3dp - What Is

Page Title: 3dp - What Is
Last Modified: 2026-11-02 14:27:44
Current Date: 2026-11-02 15:12:15 UTC

3D FDM printing, or fused deposition modeling, builds objects by melting plastic filament and laying it down layer by layer. A printer feeds filament into a heated nozzle, which softens it and extrudes thin lines onto a build platform. The material cools and hardens quickly, forming each layer before the next is added. A digital 3D model is sliced into many layers by software, guiding the printer’s motion. FDM is popular because it’s affordable, simple, and works with many materials like PLA, ABS, and PETG. It’s used for prototypes, tools, hobby projects, and some finished parts.

I am moving rooms, so my little workshop area here at home is moving into a wee bit smaller room, so I am planing the move and layout as I have a lot of stuff so need lot more storage and purposeful storage. One of the tiny section of the room I wanted to try and get a 3D FDM printer as I am constanlty wanting small boxes for projects.

Been aware of 3D printing for a few years but never done it, so I knew what I wanted and now the features I wanted are now accessible. I wanted multi-color changing with as little waste as possible, heated bed, enclosed with extraction fan, Multi-colour filament handing. These are now available in the Bambu Labs X2D, I got the combo version as it comes with the AMS 2 Pro Multi-colour filament handing. I just had to wait forht eBambu Labs hopeful Black Friday SALE and by change it started a few days after making my decison to look. So here it is

Here is an image of my very first print, here I am printing Benchy

Benchy is a small 3D-printed boat model used to test and calibrate FDM printers. Its full name is “3D Benchy.” It has curves, overhangs, holes, text, and other tricky features, so it helps show how well a printer handles speed, cooling, bridging, layering, and detail. People often print it as a first test after setting up a printer or changing settings. If a Benchy comes out clean, the printer is usually tuned pretty well.