3D Printing: What It Is and How It Works

3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) builds physical objects layer by layer from a digital 3D model using materials like plastic, metal, resin, or powder It flips traditional manufacturing starting with raw material and removing (subtractive) on its head. How It Works - Digital Model – Begin with a CAD or 3D model in formats like STL or OBJ. - Slicing – Specialized software slices the model into thin layers and converts them into machine instructions (G-code) - Layer-by-Layer Build – The printer deposits or fuses material—whether filament (FDM), resin (SLA), or powder (SLS)—to recreate each layer and build the part . Why It Matters - Complex Geometry Made Easy – Enables intricate designs and internal structures that are hard or impossible with subtractive methods - Rapid Prototyping & Production – Speeds up development—turn ideas into physical prototypes or short-run parts in days instead of weeks . - Wide Applications – Used across industries—automotive, aeros...