Principle:

A typical 3D printer is very much like an inkjet printer operated from a computer. It builds up a 3D model one layer at a time, from the bottom upward, by repeatedly printing over the same area in a method known as fused depositional modeling (FDM). Working entirely automatically, the printer creates a model over a period of hours by turning a 3D CAD drawing into lots of two-dimensional, cross-sectional layers—effectively separate 2D prints that sit one on top of another, but without the paper in between. Instead of using ink, which would never build up to much volume, the printer deposits  layers  of  molten plastic or  powder  and  fu ses  them  together  (and  to  the  existing  structure) with adhesive or ultraviolet  light.

What  you  can model  with  is plastic . A  3D  printer essentially  works  by extruding  molten plastic  through  a  tiny  nozzle  that  it moves  around  precisely  under  comp uter control.  It  prints  one  layer,  waits  for  it  to dry, and  then  prints  the  next  layer  on top.

So  why is  this  material  used  for  3D printi mouse and ng?  It's really a  composite  of a  hard,  tough  plastic (acrylonitrile)  with  a  synthetic  rubber  (butadiene  styrene).  It's  perfect  for  3D  printing  because it's a  solid  at  room  temperatures  and  melts  at  a  little  over  100°C  (220°F),  which  is  cool  enough to  melt inside  the  printer  without  too  much  heat  and  hot  enough  that  models  printed  from  it won't  melt  if  they're  left  in  the  Sun.  Once  set,  it  can  be  sanded  smooth  or  painted;  another useful  property  of  ABS  is  that  it's  a  whiteishcolor  chemicals  in paint yellow  color  in  its  raw  form,  bu t  pigments  (the )  can  be  added  to  make  it  virtually any color  at  all.