page_title: 3D printing
section_title: DIY
hierarchical_section_title: 3D printing / Uses / DIY
caption_attribution_description: 3D-printed titanium spinal disc replacement, similar to those used to treat degenerative disc disease. This photo is free of all copyright restrictions and available for use and redistribution without permission. Credit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is appreciated but not required. For more privacy and use information visit: www.flickr.com/people/fdaphotos/ FDA photo by Michael J. Ermarth
context_page_description: 3D printing is a way of creating three dimensional solid objects. 3D printing is done by building up the object layer by layer. Usually, 3D printers use plastic, because it is easier to use and cheaper. Some 3D printers can 3D print with other materials, like metals and ceramics, but they cost too much money for most people.
  3D printers are useful because they can make new objects very fast, and are good at making them very detailed. This means an engineer can test a lot of new designs and not have to wait for someone else to make them. They are also useful for fixing parts made of plastic, and for making toys, figures, and models. There are a lot of people who print 3D objects at home.
  Since 2003, many more materials printers have been sold than before. Also, the cost of 3D printers has gone down.
context_section_description: Lots of people are trying to develop cheap 3D printers for people to use at home. Libraries have also started to buy smaller 3D printers so that people can learn about them without having to buy one. Lots of work has been done by DIY communities, as well as schools and hacker communities. By 2017, more people were starting to use 3D printing in their own home for small items such as gears and small decorations.
caption: 3D printed spinal disc
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