3D Printing

Public, academic and special libraries or other organizations that offer 3D printing services, a process that creates three dimensional solid objects from a 3D digital model, typically by laying down many layers of material in succession. Users make a virtual design, often a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file, of the object they want to create using a 3D modeling application. If making a 3D copy of an existing object, a 3D scanner can be used. The technology is significant because it offers direct manufacturing, i.e., a design that goes directly from the creator to the physical product using a computer and a 3D printer.