New to 3D printing or just want a refresher? This is the page for you! Check out any of the resources linked below to get a quick overview of the 3D printing basics.

What is 3D Printing?

<aside> 💡 3D Print-ing [3D printing] ****noun

the action or process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession: "if you use 3D printing for prototypes you will simply be able to go to market faster"

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Upload designs to a printer and start printing!

Basic Vocab

Additive Manufacturing Another term for 3D printing. The process of adding materials to create a physical object
Bed Leveling The process of leveling a 3D printer’s build plate
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) The process of designing parts or other objects in a digital environment before 3D printing
Curing The process of using UV light to solidify liquid resin
Extruder A motor with gears that feeds filament into the printer’s hot end
Filament Material used in 3D printing
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) A 3D printing method where material layers are fused together in a specific pattern
G-Code The language used to create commands for 3D printers
Hot End Consists of a heating cartridge and a thermistor to heat the filament
Infill Interior of the printed objects. Infill patterns vary and provide interior support for the printed object
Stereolithography (SLA) A printer that uses a laser to cure liquid resin with pinpoint precision
Vat Polymerization Resin-based 3D printing where liquid photopolymer resin is stored in a vat (unlike other printers that force thermoplastics through a nozzle). Subcategories of vat polymerization include stereolithography (SLA).

What does the Sherm have?

The Sherman Center has a variety of 3D printers available for use!

3D printers available:

Looking for tips on getting started with printing? Go over to our Getting Started with FDM or Getting Started with SLA page!

Filament and Resin Guide

List of filament and resin available at the Sherm Makerspace and what it can be used for:

FDM Filaments

Here are the filaments you can use with the FDM printers (Prusa MK3, Prusa MINI, Bambu Labs)!