printing for years we've used it to make
books newspapers packaging and so much
more but more recently you may have
heard the term 3d printing thrown around
it allows you to take a digital model
and turn it into a tangible
three-dimensional object like a piggy
bank let's take a look at how it works
in three basic steps step one it starts
with a virtual design someone uses
computer-aided design or CAD software to
create a kind of precise drawing of what
they'd like to create this acts as a
blueprint for the 3d printer to read
step two the digital model is broken
down into hundreds or even thousands of
thin horizontal layers with a process
called slicing step 3
all of these layers are sent to the 3d
printer there are many different types
of 3d printers but most have a nozzle
that ejects a semi-liquid material
usually plastic to print each of these
layers the nozzle moves around printing
layer upon layer upon layer upon layer
following the digital model depending on
the printer and the complexity of the
design this can take anywhere from a few
hours to several days and just like that
you've got a 3d printed object 3d
printing has given engineers designers
and just everyday people the ability to
create complex objects that they
previously weren't able to doctors are
using 3d printing to make prosthetics
and some companies have been using
larger scale printers to create
buildings and cars as the technology
continues to get more precise faster and
cheaper its applications will only
continue to grow
Goodwill Community Foundation creating
opportunities for a better life