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

    • poppy@lemm.ee
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      7 months ago

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

      • Norgur@kbin.social
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        7 months ago

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

      • EtherWhack@lemmy.world
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        7 months ago

        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
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          7 months ago

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

  • inconel@lemmy.ca
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    7 months ago

    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.

      • xoggy@programming.dev
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        7 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
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    7 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
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    7 months ago

    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”