3D Printing

Welcome to Mike Dodd's 3D-printing workshop. Thanks to advances in technology, hobyists now can create items that would be difficult or impossible using traditional methods like machining metal.

3D printing is known as "additive machining" because it adds material to build a model, rather than cutting it away like a lathe or milling machine.

The two printers shown here have a heated nozzle that moves around extruding molten plastic in layers to build the model. The plastic solidifies within seconds after being laid down.

There are other types of 3D printers, but this "FDM" (fused deposition modeling) type is very popular.

Click Details in the menu bar above to learn more about 3D printing. Click Projects to see some of the many items I've made.