3D Printing 101

Book excerpt: You can develop a basic and profound understanding of FDM 3D printing by using this 3D printing guide. You will learn everything you need to know about how to print objects using an FDM 3D printer! The author of the book is an enthusiastic 3D printing user and engineer (M.Eng.), who will guide you professionally from the basics to even more advanced settings. After a short introduction to the fundamentals of 3D printing and a 3D printer purchase advice, the usage of a 3D printer, as well as the required software (free software), is explained in a practical context. Ultimaker's Cura is used as a free slicing software, and its functions are explained in detail. Several images support the explanations of the book and provide a clear and easy introduction to the topic. The entire process - starting with a ".stl" file (3D model) all the way to the printed object - is explained by means of descriptive examples (downloadable free of charge). Even if you do not own a 3D printer or do not want to buy one, you will be given an insight into this fascinating technology from the contents of the book! You also have the option of using an external 3D printing service provider or a makerspace instead of an own 3D printer. Table of contents (short form): 1) Possibilities of 3D Printing 2) 3D Printer Purchase Advice 3) First 3D Print 4) Getting started with necessary 3D Printing Software 5) Advanced Objects and Advanced Settings 6) Step by step Slicing and Printing of Examples 7) Materials and Equipment 8) 3D Scanning 9) Troubleshooting and Maintenance This book is intended for anyone interested in 3D Printing! No matter if just for information purposes about the technology or for realizing own models. All procedures are explained in detail and are presented in a way that is very easy to understand! This practice guide is perfect for makers, creative people, inventors, engineers, architects, students, teenagers, and so on. Approx. 56 pages.