Located on a quiet, tree-lined residential street near Stanford University, the HP garage is a symbol of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. In this very garage college friends Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard built their dream. which eventually became the giant we know today as “HP”. Their company was founded in 1939 and named “HP”, rather… Continue reading The HP Garage: Symbol of Innovation and Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Ideas
The Arrival of the Big Guys in 3D Printing Shakes Things up
Something quite interesting was observed at the recent FormNext exhibition.
Know What You’re Doing Before You Get Into 3D Printing, Please!
Sometimes there are people that simply should not be 3D printing.
Designing for production parts
How do we get to tomorrow, to use 3D Printing for true Manufacturing applications through to production?
Was 3D Printing Really Invented in the Victorian Age?
A startling piece suggests that the concept of 3D printing may have been first conceived in Victorian England, almost 160 years ago.
Is the Personal 3D Scanning Business Viable Long Term?
There was a time when it was thought that 3D Scanning businesses might be a big thing. Is that still the case?
Desktop 3D Printer Enclosures: A Hint of Things to Come?
A new 3D printer enclosure product portends a change in the future.
About Those Voice Commands For Your 3D Printer
The current craze for intelligent voice commands is getting more sophisticated, but what happens when it works with your 3D printer?
What Dangers Face 3D Printer Set Top Users?
With the increase in set top options for desktop 3D printers, I’m wondering what might go wrong.
We’re Now in the Second Generation of 3D Metal Printing; What About the Third?
There’s an interesting long term pattern emerging now in 3D metal printing, and I’m wondering where it might be going.
Behind the Scenes GE’s 3D Metal Printing Farm
GE is deep into 3D metal printing, as readers know, but now we can get a glimpse of what’s going on inside their workshops.
Are Major 3D Printer Manufacturers Prisoners Of Their Technologies?
I’m thinking about how new 3D printing processes can affect existing companies, and it’s not pretty.
Another Angle on Graphene 3D Printing?
I’m reading a fascinating report on a new way to work with miracle material graphene.
There Really Are Professional 3D Printers
In the past year or so we’ve been referring to something we call “professional” desktop 3D printers.
Profound Implication of That 3D Face Reconstruction Service
I realized something utterly fascinating about the 3D Face Reconstruction project we wrote on this week.
The Critical Importance of Certifications in the 3D Metal Market
An announcement today triggered some thoughts about the importance of certifications for companies in the 3D metal printing market.
Guess What? Standard HEPA Filters May Not Solve 3D Printer Emissions
There’s been much ado about nanoparticle emissions from desktop 3D printers, but one solution may actually not be one.
What Happens When 3D Printing From Smartphones Becomes Common?
I’ve been contemplating the implications of a world in which anyone can 3D scan anything and print out a replica.
Do You Need A Service Plan For Your Desktop 3D Printer?
An increasing number of manufacturers offer longer-term maintenance plans, but do you need one?
The Curse of the Wrong-Sized Spool
There’s a very common problem encountered with desktop 3D printers: spool size mis-match.
Blockchain-Powered 3D Assets?
A development in 3D asset management may assist the control of 3D models for printing.
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?
2 Ways 3D Food Printing Could Actually Work
There have been 3D food printing experiments for as long as we’ve been publishing, but it really hasn’t taken off.
3D Print Application Idea: On Demand Museum Pieces?
I’m always interested to see new applications of 3D printing, and have one that may not have been implemented yet.
Is 3MF Actually Making Progress?
Is anyone actually using 3MF?
When 3D Printing a Model Doesn’t Make Sense
Sometimes 3D printing simply doesn’t make sense.
Outsourcing Your 3D Printing? Or Should You Insource?
A question that is sometimes not even asked, let alone answered, is the question of outsourcing 3D printing.
Should We 3D Print PVC?
There are an increasing number of thermoplastics that can be 3D printed recently, and one of them is PVC.
Don’t Miss These 10 3D Printing Benefits! Save Time & Money Today
There are so many benefits to 3D printing.
Who’s 3D Printing Those Unavailable Replacement Parts Now?
A report suggests that Daimler is now 3D printing replacement metal parts for some of their obsolete models.
Laser Cutting or 3D Printing? Which is Appropriate?
I’m reading an Instructables on how to laser-cut a 3D printer spool holder and had a thought.
Do Manufacturers Really Not Understand 3D Printing?
There’s something odd about how 3D printer companies are marketing these days.
Household 3D Prints: Handy, but Unaccessible
Two seemingly unbreathable barriers hold back 3D printing from general use in homes around the world.
