(Image courtesy of Branch Technology.)Branch Technology has erected what it claims is the world’s largest 3D-printed structure for Nashville, Tenn.’s OneC1TY neighborhood. Unveiled at the 2018 International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures this week, the structure strands at 20 feet tall and stretches 42 feet wide. Chattanooga, Tenn.-based firm is known for its unique… Continue reading Branch Technology Creates “Largest 3D-Printed Structure”
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Look Who’s Patented 3D Printable Concrete
We were directed to a patent describing a composition for 3D printable concrete. This would certainly be a very useful capability, as the many attempts at 3D printed buildings using concrete extruders have had mixed success. However, most, if not all, of them have been using standard concrete materials. We know from experience with thermoplastic… Continue reading Look Who’s Patented 3D Printable Concrete
HP’s Stephen Nigro Discusses Siemens’ Support of Full-Color 3D Printing
Among the news released at Siemens PLM Connection Americas 2018 was the announcement that HP Inc. and Siemens are expanding their existing partnership to add functionality for HP’s full-color 3D printing technology. To learn more about what this means within the larger context of HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), we spoke to Stephen Nigro, president… Continue reading HP’s Stephen Nigro Discusses Siemens’ Support of Full-Color 3D Printing
Resha Agarwal – “3D printing has already broken the barriers of traditional ways of design. Similarly, we have to break the traditional belief that manufacturing is a man’s game”
Resha Agarwal is the Marketing Head at Imaginarium India Pvt Ltd. As such, she is responsible for marketing initiatives of the company, catering to a vast array of industries ranging from jewelry, medical, automotive to education. Nora Toure: Resha, could you let us know about your background and what brought you into 3D printing in… Continue reading Resha Agarwal – “3D printing has already broken the barriers of traditional ways of design. Similarly, we have to break the traditional belief that manufacturing is a man’s game”
Stratasys Releases ULTEM-Killer Thermoplastic
It seems that we have reached peak innovation in terms of fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing technologies. Just a couple of years ago, it seems that everyone had a new FDM printer on the market, with each company promising something slightly different (or slightly cheaper) than the last. Well, the good news is that… Continue reading Stratasys Releases ULTEM-Killer Thermoplastic
M3D Announces a Sub-USD$500 Full Color 3D Printer
M3D is well known for their inexpensive desktop 3D printers, but now they’ve added a very different machine to their product line. The new “Crane Quad” system is a full color desktop 3D printer with a price said to be less than USD$500. Previously the company marketed single or dual extrusion machines that proved very… Continue reading M3D Announces a Sub-USD$500 Full Color 3D Printer
There Really Could Be Something To HP’s Long Term Strategy
HP today made some interesting announcements that tell us quite a bit about their long term strategy, which just might work. HP is like the elephant in the room within the industry. They’re really big – financially. When they move, it’s important. While they are quite a bit smaller than the existing players in the… Continue reading There Really Could Be Something To HP’s Long Term Strategy
Children’s 3D Printing: Is There Something There?
Yesterday we wrote on a new 3D printer for kids, but is this really a serious market?
Tech to Replace Low-Skilled Jobs. STEM Included?
Well, the future is looking bleak folks. BLEAK.
