When we were first starting to explore this new hobby we were curious to see if there were ways to learn about 3D printing and become involved in this exciting new field that didn’t actually require buying or owning a 3D printer.
We were pleased to find that there are many aspects to 3D printing that children can get into without having access to a 3D printer. We were also very pleased to learn that there are 3D printers available for public use at many libraries & schools across the nation, and indeed world. Here we lay out some of the ways YOU can get your children into 3D printing without purchasing or owning a 3D printer.
3D printing is a fascinating technology that is changing manufacturing and it’s importance in society is only going to grow in the coming years! So it is understandable that many parents want their children to be familiar with this technology, understand its potential, and have some proficiency using these amazing tools.
But not everyone can afford to buy a 3D printer and a computer. Additionally, some people may be able to afford a 3D printer – but may simply not have enough space to accommodate one.
Fear not! There are actually many aspects of 3D printing that don’t require a 3D printer! And, believe it or not, you son or daughter may even have access to a public 3D printer through their school or your local library.
No Printer? No Problem!
Here are some of the best ways we found to get your kid into 3D printing, many of which are FREE!
Design 3D Models First
3D printing involves much more than just producing a physical object from computer code! Someone has to GENERATE that code and design the models & objects that everyone is clamoring to print!
There are many FREE designing tools on the Internet that your child can experiment with for free – as long as they have access to a computer and the Internet. (most kids do through their library or school) One of our favorites is TinkerCAD. It is FREE and very easy to use! TinkerCAD is also browser, or web based – so there is no software to download & install. That can be very important if your child is using a computer at the school or library – which does not permit software to be installed on it!
Another FREE online browser / web based 3D design tool we like is 3DSlash.net. This one seems a easier to start with a primary shape and eliminate part of that shape to make an object. There is a quick video right on the main page that demonstrates how easy this tool is to use to make a bench from a cube – in game-like fashion! IT is pretty satisfying to chip away at cube and carve something like a sculptor!
Oh – and you can start designing your 3D model on one site (say 3DSlash.net) – save it as a .stl file and then import it into the other (TinkerCAD) to finish it up!
Why? Because, although both online design tools are very good & intuitive, they both have their particular strengths. So depending on what you need to do – you might find the easiest & most effective to actually use BOTH for building your 3D models!
So encourage your kid(s) to check out TinkerCAD and 3DSlash – I’m sure they will designing all kinds of cool things in no time!
School Club
More and more schools (and some libraries) are starting 3D printing clubs – so the children at that school can have access to this budding technology. Some clubs may require a membership fee, while others are free. If your school doesn’t have one – it may be a great opportunity for you to get involved and start one!
A great aspect of these clubs – is that it spreads out the cost of the 3D printer equipment over many individuals – so there is no huge cost to any single family or person. With that being said – these clubs may also be able to acquire better equipment than a single individual could because of the very cost-sharing nature of these clubs. A few bucks from each member – and it is amazing what equipment can be purchased!
Finally, you may be able to appeal to members or organizations in the community to help raise funds for the club – or even harness websites like gofundme.com or kickstarter.com. Where there is a will there is always a way!
3D Scanning / Photogrammetry
If your son or daughter has access to a computer this might be a fun area for them to get involved! Both of these have to do with making digital 3D models of things that are present in the real world, which can then be printed by others that have a 3D printer.
3D Scanning requires having a 3D scanner – and is a way to digitally capture smaller objects to then convert into 3D models. There is a cost to purchasing a scanner – so getting into scanning might not be any cheaper than just purchasing a 3D printer. But there might be other reasons why you don’t want your child to have a 3D printer (like health concerns) but are willing to buy them a scanner.
Photogrammetry is a little bit of a different story. Photogrammetry is something your child could pursue without purchasing any other equipment – if they already have both a computer and digital camera (or cell phone with a good camera). It involves taking a sequence of photos of an object from various angles and then using software (FREE open source software like Meshroom) to process, manipulate and stitch the images into a 3D model. Photogrammetry can also be used for larger objects than those typically scanned with a 3D scanner – so you child might try creating models of statues or even some buildings.
Slicing
If you child has a computer they may enjoy downloading FREE 3D models from one of the many 3D repositories (Cults3D.com, Thingiverse.com, or Pinshape.com) and manipulating those models to prepare them for eventual printing, or just for sake of learning how to manipulate and control how they could be printed out. Using FREE open source software like Cura, the images can be scaled to different sizes & rotated, infill patterns & density can be setup, supports and rafts, brims or skirting can be added. OK – this might not be the most exciting alternative to having a printer – but it may appeal to some. It is pretty neat to see all the different parameters and variables you can have control over in the 3D printing process!
Send Models Out For Printing
If you or your child starts out creating models – there is always the option of having a friend or service print the 3D models you. Shapeways, Makexyz.com, CraftCloud3D.com, select UPS stores and Staples stores all offer 3D printing services. Or if there is a library with a 3D printer available to the public – you might even be able to do it yourself. The point is that even if you are focusing on designing 3D models and only want to occasionally print models that you have designed – there are rather inexpensive ways to do so.
For this post I uploaded the Predator Pliers that I featured in my post entitled Best Mechanical Toys & Models to 3D Print for Your Kids to CraftCloud3D.com, Shapeways.com & MakeXYZ.com to get an estimate for how much it would cost to print this neat model. MakeXYZ.com gave me the fewest options for materials and was in the middle with regards to price. Shapeways.com had more options – but was generally more expensive. Some of the options included materials other than plastic (Like metals & sandstone). CraftCloud3D.com gave the most options BY FAR and had the cheapest options (PLA) and the most expensive and exotic options, like titanium!
Please note: CraftCloud3D.com is really a comparison site for 3D printing services. I found it to be very easy to use and offer the most options – some I never expected! For my simple comparison I did make sure that the pliers were to be printed out at the same dimensions for all three websites.
Public 3D Printers @ Libraries
I saved one of the best for last! Many libraries are adding 3D printers to their offerings available to the public. One of the easiest ways to determine if there is a library near you that offers public access to a 3D printer is to check out this Google Map that indicates which libraries have 3D printers at their location. (Click here) This search will show public libraries in your area – and Google Maps will indicate underneath the each library listing if that library’s website mentions 3D printing.
I’ve indicated the 2 libraries in the area I searched where Google Maps indicates that these libraries mention 3D printing on their websites. Make sure you check the box in the lower left hand corner of that map that updates the search results when you move the map!! Otherwise you search results will not update as you move things around.
You should also call your local library in case they are not featured on this map – but still may offer a printer. If they do offer access to a 3D printer you should also inquire as to the terms of use for the printer. Specifically, you should ask if there are limits to how long the print can take, size restrictions on the object to be printed, if there a charge for access, If a library membership is required, what types of materials / filaments are available or able to be used with the printer…
Conclusion
I hoped this proved useful in demonstrating some practical ways that you or your child can get involved with this fascinating revolution of 3D printing without actually having a 3D printer!
There are many more aspects to this technology than the actual physical process of printing the 3D models with a printer.
Sincerely,
