Why we named it Z-Access

Say Z-Access out loud and it sounds like Z-axis. That's on purpose.

The Z-axis

A 3D printer works in three directions. X and Y move the nozzle across the build plate. Z is up and down: after each thin layer, the nozzle and bed move a little farther apart. Every printed object, from a keychain to a replacement part, grows along the Z-axis. It's the direction that turns a flat drawing into something you can hold.

The access

The other half of the name is the reason we're building this. 3D printers are cheaper than ever, but plenty of them end up in a closet after the first jam or the first failed print. What people need is access: to good machines, to the know-how that makes them work, and to a person who can look at a failed print and tell you why it happened.

What we're doing now

• A weekly email with tips and projects for hobbyists, families, and educators.
• A summer camp in the works for kids ages 7 to 17, with an interest list open now.
• Made-to-order prints, from game-day hype chains to lithophane photo gifts and custom designs.
• After-school programs we're building for schools.

We're working toward a studio near Scottsdale Road and Thomas, and we'll share what we learn along the way, including the prints that don't go to plan.

Have a quick question? Book a free 10-minute call.