Six Odd Reasons Why 3D Printed Buildings May Actually Work
I’ve been skeptical of attempts to 3D print buildings for years, although many have attempted to do so.
Will 3D Print Access Generate More Product Sales?
I’m reading some interesting statistics on the use of 3D display on websites that might have an analogous effect on 3D printing.
Tech to Replace Low-Skilled Jobs. STEM Included?
Well, the future is looking bleak folks. BLEAK.
About That Hype Cycle
Gartner has once again re-issued their 3D Printing Hype Cycle and it’s fascinating to see how things have progressed.
Peeking Inside a 3D Print Operation
Sculpteo has published a fascinating report on how they handle 3D print jobs in their production facility, demonstrating the challenge of frequent 3D printing.
Has Figurine 3D Printing Caught On?
When I started in 3D printing some ten years ago, it was an open question as to what successful application would take on 3D printing aside from prototyping.
Could 3D Printing Change How Wars are Waged?
After yesterday’s story about how the US Navy has been literally 3D printing submarines, I had a thought about the future of war.
The Challenge of Robotic 3D Printing
What will it take for robotic-based systems to dominate 3D print mechanicals?
Floating Components for 3D Printed Ships?
I’m reading research describing a method of producing a porous aluminum structure for ships that has some interesting implications for 3D printing.
3D Printers as Material Generators?
I’m reading some research from last month where a new process was used to create graphene, but there are some other implications of the discovery.
Seven Practical Uses for 3D Scanning for 3D Printing
3D scanners have never been as available as they are today, but what are the ways they can be used for 3D printing?
Powder Contamination can be a Huge Issue in 3D Metal Printing
Precision in all aspects is required to ensure 3D metal prints meet specifications, but sometimes that doesn’t happen.
Could 3D Printers Take Advice From a Kitchen Robot?
I’m reading about the fascinating progress of Momentum Machines and wondering how their approach could apply to 3D printing.
3D Printing’s MultiMaterial Problem of the Future
3D printers will eventually have a major challenge to overcome: printing a huge number of multiple materials.
7 Jobs on the Rise in 3D Printing
Though 3D printing was slow to catch on when equipment was expensive and resources were hard to come by, we’re living in a different world now.
Höganäs’ High Resolution 3D Metal Printer Delivery May Ignite Innovation
3D metal printer manufacturer Höganäs delivered a new machine to a client this week, but it’s not a typical client.
Your Industrial 3D Printer is Obsolete. Now What?
Developments in 3D printing occur at a rapid pace, sometimes rendering your equipment obsolete. What should you do?
The Marvel of 3D Print Material Profiles
Today’s desktop 3D printer operators have a huge advantage over those from years before, through the magic of print profiles.
Why Are Isotropic 3D Printed Parts Important?
A word you may be hearing more frequently in the world of 3D printing is “isotropic”. Let’s look into what that means and the implications for 3D printing.
3D Printing Pens Are Not 3D Printers
Without fail, each month there is are busy announcements of the latest “3D printing pen”. That’s fine, except for one thing.
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
Recent Kickstarter 3D Printer Successes
There’s been lots of bad news regarding inexpensive 3D printers appearing on Kickstarter, but there have been some successes, at least from the funding standpoint.
What Makes the Best 3D Print Software?
I’m looking at a new release of 3D print management software from EOS, and had a thought about what makes great tools.
Trend: 3D Prints and Soluble Support
A trend is now very evident in the desktop 3D print world: soluble support.
The Surprising Complexity of the Footwear Market, and How 3D Printing Can Address It
I’m reading a press release from Prodways about a new footwear initiative, and it offers some surprising insight into the industry.
Implications of Formlabs’ Recent Announcements
What should we make of the two surprise announcements by Formlabs?
Could Blockchain be Critical for Future 3D Prints?
If you’ve been reading any tech material lately, you’ve likely heard of blockchain.
The Power of Personal 3D Printing is Indeed Real, For Some
I’m reading an interesting story about how a photographer designed and 3D printed a specialty film camera, and realized what this actually signifies.
Sourcing 3D Printer Filament From Questionable Suppliers
With the rise of desktop 3D printing has come a demand for 3D printing filament to run through them. But who should you buy from?
The Need for 3D Print Quality Inspection Rises
I had a thought about the implications of increasing levels of production 3D printing.
There’s Much More to Metal 3D Printing Than Just The Printer
I’m reading an announcement from Materialise about a new metal capability, but realized there’s another part to the story.
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
Another Industry Ripe for 3D Printing Advantages?
I’m reading a story about a 3D printed surfboard, and it suggests another, wider use of 3D printing tech.
