Layer Notes
3D printing tips, projects, and lesson ideas from Z-Access, one layer at a time. Choose who you are to see the posts written for you.
Drink spiking: how to look out for each other at parties, concerts, and raves
How to keep an eye on your drink and your friends at parties, concerts, and raves, the signs of spiking, and what to do.
What to look for in a 3D printer for kids
Is a 3D printer safe for kids? With an enclosure, PLA, some airflow, and a grown-up on the hot parts, yes. Here's what to look for before you buy.
How teens are building real businesses with a 3D printer
Teens are building real businesses with a 3D printer. Three true stories, the steps they took, and how a young maker can start with one good idea.
3D printer stringing: what causes it and how to fix it
Wispy strings all over your print? Here's what causes 3D printer stringing and how to fix it, from drying your filament to retraction settings.
3D printer calibration for beginners: what to check first
New to 3D printing? Here's what calibration means, which checks matter most, and when to run them, with video of our own first calibration.
Bambu Lab H2C setup: what to remove first
Our Bambu Lab H2C unboxing, step by step: the screws, zip ties, foam, and tape to remove before you power on, and what the first calibration looks like.
Before you buy a 3D printer: five questions
Choosing a first printer comes down to what you want to make, who will use it, and where it will live.
Why won't my first layer stick? A checklist
Most failed prints fail in the first few minutes. Work through this checklist from the easiest fix to the hardest.
3D printing at home with kids: a simple, safe setup
Where the printer goes, who handles the hot parts, and five first projects that work well for families.
What is a lithophane? A photo that glows
A lithophane is a 3D-printed photo: a plain textured panel until light shines through it, then the picture appears. Here's how lithophanes work and how to pick a photo that prints well.
A first 3D design lesson for grades 4 to 8
A one-hour lesson plan that takes students from a blank screen to a printable name tag, with ways to adjust it for younger and older grades.
Why we named it Z-Access
The name says it twice: the axis every 3D print grows along, and the access to machines and know-how we want everyone to have.
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