How do 3D printers work and what can they create?

In this video, we follow Nat Geo’s Kamri Noel as she seeks to understand her 3D printer better.

So, what is 3D printing? 3D is shorthand for three-dimensional. When you print a page on a printer, there are only two dimensions: the front of the page and the back of the page. Three-dimensional printing adds a third dimension: volume.

This means 3D printing can be used to create three-dimensional objects, e.g. a cup or Yoda doll or phone case. Pretty cool, right?

3D printing has these qualities:

• Objects are created by adding or depositing layers of material, not subtracting or cutting out pieces from a block of material
• Because objects are created by adding layers, the computer file with details about your model must be converted into slices that the printer will create layer by layer
• Printing a three-dimensional object can take hours or days to complete, depending on the complexity and size of the object
• Cost is based on materials used, among other factors. In contrast, if you buy a piece of wood then cut out pieces to create your object, you pay for the original piece of wood

To learn more about 3D printing, you can read a helpful article here.

View the original video here.

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