Researchers have developed a very unusual support material: dissolvable carbon steel that could be used for metal 3D printing support structures.
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From Russia With Imprinta
We took a look at 3D printers from Russia recently, but the interesting part of the story isn’t the hardware.
The J750 3D Printer is Amazing, But Where Can You Actually Use One?
A few months ago, Stratasys announced one of the most powerful 3D printers ever, the J750. But how can you actually use one?
3DScanStore Sells the Best Human Scans We’ve Seen (Cheaper Than You Think)
3D models of humans are incredibly useful for designing wearable products, ergonomic studies, and in-situ renders.
The Coming Importance of Furnaces for 3D Printing
Furnaces for 3D printing? Yes, I think so.
MALPRO Breaks the Filament Price Barrier
I’ve always been suspicious of low-cost 3D printer filament, as it can often be of questionable quality. However, MALPRO may have broken that barrier.
The Bottom to Top Chase in 3D Printing is Closing
For years there has been a significant gap in quality between industrial and “hobby” 3D printers, but it’s becoming a more difficult to measure.
Darlene Farris Labar – “I Am Greatly Fascinated by How Nature Has Engineered Its Endless Forms and Colors”
Darlene Farris-LaBar is both an associate professor of art at East Stroudsburg University and an internationally known artist who makes art about the natural environment.
A Visit to 3D Hubs
When in Amsterdam last week we managed to interrupt the fine folks at 3D Hubs, where their global headquarters is located.
The Thing That Happened to 3D Printing
I’m reading a piece in TechCrunch by Signe Brewster entitled “Whatever happened to 3D printing?” and have some thoughts.
Up Close With the WASP 3 MT
Days ago I wrote about the massive WASP 3 MT massive multi-tool making machine. Now I’ve seen this item in person and it is totally amazing.
Dismissed: That Class Action Suit Against MakerBot Dies Completely
Remember that class action suit against MakerBot / Stratasys? Well, it’s now concluded and Stratasys has come out on top.
Securing 3D Files for 3D Printing with Make it LEO
There’s a peculiar startup offering a secure method of handling 3D design files called, “Make it LEO”.
Design of the Week: 3D Printed Illuminated Magnifying Glass
This week’s selection is the 3D Printed Illuminated Magnifying Glass by Anil Mahtani of The C Continuum.
Builder’s Massive Extreme 2000 3D Printer
Our team took a close look (up) at Buildr’s latest large-format 3D printer, the Extreme 2000. And it is most definitely extreme!
Ultimaker’s Very Serious Focus on Professional 3D Printing
At the very beginning, Ultimaker was a group of guys who built a hobby 3D printer. Now, things are utterly changed.
Implications of Höganäs’ Digital Metal Process
Yesterday I described about Höganäs’ incredible Digital Metal 3D printing process, but I believe there are some strong implications here.
BAE Systems’ “Chemical” Printer: Fantasy or Possibility?
There’s a very strange announcement on the BAE Systems site, proposing a “chemputer” that would “grow” objects. Is this something that’s actually feasible?
Juno’s 3D-Printed Parts Survive Trip to Jupiter
After a five-year journey, NASA’s Juno spacecraft has arrived at its destination: the orbit of Jupiter, where it will collect data about the solar system’s largest planet.
Who Is Höganäs and How Did They Make This Amazing Metal 3D Printer?
Who knew that one of the most amazing metal 3D printing technologies is hidden in Sweden?
Additive Industries is Hiring – and a Lot More
Metal 3D printing startup Additive Industries seems to be succeeding, judging by their need for immediate hiring.
Pollen Announces a $9,000 Multi-Material Desktop 3D Printer for Professionals
The excitement that used to come with each new “revolutionary” desktop 3D printer a few years ago has since quieted down in a major way.
colorFabb Now Sells a 3D Printer, and it’s a Big One
For years now the industry has looked to colorFabb for quality 3D printer filaments and innovative plastic formulations. Now they’re selling a 3D printer, too.
The 3D Printer Filament Stats We Really Want
Buying some 3D printer filament? Did you check anything other than the price and color first? Maybe there’s more you should look at.
