What this book covers
Chapter 1, Getting Started with 3D Printing, starts our exploration of 3D printers by looking at the Creality Ender 3 V2. We investigate the various parts that make up a 3D printer. We end the chapter with a look at the various materials that we can 3D print with.
Chapter 2, What Are Slicer Programs?, investigates G-code and slicer programs. We will control a 3D printer through the use of G-code before learning about slicing programs that turn 3D shapes into G-code for our 3D printer.
Chapter 3, Printing Our First Object, uses a 3D printer to print out objects. Knowledge gained from this chapter will be useful throughout the rest of the book as we bring our 3D ideas to life.
Chapter 4, Getting Started with OpenSCAD, explains how to create 3D shapes using OpenSCAD. We will compare OpenSCAD to other 3D design programs before we design a hook for a PVC pipe.
Chapter 5, Using Advanced Operations of OpenSCAD, continues to explore OpenSCAD as we learn ways to convert 2D shapes into 3D objects. We will take what we've learned and use it to design a Thumbs Up award trophy.
Chapter 6, Exploring Common OpenSCAD Libraries, looks into common libraries that we may use with OpenSCAD. We will use the knowledge gained to create a desk drawer that we can install under a table or desk.
Chapter 7, Creating a 3D Printed Name Badge, shows how to bend text around a circle. We will use this knowledge to create a name badge for a shop or conference. This is the first chapter in which we 3D print a design of our own.
Chapter 8, Designing and Printing a Laptop Stand, looks at designing a shape in Inkscape and importing it into OpenSCAD where we will turn it into a 3D shape. The project for this chapter is a laptop riser stand. We will design all the parts needed for the laptop riser stand, 3D-print them, and then assemble the stand using standard construction techniques.
Chapter 9, Building a 3D Printed Model Rocket Using a Common Paper Tube, takes a discarded paper towel tube and turns it into a model rocket. We will design and print out the motor mount, nose cone, and fins. Our model rocket will work with standard model rocket motors. This design is the first where we take measurements of other objects (the paper towel tube) and design parts around them.
Chapter 10, The Future of 3D Printers and Design, explores what the future may hold for 3D printers in the field of 3D printed homes and mass customization. For the final project of the book, we will design and print out a birdhouse.