3D Printing

3D printing is transforming industries from design to manufacturing and has become a vital skill for modern innovators.

This book offers a clear, structured path that develops the reader’s ability to operate and apply 3D printing confidently. One of the major emphases of this book is hands-on learning, ensuring that readers not only understand the concepts but also practically execute real 3D printing tasks. Focusing on FFF technology, it covers materials like PLA and ABS, essential printing parameters, design for additive manufacturing, the CAD to G-code workflow, and multiple 3D modelling methods. Readers will also learn troubleshooting, printer assembly and calibration, and fabrication processes.

By the end of the book, the readers will have an overview of major 3D printing technologies, Industry 4.0 integration, and the role of AI in enhancing 3D printing capabilities. It serves as a practical, accessible guide for anyone working with or learning 3D printing.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
● Practical, hands-on skills for operating and experimenting with 3D printers.
● Core principles, workflow, and advantages of 3D printing.
● Materials and their key properties.
● Choosing optimal print settings for quality and efficiency.
● Multiple 3D modelling techniques.
● Printer assembly, levelling, calibration, and basic firmware setup.
● Troubleshooting and post-processing.
● Major 3D printing technologies and applications.
● IoT and robotics integration for Industry 4.0.
● Using AI to enhance 3D printing workflows and outcomes.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
Ideal for readers with no prior experience in 3D printing, this book presents concepts in a clear, easy-to-apply manner and helps build practical, hands-on skills relevant across industries.

1. Introduction to 3D Printing
2. Materials in 3D Printing
3. 3D Printing Parameters
4. Designing for 3D Printing
5. Designing Basic Shapes
6. Designing Advanced Shapes
7. Post-processing and Troubleshooting
8. Fabrication of a 3D Printer
9. Additional Topics on 3D Printing
10. 3D Printing and Industry 4.0
11. Enhancing 3D Printing using AI
APPENDIX: Designing 3D Models

● Arunkrishnan P R has over 10 years of extensive experience with different types of 3D printers and is currently working with his fourth company in the 3D printing domain. He has been involved in the development of customised 3D printers for diverse applications. His work with the Device Engineering Lab (DEL) project under Teach To Learn at IIT Madras, where 3D printing was used to inculcate making skills among school students, inspired him to write this book. Arun is deeply passionate about design, electronics, robotics, space, UAVs, and related fields. He aspires to play a major role in improving people’s lives through technology.

● Prof. Pijush Ghosh has more than 15 years of experience in teaching under-graduate and post-graduate students at IIT Madras in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering. His area of research is 4D-printing, soft actuators, polymer thin-films, etc. Besides research and teaching, Prof. Ghosh is leading many social outreach programs in the education domain. One of his major focus areas is empowering rural masses of India through STEM education. He established Teach To Learn (www.teachtolearn.co.in), which is intended for connecting rural school students and teachers with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) of India. Over the period of twelve years, this initiative has found wide recognition through multiple projects. Various programs like Device Engineering Lab (DEL), which are exclusive labs set up in rural schools, aimed at inculcating manufacturing skills among students and, also providing hands-on learning opportunity of science concepts to the school students. Teach in 10 program is another project by Teach To Learn where rural students are mentored by IIT graduate students. The major purpose of this book is also in line with the objective to inculcate manufacturing mindset through additive manufacturing training and skill development.