Go here for 3D printing resources
FOR those interested in 3D printing, here are a few sites to get you started:
• Thingiverse (www.thingiverse.com): This site is the place to obtain free 3D models that the community has shared. You can find 3D models of everything from art and jewellery to useful household items ready for printing.
• 3Ders (www.3ders.org): A good source of 3D printing news and information.
• 3DPrinter.Net (www.3dprinter.net): Another news and information site on 3D printing.
• Fabbaloo (www.fabbaloo.com): A blog about 3D printers and printing.
• MakerBot (www.makerbot.com): One of the first companies to offer a relatively affordable 3D printer for the mass market.
• Cubify (www.cubify.com): The website for the Cube 3D printers from 3D Systems, Inc.
• 3D Printer Sdn Bhd (3dprinter.com.my): Malaysian distributors for the UP! brand of 3D printers.
Additionally, if you can’t afford the expense of your own 3D printer, there are a number of websites which offer 3D printing services of all kinds:
• 3Shapeways (www.shapeways.com): A 3D printing marketplace and community where individuals can either sell their 3D product designs or actual items that are printed. 3D printed products on sale here are not limited to plastic — some have been printed on professional 3D printers that produces metal products.
The company is a spin-out of the lifestyle incubator of Royal Philips Electronics.
• 3Draft Print 3D (www. draftprint3D.com): This site offers model design and printing services that are relatively low cost because they use consumer level 3D printers to produce their 3D prints.
• 3Ponoko (www.ponoko.com): Yet another storefront that will allow users to upload designs and have them printed, or set up a stroefront on the site to sell 3D printed products printed by Ponoko.
A variety of different types of materials can be used to produce the printed product, from plastic to ceramic and steel.