I had an interesting discussion with the friendly folks from Xact Metal about the current buyers of metal 3D printers.
Ideas
From MakerBot to Bambu Lab: There’s Always a Better 3D Printer Coming Next
After years of seeing amazing desktop 3D printers emerge year after year, I see a pattern. I’ve been fiddling with desktop 3D printers for almost 15 years now, beginning with my first device, the venerable MakerBot CupCake. It took several days to assemble it from wires, boards, motors, and pieces of wood, and successfully printed… Continue reading From MakerBot to Bambu Lab: There’s Always a Better 3D Printer Coming Next
The Case for Proper Ingredient Labels on 3D Printing Filaments
It’s time to begin proper labeling of 3D printer filaments.
Implications of Photocentric’s JENI 3D Printing System
I’ve been thinking about the implications of Photocentric’s JENI system, and they could be big.
What New 3D Printer Buyers Shouldn’t Worry About: Prioritizing the Right Concerns
What should new desktop 3D printer buyers NOT be worried about?
The Rise of a New Standard: How CoreXY and Enclosed Designs Are Shaping Desktop 3D Printing
There seems to be a new emerging standard configuration for desktop FFF 3D printers.
Exploring the Dual Worlds of 3D Printer Resin: Consumer Affordability vs. Industrial Premiums
We could be moving into new worlds of 3D printer resin.
The Truth Behind Water-Washable 3D Printer Resins
It’s time to wash away water-washable 3D printer resins.
3D Print Ideas to Up Your Gardening Game
How can 3D printing help in your garden?
Additive Manufacturing Market Grows Despite Public Company Valuation Declines
A report from Additive Manufacturing Research quantified the size of the 3D print market, and there’s some interesting implications.
Supply Chain Disruptions Continue To Push Manufacturers Towards 3D Printing Solutions
Recent events are slowly pushing manufacturers towards increased 3D printing.
Debunking the Myths: Is Water-Washable 3D Printer Resin Really Safer?
It’s time to talk about water-washable 3D printer resin.
The Case for Learning CAD Before Purchasing Your First 3D Printer
What should you do first? Buy a desktop 3D printer or learn a CAD tool?
Maximizing Efficiency in Industrial 3D Printing with Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance uses smart technology to prevent costly machine failures and minimize downtime in industrial 3D printing operations.
Five Things that need to be Standardized in 3D Printing
The world of 3D printing seems to be slowly fragmenting into a series of closed environments. What can stop that from happening?
What are the Advantages of 3D CAD?
How about no confusion and accuracy, for starters.
Is Prusa Research’s Prusa Hub the Future of Makerspace 3D Printing?
Prusa Research’s “Prusa Hub” concept was recently highlighted by the company, but what is it all about?
The Challenges of Standardizing 3D Printer Spools: Will It Ever Happen?
Spools should really be standardized across 3D printing, but that’s never going to happen.
What is the Standard Term for 3D Printing of Concrete?
What is the correct term for 3D printing of concrete?
How ‘Enshittification’ Could Impact the Desktop 3D Printing Industry
What would happen if the desktop 3D print world became enshittified?
Why Asian 3D Print Software Feels Confusing to Western Users
If you’ve been troubled with the sometimes confusing interfaces of Asian 3D print software, it turns out there is a reason why this happens.
Beyond Jigs and Fixtures: The Growing Role of 3D Printed Surrogate Parts
There’s another potentially large market for 3D printed parts that few seem to talk about.
Contrary to Market Gloom, Some 3D Printing Investments Surge
There are some big investments happening in the 3D print world, contrary to recent gloom.
Transforming Goals in 3D Printing: The Rise of User-Friendly Desktop Printers
I’m seeing what I think is a bit of a transformation of the desktop 3D printer market: buyers are beginning to have different goals.
Reddit Thread Reveals Alarming Ignorance of Resin 3D Printer Safety Protocols
My suspicions of resin 3D printer safety ignorance seem to be confirmed in a lengthy thread this week.
What Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon Means for Desktop 3D Printing
What does Elegoo’s new Centauri Carbon mean to the 3D printing industry?
The Hidden Hurdle in High Throughput 3D Printing: Post Processing Challenges
High throughput 3D printing is going to have a major problem in coming years.
The Rising Concern of Waste in Multimaterial 3D Printing: Solutions and Innovations
There’s a growing poop problem in 3D printing.
Adoption vs. Consolidation in the Struggling 3D Print Industry
What’s wrong with the 3D print industry? The industry leaders seem to have the answers, or do they?
The Six Types of Desktop 3D Printer Personalities
There are certain personas that tend to use desktop 3D printers. Which one are you?
Construction 3D Printing: Cost Analysis and Industry Challenges
I’m reading a LinkedIn post where there’s some controversy about the true costs of construction 3D printing.
A New Way to Identify Potential 3D Print Applications?
A novel application of 3D printing could help identify additional ways to use the technology.