MakerBot’s Market Strategy Now Seems Much More Certain
With yesterday’s announcement of new MakerBot tools for educators, it is now very clear what the original desktop 3D printer company is pursuing. Being in existence since 2009 means the company has seen literally the entire scope and evolution of desktop 3D printing, from its wild and promising beginnings, to the absurd heights of media… Continue reading MakerBot’s Market Strategy Now Seems Much More Certain
A Chat With Rize’s Frank Marangell, Part 2
We had the opportunity to sit down with the CEO of one of the most interesting 3D printing companies around today: Rize, Inc. Frank Marangell is the CEO of Rize, who this year have released their fascinating and highly extendable 3D printing technology. Their process provides an ability to 3D print isotropic parts with literally… Continue reading A Chat With Rize’s Frank Marangell, Part 2
The Role of Hybrid Manufacturing in 3D Printing
Between the worlds of CNC machining and additive manufacturing (AM), there lies a bridge technology referred to as hybrid manufacturing. Hybrid systems combine both production techniques to join the benefits of subtractive and additive processes—the precision of the former with the freedom of the latter. One of the first companies to get hybrid manufacturing into… Continue reading The Role of Hybrid Manufacturing in 3D Printing
DuPont Unleashes Their Polymer Portfolio
I just noticed that chemical giant DuPont released new materials specifically for 3D printing. Everyone has heard of DuPont; they have been around since 1802 (that’s 18-02, not 19-02!) and have over the decades grown to one of the world’s largest chemical companies. Among the many products they produce is polymers, which are of course… Continue reading DuPont Unleashes Their Polymer Portfolio
Barbara Hanna – “3d Printing Could Be Not Just a Functional Technology but One That Can Support Communication, Imagination and Expression”
This article originates from Women In 3D Printing and is part of our effort to support the use of 3D printing technology by women. The article is re-published with permission. Barbara is the Founder of Cyant, a startup that connects art and technology, to foster learning, creativity and engagement. Barbara is a Technologist and Entrepreneur passionate… Continue reading Barbara Hanna – “3d Printing Could Be Not Just a Functional Technology but One That Can Support Communication, Imagination and Expression”
Charlene Flick – “Being a Woman Working in 3d Printing Does Not Go Unnoticed.”
This article originates from Women In 3D Printing and is part of our effort to support the use of 3D printing technology by women. The article is re-published with permission. Attorney, entrepreneur, expert in Intellectual Property, consultant, Special Advisor under President Clinton’s Administration…Charlene Flick surely wears a lot of hats! And she accepted to share with… Continue reading Charlene Flick – “Being a Woman Working in 3d Printing Does Not Go Unnoticed.”
Action Required: Get Free Promotion For Your Open Source 3D Project
We announced in September a new program to provide absolutely FREE support for community projects related to 3D. You should apply now! The program is our way to give back to the open source community that has greatly supported the recent development of 3D printing technology that’s sweeping the world today. Our program involves selecting… Continue reading Action Required: Get Free Promotion For Your Open Source 3D Project
Ai Build to Bring Artificial Intelligence to Additive Construction
The nascent additive construction industry is slowly starting to take shape as an increasing number of start-ups appear on the scene with techniques for 3D printing large-scale structures. The latest is a London-based company called Ai Build, which aims to make additive construction smarter and more accessible through the use of artificial intelligence and affordable… Continue reading Ai Build to Bring Artificial Intelligence to Additive Construction
Sfmototype Challenge – Discussion With Lori Chen & Nancy Garcia Von Kriegenbergh
This article originates from Women In 3D Printing and is part of our effort to support the use of 3D printing technology by women. The article is re-published with permission. SF Moto, a Bay Area local motorcycle store, and You3Dit, a 3D design platform, teamed up to bring the SFmototype Challenge. We talked to Nancy Garcia… Continue reading Sfmototype Challenge – Discussion With Lori Chen & Nancy Garcia Von Kriegenbergh
Carrie Motamedi – “3d Printing Is One of Those Technologies You Need to Get Your Hands on and Learn by Doing”
This article originates from Women In 3D Printing and is part of our effort to support the use of 3D printing technology by women. The article is re-published with permission. Carrie Motamedi is an evangelist for STEAM education and women in technology and business. She has a 15+ years experience in technology marketing and communication. She… Continue reading Carrie Motamedi – “3d Printing Is One of Those Technologies You Need to Get Your Hands on and Learn by Doing”
Could 3D Systems Become a Healthcare Company?
Several recent happenings suggest 3D Systems might be considering changing their business focus. As you may have heard, 3D Systems (and other major incumbent 3D printing players) have had a very challenging time financially in the past two years. Quarterly financial reports from both 3D Systems and Stratasys show only modest gains this year, and… Continue reading Could 3D Systems Become a Healthcare Company?
Can You 3D Print a Superconductor?
Selective laser melting process in action. Credit: Tim Sercombe/University of Western Australia
Researchers have been investigating whether it’s possible to 3D print an object that acts as a superconductor.
Could Self-Healing Plastic Be 3D Printed?
