You're starting out in 3D printing. How can you become an expert through dedication and practice?

3D Printing is like an iceberg: what you see on the surface seems simple, but beneath lies immense complexity. While it appears straightforward compared to other manufacturing processes, it is, in fact, one of the most intricate. 3D printing involves much more than just the technology. The process spans from file preparation to post-processing and delivery. There are numerous 3D printing technologies, each with its own set of materials and process parameters, numbering in the hundreds. These elements can be combined in countless ways, making 3D printing both versatile and complex. Is important to get started with the whole picture in mind .

To become an expert in 3D printing, focus on these key areas: Master the Basics: Start by learning fundamental principles of 3D printing, including different technologies and materials. Hands-On Experience: Regularly practice by working on diverse projects to understand practical applications and troubleshoot issues. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry advancements by reading relevant literature, attending workshops, and taking online courses. Networking: Connect with industry professionals to exchange knowledge and gain insights from their experiences. Seek Feedback: Regularly review your work and seek constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement.

I started with the basics , a cheap Creality Ender 3 fdm printer and some user friendly non-toxic , non-warping PLA filament. Over the months of owning the printer I've learned how FDM printers worked, made a DIY enclosure to experiment with more exotic filaments (ABS, Carbon, Nylon,..), made many mistakes along the way, learned a lot. Upgraded the printer slowly with self leveling sensors , runout sensors, fire safety sensors,.. Once I was comfortable I upgraded and bought a more advanced FDM with all the bells and whistles and also branched out to SLA. I suggest rookies do the same, start with the very basics, upgrade slowly, learn the materials, make mistakes - but remember to never leave a working printer unattended.

I suggest downloading Blender, it is free and has a massive community behind it. Go on youtube, its a treasure trove of tutorials. Learn to make basic shapes, make cutouts, blend models together. I started by remixing other peoples free models, exporting them as new .stl files and printing them.

Designing for 3D printing can be more straightforward compared to other manufacturing technologies. While 3D printing offers great design flexibility, it’s crucial to follow basic design rules regarding minimum wall thicknesses, feature sizes, overhangs, and tolerances to ensure accurate output on the first try. These rules vary across different 3D printing processes. For detailed guidance, I recommend “The 3D Printing Handbook” by Hubs Manufacturing, which illustrates these principles effectively.

Selecting the right material for your 3D printing application is arguably the most critical step, influencing many subsequent decisions. Each 3D printing technology offers a wide range of materials, so it’s essential to understand your application and determine which technology and material are best suited for it. Key factors to consider include tensile strength, heat deflection temperature, flexural modulus, final resolution, and part tolerance. Understanding these material properties ensures the best fit for your 3D printing needs.

I strongly suggest starting with a FDM printer and PLA filament. It won't survive long on the sun and rain, use it as a learning material and perhaps build some indoor desktop figurines and fidget toys. You can print it with an open printer, it will not warp and it does not require air filtration or extensive post processing. After that the internet is filled with knowledge about other materials , each good for a specific task - perhaps ABS for some heat and UV resistant parts that will be exposed to the elements - make sure you check around the 3d printing community for diy printer covers and filters as most filaments produce toxic air particles you really want to filter out.

I always suggest starting with a simple kit printer like the Ender3 with the basics, a print head and a bed you have to manually level. Slowly upgrade it with bed leveling sensors, filament run out sensors and the likes. If you get some while issues, the less parts the better for diagnosis. Once you learn the basics you can step up your game and get a printer that automates leveling and filament feeding - that way, in my opinion, you are not stuck when trying to debug the issues.