In this video, we follow Nat Geo’s Kamri Noel as she seeks to understand her 3D printer better.

So, what is 3D printing? 3D is shorthand for three-dimensional. When you print a page on a printer, there are only two dimensions: the front of the page and the back of the page. Three-dimensional printing adds a third dimension: volume.

This means 3D printing can be used to create three-dimensional objects, e.g. a cup or Yoda doll or phone case. Pretty cool, right?

3D printing has these qualities:

  • Objects are created by adding or depositing layers of material, not subtracting or cutting out pieces from a block of material
  • Because objects are created by adding layers, the computer file with details about your model must be converted into slices that the printer will create layer by layer
  • Printing a three-dimensional object can take hours or days to complete, depending on the complexity and size of the object
  • Cost is based on materials used, among other factors. In contrast, if you buy a piece of wood then cut out pieces to create your object, you pay for the original piece of wood

To learn more about 3D printing, you can read a helpful article here.

View the original video here.

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