A curious new plastic can heal itself in water, but could this be used in a 3D printer? Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania examined squid teeth, which have a very unusual property: they can heal themselves, even when submerged in water. Here’s the interesting part: the researchers were able to determine which genes controlled… Continue reading Could Self-Healing Plastic Be 3D Printed?
iMakr’s Incredible 3D Printing Training Program
We visited iMakr’s New York City retail store and were surprised to find a number of people training to become 3D print experts. iMakr has two retail locations, London and NYC, where they provide a number of services related to 3D printing, including sales of multiple brands of 3D printers, supplies, 3D printing services, repairs… Continue reading iMakr’s Incredible 3D Printing Training Program
3D Bioprinted Rhino Horns: Good or Evil?
A report on New Scientist describes how one company is bioprinting rhinoceros horns to save the troubled beast from extinction. Or are they? Rhino horns are a highly desired product in some regions, as ground-up horn is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Demand for rhino horn material has generated a culture of poachers in rhino-populated areas,… Continue reading 3D Bioprinted Rhino Horns: Good or Evil?
3D Printing Press Release Roundup
This week’s 3D printing press releases from the majors included a number of new products from 3D Systems. 3D Systems announced new flexible materials for their ProJet 5500X, including black and translucent. 3D Systems announced five new materials for their ProJet 1200 3D printer, targeted at Jewelry, Dental, Engineering and Artistic applications 3D Systems announced… Continue reading 3D Printing Press Release Roundup
The First Graphene 3D Printer?
A startup hopes to develop not only graphene materials for 3D printers, but a 3D printer designed for graphene printing. But we’re not so sure.
Giant Creature 3D Printed
Some folks have 3D printed a truly gigantic monster that might be one the largest 3D prints ever attempted.
Need a Spare Part? 3D Print It!
MyMiniFactory is testing a different approach for attracting 3D print services: printing replacement parts for common household equipment.
Strooder: A Consumer Oriented Filament Extruder?
We’re checking out a new product from UK-based OmniDynamics: the Strooder, which converts plastic pellets into 3D printable filament.
A Sports Opportunity for 3D Printing?
Some major sports teams have official products, such as an official drink or service. But why not have an official 3D printer?
What Does “Experimental 3D Printing” Mean, Anyway?
The phrase “experimental 3D printing” has been used by several manufacturers, but what does it really mean?
van Straaten’s 3D Print Accessibility Strategy
3D print artist Eric van Straaten has developed a unique pricing strategy to enable more people to own a print of his incredible designs.
The Goliat Extruder
Several companies now develop and market high-performance 3D printing extruders. Poland-based Tytan 3D is one of them.
ColorFabb’s Metal Filament: bronzeFill
ColorFabb has made a habit of introducing new and unusual plastic filaments for personal 3D printers, and now they’ve made a breakthrough with a metal filament: bronzeFill.
The Dirty Details on a 3D Model Theft
We’re reading a very detailed account of the theft and exploitation of a 3D model theft that recently took place – and was successfully resolved.
Construction Steelwork Makes its 3D Printing Premiere
Using the latest 3D printing techniques, or more accurately, ‘additive manufacturing’ – the Arup team has produced a design method for critical structural steel elements for use in complex projects.
GrowthObject’s Botanical Collection
Barcelona-based design firm GrowthObjects has released a set of botanically-inspired 3D printed jewelry.
Mary Huang’s Actually Wearable 3D Printed Shoes. No, Really!
We’ve all seen images of fantastic 3D printed shoes over the past couple of years, but if you were to look close and handle them, you’d find they weren’t particularly wearable. Now that’s set to change.
CGTrader’s Home Printable Contest
Are you up for a 3D design contest? If so, CGTrader has an interesting event for you.
Formlabs Introduces the Form 1+
More than a year after they introduced the Form 1, Formlabs announced the Form 1+, said to be an “extensive overhaul” of their previous model, the Form 1.
Structur3D Launches Discov3ry: The 3D Paste Extruder
As anticipated, new startup company Structur3D has launched their “universal paste extruder”, named “Discov3ry”.
