Young Oak Creek resident William Birkman first became interested in creating things by building Lego sets and working on hands-on projects. When he discovered 3D printing, William found the prospect of taking ideas and making them a reality very exciting. Right now, he enjoys finding and printing different designs, and looks forward to learning how to create his own designs very soon.

 

William has lived in the neighborhood for three years. “What I like most is how there are always kids around to play with,” William says. “I enjoy spending time outside riding bikes and scooters with friends, going to the neighborhood pool, and participating in community events.”

When you’re making things as William does, you need material; William’s favorite to print is PLA filament because it’s “easy to use and comes in a wide variety of colors.” He also likes trying different types of material, like matte and silk, because they give each print a unique look and make the finished product more interesting. “One of my favorite parts of 3D printing is creating fidgets and toys that people can actually use and enjoy,” Williams says. “I like choosing designs and customizing the colors, and it’s really rewarding to see something go from an idea to a finished product.” He’s also started sharing and selling some of his prints in the neighborhood, which has helped him learn what people like and how he can improve his designs.

Creating a 3D print begins with choosing or designing a file in a program like Bambu Studio and loading the filament into the printer. Once the printer bed is clean and ready, you send the design to the machine to begin the process. It is important to watch the first few layers to ensure the print is adhering correctly before letting it finish completely. After the item is carefully removed from the printer, the final step involves cleaning up any extra material or supports to reveal your finished craft.

While William gets inspiration online, from YouTube, and other designs, he also enjoys coming up with his own ideas, aiming to think of what would be fun or useful, then trying to bring that idea to life. Dedicated to his craft, William spends several hours each week working on his projects, especially when he’s trying something new or experimenting. He works in the space in his home where he keeps his 3D printer and supplies; it’s where he does most of his work, testing, and creating.

As he works, William enjoys listening to music or having engineering YouTube videos playing in the background, giving himself rhythm and staying motivated. That rhythm will carry him into the future as he starts to design his own prints using Bambu Studio. “I want to be able to create my own ideas from scratch and continue improving my skills with more advanced projects,” William says. “I also enjoy engineering-type projects and would like to become a robotics engineer when I grow up.” The world thrives in the hands of the people who make things to make this world a better, more interesting place, and we can’t wait to see what William’s hands make next.