A 3D printer is a device that can create a three-dimensional object from a digital file or a CAD model. The process of creating a 3D printed object is known as additive manufacturing, where material is deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control. The process starts with a 3D model, which can be created from scratch or downloaded from a 3D library. The 3D printer then prints the layers of material in a process known as material extrusion, where a nozzle ejects a semi-liquid material, like molten plastic, metal, or cement, following the blueprint of the digital model layer by layer. This process is repeated until the 3D printer has replicated every layer in the digital model with the extruded material.

3D printing has evolved to not only print various polymers but also metals and ceramics, making it a versatile option for manufacturing. 3D printing is being used in almost all industries, including consumer products, industrial products, dental products, prosthetics, and architectural scale models. 3D printers are helping designers, engineers, and even everyday people create complex objects in ways previous manufacturing methods weren’t capable of.

The medical field is also finding new ways to use 3D printing to help patients. Doctors are now able to print 3D medical models that are so accurate that surgeons can essentially do a practice run on a patient’s 3D model before actually operating on that patient. 3D printed models are also being used to create less expensive, more durable, and better-fitting prosthetics for individuals who have lost limbs.

In summary, a 3D printer is a device that can create a three-dimensional object from a digital file or a CAD model using additive manufacturing. It is a versatile option for manufacturing and is being used in almost all industries, including the medical field.