Solved: Tetrahedral Finite Element Mesh Sculptures
We’re amazed by Todd Doehring’s Meshagons, which are 3D printable “tetrahedral finite element (FE) mesh sculptures”.
More Details on SpaceX’s 3D Printed Rocket Engine
We’ve found some additional details on SpaceX’s surprising 3D printed SuperDraco rocket engine.
3D Printed Handles for Stone Age Tools
In the most absolute and ultimate technology contrast possible, researchers have 3D printed handles for primitive flint-knapped hand axes.
A Spectacular Paint of 3D Model
You know how to paint your 3D prints? Just spray ‘em! Nope – there’s a much better way we found at Redicubricks.
Monoprice Releases Dual Extrusion Video
Monoprice announced a very low-cost dual extruder 3D printer last month, but we didn’t know how well it worked until we watched this video.
Builder’s 3D Color Mixing Solution
3D printer manufacturer Builder has introduced a “Color Mixing” feature on their unique dual-feed extruder.
The Pros and Cons of Proprietary 3D Printing Filament
Some folks have very strong feelings regarding the use of proprietary filament by some 3D printer manufacturers. Are those feelings warranted?
XYZPrinting Developing a Resin 3D Printer?
We’ve found some evidence that low-cost 3D printing entrant XYZ Printing is developing a SLA-style resin 3D printer.
Something’s Cooking at Rendor
There’s an ominous web page published by Replica Labs, describing something called “Rendor”. It seems to be a 3D scanning app.
It’s Not Unlimited, But it’s Pretty Big
3DP Unlimited has announced the 3DP1000 Large Format 3D printer. They’re definitely not kidding.
How Much Filament Do You Use? More Than You Have?
Filament management turns out to be an important task when using plastic extrusion personal 3D printers.
The Two Things You Must Do For Successful 3D Printing
If you’re using a filament-based personal 3D printer, there’s two major things you must get right to succeed.
Walmart CEO Says Retail Giant May Buy 3D Printer Company
At an event during the re/Code Conference Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon hinted that his company might be in the market to acquire a 3D printing company.
LittleSLA Could Shake Up 3D Printing
A new resin-based 3D printer, the LittleSLA, hopes to provide an opensource option for those wanting to get into the high-resolution 3D printing technology.
3D Hubs Hits a Milestone
Crowdsourced 3D printing network 3D Hubs achieved a major milestone this week by accepting their 5,000th location. But there’s more to it than mere numbers.
How To Build Your Own 3D Printer from E-Waste
A new Instructables describes how one maker designed and built a working 3D printer using, well, junk.
SpaceX Takes a Huge Step with 3D Printing
If you are like us, you would have been watching SpaceX unveil their astonishing new spacecraft, the Dragon V2.
17-Year Old Creates 3D Printed Robot
Many people build robots using 3D printing, but this very unusual specimen was designed and printed by a seventeen year old from the UK.
Spooling Issues can Spoil Your 3D Print
Of the numerous issues that can fail your 3D print, spooling issues are among the most frequent.
A Printer Farm for Your 3D Printer
We’ve learned about an incredibly attractive new option for managing your 3D printer: SD3D’s “Printer Farm”.
Creation Workshop from Envision Labs
Concerned that your favorite 3D model slicing software won’t work on your new resin-based 3D printer? There’s a solution for that.
SD3D’s Adaptive Build Environment
We’re checking out what could be the most unique and useful accessory any 3D printer owner might want: the Adaptive Build Environment by SD3D.
Design of the Week: Unholy Cross
This week’s selection is freelance 3D artist Andrew Jerez’s “Unholy Cross”.
Is All 3D Print Slicing Software The Same? Apparently Not
We’re looking at a story from Simplify3D that apparently demonstrates their product can handle prints that other software cannot.
Abrasion-Resistant Filament for 3D Printers
igus announced trials of “tribo-filament”, which apparently is substantially more wear-resistant than other 3D printer filaments.
Design of the Week: Bone Chair
This week’s selection is designer Joris Laarman’s Bone Chair, part of a seven-piece collection entitled, “Bone Furniture”.
BetAbram To Release House Printing Machine
Over the course of its nearly 30-year lifetime, additive manufacturing has been used to create a massive array of objects. Though while the technology has had a number of different applications, its ability to produce objects on a massive scale has only just begun.
