So if your kid has just told you they really want a 3D printer – there are a few things you really should know. Here I cover why I was happy to hear my daughter wanted a 3D printer and I give you a quick (3 & 1/2 minute) rundown about this fascinating technology and 6 things you’re going to need to know and do.
Here, in bullet format, is what I wish someone told me when I first found out my daughter was interested in a 3D printer!
- Your kid might be showing an interest in a hobby that leads them to an engineering type career.
- A decent starter printer will cost about $250 (buy it @ Amazon),
- Your son or daughter will need access to a computer for downloading & manipulating the files needed to print 3D objects,
- The actual printing time of a 3D object is usually measured in hours rather than minutes, and
- You should most likely start with a FDM printer and PLA filament.
- Finally, you will most likely want to locate the printer in either your basement or garage, or at least not in your actual living space.
Now let me explain each of the statements in more detail! (After defining 3D printing, of course!)
What is 3D Printing – in Layman’s Terms.
3D Printing is the process of sequentially depositing small amounts of material in successive layers on top of each other. The printer essentially prints the first layer similarly to a regular printer (in 2 dimensions – with length & width, and only nominal height) and then prints the NEXT layer right on top of that previous layer. So with each successive (or incremental) printed layer, the height accumulates and the object begins to acquire its form in 3 dimensions.
Now back to explaining each of my above comments in more detail!
1) Is this a Step in the Process of Identifying a Potential Career?
I will admit – I was a little intimidated when my then 9 year-old daughter informed me she really wanted a 3D printer. After all, I knew next to nothing about this “new” technology. But at the same time, I was also happy to see her starting to develop some of her own interests. This might just become the type of hobby that helps her to develop an interest in something like engineering as a profession.
As parents, I think we all want to support our children in worthwhile endeavors – especially ones that may have a dramatic impact on their future. Picking a career and learning to use technology that is going to become increasingly prevalent and important in society are worthy of our attention, support and some monetary investment. That is why I was happy my daughter was interested in 3D printer – and why I was willing to invest in this hobby for her.
2) Cost for a Starter 3D Printer
As with a lot of technology – as time goes on things tend to get cheaper! So too has it been with 3D printers! Right now you can spend about $250 or so for a really good starter printer. I would recommend that you start by looking at something like the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 for about $226 on Amazon. Prices do change frequently – so click here to check for the latest pricing.
As for where you should buy it – I feel that you are probably best off buying it from Amazon. They have a pretty wide selection of printers, prices are good – and it is easy to return if there is something wrong with your unit.
Even if I could get the 3D printer for a couple bucks cheaper at the manufacture’s website, through a Chinese vendor, or even an unfamiliar website that specializes in 3D printing – I would still buy my first 3D printer from Amazon. Why? – because I am familiar & comfortable with buying from Amazon, and know that if there is a problem – I will be able to return the printer and get my money back!
Peace of mind, convienence, and confidence in your purchase is worth something – especially when venturing into the unknown of a new hobby!
3) Computer Access Required
If your kid is getting into 3D printing they will need access to a computer! To print out 3D objects they will most likely start by downloading .STL and .OBJ files from online repositories for 3D objects they want to print. There are a number of sites that host free and/or paid downloads of these file formats. (Pinshape and Thingiverse among them).
Additionally, prior to actually printing your 3D object you need to prepare the file for the printer on a layer by layer basis – a process referred to as “slicing“. So you will need a computer running a slicing program like Cura to accomplish this. (At least that is what we are using – and it is opensource and pretty much the gold standard in the industry).
As time goes on – your child may actually start creating objects by using cad style software to develop their own models. For this as well they will, obviously, need access to a computer.
So computers and 3D printing really go hand-in-hand, You can’t really do the printing without the computer…
4) Printing Time
The actual time to print objects does depend on the speed of the printer, and the complexity & size of the object. Most objects that your kids are going to want to print are probably going to take HOURS to print!
Yes – there will be some exceptions like simple key chain tags and the likes – which might only take 10 – 20 minutes. However, the more interesting and complex stuff will in all likelihood take hours.
5) Recommended Type of Printer & Material to Use
There are 2 popular 3D printing technologies most commonly available to the 3D printing hobbyist – FDM and SLA printers.
FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling, and is sometimes also referred to as FFF, for Fused Filament Fabrication. It is by far what I would recommend as the type of printer you start with. With this type of printer a heated print head has a filament pass through it which is then heated and deposited in successive layers to build the 3D object.
It is the more popular of the two types of printing for a reason – it is significantly easier to start with this type of printer! There are fewer steps that have to be taken , fewer supplies and consumables required and it is generally a less frustrating way to begin with this hobby.
There are some concerns with regards to the fumes from certain types of filaments and the levels of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) that are emitted during the printing process. In particular ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) filament is one of the worst in this respect – and is why I would recommend you start with PLA (PolyLactic Acid) filament.
SLA stands for SteroLithography Apparatus. SLA, although an older 3D printing process, is not as commonly engaged in at a consumer level. It involves using a ultraviolet laser to polymerize a liquid resin (photopolymerization) layer by layer to form the 3D object.
In contrast to FDM printing , the primary concerns with regards to SLA 3D printing, are related to handling the uncured resin without skin protection and the resin being absorbed into the skin.
If the resin is absorbed into the skin and then subsequently exposed to sunlight – it undergoes a chemical reaction (curing) under the skin surface. Having this foreign substance in the body my lead to immune system issues / allergies / multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome….
Additionally, although entry level FDM and SLA printers are similarly priced (about $250), the consumables (nitrile gloves, Isopropyl alcohol, wash bins, etc) and other accessories needed to start with SLA 3D printing will quickly add up and make this the more expensive rout to go.
6) Location, Location, Location!
Finally, 3D printing can be a odiferous and/or noisy proposition. That along with some of the health and safety concerns with regards to the fumes from the printing process lead me to recommend that any 3D printer NOT be located in your actual living quarters!
I would recommend that the 3D printer be located in either the garage, or at least basement of your house and that there be direct ventilation accessible to the room the printer is located.
Depending on where you live and the moisture levels in your basement or garage, you might also want to consider having a dehumidifier to better control the humidity and moisture content of the air in your printer room.
Temperature and moisture levels will play a role in determining the print quality of 3D printed objects and also impact the shelf life of your PLA filament. So while locating the printer in the basement or garage may be good for health and noise considerations – it is not the ideal printing or storage environment for your filament.
If you are interested in learning more about the safety concerns surrounding the 3D printing process and some strategies to deal with such – you can read more in my post entitled “Is 3D printing Safe for My Children?“
Conclusion
So there you have it – the 3 1/2/ minute conversation I wish a trusted friend or neighbor with some 3D printing knowledge could have had with me after I first learned that my 10 year daughter was interested in 3D printing!
I hope I saved you some time and provided you with some useful knowledge, tips and direction!
Sincerely,
