Hey there! I’m Kamri, and I have something super exciting to share with you. Our school just got some amazing 3D printers, and thanks to Nat Geo, I got to borrow one to see how it works. At first, I was just printing tiny cats, creating a cute little army of them, but I had no idea how I was doing it. These printers seemed really complicated, so I decided to print an expert to help me out!
That’s when Cody Goldhahn, a mechanical engineer and Nat Geo expert, appeared to help me understand 3D printing. I was curious if a 3D printer was like a robot sculptor, but Cody explained that it’s a bit different. When a sculptor works with stone, they chip away pieces to create a shape. This is called a subtractive process. But a 3D printer does the opposite, using an additive process. It starts with nothing and adds just enough material to create the shape, wasting less material than traditional methods.
Cody compared 3D printing to icing a cake. Imagine a really hot nozzle squeezing out liquid plastic layer by layer, just like icing on a cake. The printer follows a computer program that tells it exactly where to place each layer. Once a layer is done, the nozzle moves up slightly to add the next layer on top.
I was amazed to learn that 3D printers can use more than just plastic. They can print with ceramics, glass, metal, and even biological tissue! Some scientists have even figured out how to print with these materials. The possibilities are endless, from printing houses and dental implants to complex bridges and even pizza!
So, how does a printer know what shape to print? Cody explained that you and your computer become the toy designer. You create a digital model or blueprint of anything you can imagine. The computer then slices this model into layers, just like cake icing. It tells the printer exactly where to place each layer until the whole model is built according to your blueprint.
Thanks to Cody, I now understand how 3D printing works. It’s like having a magical machine that can create almost anything you can dream of. If you’re curious to learn more about how things work, make sure to check out other episodes and subscribe to Nat Geo Kids. See you next time!
Imagine you are a toy designer! Use a simple 3D modeling software like Tinkercad to create your own digital model. Think of something fun, like a keychain or a small animal. Once you’re done, share your design with the class and explain why you chose it.
Watch a live demonstration of a 3D printer in action. Pay attention to how the printer builds the object layer by layer. After the demonstration, discuss with your classmates how the process is similar to icing a cake, as described in the article.
Research different materials that can be used in 3D printing, such as plastic, metal, and ceramics. Create a poster or a digital presentation to showcase the unique properties of each material and what they can be used to print.
Think of a real-world problem that could be solved with a 3D printed object. Design a model that addresses this problem. Present your idea to the class, explaining how your design could make a difference.
Discuss in groups how 3D printing can be more environmentally friendly compared to traditional manufacturing methods. Create a list of benefits and potential challenges, and present your findings to the class.
3D Printing – A process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file by adding material layer by layer. – Example sentence: Our science class used 3D printing to create a model of a bridge.
Engineer – A person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures. – Example sentence: The engineer explained how the new robot would help in the factory.
Material – The substance or substances from which something is made or can be made. – Example sentence: The engineer chose a strong material to build the new playground equipment.
Printer – A machine that produces a physical copy of a digital document or design, often used in 3D printing to create objects. – Example sentence: The 3D printer in our lab can create models of different shapes and sizes.
Model – A three-dimensional representation of an object, often smaller than the original, used to study or demonstrate its design. – Example sentence: We built a model of the solar system to understand how the planets orbit the sun.
Design – A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of a building, garment, or other object before it is made. – Example sentence: The students worked on a design for a new type of wind turbine.
Process – A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. – Example sentence: The process of recycling involves collecting, sorting, and reusing materials.
Computer – An electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program. – Example sentence: We used a computer to program the robot to move in different directions.
Layer – A sheet, quantity, or thickness of material, typically one of several, covering a surface or body. – Example sentence: The 3D printer adds one layer of plastic at a time to create the object.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Example sentence: Technology has made it possible for us to communicate instantly with people around the world.