The Lix 3D Pen Printer Controversy
We wrote about a new Kickstarter project last week, the Lix 3D Pen Printer. But now some believe it cannot actually work.
The MOD-t 3D Printer
New Matter announced the development of their new USD$250 personal 3D printer, the MOD-t.
Alternatives to Thingiverse, For Upset Designers
With controversy brewing around the most popular 3D model repository, Thingiverse, some ask what alternative repos may exist. We found more than a few.
Airwolf Announces the AW3D HDx
Airwolf introduced the AW3D HDx personal 3D printer that “prints engineer-grade materials”.
The Titan 1 3D Printer
Another resin-based personal 3D printer has been launched: the Titan 1.
E3Dv6 Hotend Released
E3D released the latest version of their high-performance hotend for extrusion-based 3D printers.
Morpholio’s 3D Pinup 2014 Competition
Design showcase app Morpholio is holding a competition – and there’s a special twist for 3D print designs.
Do You Need AstroPrint™ ?
If you have an opensource-powered 3D printer, you might want AstroPrint to manage your 3D printing operations.
Is 3D Printing Technology’s Rapid Progress Hurting the Industry?
We’re wondering if the constant and rapid developments in 3D printing technology could hinder growth. But how could this be? There has never been a time in history when more 3D printing technology can be purchased at such low prices?
The Mamba 3D Printer
Soon to appear on Kickstarter is the Mamba3D, a new 3D printer designed by MyMatics in The Netherlands.
3D Printing With Micro-Robots?
We’re watching a video from SRI International, who have apparently been developing micro-robots that can assemble things.
The Redpah 3D Model Repository
We’re checking out a new 3D model repository that recently launched: Redpah.
Pirate3D’s Buccaneer Unboxed
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to receive your first 3D printer? YouTube video producer Eyeisman (Tom Rosato) has captured the experience for you when he opened up his first 3D printer, a Pirate3D Buccaneer.
Design of the Week: Airport Security Belt
This week’s selection is the Airport Security Belt by Norwegian Kris Cleven.
Backlash to MakerBot’s Patents Grows
The knowledge that MakerBot has apparently patented designs given to them by their community is spreading and some folks are upset.
iMakr to Open Manhattan 3D Printer Store
iMakr, perhaps the first independent 3D printer retail store, announced expansion to New York City.
Has MakerBot Crossed The Line? For Some, Yes
Controversy this week regarding MakerBot’s aggressive patent filings. Why the controversy? Because the concepts were originally donated by supporters in good faith to further the cause of 3D printing. And now MakerBot has patented them.
Trinity Labs Closes
3D printer manufacturer Trinity Labs announced that it’s closing its doors forever.
IBM Computes New Polymers; Usable for 3D Printing?
IBM announced the discovery of two new classes of polymers, the first discovered in decades. We’re wondering if they have any applicability to 3D printing.
Two For One 3D Printer Sale?
Need a 3D printer? How about two? We found a deal where you can get two different 3D printers for one price.
i.Materialise Offers New Ceramics
3D print service i.Materialise announced the availability of several new ceramic colors.
Windform Used to Build Generative Orthotics
In conjunction with MHOX Design, CRP Group has created bespoke orthosis to correct misaligned limbs.
MakerBot’s Digital Store Opens
As promised in their January announcement, MakerBot made good on their promise to open a digital store for 3D models.
3D Printed Materials Acts as a Functioning Liver
The dream of 3D printed human organs got slightly closer to reality with the development of 3D printed tissue that mimics liver functions.
Shark Material Produced by 3D Printing
Shark skin is quite rough yet allows rapid swimming, for those of you who haven’t been up close with the notorious fish, but now the nature of the skin has been duplicated with 3D printing.
Is Google or Apple Developing a 3D Printer?
Rumors echo through the interwebs suggesting that Google AND Apple are developing 3D printers. But are they really?
PrintToPeer Powers 3D Hubs
Cloud-based 3D operations startup PrintToPeer has partnered with 3D printer crowdsource network 3D Hubs to vastly simplify use of the network.