Full Color Printing Expands in Desktop FFF, But Some Major Manufacturers are AWOL
The new “full colour” capabilities to FFF 3D printing are creating some interesting reactions.
Chinese Patent Describes Adjustable FFF Nozzle
A newly granted Chinese utility patent proposes a variable extrusion head for FFF 3D printers, aimed at avoiding one of the oldest annoyances in desktop and industrial extrusion printing: changing nozzles.
ORNL Uses Additive Manufacturing to Reduce Costs for Small-Scale Hydroelectric Installations
ORNL has been working on an interesting partnership to develop a 3D-printed micro-hydro system.
Luyten’s Tower Crane 3DCP System Capable of Printing Structures Up to 100 Meters
Luyten has produced a most unusual 3DCP printer.
Study Probes PLA and Wood Dust FFF Composites
Researchers evaluated how wood dust affects PLA parts printed by FFF, and the results could change how makers and manufacturers approach bio-filled filaments.
Google Releases Enables 3D Printed Fitbit Air Band Designs
Google has stepped into the world of 3D printing in a big way.
Selective SLA Curing Patent Targets Variable Properties
A patent application proposes a more selective way to post-cure stereolithography parts.
Self Cleaning Fan Patent Targets 3D Printer Cooling
A Chinese utility model patent proposes a simple way to keep 3D printer cooling fans from slowly degrading: clean the fan blades while they spin.
From Custom Prosthetics to Digital Care: Ottobock’s Latest 3D Printing Innovation Signals a Healthcare Shift
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine how Ottobock’s new 3D printed silicone prosthetic liner reflects a broader movement toward mass-customized healthcare enabled by additive manufacturing and digital workflows.
Neural Shape Optimization Could Cut 3D Print Supports
A new neural field-based optimization method aims to reshape parts to reduce overhangs and, in turn, minimize the need for 3D printing support structures.
Sponsor News
Investigating Creality’s Black Friday Deals
It’s that time of year again, and there are quite a few Black Friday sales on for desktop 3D printers.
Vision Miner 22 IDEX V4 Delivers Inexpensive PEEK-Class 3D Printing
Vision Miner officially introduced the 22 IDEX V4, the newest iteration of its independent dual-extrusion 3D printer.
Integrated Design-to-Production Services Simplify Part Manufacturing
Making a production part is vastly different than making one for one-off use.
PCBWAY to Launch September Promotion with 36% Discount on TPU 3D Printing
It looks like PCBWAY has found itself with a trainload of TPU material.
Creality’s SpacePi X4: Advanced Four-Spool, Two-Chamber Filament Dryer
Creality introduced what could be the best filament drying solution on the market: the SpacePi X4.
Creality and AMISS Partner to Bring 3D Printing Innovation to Fashion Industry
Creality seems to have developed an entirely new application for 3D printing, this time in the fashion industry.
A Closer Look at PCBWay’s Online 3D Printing Workflow
I took a tour through PCBWay’s online quoting service for 3D prints.
PCBWay Enhances Designer Workflow with New Open-Source Software Integrations
There are some interesting developments at PCBWay.
Creality Unveils Hi Combo: A High-Speed 3D Printer with Automated Filament Switching
Creality launched the anticipated Creality Hi Combo 3D printer today.
Research
Study Probes PLA and Wood Dust FFF Composites
Researchers evaluated how wood dust affects PLA parts printed by FFF, and the results could change how makers and manufacturers approach bio-filled filaments.
Neural Shape Optimization Could Cut 3D Print Supports
A new neural field-based optimization method aims to reshape parts to reduce overhangs and, in turn, minimize the need for 3D printing support structures.
Study Probes 3D Printed Gyroid Implants For Bone
A new study evaluates the mechanical and biological behavior of 3D printed gyroid implants aimed at improving bone integration.
Interpretable FFF Model Predicts Print Time And Filament
A team has proposed an interpretable machine learning approach that predicts print time and filament use for FFF, potentially sharpening quotes, schedules, and configuration decisions before you slice.
Corporate
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, June 7, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
AI-Generated 3D Content Gains Strategic Importance as Tripo Raises US$200M
Tripo just received US$200M, and there’s a reason for that.
Timeline: The Stratasys, Nano Dimension, Desktop Metal, and Markforged Merger Saga
Let’s look at the timeline of the startling corporate moves involving Stratasys and Nano Dimension.
New York’s New 3D Printing Legislation Raises Questions About Feasibility
It happened last week: New York State actually passed their unbelievably infeasible 3D-printed weapon legislation.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, May 31, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
Ideas
Full Color Printing Expands in Desktop FFF, But Some Major Manufacturers are AWOL
The new “full colour” capabilities to FFF 3D printing are creating some interesting reactions.
Cura’s Role Shrinks as PrusaSlicer-Derived Tools Dominate FFF Printing Software
The FFF slicing tool market has consolidated, and not around Cura.
Building Codes and Regulation May Determine the Future Growth of 3D Printed Construction
Regulation may be the least fun part of 3D printed construction, but it determines whether 3DCP can move past demonstrations.
Ten Potential Disruptions That Could Reshape the 3D Printing Industry
What developments in 3D printing could truly disrupt the industry?
Services
New ColorMix Shading Utility Applies Lighting-Based Color Effects to 3D Prints
Prusa Research just released one of the most interesting 3D print utilities: ColorMix Shading.
MyMiniFactory Outlines Strategy to Revive Thingiverse with New Features
Things are about to happen on Thingiverse.
Trinckle Patents User Guided 3D Printing Configuration
Trinckle 3D has published a pair of German patent applications that point toward a very specific problem in additive manufacturing: how do you let less experienced users customize 3D printed parts…
3D Print Manager Streamlines Filament Inventory for Small Print Farms
There’s a new tool to help you manage your inventory of 3D printer filament.
Usage
ORNL Uses Additive Manufacturing to Reduce Costs for Small-Scale Hydroelectric Installations
ORNL has been working on an interesting partnership to develop a 3D-printed micro-hydro system.
From Custom Prosthetics to Digital Care: Ottobock’s Latest 3D Printing Innovation Signals a Healthcare Shift
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine how Ottobock’s new 3D printed silicone prosthetic liner reflects a broader movement toward mass-customized healthcare enabled by additive manufacturing and digital workflows.
Google and FANUC Want to Build the First Truly Intelligent Factory Robots
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi analyze how AI-enabled FANUC robots could transform automation, additive manufacturing, and factory intelligence.
3D Printing the Nuclear Renaissance: How Additive Manufacturing Fuels the AI Power Grid and R&D Credits
Charles G. Goulding explains how the convergence of AI data center energy demands and advanced nuclear engineering has turned additive manufacturing into a critical pathway for securing lucrative Federal R&D Tax…