3D printers are finally easy enough for the whole family
My kids recently got a 3D printer, and they’ve been turning digital ideas into real objects ever since.
They’ve made a vertical laptop stand, a display for a World Series baseball and even a heart for their grandparents that says, “World’s best Nana and Papa.” That’s the appeal of 3D printing. You can find something useful or fun online, press a few buttons and watch it appear layer by layer on your desk.
To get a better idea of what these machines can do, I visited Forge Makerspace in Santa Monica, which offers hands-on STEM and engineering classes and camps for kids.
3D printers used to be complicated machines mostly aimed at enthusiasts who didn’t mind assembling parts and troubleshooting. That has changed quickly.
Brands like Bambu Lab have made the process much more consumer-friendly. Popular models now cost roughly $200 to $600, and many work with apps that let you browse designs and send them directly to the printer.
The easiest way to understand a 3D printer is to think of it as a very precise hot glue gun. It heats and melts a material called filament, then builds an object one thin layer at a time.
Filament is basically the ink of a 3D printer. Different types offer different colors, finishes and levels of durability. The size and detail of the object determine how long a print takes. A small item might be finished in minutes, while a larger or more complex project can take several hours.
Every printer also has a build volume, which is the maximum size object it can create. Larger printers can make bigger items, but they also take up more space and usually cost more.
What surprised me most is how quickly kids understand the possibilities. They’re not just watching something on a screen. They’re designing, experimenting, solving problems and ending up with something they can actually hold.
You can download thousands of free designs online, create your own or modify an existing one. Just remember that these machines have hot parts and moving pieces. An enclosed model may be the better choice if you have younger kids or pets nearby.