Benchmarking samples are often produced to ensure a 3D printed part delivers the required engineering performance. However, miniFactory has introduced a new twist on the process.
Kerry Stevenson
Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!
Hands On With Our Hands-On 3D Printing Reviews
Did you know we’ve published dozens of product reviews? Here’s a list of all 80+ of them, at least up to today.
BMF Unveils The microArch S240 Micro-Precision 3D Printer
BMF released details today about an industrial 3D printer targeting the micro parts market.
Why Are There So Many New AM Metal Powder Companies?
I had a thought about why there are a number of new entrants to the AM metal powder market.
ARMOR Group Opens 3D Printing Materials Plant In North America
ARMOR Group announced the opening of new 3D printing materials manufacturing operations located near Cincinnati.
Book of the Week: Additive Manufacturing
This week’s selection is “Additive Manufacturing” by The Open University.
Smart3D Launches The Macro, A Manufacturing 3D Printer
Smart3D International has announced a new 3D printer, the Macro, and it’s intended for use in manufacturing.
Hands On With The Formlabs Form 3 3D Printer, Part 2
I had the chance to put together a Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D printer and found the device a great improvement over the Form 2.
Hands On With The Formlabs Form 3 3D Printer, Part 1
I had the chance to put together a Formlabs Form 3 SLA 3D printer and found the device a great improvement over the Form 2.
Design of the Week: Arduino Tracked Car
This week’s selection is the 3D printed Arduino Tracked Car by Instructables contributor Morrisl4.
MakerBot And Polymaker Demonstrate The Importance Of 3D Print Materials Partnerships
An announcement from Polymaker and MakerBot underlines the increasing importance of partnerships for 3D print materials.
Autodesk Limits Functionality In Free Version Of Fusion 360
Autodesk abruptly announced some significant changes in the functionality of the free version of Fusion 360, their flagship 3D design tool.
Shining 3D Releases Two New Handheld 3D Scanners
Shining 3D has announced the EinScan H and EinScan HX handheld 3D scanners.
A New Player Has Entered The Metal 3D Printing Powder Game: ALTANA
There is news about what appears to be a new player in the metal 3D printing powder market: ALTANA.
Low-Cost Independent Extruders: The JGMaker Artist-D Launches
The new JGMaker Artist-D desktop 3D printer launches this week, and it is quite a bit different from other low-cost 3D printers.
Nexa3D Makes Three Big Announcements
Nexa3D made multiple announcements this week, each strengthening their position in the market.
Watch Out, Belt 3D Printers Are Coming
Having written a couple of stories focusing on belt 3D printers recently, I have some thoughts about their future.
Stratasys’ Scott Crump Retires?
A post on Wohlers Talk indicates that Scott Crump, founder of Stratasys and inventor of FDM 3D printing, has stepped away from day-to-day activities at the company.
When 3D Printed Guns Are Not 3D Printed Guns
I’m reading an article on Hackaday about some folks experimenting with 3D printed gun parts and realized there could be a problem.
Formlabs Announces Form 3BL Biocompatible 3D Printer
Formlabs has unexpectedly announced a new 3D printer, the Form 3BL.
Book of the Week: Robotics
This week’s selection is “Robotics: Everything You Need to Know About Robotics from Beginner to Expert” by Peter Mckinnon.
More On That Plastic Repellent Paint Option
We found out a lot more about Slice Engineering’s new plastic repellent paint.
Design of the Week: Minimalist Quick Change Toilet Paper Holder
This week’s selection is the Minimalist Quick Change Toilet Paper Holder by Arthur Tipaldi.
Robot Factory Offers Continuous 3D Printer Conversion Kit
Robot Factory announced the “Steel Roller Kit”, which converts a normal desktop 3D printer into a continuously operating device.
Exclusive: Naomi Wu On The Creality 3DPrintMill Belt 3D Printer
Supermaker Naomi Wu answered our questions about the upcoming Creality CR-30 belt 3D printer.
Additive Industries Partners With Sigma Labs On PrintRite3D
Additive Industries announced a partnership with Sigma Labs to allow use of PrintRite3D on their equipment.
Photocentric’s Battery Initiative
We received notice that UK-based Photocentric has launched a battery research division.
Formlabs Dodges The Reseller Barrier
I’ve noticed that Formlabs continues to grow their reseller program to market their 3D printing products.
Teg: “A Bold New Way To 3D Print Over WiFi”
I found what appears to be a new 3D print utility in the making: Teg.
Entirely New Form Of 3D Design Developed: Computational Design Synthesis
Researchers have developed what appears to be a far more accessible method of developing highly complex 3D models for 3D printing.
Cultivate3D Launches Massive “Elevator” 3D Printer
Australia-based Cultivate3D launched a massive new 3D printer that includes several very unusual features.
