"Everyone is talking about 3D printing lately. Nobody knows exactly how it works, how it starts and how it ends. This book by Robert is an ideal tour around the 3D printing world. It is a useful reference book for anyone who wants to get some hands-on-experience in 3D printing. Follow Robert and discover that 3D printing is the future. Please – mind the developments. They go faster than you think."

2. I’m printing 3D!
Starting with 3D-printing,
even if you don’t own a 3Dprinter.
R.H. Vissers

3. Author:
Cover design:
ISBN:
Robert Vissers
Ciciel Veltmans, www.icigrafischontwerp.nl
978 94 021 0875 0
First edition
© Robert Vissers
The Netherlands, 2013, www.eccomi3d.nl

4. Summary
“Nothing gives you more satisfaction than using parts that you
designed and created all by yourself.”
R. M. Pirsig
from “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”
The special feeling when you create something yourself...everybody
knows it. The creation, design and manufacturing has something
personal, sometimes magical. You are able to put your own values into
the object that you create.
This book explains 3D-printing in a way that enables you to start
yourself, today: you don’t even need to own a 3D-printer. We start
with the basics. All the tools are already available or easy to access.
You can now, from your own home, join the 3D-community and print
your objects, it’s easy.

5. Contents
1.
Introduction
1.1
What is it
10
11
1.2
What does it mean
1.3
What can I do with it
2. Getting Started with 3D printing
12
13
16
3.
16
What do I want to print
3.1
3.2
17
18
3.3
3.4
3.5
4.
Ready made
Finding models
Alterations
Designing from scratch
Sharing your designs
22
28
29
How to I print
4.1
30
Printing it myself
30
4.2
Having it printed
5. My first print
6. The future of printing
32
40
42
6.1
A possible future of printing
44
6.2
Possible consequences of 3D-printing
45
6.3
And now: let’s start the journey...
7. Inspiration: Creative examples
Deksels
7.1
47
48
48
7.2
7.3
Lego
Modelling
50
53
7.4
Fashion
56
7.5
Home Improvement
8. Now do it yourself
Appendix: hints and tips
60
61
62
Appendix: links
62

6. 1.1
What is it
3D-printing is a way to create physical objects. You can imagine
something, visualize it, draw it and then actually create it.
For example something quite unique and or something that is perfect
for your environment.
The technology is also relatively simple. By melting the material
(plastic) and carefully stacking it, you create layer-by-layer your
object. You have probably done it yourself already. For example:
sculpting with clay.
For 3D-printing very thin strands of material are used. If you are placing
them on exactly the right location you are building an object. In itself,
this technique is not revolutionary.
11

7. Examples of models that are already available via internet:
4 leaf clover1
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:60820
Citrus Juicer
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:44328
29c3 leberkleister-mug
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:39670
Five turn cubist torus
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:37634
Source: www.thingiverse.com
Courtesy of MakerBot® Thingiverse®.
1
This kind of finish is not always possible on any printer.
14

8. Idea
Imagination
Creativity
Definition of the form
(download from internet or
design yourself)
Print
My
printed
object
15

9. 3.2
Finding models
My favourite site is Thingiverse.com. Thingiverse is doing a good job in
building a community. There are a lot of active members who are
sharing designs, and regularly design contests to ensure that the
content is kept up to date and alive. One more advantage is that the
designs are created specifically for 3D-printers. This means that you
will not run into problems, you generally don’t need to convert designs
but if you do the community generally finds a solutions when needed.
Follow these steps to find models:
1.
Start internet
2.
Go to www.thingiverse.com
18

10. 9.
The cup is now available.
10.
In order to add a handle we can use a standard shape: for
example the torus.
11.
By moving and resizing the torus, it has become a handle.
26

