XYZ Printing is located in Surrey BC. We use 3D printers to produce custom-made products for our many customers, whether you are a large corporation or a child just learning how to model in 3D! What is 3D printing?
3D Printing is an additive technology. Most of us are familiar with subtractive technologies, like woodworking where we slowly take away material until what's left is the desired object
. With additive manufacturing, we are adding material until what's been added is the desired object. This method is thus much more efficient and effective with material use. Where can I find models and things to print?
1. Thingiverse.com - This site has literally millions of user submitted models that you can just download and print! Everything is free to download.
2. Tinkercad.com - Feel like custom-making something? You can use this free cloud-based service to create your own creations! Give it a try! So how does a 3D printer work? A 3D printer works in conjunction with software. It first takes the model and slices it into very thin layers (we are talking 0.1mm!). Then the software takes it an translates the instructions into movement paths for the printer. The printer takes these instructions and follows the path, extruding a thin layer of plastic in 0.1mm layer increments until the model is complete. Depending on the amount of infill (internal structural material), a model can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 16 hours!