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As they become more common and more powerful, 3D printers are allowing makers everywhere to bring their ideas to life. Readers will discover how 3D printers work and how makers are using them today. They will also learn how to create their own inventions from 3D computer models.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published August 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 6, 2023
3D Printing, by Terence O'Neill and Josh Williams
When one is dealing with a subject like 3-D printing, there is a choice one has to make in terms of how one wants to approach the subject. Is one wishing to provide an implicit or explicit judgment of how people use this technology in order to praise some uses of the technology and not others as is the case with some writers with an agenda, or does one wish to provide practical information to the reader as if they are capable of learning how to use something well? This book, fortunately, provides the reader with the second approach, showing how it is that ordinary people can, through obtaining reasonably priced 3-D printers as well as specific computer software and files available readily online, can create from plastic various objects. The authors even spend time talking about how it is that people are to remain safe by avoiding touching the 3-D printer equipment because of its heart during operation, a useful safety tip. If there is some danger of a book like this becoming somewhat obsolete in its details, the fact that the book has practical aims and is designed for young readers but certainly also useful to older ones means that new editions of this book would not be hard to create as the software and technology changes over time.
This book is a relatively short one at 32 pages, divided into five brief but informative chapters. The book begins with a discussion of what a 3-D printer is, providing both text as well as pictures that show 3-D printing with a focus on those who are using such devices at home rather than the larger and more expensive commercial units. The second chapter of the book discusses how people are using 3-D printers, including both industrial as well as home uses. The authors then discuss 3-D printing now, which provides detailed information on where one can find useful and practical designs made by others as well as techniques for how to manage the 3-D printing process so that it works out well. The authors then talk about how it is that someone can design their own objects through the use of design software, should they wish to be more creative in their printing. The final chapter of the book discusses where the reader can find 3-D printers, again demonstrating the practical approach of the authors in terms of dealing with the logistics of 3-D printing rather than making statements critical of the 3-D modeling community. The book closes with a glossary, suggestions for further information, an index, and information about the authors. This is a book that I warmly recommend for children as well as parents who are interested in 3-D printing and want a practical guide on how to safely use 3-D printers and create useful and worthwhile objects from the process in plastic through commercially available means.
When one is dealing with a subject like 3-D printing, there is a choice one has to make in terms of how one wants to approach the subject. Is one wishing to provide an implicit or explicit judgment of how people use this technology in order to praise some uses of the technology and not others as is the case with some writers with an agenda, or does one wish to provide practical information to the reader as if they are capable of learning how to use something well? This book, fortunately, provides the reader with the second approach, showing how it is that ordinary people can, through obtaining reasonably priced 3-D printers as well as specific computer software and files available readily online, can create from plastic various objects. The authors even spend time talking about how it is that people are to remain safe by avoiding touching the 3-D printer equipment because of its heart during operation, a useful safety tip. If there is some danger of a book like this becoming somewhat obsolete in its details, the fact that the book has practical aims and is designed for young readers but certainly also useful to older ones means that new editions of this book would not be hard to create as the software and technology changes over time.
This book is a relatively short one at 32 pages, divided into five brief but informative chapters. The book begins with a discussion of what a 3-D printer is, providing both text as well as pictures that show 3-D printing with a focus on those who are using such devices at home rather than the larger and more expensive commercial units. The second chapter of the book discusses how people are using 3-D printers, including both industrial as well as home uses. The authors then discuss 3-D printing now, which provides detailed information on where one can find useful and practical designs made by others as well as techniques for how to manage the 3-D printing process so that it works out well. The authors then talk about how it is that someone can design their own objects through the use of design software, should they wish to be more creative in their printing. The final chapter of the book discusses where the reader can find 3-D printers, again demonstrating the practical approach of the authors in terms of dealing with the logistics of 3-D printing rather than making statements critical of the 3-D modeling community. The book closes with a glossary, suggestions for further information, an index, and information about the authors. This is a book that I warmly recommend for children as well as parents who are interested in 3-D printing and want a practical guide on how to safely use 3-D printers and create useful and worthwhile objects from the process in plastic through commercially available means.
January 31, 2014
Very brief, but to the point.
January 9, 2019
Very simple, and probably too simple for children that are big enough to use a 3D printer. The examples in it don't look great. Explains very little.
January 21, 2020
Very basic
High level- nothing you wouldn’t find with a quick look on the internet. I was hoping for something much more detailed.
High level- nothing you wouldn’t find with a quick look on the internet. I was hoping for something much more detailed.
February 24, 2014
introduction to 3D printing for kids!
November 20, 2015
Concise introduction to 3D printing.
January 7, 2016
Excellent overview book for kids.
April 24, 2017
This book is an easy read, straight to the point yet it brief and does not go over everything. I cannot say how knowledgeable the authors are because the book is so brief. I would only read this book for the purposes of it being short and I do not recommend it for a research paper purposes, yet I would consider it as an overview of an "intro. to 3D printing". The book is good for its images and links to web pages. It is an excellent book for an elementary school or Jr high.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews