3D printing is the process of making three dimensional solid objects (usually plastic) from a digital file. The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is completed. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal line on the eventual object. 3D printing is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing which is cutting out / hollowing out a piece of metal or plastic with, for instance, a milling or CNC machine. 3D printing enables you to produce complex, functional, shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods. As an added plus the plastic most commonly used in 3D printing, PLA, is biodegradable and derived from corn. Please post any questions you may have below.
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3d means 3 dimensional. A regular printer can print in two dimensions, x and y or width and depth but a 3d printer adds height or z as the third dimension.