Mastering 3D Printing shows you how to get the most out of your printer, including how to design models, choose materials, work with different printers, and integrate 3D printing with traditional prototyping to make techniques like sand casting more efficient.You've printed key chains. You've printed simple toys. Now you're ready to innovate with your 3D printer to start a business or teach and inspire others. Joan Horvath has been an educator, engineer, author, and startup 3D printing company team member. She shows you all of the technical details you need to know to go beyond simple model printing to make your 3D printer work for you as a prototyping device, a teaching tool, or a business machine.What youll learn The history of 3D printers and the differences between them Why open source is important in 3D printing How to create models and use G-code with your printer How to make a challenging print work well How to choose and print with different materials How to integrate 3D printing into traditional prototyping processesWho this book is for This book is for new 3D printer owners, makers of all kinds, entrepreneurs, technology educators, and anyone curious about what you can do with a 3D printer. Table of ContentsPart 1. Open-Source 3D PrintersChapter 1. A Brief History of 3D PrintingChapter 2. The Desktop 3D PrinterChapter 3. Open SourcePart 2. The 3D Printing ProcessChapter 4. Making a 3D ModelChapter 5. Slicing a 3D ModelChapter 6. Driving Your Printer: G-codeChapter 7. Material ConsiderationsChapter 8. Case StudiesPart 3. 3D Printing Meets Traditional PrototypingChapter 9. Moving to MetalChapter 10. Large Prints and Post-ProcessingChapter 11. TroubleshootingPart 4. Using Your PrinterChapter 12. Printers in the ClassroomChapter 13. Scientific VisualizationChapter 14: FuturesAppendix A: Typical Printer SettingsAppendix B: Links and Resources