There’s a myriad of things you can print with a 3D printer today. And, this is especially because 3D technology is no longer limited to industrial and commercial applications. In addition, printing things with a 3D printer has never been easier.
That’s not all - there’s more:
The best part about printing things with a 3D printer is that the process is fast and cost-efficient. It is also essential to note that this technology is becoming popular every day. That’s why we decided to write this comprehensive article that covers the fun things you can print with a 3D printer regardless of whether you are a beginner or an expert.
So, let’s get started!
Top 4 Things You Can Print with a 3D Printer
1. Phone Cases and Accessories
Phone cases are one of the most useful things you can print with a 3D printer. Printing custom phone cases and accessories using a 3D printer allows you to come up with unique designs which make you stand out from the crowd.
And, in addition to standing out from the crowd, these phone cases and accessories can enable you to make some extra cash on the side. You can sell these printed parts to your friends, family, and the general public.
However, it is essential to consider the 3D printing material that you intend to use to print these models. Using the wrong material will definitely affect the quality of the printed model as well as take extremely long to post-process (removing rough edges, support structures, etc.)
Pro tip: If you are a 3D printing beginner with zero skills in designing a 3D model using CAD software, you can always download pre-made designs from the internet. Please ensure that the measurements are accurate to save time, energy, and printing material.
2. Functional and Non-Functional Prototypes
The product design and development phase of development requires prototypes. These prototypes can either be functional or non-functional. The 3D printing material you choose to use is what determines whether a prototype is functional or non-functional.
The major difference between a functional and non-functional prototype is that the former can withstand a lot of tension and impact while the latter cannot. Printing prototypes for product design and development is essential because of the following reasons:
● Testing and refinement - functional prototypes need to be tested in a real-world setting to ensure that the product is working as it should. If it does not meet the threshold, then the prototype is refined.
● Communication - printing a prototype enables you to visually communicate how your idea is beneficial. Remember, proper visual presentation is essential because it can help you get back up from investors or even make sales to end-users.
● Cost-efficient - Prototyping enables you to detect and correct issues during the design and development phase. By identifying and addressing these issues early, designers can avoid costly design revisions and production delays.
Put simply, prototyping is a quick and efficient way of testing and modifying products before moving on to the production stage. And, 3D printers help make the entire process seamless. Consider this real-life example:
A Flashforge 3D printing enthusiast called John Merrill works in the motorcycle industry. And, he tries his best to improve the performance of motorcycles by printing useful things using a 3D printer, e.g., sensor brackets, motorcycle accessories, etc.
He, of course, had to develop them as functional prototypes first and refine them until they worked as he had expected. John further states that he has designed every single part he has ever printed for his motorcycles, including motorcycle racing track models.
3. Jewelry and Accessories
It’s true that traditional jewelry-making techniques are expensive and do take a lot of time to complete the process especially if your desired design is unique. In fact, some designs are too intricate for the traditional jewelry-making technique to complete as desired.
Luckily, jewelry and its accessories, e.g., spectacle frames, bracelets, etc. can be printed using a 3D printer. In other words, jewelry and its accessories are some of the cool things that you can print with a 3D printer.
However, to ensure that the process is a complete success, you’ll need to select your 3D printing material carefully. We also strongly recommend following the printer’s printing instructions to the letter to avoid the time, energy, and material wastage.
It would be best if you’d select a 3D printing material that allows you to polish or even paint the printed models. Doing so will help you good-looking jewelry that has the exact desired look you wanted.
Put simply, you can create unique and personalized pieces that are both functional and stylish with the right material and design choices.
4. Toys and Figurines
Toys and figurines are one of the most fun things you can print with a 3D printer. In addition to taking you down memory lane from your childhood, 3D printing toys and figurines at home saves a lot of energy and raw resources.
Check out this real-life example:
James Lano, another Flashforge 3D printer enthusiast, used his 3D printer to print Lego toy car parts which would, later on, be assembled to have a fully functional toy car. In addition to printing toys, he has also used his 3D printer for useful things such as prosthetic mechanical limbs which have always been his dream.
And, with the development of 3D printers, children can easily print their desired toys and figurines at home. However, it would be best if they did so under parental supervision.
Here’s something worth noting:
When printing toys and figurines, it is essential to keep in mind that intricate details can be difficult to print. The printed model could fail to have the desired outlook mainly because of printing size limitations or even poor designing skills.
Wrap-Up on the Things You Can Print with a 3D Printer
There are so many cool things you can print with a 3D printer, and the most commonly printed items are outlined in this article. However, it would be best if you’d consider selecting your 3D printing material based on how you intend to use it.
You can always download pre-designed 3D models if you are a beginner and don’t know how or where to start designing your desired 3D model. And, if you already know how to go about it, consider keeping an eye on the measurements - they need to be accurate for the 3D printer to print well.
Please feel free to visit our shop - we’ve provided more information on the different 3D printers as well as 3D printing materials. We are confident that with this information, you’ll get to print high-quality 3D models without struggling every step of the way.
