Step 5: Send your model to the 3D printer. Once you've done all the other steps, it's time to print. I was using the new Bambu Lab H2D and it took a little over 11 hours to get a full-color 3D print.

Precise and flexible 3D manufacturing techniques make it possible to individually tailor everything from prosthetics to drugs.

A small model (about 3–4 inches) can take 6 to 12 hours to finish, depending on your print quality settings. Here’s the trade-off: Thicker layers = faster prints , but more visible lines and ...

For instance, a 3D-printed model of a child’s heart enables surgeons to simulate complex surgeries. This approach can lead to shorter operating times, fewer complications, and lower costs.