3D Printing For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Within a short period of time, 3D printers have already been used to print artificial organs, foods and candies, clothing, medical implants, replacement parts for older technologies, and even entire buildings! People who create prototypes with 3D printers today can upload their designs via the web to manufacturing facilities that fashion the designs from plastic, ceramic, stainless steel, gold, silver and many other materials before returning the finished products in a matter a day or two. Recent versions of 3D Printers have the ability to create objects using multiple materials and in full color, offering a truly transformative opportunity to render any object in 3D solid form - suited to individual taste and adjustable at will -- truly the next industrial revolution!

3D Printing For Dummies examines each type of 3D printing technology available today: stereolithography, selective sintering, fused deposition, and granular binding. Readers discover methods for the creation of 3D printable objects using software, 3D scanners, and even photographs through open source software applications like 123D Catch. The book then covers the potential for transformation of production and manufacturing, reuse and recycling, intellectual property design controls and the commoditization of traditional products from magazines to material goods. Coverage includes available 3D production services and their use for personal low-quantity manufacturing and on-demand sales of creative designs.
 

The final part of the book focuses on self-replicating 3D printers and walks the reader through the process of creating a RepRap printer using open-source designs, software, and hardware. The last chapter in this part addresses a few limitations of current 3D printing technologies and strategies for improved success in personal rapid manufacturing using a home-built printer.