What is 3-D Printing?

Have you ever seen a 3-D printer? It is different than a regular printer. Regular printers print on paper. They print things that are flat. 3-D printers print things that are not flat. They can print toys. They can print tools. You can hold these objects in your hand.

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To make a 3-D object, you start with a model. A model is made on a computer. It shows what the object will look like. The computer tells the printer how to make it.

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Then the object can a printed. It is printed one layer at a time. Each layer is printed on top of the last. The layers build up. The object gets taller. 3-printers do not use ink. Most use metal or plastic.

What Do You Think?    What would you make with a 3-D printer?

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