3D printer.

5. Safety measures ought to be taken when using the technology

When you think about 3D technology, always have in mind that there’re safety measures that need to be put in place. Never look at this printing like other forms of printing where papers are used. It’s good to remember that 3D printing involves heating of plastic and different components of the printer including extruders and print bed could become very hot in the process thus causing accidents if care is not taken. As such, be very careful and learn how to stay safe while working.

6. Different printers produce different quality levels

The quality of 3D printing is determined by the print speed and print resolution. This is very important for 3D beginners to understand especially when looking for a printer. The level of printer details is what’s commonly referred to as print resolution and is measured in microns. On the other hand, print speed is measured by the swiftness with which the extruder is moved by the printer. There are other features that normally affect the speed of print including acceleration and deceleration which are meant to prevent against printer shaking.

7. How 3D models are obtained

There are two ways through which you can obtain 3D models. You can opt for pre-made model blueprints which are downloaded online or create one for yourself. However, creating your own model will mean having some software some of which are available for free while others are premium.

8. You can print absolutely anything

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As a beginner, just know that 3D printing can be used to print absolutely anything including food. With the material used, you can replicate anything into a perfect model. Whether you want to print fresh ingredients or any creation of your mind, the 3D printers will bring it into reality.

9. 3D printing is revolutionary

The future of 3D printing is revolutionary and the technology is being used in almost every other industry including healthcare. Yes, you read right… 3D printing is being used by surgeons and doctors to produce customer splints and customized body part replacements. If you want to tap into the printing world, then you better do it now.

3D Beginners will find the technology to be exciting and the printers are really becoming cheaper than when it all began. You can get a good one by doing some research and reading various reviews to see what actually could work for you within your area of practice. Whether for professional use or just as a hobbyist, a quality 3D printer will be a good addition to your investment.