This instructional guide, "An Introduction to 3D Printing," serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the rapidly evolving field of additive manufacturing. It explores the diverse applications of 3D printing across various industries, including space, medicine, housing, and consumer products, highlighting its transformative potential. The guide delves into the methods and software required for creating 3D models, offering practical design exercises and detailed walkthroughs of available software packages to build user confidence. It also addresses crucial purchasing decisions, such as whether to acquire a 3D printer or utilize the ever-growing number of printing services.
This English-language manual is designed to equip readers with the knowledge necessary to navigate the world of 3D printing. It covers the fundamental 3D printing process, software considerations for model creation, and the decision-making framework for acquiring 3D printing hardware or services. The content is structured to provide insight into the capabilities of 3D software and to foster practical skills through design exercises, ultimately empowering users to create custom objects. The expertise of the authors, Jonas A. Zukas and Victoria E. Zukas, in engineering mechanics, numerical modeling, and digital media design, ensures a thorough and practical approach to the subject matter.
The book is structured to serve the needs of several types of readers interested in 3D printing. It serves as a general introduction to the subject and its application in many fields, including industry, space, medicine, housing, clothing and consumer-oriented products. Next, methods and available software for creating a 3D model and the steps needed to insure a useful printed object are reviewed. The considerations involved in deciding whether or not to purchase a 3D printer or make use of an ever-growing number of printing services is included. The book concludes with an exercise which walks you through the characteristics of an available software package and the steps required to design a practical object. Doing this exercise - not just reading through it - will give you considerable insight into the capabilities of 3D software packages and, we hope, build your confidence and encourage you to try to create an object of your own choosing. Victoria E. Zukas received her bachelor's degree in Interactive Media and Game Development in 2009 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She completed her Masters of Professional Studies in Digital Media in 2013 at Northeastern University. She has spent her time since then working as a Freelance Graphic Designer on a number of projects. Her background is mainly focused on creating 3D models for video games. Her published game BLASTiators can be found on the Google Play store. Jonas A. Zukas, received his doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of Arizona. He is widely known for his work in numerical modeling of the behavior of structures and materials at high rates of strain. He has co-authored and edited a number of books and conference proceedings and is the author of the monograph Introduction to Hydrocodes published by Elsevier. He is co-developer of the ZeuS code for the analysis of impact phenomena and was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the American Academy of Mechanics
The book is structured to serve the needs of several types of readers interested in 3D printing. It serves as a general introduction to the subject and its application in many fields, including industry, space, medicine, housing, clothing and consumer-oriented products. Next, methods and available software for creating a 3D model and the steps needed to insure a useful printed object are reviewed. The considerations involved in deciding whether or not to purchase a 3D printer or make use of an ever-growing number of printing services is included. The book concludes with an exercise which walks you through the characteristics of an available software package and the steps required to design a practical object. Doing this exercise - not just reading through it - will give you considerable insight into the capabilities of 3D software packages and, we hope, build your confidence and encourage you to try to create an object of your own choosing. Victoria E. Zukas received her bachelor's degree in Interactive Media and Game Development in 2009 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She completed her Masters of Professional Studies in Digital Media in 2013 at Northeastern University. She has spent her time since then working as a Freelance Graphic Designer on a number of projects. Her background is mainly focused on creating 3D models for video games. Her published game BLASTiators can be found on the Google Play store. Jonas A. Zukas, received his doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of Arizona. He is widely known for his work in numerical modeling of the behavior of structures and materials at high rates of strain. He has co-authored and edited a number of books and conference proceedings and is the author of the monograph Introduction to Hydrocodes published by Elsevier. He is co-developer of the ZeuS code for the analysis of impact phenomena and was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the American Academy of Mechanics