8 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy A Home 3D Printer
Many Fabbaloo readers own their own 3D printer, while others contemplate buying one. But should you?
Why Is 3D Print Service Pricing So Complex?
Computing the price of a 3D print from a service has always been a complex matter, but now a new approach may shake things up.
Book of the Week: Designing 3D Printers
This week’s selection is “Designing 3D Printers” by Neil Rosenberg.
Hands On With PLA-F, An ABS & PLA Blend
I heard about a new 3D printer filament with an unlikely combination of materials: PLA and ABS.
Plasmonic Seasoning Adds Color To SLS 3D Printing
Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen have developed a way to generate colors during SLS 3D printing processes.
Another 3D Print Company Going Green
The trend continues: 3D printing companies, one by one, are transforming their activities to place less burden on the environment.
Design of the Week: Heart Aortic Valve
This week’s selection is the Heart Aortic Valve by researchers at the University of Minnesota.
3D Printed Components Enable Enhanced CO2 Capture
A test device made by the Oak Ridge National Lab has developed a prototype device that can more efficiently capture CO2.
SME’s 2021 Digital Manufacturing Challenge Now Open
SME is sponsoring a major design challenge for students.
Search Thingiverse: An Alternative Search For Thingiverse?
A tipster pointed us at a brand new service that can quickly search Thingiverse.
Jellypipe: A Different Kind of 3D Printing Platform
I’ve learned of a 3D printing network that operates a bit differently, and likely more effectively than typical networks.
It Really Is Possible To 3D Print Non-Planar
Non-planar 3D printing is perhaps a term you’re not familiar with, but if Gabriel Boutin has his way, you will in the future.
Ultimaker Reports Significant Growth During The Pandemic
Ultimaker reported significant growth in the first half of 2020, a rare reveal of the private company’s financial state.
How About Those Non-Toxic Resin Cleaners?
Cleaning 3D printer resin is often a messy task, and one that’s made more difficult with dangerous cleaners. Are there alternatives?
Ultimaker Releases Ultimaker Cura 4.7
There’s a new release of Ultimaker Cura out this week, version 4.7.
Will Physical 3D Printing Conferences Degrade Into Local Events?
I’ve been puzzling over how our team should handle upcoming physical 3D printing events, and came to a realization.
Fictiv Goes Transparent
Fictiv announced a comprehensive set of transparency features that should fit well into the current state of the world.
Book of the Week: Gears and Gear Cutting for Home Machinists
This week’s selection is “Gears and Gear Cutting for Home Machinists” by Ivan Law.
Don’t Forget The Dangers Of PTFE
PTFE is commonly used material in 3D printer construction, but did you know it poses some danger?
Susana Marques’s Journey To Real 3D Printed Fashions, Part 2
We had a chance to interview Susana Marques, a designer who has been using a number of 3D printers to develop functional and attractive fabrics.
Susana Marques’s Journey To Real 3D Printed Fashions, Part 1
We had a chance to interview Susana Marques, a fashion designer who has been using a number of 3D printers to develop functional and attractive fabrics.
Design of the Week: Giant Rex Head
This week’s selection is the astonishing Giant Rex Head by Simon Clark.
An Unusual 3D Print Accessory: Plastic Repellent Paint
I bumped into a 3D print accessory I’d never heard of, and think it’s a pretty good idea.
Creality Takes The High Road On A Technical Issue
Creality smartly announced a potentially dangerous issue with their latest desktop 3D printer, the CR-6 SE.
Electromagnetic Ceramic 3D Printing Possibilities
New research has uncovered a potential method for 3D printing ceramic materials using microwaves.
Prusa Moving Towards Professional Market?
Could Prusa Research be slowly moving into the professional 3D printing market?
Wi3DP Releases Diversity For Additive Manufacturing 2020 Report
Women in 3D Printing’s 2020 Diversity for Additive Manufacturing report is a special edition, and it’s something everyone should read.
Is Magigoo Taking Over The World?
Magigoo seems to have expanded a great deal since we last took a look at them, and a new partnership shows where they are headed.
colorFabb’s Foamy varioShore 3D Printer Filament
You may not have heard, but colorFabb markets a very unusual 3D printer filament called varioShore.
Creality Developing Belt-Driven Desktop 3D Printer
It seems that Creality is developing a belt-driven 3D printer, and that has several implications.
Book of the Week: The Toyota Way
This week’s selection is “The Toyota Way” by Jeffrey Liker.
A Different Kind Of Construction 3D Printing: With Soil
Researchers in Austin have developed a method of successfully 3D printing a soil mixture, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.
The Cheap Filament Option
Many Fabbaloo readers consume a lot of 3D printer materials, and that can be expensive. But there are ways to reduce costs.
Design of the Week: Interactive maps for visually impaired
This week’s selection is ”Interactive maps for visually impaired” by physicist Sergei V. Bogdanov.
