I love all things technical, futuristic or geeky. I don't know why, I think I was just born with a techno gene.
So when I discovered our local library had just acquired a 3D printer, I had to give it a go.
The 3D printer is a part of the Maker Spaces youth program held at the library. The workshops are a fun, interactive way to encourage a love of science, technology and electronics.
I was full of questions like How does it work? What material does it use? How long does it take? How do you make the files?
Donna Kellion, the local youth librarian who runs the Maker Spaces Mackay program, told me the printer uses a file format called .stl (Stereo Lithography) and you can make your own design in open source 3D software or at websites like tinkercad.com.
You can also download pre-made designs from sites like thingiverse.com.
I created the logo design by using an online file converter so the printer could read and print.
The printer heats up a solid resin and builds the design layer by layer. The complexity, density and size all impact how long the overall print will take. This logo took just under two hours to print.
3D printing or 'additive manufacturing', while really fun, is also a technology that has the potential to change the way we think about making things in the future.
I can see it revolutionising manufacturing and at the rate technology evolves, we may see 3D printers sneak into our lives and maybe even our home offices.
Now that would be exciting.
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