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3D Printing

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What is it?

3D printing, also known as desktop fabrication, can form any material that can be obtained as a powder, layer by layer, into a 3D object.

It references a digital 3D-model, which can be drawn using CAD software, created from a scanned 3D image, or downloaded from the internet. This 3D-model is usually saved in STL format and then sent to the printer.

The process of printing a three-dimensional object is similar to inkjet printers, but works over multiple layers to build up the Z-axis.

Why is it important?

3D printing is an additive process, meaning that there is no wasted material. This makes it incredibly efficent compared to CNC machining. In terms of rapid prototyping, 3D printers can allow designers and engineers to quickly turn their ideas into tactile objects, speeding up development times significantly without the need for retooling.

While commercial 3-D printing only works with limited metals and plastics, researchers are experimenting with more exotic materials, from wood pulp to carbon nanotubes, that

are demonstrating the potential of this technology. There are already 3-D printers that can print circuit boards, making complex electronics from scratch. Yet others print icing onto cupcakes and extrude other liquid foods, including melted chocolate.

With communities such as thingiverse and commercial services such as shapeways, hobbyists are developing and sharing products that can be freely adapted by others.

3D printing has the potential to revolutionise a great number of industries including automotive, medical, dental, business, industrial equipment, education, architecture, and consumer products.

Laser Cutting

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What is it?

A laser cutter is a flat bed CNC machine that moves a powerful laser across an xy plane to cut through a range of materials, including woods, plastics and metals.

Interpreting a 2D image file into points, the laser cutter is capable of following complex paths and producing results with a fine level of detail.

The laser can either burn a thin line though a sheet of material or, by varying its intensity, burn partly through it, to etch or engrave

Why is it important?

The price of laser cutters (both commercial and personal) have fallen dramatically in the last 5 years. This, combined with their ease of use, has made them the most popular fabrication tool amongst Makers.

They have been called the 'gateway drug' of fabrcation technogies as they are often the first machines that people have access to.

It's flexibility with materials makes it an invaluable resource that can speed up a project and increase the quality of finish.

They're fast, quiet and accurate, in contrast to

power tools and machinery which would traditionally be used for the same work.

Some CAD software is capable of brekaing down a 3D object into 2D layers that can be fabricated on a laser cutter.

CNC Machining

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What is it?

CNC (computer numerical control) machining is a subtractive fabrication technology that comes in a variety of different forms for different purposes.

They work by translating a digital file into paths that can be followed by a router or mill, controlling the position and speed of the drill across the x.y and z axis to accurately cut away material.

Modern CNC machines can opeerate on 5 axis, allowing it to work much more accurately in 3 dimensions.

Why is it important?

CNC technology is used at all scales of automated manufacturing, Cars, aeroplanes and furniture are all produced with ths method.

Unlike laser cutters, CNC machines are able to accurately define the depth that they are cutting to. This allows it to machine blocks of material.

CNC machines are extremely flexible, allowing them to work with a wide range of plastics, woods and metals.

It is a very fast method of prototyping. Products are able to be machined, tested and tweaked

repeatedly until they are perfect.

Specialised CNC machines such as vinyl cutters, embroidery and quilting machines have been developed to deal with specific fabrication challenges aand their application will onlycontinue to increase in the future.

3D Scanning

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What is it?

3D scanning is a system for realitry capture of physical objects to a digital file.

Using a fixed projected image and cameras, a 3D model is constructed from polygons. This digital file can be archived, replicated, manipulated and distributed across the internet.

Why is it important?

3D image capture is the most efficient way to digitally capture physical objects.

Having a digital file of a physical object creates new methods of distrobution, allowing creators to share their designs across the internet

It removes one of the barriers of entry for Makers by letting them modify existing, real-world objects. This means that 3D objects do not have to be designed from scratch, allowing those with limited experiece in 3D modelling to still realise their projects.

3D scanners come in a range of different

3D scanners will become as cheap and easy to use as their 2D counterparts, and editing software will become more intuitive and intellegent.

The potential of 3D scanning as archival technology is vast, and museums are already scanning their collections.

Electronics

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What is it?

Electronics can be used to make intelligent products that solve real-world problems.

Simple hackable physical computing boards such as Arduino allow hobbyists to make projects come to life.

Why is it important?

The Maker Movement is increasingly concerned with making smarter, web-connected physical objects by using sensors that observe the world around them and respond. This is becoming known as the "internet of Things". Electronics is a fundmental element of this.

Open source hardware is become commplace among Makers, meaning that there is a wealth of projects being worked on by communties using common hardware and shared.

Arduino is the poster-child of these boards and boasts sales in the millions, and thousands and

thouands of shared online projects on websites such as adafruit and instructables.

Getting started with electronics has never been easier, with online stores and communities providing the nuche products, instructions and resources for anyone to realise their project.

There are a great number of companies that can print circuit boards for a project at any scale from single digits to millions.