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Desktop or DIY 3D printers are devices you can either buy preassembled as a kit, or build from a collection of parts to design and print physical objects including replacement household parts, custom toys, and even art, science, or engineering projects. Maybe you have one, or maybe you´re thinking about buying or building one.

Practical 3D Printers takes you beyond how to build a 3D printer, to calibrating, customizing, and creating amazing models, including 3D printed text, a warship model, a robot platform, windup toys, and arcade-inspired alien invaders. You´ll learn about the different types of personal 3D printers and how they work; from the MakerBot to the RepRap printers like the Huxley and Mendel, as well as the whiteAnt CNC featured in the Apress book Printing in Plastic.

You´ll discover how easy it is to find and design 3D models using web-based 3D modeling, and even how to create a 3D model from a 2D image. After learning the basics, this book will walk you through building multi-part models with a steampunk warship project, working with meshes to build your own action heroes, and creating an autonomous robot chassis. Finally, you´ll find even more bonus projects to build, including wind-up walkers, faceted vases for the home, and a handful of useful upgrades to modify and improve your 3D printer.

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Ch. 1: A World of 3D Printers

Ch. 2: 3D Printer Toolchain

Ch. 3: Calibrating Your Printer

Ch. 4: 3D Models From The Cloud

Ch. 5: 3D Haiku

Ch. 6: Steampunk Warship

Ch. 7: Action Hero Mashups

Ch. 8: Mini Sumo Projetcs

Ch. 9: Bonus Round 1: More Projects

Ch. 10: Bonus Round 2: Upgrades

Appendix A: Printing Tips

Appendix B: Resources

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