Cecile Van Der Waal – “I Want to Put 3d Printing in the Hands of as Many People as Possible and See What They Will Do With It”
Cecile is the co-founder of Printr, a Netherlands-based startup that is willing to disrupt the 3D printing industry by making the technology easy and accessible for everyone.
What Could a True Ceramic 3D Printer Actually Do?
Yesterday I wrote about Olivier van Herpt’s amazing ceramic 3D printer, but I’ve been wondering what the implications of such a machine could be. They are huge.
HP Adds 3D Scanning Technology from an Unlikely Source
HP announced it’s buying the assets of David Vision Systems, providing an immediate 3D scanning technology for the corporation.
XYZPrinting’s MiniMaker Could Make Things Tough For Many Small 3D Printer Manufacturers
XYZPrinting just announced a new desktop 3D printer specifically designed for younger schoolchildren, and this could rattle the business models of many other manufacturers.
Sometimes Extra Detail on 3D Prints is Not Helpful
Often 3D printer operators seek machines capable of printing ever-more-detailed objects, with finer resolution. But sometimes that’s a problem.
The Massive “Gettoblaster” 3D Printer has a Tall Secret
While wandering about the AMShow Europe last week our team almost missed the gigantic 3DP1204 from Netherlands-based SDD (“Smart Dedicated Design”), also known as the “Gettoblaster”.
Idea: Human Drone Scanning
Just a possibly crazy idea, but why couldn’t we perform high resolution scans of humans using drones?
van Herpt’s Incredible Ceramic 3D Printer
In a tiny workshop located in a repurposed aging factory in Eindhoven lies one of the most interesting 3D printers in the world: Olivier van Herpt’s ceramic 3D printer.
colorFabb Announces Steel 3D Printer Filament
True to form, Netherlands-based colorFabb introduced yet another pioneering 3D printer filament, this time based on Steel.
Design of the Week: Saturn V Rocket
This week’s selection is the not-quite-lifesize 3D print of the 1960’s Saturn V Rocket by Korneel Bullens.
It’s True: Apple is Actually Selling 3D Printers
There’s been speculation for years now about whether giant Apple would ever sell a 3D printer. Turns out they have been for a while.
Predicting 3D Printers by the Spool
An industry report has been published that talks about the prospects for growth of 3D printing plastics. But what does this mean?
FATHOM’s Fascinating Hybrid 3D Print Services
I’m looking at a very interesting company based on the west side of the United States, FATHOM. Their purpose is, well, multifold.
The Secrets of 3D Printerworks
3D Printerworks is a small company with a big mission: provide effective 3D printing equipment for business.
DWS DigitalWax 020D
Italian firm DWS has been manufacturing vat photopolymerization 3D printers since 2005, first with the name Next Factory, and then as Digital Wax Systems (DWS) starting in 2007.
A Quick Catchup On MakePrintable
Last fall I wrote a series of stories on an interesting 3D printing startup, MakePrintable. What’s happened since then?
A Closer Look at Fictiv, a Manufacturing Platform for Startups
We wrote about Fictiv, an unusual 3D printing startup a few weeks ago, but today we’re getting more information from their CEO.
Onshape FeatureScript 101 Series: Pump Up the Presets (Part 02)
In this video, we’ll build on last week’s hex nut code to add a drop-down list of standard metric nut sizes.
Tinkerine Ups Their STEAM Game
3D printer manufacturer Tinkerine has launched a new version of their online university, Tinkerine U.
Regional 3D Print Services Emerge
In spite of the efforts of the major 3D printing industry companies to grow their empires around the world, there is still much opportunity for regional players to emerge.
Caitlin Oswald – ” I Was Amazed at How Fun It Was to Have Such a Quick Turnaround Between the Build Designs to Having Parts in Our Hands in a Number of Days”
Caitlin Oswald is an Additive Manufacturing Specialist at LAI International – Leading Advanced Innovations.
Innofil3D’s Super-Strong PRO1 3D Printer Filament
Netherlands-based Innofil3D has released a video showing their new “Pro1” 3D printer filament that has some very strong characteristics.
WASP’s Flexible DeltaWASP 3MT Is More Than Just a Giant 3D Printer
WASP is set to display what might be the largest multi-function 3D printer in the world: the DeltaWASP 3MT.
