I got a 3D printer!

One of my most exciting additions to my designing tools this year has to be the 3D printer! I didn't even realise how helpful it would be before getting it and now I absolutely love it. There is still so much more for me to learn but so far, my 3D printer has amazed me.

My main reason for wanting a 3D printer was to help with my university projects since we haven't had access to the workshops this year, making modelling hard. All my models this year have been made from some sort of kitchen "rubbish", mostly cereal boxes and toilet roll middles. Obviously this made modelling somewhat difficult as I wasn't able to get detailed models made and often scale models was fiddly. However, with the 3D printer, I have been able to make more complex designs to model and work with. The first 3D printed model I made for university was for the Fairy Liquid x Loop project. I started out 3D printing all my models but quickly found that this wasn't suitable; initial models are meant to be quick and rough and I was spending almost an hour on designing the model, setting up the printer and then waiting for the model to print. Therefore, since then, I have only 3D printed more complex designs and final models.

Since my 3D printer reads files from SolidWorks, modelling became somewhat quicker for my final design as I was able to assembled the design in SolidWorks and then simply copy the file onto a memory stick. Therefore, I knew my final model would be accurate and detailed, without having to do too much additional working out. My final model for the Fairy Liquid x Loop project included the several different parts used to assemble the piece, allowing me to see how the internal pieces all come together to form the final product. Overall, this project had one of the best final, scale models I've made, due to its simplicity and the resources I had available at the time!

Using the 3D printer has taught me a number of new skills in such as short amount of time. For instance, the software required to use the printer is called Cura Ultimaker, which was a completely new software to me that I had to learn how to use. The printer has also tested my understanding of proportion since the bed of the printer is only 120mm x 120mm. I had to learn how to scale down all the parts of the assembly to fit together and have enough clearance to still function. I have also had to gain a better understanding of PLA (the material used in my 3D printer) to know what is the ideal temperature to print at, the amount of infill needed for the product to be sturdy and how to handle the PLA when it becomes brittle. The 3D printer was definitely a learning curve, however, it has given me a new skill set to utilise for my projects and a better understanding of modern modelling techniques.

Obviously, having a 3D printer comes with more benefits that just printing university models; I have also been using it to print personal items for around my home. So far, I've printed some presents for people, decorative coasters and models from TV shows and games. There are so many designs already available online for statues from games and TV shows that have been fun to print and paint as ornaments around my flat, and there is so much more I can print!

Overall, the 3D printer is something I have wanted for a long time but never really knew how much I needed one or how it could benefit me beyond university. I can simply find or make a new designs, put it onto a USB, heat the printer and leave it to print! So easy and convenient. It is no replacement for early, quick models but it is perfect for final, polished models to show function and details and I'm so glad I got one!