What is 3D Printing?

What is 3D printing? 3D printing is the revolutionary process of creating a physical 3D object from a digital file! And you have come to the right place to learn more. LulzBot, a product line of Aleph Objects, Inc., has quickly made a name for itself in the 3D printer industry. When it comes to printers, supplies, materials and parts, our online catalog is a one-stop shop for all your 3D printing needs. Plus, our newest generation of LulzBot TAZ 3D printeris now for sale! The LulzBot TAZ represents what 3D printing is all about: getting the job done consistently, and reliably.

Our printers are touted as some of the most robust and affordable on the market, and equally importantly, as open source 3D printers they give you the freedom to create. Our first generation LulzBot TAZ printer was first launched in May 2013 and our printers have been evolving ever since. We’re excited to be at the forefront of the evolution and we invite you to join in the movement. Learn everything you need to know about our machines by visiting the 3D printers section of our website.

So what is 3D printing? 3D printing is also referred to as additive manufacturing. The process of 3D printing is not a new technology. In fact, 3D printing has been around since the 1980s. But additive manufacturing is a constantly evolving field, and 3D printing has come a long way since it's invention. Your journey creating a print begins with a digital 3D model, which you can create or have made by another 3D modeler. After exporting your file, you will send it to software that will “slice” the file into layers and convert it into code called “Gcode.” Now you can upload the Gcode to your 3D printer, and you will begin the exciting 3D printing process.

During the printing process, the printer extrudes successive layers of special melted filaments that cool off harden and build to forming virtually any object you can create on Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. The process can take anywhere from minutes to days, depending on which materials you use as well as the size and complexity of the 3D model. When it comes to defining what 3D printing is, you may want to watch the process rather than read about it, so check out our LulzBot YouTube channel for more information or watch the video below!