this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2024
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Showerthoughts

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Specifically the type of printer that prints using spools of plastic filament, but that seems like the most common type anyway

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[–] Bougie_Birdie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 32 points 10 months ago (4 children)

You're going to love/hate 3D printer pens

[–] poppy@lemm.ee 6 points 10 months ago

There are some amazing creators on YouTube using these things. They’re so fun to watch.

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I didn't know this was a thing and I want one.

[–] Norgur@kbin.social 7 points 10 months ago

Really fun thing to play around with, although it requires some practice to do cool stuff with it.

[–] serpineslair@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Thought it was a pregnancy test at first glance.

[–] MxM111@kbin.social 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Those are plotters, not printers.

[–] EtherWhack@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I think you got mixed up a bit.

A plotter is a specialized printer used for drafting and generally uses big (usu. 3-4ft length) rolls of paper. Some types do use pens, though they're usually short and specially shaped making them difficult to use manually

The OC was referring to the pens that work like an auto-feeding hot glue gun using colorized glue, or PLA if the heating element gets hot enough.

[–] MxM111@kbin.social 2 points 10 months ago

I think the main difference between printer and plotter is rasterization vs vector graphics.

[–] inconel@lemmy.ca 22 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Not all printers are, but FDM printers are. SLA printers, the one uses projector and resin to makr high detailed figurines or parts with precision are basically fancy nail polish and curing light combimed.

[–] Lord_ToRA@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] WhyAUsername_1@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

It's a mime act with a comb.

[–] Aceticon@lemmy.world 15 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A personal computer is basically just a really fancy calculator.

[–] RealPuyo@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A calculator is just a very basic computer.?

[–] xoggy@programming.dev 1 points 10 months ago

Calculators calculate while computers can be programmed with new instructions. Fancy calculators that can be programmed though, as you say, are basic computers. Meanwhile calculators that run BASIC are BASIC computers.

[–] thantik@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago

I run a 3D printer shop and that's what I tell customers all the time -- "It's a really tiny hot glue gun attached to a really cheap robot"

[–] Moonrise2473@feddit.it 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It's exactly how I described it to my friends

They said "omg u have a 3d printer" I replied "nah it's just a glue gun on rails"

[–] EtherWhack@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

Wait until you learn about resin printers

[–] rikudou@lemmings.world 4 points 10 months ago

Not really, different stuff altogether. 3D pens would be probably closer.

[–] Justas@sh.itjust.works 0 points 10 months ago

Nothing worse than a pile of hot snot to make that Instagram video project a reality.