The MTW Create 3D Printer Kit is Much Improved
Maker’s Tool Works announced the release of the MTW Create 3D printer kit.
Design of the Week: Solar System
This week’s selection is the educational “Solar System” by Luis Cordoba.
3D Archaeology Offers Advantages and Disadvantages
A report in Digital Trends describing how a shipwreck was recreated by 3D scanning and printing suggests some possibilities of the technology in archaeology.
3DPrinterOS Cozies up to Microsoft: Is there More to the Story?
Cloud-based 3D print management service 3DPrinterOS announced they’ve moved their processing to Microsoft’s Azure cloud service.
3D Models, Created by an A.I.: Good or Bad Idea?
An experiment by researchers at the University of Copenhagen attempted to persuade an A.I. to create a 3D model from scratch. It did.
Defeat Thieves With 3D Printed Stolen Logos
This application of 3D printing resonates strongly with me, and it may with you as well: replacing a stolen logo.
The Unusual Properties of PCL 3D Printer Filament
I’m looking at a plastic I haven’t seen before for 3D printing: PCL.
Russian Team Aims to Send Carbon Fiber 3D Printing to Space
When the first 3D printer in space landed at the International Space Station (ISS), it could 3D print with ABS, the plastic found in LEGO bricks.
When to Take the Plunge: van Straaten Seeks Own Color 3D Printer?
Long-time 3D print artist Eric van Straaten of the Netherlands is attempting something unique for artists in this field: obtaining his own color 3D printer.
Yet Another Composite Filament Idea: Reflectivity
Taiwan-based BotFeeder has launched a new “reflective” 3D printer filament on Indiegogo.
Automate Your 3D Printer’s Operations: Now Possible?
This is a big deal: a company has figured out how to perform automated operations on 3D printers.
WASP’s Diverse 3D Printing Ventures
Italy-based WASP’s medical arm has developed an orthopedic corset, demonstrating the company’s shift towards 3D print applications.
Local Motors’ Olli Concept is Amazing – Except for One Thing
Local Motors announced a new transportation concept based partly on 3D printing: Olli, the autonomous transportation solution.
Do Daihatsu’s 3D Printed “Effect Skins” Herald Mass 3D Customization?
Stratasys has partnered with automaker Daihatsu to offer consumers the ability to customize their vehicle using 3D printing.
Designer Toys Meet 3D Printing with the Locknesters Toy Collection
While it’s not uncommon to take 3D printed parts to a high-level of finished quality, it’s not necessarily something we tend to see too often when it comes to stationary toys and objects that have become synonymous with consumer FDM 3D printers.
3D Systems Completes Top-Level Management Changes
New 3D Systems CEO Vyomesh Joshi replaced the company’s Chief Financial Officer this week, seemingly completing a management switch out.
The Transformation Continues: MiiCraft Introduces Professional SLA 3D Printer
Taipei-based MiiCraft launched a new 3D printer last week, one that’s quite different from their original model.
Fabbaloo to Invade the Netherlands
Next week our team will be on the ground in Amsterdam to attend the AMShow at the RAI exhibition centre.
WI3DP: Michelle Mihevc – “There Is More Need to Incorporate Additive Technologies in Augmenting Traditional Manufacturing”
Michelle Mihevc is a Co-Founder and Principal at FATHOM. She is sharing here her 8-year experience within the 3D printing industry.
Could Brexit Affect 3D Printing? Oh, Yes!
This week an important referendum takes place in the UK. But could the “Brexit” hurt or harm the world of 3D printing?
Life After Death: How To Support Aging Industrial 3D Printers
This week we proposed the idea of buying used 3D printers instead of new, but how can you keep them running?
Hands On With Autodesk’s Sculpt+
I’ve finally had a chance to check out Autodesk’s tablet-based Sculpt+ 3D creation app.
M3D’s Vastly Improved M3D Pro 3D Printer
One of the most popular desktop 3D printers just got a lot better.
Stratasys Contemplates New 3D Printer Configurations?
Recently I observed an online survey from Stratasys whose questions may suggest something about their ideas for future 3D printers.
