What Can You Make with a 3D Printer?

In recent years, 3D printers have gone from a niche technology to a game-changer in almost every industry. You can use a 3D printer to turn your ideas into reality right in front of you. With it, you can create nearly anything – whether it’s a lamp for your new home, a puzzle for your kid, or a tool for your garage.

From everyday items like coasters and toys to high-tech objects like customized sports shoes, 3D printers open up a world of possibilities. Let’s dive into some of the most practical things you can create using a 3D printer.

Household Items

One of the best and easiest applications of 3D printers is to use them for creating everyday household items. Suppose you need a bigger egg tray or a vase for your newly bought flowers. Or the attachment for the new vacuum you brought broke down unexpectedly. You can 3D print all of these things using a 3D printer. 

There are sites like MakerWorld where you can find ready-to-use 3D models for free. You don’t need to master design skills, use complex software, or need a sophisticated computer. You can simply use the Bambu Handy app, access the model, and send it to print on your Bambulab 3D printer, all within minutes. 

3D printing household items is one of the easiest ways to start with 3D printers. Many people have turned it into a full-time Etsy shop by offering customized organizers, planters, and vases. To explore practical applications and creative ideas for utility items, visit here.

Educational Tools

3D printers are excellent for creating tools for educational purposes. Using a 3D printer, your students can visualize the concepts in great detail beyond the graphics. You can physically touch and feel the objects and actualize the concepts thoroughly, ensuring the students remember the topic well. 

For instance, consider the Wankel engine model on Makerworld. It’s a great representation of an actual Wankel engine. The designer has fitted a motor to show the exact movements of the motor, allowing you to understand the engine's mechanics. 

You can even print these Multiplication & Division Fidget Spinners to make math more interesting. Using the Bambulab P1 and the Automatic Material System, you can create colorful spinners to make models more engaging for kids in the classroom. 

Each educational discipline benefits from using a 3D printer in its curriculum. From playgroup kids to engineering graduates to doctors, every learner can use a 3D printer to bring the textbook concepts to life. To see real-world examples of 3D printing in education, check out the user case page here.

Fashion and Lifestyle

Danit Peleg made headlines in 2015 for being the first designer to create an entire collection out of 3D printing, using her desktop 3D printers at home. Since then, the fashion industry has taken notice of the utility and benefits of using a 3D printer.

You’re now able to 3D print a wallet, clothes made out of sustainable plastic, hairclips, sunglass frames, and even shoes! If you want to try out 3D-printed footwear, you can look at the Makerverse model on Makerworld. It is a wholly 3D-printed Croc pair of shoes, which you can print easily on almost any Bambulab 3D printer. 

There are plenty of models on the internet that you can readily use to create fashion accessories. A pro tip would be to use a flexible material like TPU to create shoes, wallets, and clothes. This material will give strength to your parts while giving them a certain flexibility akin to other organic fashion materials. 

Art and Sculptures

3D-printed art and sculpture are rapidly growing in interest among designers and creators alike. You can create 3D printed logos, wall hangings, and designer lamps using a 3D printer. Consider this Wall Art of a Hummingbird and flowers. You can easily 3D print it on your Bambulab machine with a single color and add it to your home decor. 

Furthermore, 3D printers are an excellent tool for creating sculptures at home. Using a Marble PLA filament, you can 3D print sculptures right from your desktop. Use Makerworld to look for sculptures for 3D printing. There are plenty of models online that you can readily print on a Bambulab printer. To see inspiring examples of how 3D printing is revolutionizing art and fashion, learn more here.

Prototyping and Models

With a 3D printer, you don’t need to wait for weeks for a prototype, and you can iterate your designs much more efficiently.

This application might seem more suitable for professionals in the industry. However, faster prototyping speeds play a crucial role in the overall process for anyone remotely interested in creating new products. Plenty of designers and makers are using Bambulab 3D printers to bring their models to the general public. 

A quick search on the Makerworld, and you’ll find tons of people experimenting and iterating on different designs. These can be tools for your workshop or vases for your desktop; 3D printers allow you to prototype, test, and iterate the models quicker and better.

Props and Cosplay

Custom props and cosplay are a perfect fit for 3D printing. Often, these cosplay suits have elaborate designs and need to be customized for the individual. You need to get the sizing and detail of each part just about right to create a cosplay suit. The props, too, can be expensive for many people to purchase.

Using a 3D printer, you can easily create suits of your own that fit like a glove. You can add certain elements like a logo or symbol to personalize the suit to your style. Be it helmets or gauntlets, you can 3D print the exact model to go along with your cosplay suit. To see how others are bringing their projects to life, check out here.

Can you create anything with a 3D printer? Which printer should you get?

  Almost everything! You can create cases for your phones, shoes for your feet, and frames for your lenses. The ability to create with a 3D printer depends on your design skills and material choices. You should also be careful when choosing a printer that best aligns with your needs. 

The Bambulab A1 mini, for instance, is good for beginners and small-classroom projects. The Bambulab A1 is excellent for big projects with its decent build area. However, if you want to print ABS gears for your next project, consider an enclosed printer like the Bambulab P1S and X1C.

FAQs about 3D Printing 

What materials can you use with a 3D printer?

You can 3D print PLA, ABS, and PETG on a desktop 3D printer. These three materials are the most commonly 3D-printed plastics and are also widely available. There are certain high-performance plastics like carbon fiber composites, PEEK, and ULTEM, which are typically reserved for industrial applications.

How long does it take to print an object?

It can take anywhere between half an hour to even days, depending on the size and complexity of the model. A small, simple object like a keychain might take 30 minutes to an hour. Larger, more intricate items, such as gear, swords, or functional prototypes, could take several hours or even days. Furthermore, the print settings you use also play a vital role in determining the 3D printing times.

How much does it cost to run a 3D printer?

The cost to run a 3D printer is based on several factors. You have to consider the material you’re printing, the electricity costs, and the maintenance costs of the machine. 

Materials like PLA and ABS are relatively affordable, costing around $20 to $40 for a 1kg spool. However, carbon-fiber filaments can be expensive and can cost upwards of 100 dollars for a spool. Typically, the energy usage of a 3D printer is low, so energy costs are negligible. For instance, Bambulab printers consume between 50-150 watts per hour while printing.

Maintenance costs include nozzle wear and tear, replacement parts, and general machine wear. These are highly variable and depend on your particular application.

What skills do you need to start 3D printing? 

You don't need to be a tech expert to start 3D printing. Basic 3D modeling skills are enough to get started in 3D printing. If you’re new to this, you can also download ready-to-print models from sites like Makerworld, making it even easier to 3D print.

Conclusion  

With a 3D printer, the possibilities for creation are virtually limitless. You can create jewelry items, toys, and custom lamps, all on a single machine. It’s an excellent tool to help you instantly bring your designs to life. 

As a designer, a maker, and a creator, 3D printers allow you to experiment with your ideas. Even if you’re new in the field, you can readily print online models and get something useful from your 3D printer. 

Let us know which model you’re going to 3D print next!