• Question: do you like 3d printers

    Asked by boris to Emma on 11 Mar 2017.
    • Photo: Emma Ryan

      Emma Ryan answered on 11 Mar 2017:

      I’m not so sure I do. Although I say I 3D print things, the correct term is ‘additive layer manufacturing’ because we add materials in layers to build parts. 3D printing is a very specific type of additive manufacturing when powder material is used and joined together with a binder (like glue to stick the layers together). I use wire and electricity to melt the wire (this is called Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing, or WAAM for short).

      However, lots of people use the term ‘3D printing’ to mean ‘additive layer manufacturing’ or ‘additive manufacturing’ because it’s a easier term to understand. It’s not technically correct, though.

      If you look on my profile, you can see the robot that I work with. It’s very big! (about 3 m tall) so I’m not sure I’d describe it as a 3D printer. I do like when I get to build things with it, though.

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