Watching 3D Printed Tungsten Crack In Real Time
Researchers have found a way to directly observe micro-cracking of 3D printed tungsten metal.
BMW’s New Additive Manufacturing Plant Won’t Be The Last
BMW has opened for operations a new additive manufacturing plant, but this is likely only the beginning.
Wayland Additive Sets NeuBeam Target For January
Wayland Additive is set to release their NeuBeam metal 3D printer this coming January.
Essentium Materials Handling Guide Reveals Drying Insights For 3D Printing
Everyone knows 3D printer filament must be dry to function properly, but exactly how is this best done?
ExOne Takes A COVID-19 Hit
ExOne announced their financial results for the quarter, and it seems they’ve incurred some COVID-19 effects.
Voodoo Manufacturing Closes, Permanently
We’ve learned that NYC-based Voodoo Manufacturing has closed its doors.
Pantheon Developing Very High Speed 3D Printer
There’s a new industrial filament 3D printer in the works that could operate seven to nine times faster than conventional devices.
SLM Solutions Grows 90%? What Happened?
SLM Solutions announced their revenue grew an astonishing 90% in the first half of the year. How did they accomplish this during a pandemic?
MakerBot Announces MakerBot CloudPrint
MakerBot announced a new service called MakerBot CloudPrint, which is intended to deliver a seamless 3D printing experience to clients.
Book of the Week: Steal Like An Artist
This week’s selection is “Steal Like An Artist” by Austin Kleon.
How Is Stratasys Doing During The Pandemic?
Stratasys released their quarterly results, and I reviewed them to see how the pandemic is affecting the giant 3D printer manufacturer.
McLaren’s Speedtail Aileron Design Inspires 3D Printed Solutions?
Supercar maker McLaren’s new Speedtail includes an unusual feature that might inspire some new 3D printed designs.
What’s Happening With Hiring In 3D Printing In 2020?
It’s 2020, one of the worst years, ever. Business is down everywhere, but is this really true in 3D printing?
Design of the Week: The Obliterator
This week’s selection is the The Obliterator by Antonio Alonso.
Is 3D Printing The Right Tool For The Job?
I’m reading a story on FastCompany about a 3D printed reef project, and wondering if this was the correct solution.
Examining Mixed Dimension’s Anatomical 3D Prints
I got my hands on a fantastic full color, transparent 3D print from Mixed Dimensions and it’s worth discussing.
Creality Drops Ender 3 Price to US$170
Creality has notably dropped the price of their very popular desktop 3D printer, the Ender 3.
Another LIDAR 3D Scanning App Appears
Laan Labs has released a new LIDAR-powered 3D scanning app for the iPad Pro.
Aniwaa Unleashes Their 3D Printer Database
Aniwaa announced a powerful 3D printer database comparison tool that could prove quite useful for many stranded buyers.
Adidas Releases New ULTRA4D Shoe With Advanced 3D Printed Midsole
Adidas, one of the leading shoe companies in the world, released the new ULTRA4D shoe, which sports a 3D printed midsole.
Finally: Autodesk Introduces Proper Emboss Feature In Fusion 360
At long last Autodesk has resolved a long-standing issue with Fusion 360: the ability to easily emboss a curved surface.
What Might We Expect To See In The Prusa MK4? Part 2
I’ve been doing some thinking about a potential Prusa MK4 3D printer and have some ideas about what we might see.
What Might We Expect To See In The Prusa MK4? Part 1
No, there have been no announcements regarding a new “Prusa MK4” 3D printer. But what might be included in a MK4?
A Secret Foam-Based 3D Printing Process Under Development
I’ve recently been corresponding with reader Michał Baran, who has been working on one of the most unusual 3D printing processes yet seen.
Azoth’s Unique Digital Inventory Approach Using XYZprinting’s SLS System
XYZprinting’s MfgPro230 xS SLS 3D printer is enabling a company to provide an unusual digital inventory service.
Arevo Gets More Cash And A New 3D Printer
Arevo has been making strides recently and perhaps none bigger than today’s announcement of new funding and a brand new more-capable 3D printer.
Book of the Week: 3D Printer Troubleshooting Handbook
This week’s selection is the “3D Printer Troubleshooting Handbook” by Johannes Wild.
Is It Filament Weight, Length, or Volume?
The question of measuring an amount of 3D printer filament seems straightforward, but there’s more to the story.
Design of the Week: 3D Printed RC Subnautica Cyclops Submarine
This week’s selection is the astonishing 3D Printed RC Subnautica Cyclops Submarine by Robert Cook.
Yes, There’s Another Microwave-Based 3D Printing Process
When I saw 3DSLA.RU’s unusual microwave-based 3D printer last November at Formnext, I thought it was the only one. I was wrong.