Bringing Metal 3D Printing to the Desktop: Exploring the Possibilities
Could metal be the next material frontier for desktop 3D printing?
Marine Fungus Breaks Down Plastics: A Potential Solution for 3D Printer Waste?
A development in the microplastics situation has arisen, which could eventually be of interest to 3D printer operators.
Cloud Challenges: How Do You Give Away a 3D Printer These Days?
Giving away an older 3D printer might seem to be an easy thing to do, but it increasingly is not.
Why CoreXY 3D Printers Outperform Bedslingers: A Practical Demonstration
I just printed an outstanding example demonstrating why CoreXY 3D printers are much more desirable.
Pricing 3D Print Jobs: Understanding Costs, Labor, and Profit Margins
I keep reading posts asking “how to price a 3D print job”, so let’s answer this question.
Autodesk AI Acquisition Hints at Future 3D Strategy
Autodesk acquired AI-powered Wonder Dynamics, suggesting they may be on the prowl for additional AI acquisitions.
Turning Waste into Opportunity: 3D Printing and the Circular Economy
As technology advances, it has the potential to play a critical role in building a more sustainable future.
3D Scanning in Museums: Allowed or Not?
I’m reading a story from two years ago about a conflict regarding 3D scanning at museums.
Speculations on Bambu Lab’s Next 3D Printer
There have been many hints of Bambu Lab nearing an announcement of a new 3D printer, but what could it be?
Strategies for Mitigating Emissions in 3D Printing Operations
How bad, exactly, are the emissions from 3D printing?
FFF 3D Printing: Can New Nozzle Technology Replace Resin Printers?
Do you need a resin 3D printer when FFF devices now approach similar levels of surface quality?
What to Consider Before Buying a 3D Printer for Your Child
Considering buying a 3D printer for your offspring? Here are some questions to ask.
From TikTok to DJI: Could U.S. Scrutiny Extend to Chinese 3D Printer Manufacturers
I’m reading reports about the US banning certain Chinese companies, and thought about the implications for 3D printing.
Is Your Old 3D Printer Obsolete? Increasing Frustration with Outdated Models
Do you hate your desktop 3D printer? I’m thinking a growing number of operators think exactly that.
Could Your Next Chair Be 3D Printed? Exploring the Viability of 3D Printing in Furniture Production
Could furniture be the next big application for 3D printing?
Growing IP Challenges in 3D Model Repositories Prompt Need for New Solutions
I’m seeing a growing issue with 3D model repositories that likely isn’t going to go away anytime soon.
Understanding the Surge in Construction 3D Printing Companies
Each week I see a different construction 3D printing company in the news. What’s going on?
Can Additive Manufacturing Fix the Supply Chain?
These four benefits of 3D printing should appeal to any engineer struggling with supply chain woes.
The Strategic Value of Material Diversity in 3D Printing
There’s an increasing amount of cooperation between 3D printer manufacturers and chemical companies.
Unpacking the Price Tag: Why Some 3D Printers Are More Expensive
I’m reading a thread on the cost of LulzBot 3D printers, and there are several interesting insights to be found.
Pre-Sliced Files for Resin 3D Printers: Convenience or Compromise?
Do pre-sliced 3D models make sense?
Overcoming the Challenges: The Road Ahead for 3D Printing in Construction
The construction industry has looked different in recent years due to demands for sustainability and innovation. 3D printing has been a catalyst for this change in construction, but it is relatively still in its infancy.
Clearance Sales Signal the Decline of Slow-Speed 3D Printers
It begins: the disappearance of slow-speed 3D printers.
Reality Check: Seven Hidden Truths About 3D Printing
Having used many types of 3D printers for so many years, I’ve heard all the hype. But what are the hidden truths?
What are the Biggest Misconceptions About 3D Printing Today?
Clinging to outdated ideas about additive manufacturing puts you behind. Here are 5 3D printing myths worth busting.
Sora: How OpenAI’s Latest Innovation Could Transform 3D Design and Printing
OpenAI announced something quite startling last week, and it has significant long-term implications for 3D printing and design.
Top 3D Printing Predictions for 2024
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi have some thoughts about what trends we might see in the world of 3D printing in 2024.
Navigating the Future: Materialise Unveils Key 3D Printing Trends for 2024
Materialise has published their thoughts on 3D printing trends in 2024, and they’re quite revealing.
Predicting Potential 3D Printing Mergers and Acquisitions
It’s early in 2024, but later this year we will see a number of corporate collisions in the 3D print industry. What could happen?
Will AI Finally Put the Aid in Computer-Aided Design?
Moribund software about to get an innovation boost from the AI tsunami.
Exploring the Challenges of Tall 3D Printing: From Hobbyist Modifications to Industrial Implications
Tall 3D printing can be quite useful, but height can cause many issues.
Emerging Low-Cost 3D Printing Technologies Disrupt Professional Market in 2023
I’m reading an analysis of 2023 3D printer sales and there are some very interesting implications.
