3D printing, or or additive manufacturing is the action or process of making three dimensional physical objects from a digital model. A genre of Digital Fabrication. Typically laying down many thin layers of a material in succession with a lower cost FDM printer. Digital models can be created with a verity of software running on Apple, Linux, Windows or cloud based systems. The model geometry is exported as a volumetric file type such as a STL file. The 3D model data file then must be "sliced" into each layer that will be printed. Each layer holds the cartesian motion data for a specific 3D printer. Most printers are three axis (X, Y, Z) machines. Similar to a CNC Milling machine. A tool path is required for the for each of the layers for the printer to create the shape one layer at a time created with a verity of slicing programs.

We are not a print bureau but rather use this process in product prototyping contracts. If you just need something printed in the Charlottesville VA area please reach out to http://opensourcerecycling.org as they have a 3D Print Club.

PEV Labs for Digital Fabrication
3D Printed Spiral Vases
3D Printing Foot From X-Ray
3D Printing Foot From X-Ray
3D Printed Parts for Vehicle Project
3D Printed Parts for Vehicle Project
3D Printed Parts for Vehicle Project
3D Printed Printer Extruder
3D Printed Metal
3D Printed Metal
Rubber Mold Making from 3D Printed Masters
Mold Making From Prints
3D Printed Tap Handle is a Master for Mold Making
3D Printing for Mold Making
3D Printed Hexapod Robot
3D Printed Hexapod Robot
FDM Spiral Print in Process
FDM Spiral Print in Process
Additive Manufacturing of Moving Parts
Additive Manufacturing Moving Parts
Fabrication by 3D Printing
Fabrication by 3D Printing (3DP)
Ultimaker FDM Style Printer
Ultimaker FDM Style Printer
Printing Without Lofting or Bridging
Printing Without Lofting / Bridging
Ultimaker 2
Ultimaker 2
DIY Building a 3D Printer
DIY Building a 3D Printer
Original Makerbot Thing-o-Matic
Original Makerbot Thing-o-Matic
PrinterBot Build
PrinterBot Build
PrinterBot Build
PrinterBot Build
Ultimaker and RepRap Style Printers
Ultimaker and RepRap Printers
MakerFarm Prusa Kit
MakerFarm Prusa Kit


Types pf 3D Printers
  • Fused deposition modeling (FDM - Most popular with plastic spool)
  • Digital Light Processing(DLP)
  • Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)
  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
  • Selective laser melting (SLM)
  • Stereolithography(SLA)
  • Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)