How Is 3D Printing Disrupting the Supply Chain?
The typical supply chain starts with the acquisition of raw material, leads into the production phase and, eventually, results in warehouse storage and retail distribution.
The 3D Printer Financial Chart
Tuan Tranpham has posted a very telling chart showing where many current 3D printer offerings lay on a financial scale.
4D Printing to be Worth USD$162M? What?
I’m looking at a press release describing what is called “4D Printing” and it seems a bit hard to believe.
Is Siemens in the Driver’s Seat on the 3D Print Bus?
Recently several 3D printer manufacturers have established relationships with Siemens. What does this mean?
Three Sides of the Stratasys – Desktop Metal Deal
Desktop Metal and Stratasys announced what might appear to be a straightforward partnership, but I think there is more than meets the eye.
One Way To Transform Products to 3D Printing
An innovative idea for a simple household object may hold the key to far greater use of 3D printing.
Did Stratasys Just Kill MakerBot?
This week 3D printing behemoth Stratasys announced a very powerful new concept for array 3D printing. But what might it do to their subsidiary, MakerBot?
The Journey to 3D Print Greatness Travels Through the USA
Italian company Roboze opened an office in the USA, demonstrating a key step growing 3D printing companies must take.
Four 3D Printing Threat Vectors
In discussion recently the topic of 3D printing threat vectors came up. What might they be?
What Does the Boeing 3D Printed Parts Announcement Mean?
Boeing announced last week that they’ve contracted a firm to produce “structural titanium parts”. What does this mean?
What’s Winning? “3D Printing” or “Additive Manufacturing”?
In our technology space there seems to be two terms commonly used: “3D Printing” or “Additive Manufacturing”. Which one is correct?
How Big is the Carbon Adidas Deal?
Last week Carbon and Adidas announced a deal to produce 3D printed midsoles. But how big is this deal, exactly?
3D Printed Skyscraper Pods: Not Realistic
An entry to a skyscraper design contest proposes a dynamic 3D printed pod system. I cannot imagine how this could possibly work.
Is This the Best Time to be Buying a Professional 3D Printer?
Could this be the best time in history to seek a professional 3D printer? It certainly could be.
How Do You Integrate 3D Printing into a Big Business? Ask Caterpillar
As 3D printing is increasingly being adopted as a tool used beyond rapid prototyping, businesses will be eager to learn how to incorporate it effectively.
Industry Insider Jenny Chen on Healthcare 3D Printing
Jenny Chen is the founder of 3DHEALS, an organization focusing on building collaborations in Healthcare 3D Printing and bioprinting through events, educational programs, and online media.
The Shift from Prototyping to Production is Causing Integrations in the 3D Print World
The slow march to productionizing the work of some 3D print technology is generating some interesting partnerships.
5 Ways 3D Printing Revolutionizes Interactive Learning
It comes as no surprise that 3D printing technology has improved rapidly in the past few years: the quality of the printing has gotten far better and the range of materials is greater.
Low Volume Manufacturing With 3D Printing: Local or Global?
I’ve been reading the details on yet another low volume manufacturing operation and am wondering where this is all leading.
Could 3D Printing Really Transform Logistics?
Some say the introduction of 3D printing to the logistics industry could be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”, but is it?
Suspicious Signs on 3D Printer Kickstarters
There have been numerous crowdfunding failures for small-scale desktop 3D printers recently, and I found another signal to find them.
What 3D Metal Printing Magic is Velo3D Developing?
You’d think that the best 3D metal printing technique is a settled issue, but it is not by any means “over”.
Autodesk’s Hobbyist Strategy is Now Clear
With the demise of many of Autodesk’s free 3D offerings, it seems they have been following an ingenious strategy all along.
Is It Time To Consider an Affordable Laser Sintering 3D Printer?
I’m wondering if there is a product category being ignored by some 3D printer buyers.
Think You Can Keep Up With 3D Print Patents? Think Again
There’s a lot more going on in 3D printing than anyone would suspect.
Is a 3D Print Speed Benchmark Possible?
A reader asked if a print speed benchmark existed. I’m not sure such a thing could exist.
Stratasys’ Invisible Internal Transformation
Stratasys is one of the largest 3D printing companies in the world, and they mean to keep it that way.
In Germany, They’re Pulling 3D Printing, Not Pushing
A report from Germany shows an unusual development from a major firm demanding use of 3D printing.
Is 3D Systems Diversifying? If So, Why?
While perusing press releases, I noticed something about 3D Systems featuring one of their software products, GibbsCAM.