11. 4.2
Having it printed
Having your object printed by someone else is a good alternative to
owning your own 3D-printer. There are many alternatives in this market
already. There are commercial suppliers for 3D-printing your designs;
for example: i.Materialise, Sculpteo, Ponoko and Shapeways. These
companies use professional printers and can print your design in many
different colours and materials. They also use a variety of different
techniques allowing your design to be printed in very high quality and
with different finishes. Examples: plastic, copper, aluminium, titanium,
ceramics, etcetera. Note: the more exotic materials have a different
price range.
One of the solutions that I’m using is
3Dhubs.com. The 3D Hubs organisation
connects people without a 3D-printer
to 3D-printer owners. The idea is that
many existing 3D-printers are currently
idle much of the time. Bringing the two
parties together is a win-win situation.
No investment for the person who
wants to print, and the 3D-printer
owner is using the 3D-printer in a more
efficient way.
Via the 3DHubs.com website it’s easy to submit your design. After
uploading it you get a list of people who can print your design. That list
only shows available 3D-printers in your neighborhood.
You see the location, price, available materials, colours and the
estimated delivery time. The participants are quite diverse. Sometimes
they are companies, sometimes they are private individuals. After
selecting the party you would like to print the object for you, you
agree upon when and how you want to receive the object. There are
32

12. 8.
If the design is technically Ok, you can verify if it matches your
expectations.
9.
Check if the width, length and height are OK,
and click on
10.
Next you see a list of 3D-printers where you can have it
printed, together with price and delivery time.
11.
Select the option that best matches your needs,
and click on
35

13. 6.2
Possible consequences of 3D-printing
3D printing has far-reaching consequences that go far beyond the mere
technical aspects.
Social:
The success of Wikipedia is the result of the fact that many (unpaid)
individuals share their knowledge. With 3D-printing this altruism can go
one step further. By publicly sharing designs we advance both as a
society and personally. It’s the Open Source concept, but then for real.
If you take a look at the models that are already available then you
know that this is not something in a distant future; it has already
started, it’s here, now.
Economical:
The shift from centralized to more decentralized production also has
economic consequences. A similar trend is that of Internet, a large part
of the economic activity now takes place online. A practical
consequence is that the current infrastructure (shops, outlets) lost a
part of its economic legitimacy to the online world. We can of course
continue to deny it by demonstrating the need for physical stores, but
the fact remains that a significant and growing part of economic
activity now takes place online.
What if I need a new (perfect fitting) shoe: go shopping, order it
online, or print it myself?
The 3D-printing is definitely taking its share of the market of consumer
goods. It will happen sooner than we think.
45

14. To illustrate the creative possibilities:
Deksels.
Source: www.plusdeksels.nl
“ Deksels3 are a pair of plastic
rings which are 3D-printed. With
these rings it is possible to add a
lid to various existing packaging,
for example a coke bottle or a
bean funnel4.
By using
Deksels you can reuse
your bean funnel, and in doing so
save yourself money. Per refill this reduces the cost up to 75%.
It is also environmentally friendly because you do not need to
buy (and dispose) each time a plastic funnel. Good for both
your wallet and for the environment!".
The idea is that you turn a non-refillable packaging into a refillable
one. With a simple procedure you are no longer bound by the rules of
the manufacturer. Now you decide where you buy your products, you
have the freedom to choose; simple, easy and accessible to everyone.
3
4
Translation: “Lids”
More information available on: www.plusdeksels.nl
49

15. Art Deco Pendant
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:88066
Cthulhu Ring
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:46638
58
Assassin's Creed Pendant
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:106457
Geo Necklace 01
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:48912

16. 8.
Now do it yourself
In this book, we have focused on 3D printing. We explained what it is,
what it means, what it can do and how it will change the future.
The first steps are known and with this book you are well on your way
to your first 3D print. You know where you can find designs on the
Internet and how you can make (minor) adjustments. Next to that you
now have the information on where to have it printed.
The introduction is now in your own hands.
The next step is yours.
Enjoy exploring the World of 3D-printing.
Welcome aboard.
Robert Vissers
www.eccomi3d.nl
The Netherlands, Nuenen, September 2013
61

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