Formfutura’s Almost-Entirely Metal 3D Printer Filaments
Netherlands-based Formfuture announced a pair of new composite metal 3D printer filaments today, but there’s a surprising twist: they’re almost entirely metal!
Design of the Week: Avoid Chandelier
This week’s selection is the beautiful “Avoid Chandelier” by long-time 3D designer Janne Kyttanen.
What? “The 3D Printing Bubble Has Burst”
I’m reading a piece in Newsweek describing how the 3D printing bubble has “burst”, and wonder how such a thing could be true.
3D Printed Construction Milestone Achieved
Netherlands company Heijmans partnered with CyBe Construction to produce prototype concrete formworks. Apparently, they were successful.
That Supercharged HotRod Henry 3D Printer is Now Available
About a year ago, I saw an incredibly large, incredibly fast and quite stylish desktop 3D printer, the Hotrod Henry Supercharged.
Autodesk Forges Critical New APIs for Forge
Autodesk’s Forge cloud-based 3D initiative gained some new APIs this past week, and they’ll be of specific interest to 3D printing folks.
Is a Giant Paper 3D Printer on the Way?
With the worlds of 2D and 3D printing starting to blend together, the world’s largest printing equipment exhibition, drupa, is starting to see 3D printer manufacturers demonstrating their wares to drupa attendees.
New 3D Printing Application Developed: Ankle Foot Orthosis
A project using 3D Platform equipment has successfully developed an interesting new 3D printing application: custom fit ankle foot orthosis, or “AFO”s.
Resurrecting an Extinct Chocolate Bar with 3D Printing
It’s now been proven: prehistoric chocolate bars can indeed be brought back from extinction!
A New Bio-Active 3D Printing Polymer Suggests Many New Applications
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have done something I’ve not seen before: mixed bio-active enzymes with 3D printing polymer.
Need a Vertebrate, a Tortoise, Antlers Or an Edible Dormouse 3D Model?
3D model repository service Threeding has announced a new partnership that’s resulted in a large number of animal anatomy 3D models.
6 Steps to Understanding Integrated CAM in Fusion 360 (and Why It Matters)
The O’Jays. Remember those guys? Probably not, but I guarantee you’ve heard their most popular song, For the Love of Money.
Want to Finish Your 3D Print in Vantablack, the World’s Darkest Material?
Monocolor 3D prints are so dull-looking; that’s why many people paint or finish them. But what if you could do so with the world’s darkest material?
The Time is Getting Ripe to Attempt Large, Complex 3D Printed Structures
It seems that the elements required to enable the 3D printing of incredibly complex structures we’ve all long imagined are slowly coming together.
The Lost Wax Casting Method, In Video
You may have heard of the “lost wax” method, but I found a video that demonstrates the process in great detail.
Katrin Olina – “That Is What Technology Should Be Used for, – to Materialize Dreams as Well as to Make Our World More Interesting and Hopefully Better”
Nora Toure interviews 3D designer Katrin Olina.
Why Not Buy a Used 3D Industrial Printer?
A very practical method of acquiring a high-power industrial 3D printer is to buy one on the used market.
Searchers of Google Tell a Pessimistic Attitude Toward 3D Printing
For fun I used Google’s famous search autofill to see what people are searching for when specifying a number of 3D printing companies. The results are very clear.
The Commercial Dangers of Open Source 3D Printers
While an open source business approach is desired by many, there are certain existential threats that may result.
The RGB STEEL Low Cost 3D Printer
RepRapAlgarve has released a design and kit for a powerful multicolor 3D printer, the RGB STEEL.
Simplify3D v3.1 is Overflowing with Printer Support
Simplify3D announced and released a new version, 3.1, that includes support for a ridiculous number of new 3D printers, and also some very interesting enhancements.
Software Catchup: Type A Machine’s Radical 3D Print Infill
In the world of 3D printing, much has been accomplished in increasing hardware capabilities, but it seems that software often lags behind.
Design of the Week: Pulmonary
This week’s selection is the peculiar “Pulmonary” earrings by British designer William Stanley.
Entering The Turnaround Zone: Could 3D Print Stock Prices Have Hit Bottom?
There’s been so much doom and gloom regarding 3D print stocks in the past two years it’s hard to see any light. But perhaps there is.