About this item
As the maker movement continues to grow and 3-D printers become more affordable, an expanding group of hobbyists is keen to explore this new technology. In the time-honored tradition of introducing new technologies, many libraries are considering purchasing a 3-D printer. Jason Griffey, an early enthusiast of 3-D printing, has researched the marketplace and seen several systems first hand at the Consumer Electronics Show. In this report he introduces readers to the 3-D printing marketplace, covering such topics asHow fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing workBasic terminology such as build plate, spool, nozzle hot end, direct extruder, and Bowden extruderPlastics used, such as ABS, PLA, and othersDescriptions, price ranges, and filament specs for 3-D printers from MakerBot, Printrbot, Solidoodle, and other manufacturersSuggested staff skills for performing basic maintenance tasksWhere to find both ready-to-use designs and the software for customizing, from beginning to advanced systems .
About the Author
Jason Griffey is an Associate Professor and Head of Library Information Technology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His latest book, Mobile Technology and Libraries, is available as a part of Neal Schuman's Tech Set, the winner of the ALA 2011 Award for the Best Book in Library Literature. Jason's previous book, Library Blogging, with Karen A Coombs, is still available. He has also written multiple Library Technology Reports for the American Library Association on topics such as personal electronics in the library, privacy, copyright, and intellectual property.He can be stalked obsessively at www.jasongriffey.net and Pattern Recognition and is a columnist for the ALA Techsource blog. Jason was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2009, and speaks nationally and internationally on the future of libraries, mobile technology, eBooks, and other technology related issues. He spends his free time with his daughter Eliza, reading, obsessing over gadgets, and preparing for the inevitable zombie uprising.
