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3D Printing

This page lists resources for many aspects of 3D printing, from printers to software to model repositories to printing options and more.

3D Printers | 3D Printer Buying Guides | 3D Software | 3D Printing Services | 3D Models | 3D Glossaries | 3D in Classroom Websites

3D Printers

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Printers

These printers tend to cost less and use rolls of thin filament material to build objects layer by layer.

Compact Printers

Bukito
http://deezmaker.com/bukito-portable-3d-printer/
http://deezmaker.com/store/

fabbster for makers
http://shop.fabbster.com/product_info.php?info=p89_fabbster-for-makers.html
http://www.fabbster.com/

Printerbot Simple
http://printrbot.com/shop/simple-makers-kit-2/
http://printrbot.com/compare-printers/

Mid-Sized Printers

3DPrinter4U Builder
http://3dprinter4u.com/

Afinia
http://www.afinia.com/3d-printers/h480
http://www.afinia.com/3d-printers/h800
http://www.afinia.com/

Airwolf 3D
http://airwolf3d.com/

Bukobot v2
http://deezmaker.com/bukobot/
http://deezmaker.com/store/

Cube 2
http://cubify.com/en/Compare/Printers

Ditto+
http://www.tinkerine.com/

Felix 2.0
http://shop.felixprinters.com/

Leapfrog Creatr
http://www.lpfrg.com/

Lulzbot TAZ
https://www.lulzbot.com/printers
https://www.lulzbot.com/products/lulzbot-taz-4-3d-printer

Printerbot Plus
http://printrbot.com/shop/assembled-metal-printrbot-plus/
http://printrbot.com/compare-printers/

Type A Series 1
http://www.typeamachines.com/products/series1-3dprinter
http://www.typeamachines.com/

Up Mini
Up Plus 2

http://www.up3dusa.com/

Professional Consumer Printers

Makerbot Replicator 2x
http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2x
http://www.makerbot.com/

Ultimaker 2
https://ultimaker.com/en/products/ultimaker-2-family

RepRap Printers

RepRap is an open source hardware project whose goal is make 3D printing available to everyone. You can buy and build kits that meet the RepRap specifications.

Lulzbot TAZ
https://www.lulzbot.com/printers
https://www.lulzbot.com/products/lulzbot-taz-4-3d-printer

MakerGeeks RepRap Mini Kossel
http://www.makergeeks.com/prpak.html

RepRap Project
http://reprap.org/
http://reprap.org/wiki/RepRap_Options

Resin Printers

These printers cost more but their print accuracy is better than other printers.

Form1
http://formlabs.com/en/products/form-1-plus/

B9 Creator
http://b9creator.com/product-category/printers/

3D Printer Buying Guides

If you are serious about buying a 3D printer, definitely find and read these guides with detailed test results. While the Make guide costs money, it’s the most comprehensive with lots of articles to provide context for purchase of any 3D printer.

Make: Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014

http://makezine.com/volume/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/
http://makezine.com/magazine/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/3d-printer-overview-how-they-compare/

PC Magazine: Best 3D Printers

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2470038,00.asp

Tom’s Guide: Best 3D Printers 2014

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-3d-printers,review-2236.html

3D Software

3D software includes tools to create models and convert (slice) model files into STL files which 3D printers can read to print a model.

Software to Create 3D Models

Blendr
http://www.blender.org/

Maya
http://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/buy?mktvar002=612306&src=OMSE

OpenSCAD
http://www.openscad.org/

SketchUp
http://www.sketchup.com/
https://extensions.sketchup.com/en/content/sketchup-stl

Software to Convert (Slice) 3D Models

MeshLab
http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

Netfabb
http://www.netfabb.com/

3D Printing Services

You can print 3D models by uploading files to a printing service or in person at a local 3D print shop, hacker collective, or some local libraries.

Local

Also research online, or ask around, to find out if there is a neighborhood 3D print shop like 3D Heights in New York City or a hacker collective like NYC Resistor, as well as your local library or schools. Some local print shops also provide both walk-in and online upload capabilities.

3D Heights
http://3dheights.com/

NYC Resistor
http://www.nycresistor.com/

Hubs
https://www.hubs.com/

UPS Store
http://www.theupsstore.com/small-business-solutions/Pages/3D-printing.aspx
http://www.stratasys.com/3d-printers/idea-series/uprint-se-plus

Staples
Staples doesn’t appear to have a website page dedicated to 3D printing services You’ll have to call or visit your local Staples to see if they offer 3D printing. They do sell 3D printers and supplies.
http://www.staples.com/3D-Printing-Center/cat_BI878929
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-04-10/staples-wants-to-bring-3-d-printing-to-the-masses

FedEx Store
FedEx Office also has no dedicated website page for 3D printing. You’ll need to call or visit a FedEx Office location to find out if they offer this service.
http://www.fedex.com/us/office/

Online

Shapeways
http://www.shapeways.com/

i.Materialise
http://i.materialise.com/

Ponoko
https://www.ponoko.com/

Sculpteo
http://www.sculpteo.com/en/

Kraftwurx
http://www.kraftwurx.com/

MakeXYZ
http://www.makexyz.com/

3D Models

You can find online a number of 3D models to try out 3D printing, as well as print useful objects.

SketchUp 3D Warehouse

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/

Thingiverse

http://www.thingiverse.com/

3D Glossaries

3D printing has a lot of new words and acronyms. Here’s are articles which explain the 3D printing process and terms used.

What is 3D Printing?

https://kidscodecs.com/what-is-3d-printing/

Make: Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014

This is a paid Acrobat PDF book but worth the price.
http://makezine.com/volume/guide-to-3d-printing-2014/

3D in Classroom Websites

These websites provide articles and other resources to help individuals, teachers, and students use 3D printing.

DesignMakeTeach

http://designmaketeach.com/