In this issue we have a range of articles covering topics such as the new D&T GCSE, food teaching, online resources, additive manufacturing, material technology, robotics and some advice about safety with sanders.

The heating or bonding of materials to form shapes which can then be finished to provide a 3 dimensional representation of a CAD image.

This is a compilation of the articles about 3D printing that have appeared in Futureminds over the past three years.

They span designing for 3D printing, types of printers, teaching schemes and safe use of these machines in a school.

Additive manufacturing is a popular activity in schools, with the advent of relatively cheap 3D printers.

This project covers the use of a desktop 3D printer, using PLA filament, extruded through a heated nozzle.

The same safety considerations should be borne in mind when using other 3D printers, or rapid prototyping machines.