What is a 3D printer and do I need one?
I took a class in 3D printing at the local library.
Found a bird feeder on Thingiverse, a database of things!
3D printing is much like a glorified hot glue gun. A meltable plastic thread on a spool is fed into the 3D printer, in this case a Maker Bot replicator. CAD-CAM application software from Thingiverse is transferred into the printer and off it goes.
Not in anyway speedy.
 |
| To print this is going to take 3 hours and 20 minutes |
.... .... .... ....
And goes.
 |
Many different materials may be used: from plastics to metals.
Here we are using polylactic acid (PLA) on a spool.
|
 |
| A base plate to keep all parts together is the first to be printed. The base plate will snap off when done. |
 |
| Still doesn't look like much but it is 36% printed. This has taken 40 minutes |
 |
| 95% complete |
 |
Ta Da! The red feeder is what I printed. The greenish one is one we bought.
|
 |
Base plate snapped off and on the right. A hook to go into the soda bottle,
a "S" hook, and the feeder base. |
 |
The red feeder attaches securely to the soda bottle.
The base unscrews to fill the bottle with bird seed.
3 1/2 hours to print. Amazing. |