Rising Cyber Threats in Manufacturing: Velo3D Highlights Crucial Security Statistics
Velo3D published an interesting set of statistics regarding security in additive manufacturing.
Shifting Gears in 3D Printing: Industry Trends and Predictions for 2024
Many have asked, so here’s my thoughts on the new year of 2024 and 3D printing.
New Studies Linking Microplastics in Plants May Trigger Shift in 3D Printing Materials
There’s more evidence of microplastics causing negative effects, which will eventually affect 3D printing.
Nine Advanced 3D Printer Features You Need To Understand
The latest 3D printers offer a slew of new features, but which ones are important?
The Costly Cycle of Elastomeric Spare Parts: How Digital Inventories Offer a Sustainable Alternative
There’s an elastomeric twist to the digital inventory concept I hadn’t heard previously.
Eight Hopes for Desktop 3D Printing in 2024
It’s 2024, and many people are making predictions.
From High Hopes to Harsh Realities: The Struggle of 3D Printing Companies in Attracting Investment
I’m reading an interesting post by 3D Alliances about the hope for 3D print company stocks in 2024.
The Truth Behind ‘High Speed’ 3D Printing: A Call for Standardized Specifications
In the confusing world of high speed desktop 3D printing, which companies present the proper specifications?
Real-Time Material Temperature Monitoring, The Next Frontier in 3D Printing:?
I’ve been thinking about a possible innovation for desktop 3D printers that might change print quality and material management forever.
The 3MF Conundrum: How Current Software Falls Short in 3D Print File Compatibility
I think there could be a problem with 3MF, or at least how software makes use of it.
Forecasting the Future: Are 3D Printing Companies Really Facing Decline or Poised for Growth?
I’m reading a financial forecast for 3D printing and it doesn’t seem to match the current state of the industry.
Are 3D Print Companies Really Dying?
I’m reading an extremely interesting and critical post about the 3D printing industry by Alex Huckstepp.
Additive Manufacturing’s Potential and Limitations: Insights from Extol’s Kyle Harvey
I’m reading an interesting LinkedIn post by Kyle Harvey about additive manufacturing crossing the chasm.
Desktop Filament Machines: How Quality Challenges Are Finally Being Overcome
I had a thought about the future of self-made 3D printer filaments.
Understanding the Market Segments of 3D Printers
There are multiple market segments in the 3D printer world, in which one do you belong?
Adapting to Disruption: How Desktop 3D Printer Manufacturers Can Compete With Bambu Lab
What must desktop 3D printer manufacturers do to keep up with their competitors?
Does Creality Offer Too Many 3D Printers?
A question I’m hearing more frequently goes something like this: “Does Creality sell too many models of 3D printers?” At first, I thought this might be the case, as the company has released so many models that it’s actually hard to keep track of them. Creality has a habit of releasing new machines every few… Continue reading Does Creality Offer Too Many 3D Printers?
3D Printing for Home Renovations
People aren’t just using 3D printers for small-scale art projects anymore.
Seven Things to Know About High Speed 3D Printing
You’ve heard about “high speed 3D printing”, but what are the things you need to know about it?
The Potential of 3D Printing in Advancing Car Safety for An Aging Driving Population
As we age, our physical abilities and reaction times naturally decline, making driving a potentially dangerous task.
Bambu Lab’s Disruptive Emergence in the 3D Printing Market
There is an interesting trend occurring in the 3D printing market recently, all caused by Bambu Lab.
Rethinking Construction: The Potential of Generative Design for 3D Printed Buildings
I’ve been thinking about a new concept for designing 3D printed buildings that just might change the way we work and live quite a bit.
Prusa Research’s Design Contest Reveals Potential for 3D Printed Spare Parts
Prusa Research just concluded a design contest and there’s a surprising outcome.
Silicon Valley’s Open Source Shift: Implications for 3D Printing
A story about open source trends might become disturbing for the 3D print world.
9 Factors to Consider When Choosing a 3D Printer for Continuous Production
What would be the key things to look for when choosing a desktop 3D printer for series production?
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 5 — All You Need is a Few Functions
With the rendering of implicit functions into the voxel field, we have created the ability to work with lattices and complex infills.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 4 Implicits
We will dive a bit into the technicalities of a Voxel-based kernel here, how do we interact with it?
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 3 — Voxels to the Rescue
Thanks to the previous articles, we should have a pretty good understanding of the reasoning behind Computational Engineering and the fundamental technology necessary to support it.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 2 — The Technology
After setting the stage in the first two installments of this series of article, let’s dive a bit deeper.
Enhancing 3D Print Recycling: The Proposal to Add Recycling Stamps
My proposal to allow 3D print slicers to emboss recycling stamps has generated some interesting ideas.
Fundamentals of Computational Engineering: Part 1 — A Bit of History
Let’s define what Computational Engineering is and how it differs from the way we currently use computers to design physical parts.