3D Printing is cutting edge technology. Just like how the first desktop computer revolutionized the computer industry, we are leading the next industrial revolution in 3D printing.
With that said, 3D printing is constantly evolving and although you don’t need to be an expert to produce amazing prints, it does require some understanding on how it works in order to to get started.
FFF (fused filament fabrication) is an additive manufacturing technology. A fused filament fabrication tool deposits a filament of a material (such as plastic, wax, or metal) on top or alongside the same material, making a joint (by heat or adhesion).
Objects printed with FFF are layered, so they have a grain like wood. Even when printed with an infill rate of 100%, such objects are not quite as strong (in some directions) as others. Tests show that printing the same object in different orientations, with different infill patterns, can give differences in strength of almost 2 to 1. An interlocking infill pattern seems to give more strength.
For more reading on how fused filament fabrication works, check out the Reprap Wiki website.
