From a distance, the process of 3D printing looks like magic. Step closer and see how all of the core systems and components work together to fabricate real physical objects from digital design files. We make our first of two excursions “under the hood“ to look at the core systems and components that together and in parallel bring function to 3D printers.

Now that we have an understanding of the controls and motion system. Let’s take a closer look at the extrusion process and what makes 3D printer filament so special. Let’s learn about the materials and processing that they go through when being printed.

Now that you have looked closely at the fundamental physical systems and components involved with how desktop 3D printers function, and how they can be operated in “normal” situations, it is time to explore the processes involved with preparing digital objects and creating the job files (G-Code, or variant) that will drive the fabrication process.

Okay, you’ve taken a broad view of desktop machines in the context of the history of 3D printers, very close view of the specific components and systems underneath the hood, and have crossed back-and-forth across the virtual-physical divide -- now it is time to spend some time seeing what it is like to use them!

In the final module we will then wrap up our exploration of operating desktop 3D printing hardware, covering the moment you hit print to fabricate a part, through to the stages that follow. We’ll wrap up the course with a section highlighting approaches to technical support, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance, as long as some recommendations for common tools, mods, and add-ons we hope to help you on your own 3D printer experiences that will follow.