Global manufacturing has reached an inflection point.
Ideas
Software Now Drives Many 3D Printing Improvements
Software has become increasingly important in 3D printing in multiple dimensions.
Yet Another Advantage for Low Volume Manufacturing with 3D Printing
I’ve learned of another advantage to manufacturing using 3D printing that I hadn’t considered.
There’s a Growing Focus on Post Processing
Post processing was for a long time the forgotten step in 3D printing. Now, that’s changing.
What is the Advantage of Water Washable 3D Printer Resin?
Water-washable 3D printer resin is increasing in availability, but what are the real advantages of using it?
What Happens After We Reach The Bottom of Desktop 3D Printers?
There’s often said to be a “race to the bottom” with desktop 3D printers. What happens when we get there?
When is the Best Time to Buy a 3D Printer?
So you’ve decided to buy a desktop 3D printer, but when is the best time to do so?
Big Implications from GE Additive’s Series 3
This week GE Additive announced a very different 3D printer that could dramatically change manufacturing.
3D Printers Made Out Of Carbon Fiber?
We’ve all heard about 3D printers printing with carbon fiber, but what about a 3D printer MADE FROM carbon fiber?
Why Isn’t There an IPA Recycler?
Many things are recycled in 3D printing, but what about IPA?
We All Need A Slicing Profile Standard
I’m wondering why there isn’t a standard format for 3D print slicing profiles.
Are 3D Print Materials In Jeopardy Due to The Russo-Ukraine War?
Could we see problems in the supply of 3D print materials in the near future?
FDM vs FFF
What’s the difference between “FDM” and “FFF” anyway?
When Is Construction 3D Printing Going To Catch On?
Construction 3D printing should eventually be a massive business, but when, exactly, will this occur?
International Glass Industry Business Planning and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at recent events and how they are changing glass production.
AM Apocalypse? What Happens When Shipping Costs Drop?
I’ve been doing some thinking about what might unfold in the next year or so.
AM Solutions On Post Processing Prints
I’m reading a brief from AM Solutions that talks about post processing, and there are some interesting points.
Exploring The Mess of Mass Market Retail 3D Printer Sales
If you intend on buying a 3D printer, maybe you should not consider buying one from a “normal” retailer.
Dinosaurs and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding provides thoughts on the relationship between 3D technology and dinosaurs.
Questioning 3D Print Power Fail Recovery
I’m beginning to have my doubts about the benefit of “power fail recovery” for FFF 3D printers.
Liquidators and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi propose increased use of 3D printing to help refurbish liquidated products.
No One Understands the H350 3D Printer
Sometimes the new can be “too new”.
How Important is Additive Manufacturing Security?
Security is an often ignored part of additive manufacturing.
Should Carbon Fiber be in All 3D Printer Filaments?
Carbon fiber is a more frequently seen material in 3D printing, but should it be in all materials?
The Hat Theory: Prusa Slowly Evolving Into Industrial Printing
It seems to me that Prusa Research is gradually moving into professional and industrial 3D printing markets.
Repairable Design and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how 3D printing could aid consumer repair activities.
3D Printing in the Military
Charles R. Goulding and Julia Wallace review the findings of a recent panel discussion on use of AM technology in the US military.
Equipment Refurbishing Savings and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the concept of refurbished items and how 3D printing could help move it forward.
5 Industries Being Revolutionized by 3D Printing
Until very recently, the idea of three-dimensional printing seemed somewhat futuristic.
Customized Production Will Become Scalable with 3D Printing
Mass personalization and customization could be the catalysts for industrial change and the adoption of 3D printing for production.
3D Printing as a Service Gains Traction
New companies are not selling their printers—they’re selling your parts.
The Impossible Problem of 3D Content Management
Recent controversies at popular 3D model repositories expose a fundamental problem with 3D content.
Used Caterpillar Engines and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at developments from Caterpillar.
Women’s Health and 3D Printed Ovaries
Charles R. Goulding and Julia Wallace look at the how 3D bioprinting may open new possibilities for women’s health.
3D Printer Campaigns On Kickstarter Rise Again?
A surprising thing is happening on Kickstarter: tons of money for 3D printers.
Why is PLA Still Popular For 3D Printing?
I’ve been wondering why PLA is still the most popular 3D printing material, and have some thoughts.
Record Robot Sales and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Matt Selman examine how a recent increase in robotic system sales might affect 3D printing activity.
The Complexities of 3D Print Power Recovery
I’ve been playing with the power recovery feature on some desktop 3D printers, and realized how complex this feature can be.
3D Printing Is Pivotal to Sustainable Manufacturing and the Circular Economy
As the manufacturing world continues to evolve, additive manufacturing offers solutions to achieve sustainable manufacturing.
Beyond Generative Design: Where 3D Modeling May Go
I caught a glimpse of a potential future for 3D modeling tools, and it’s breathtaking.
HP’s Journey To Industrial AM Continues
I sat in on a discussion with HP executives and users to learn more about the company’s work with industrial additive manufacturing.
Managing Inflation in the 3D Printing Industry
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at ways 3D printing could be used to offset inflationary factors.
New 3D Printing Opportunities as We Enter the Metaverse
Charles Goulding & Andressa Bonafe examine the possibilities of 3D printing with the metaverse.
3D Printing as Exponential Technology
Charles R. Goulding reviews The Exponential Age, which places 3D printing at the forefront of transformation.
Complementary Aspects of MakerBot and Ultimaker
What are some interesting ways that MakerBot and Ultimaker could fit together?
Global Auto Parts Disruption and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Ryan Donley look at how those in automotive companies might take advantage of current economic conditions to advance 3D print technology.
The Two Types of Metal 3D Printing: Dangerous and Not So Dangerous
Those categories would be “dangerous” and “less dangerous”.
Hybrid NFT/Physical Goods and 3D Printing
Charles Goulding & Andressa Bonafe examine how NFTs could make considerable use of 3D printing.
3D Printing Plastic Food or Sampuru
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider the possibility of using 3D printing to create sampuru.
Large UK Defense Budget and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding looks at recent defense spending changes in the UK and how that may affect use of 3D printing.
Resin 3D Print Times: Longer Than You Think
What’s your print time? If you’re using a resin 3D printer, it’s longer than you think.
The Transition From Injection Molding To 3D Printing Is Underway
There’s always been a divide between the world of part production and the world of prototyping, but in recent times the gap between them is closing.
3D Printing and the Impact of New Medical Retail Spaces
Charles R. Goulding and Randall Rothbort look at the influence of retail change on 3D printing.
How Can You Tell If 3D Printer Prices Rise?
Prices of almost everything are rising, but how can you tell if 3D printer prices are rising?
The Four Modes Of CAD Design
There are dozens of different software tools to produce 3D models for 3D printing, but all fall into four categories.
Could 3D Printer Prices Rise?
Prices are rising everywhere these days, and one has to wonder if 3D printing will follow that same path.
Seven Hardware Features That Should Be On Resin 3D Printers
Here are my thoughts on seven completely new features I’d like to see on desktop resin 3D printers.
Post-Pandemic CapEx and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how capital expenditures will increase after the pandemic and how they could benefit 3D printing.
2022 Predictions for 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi have some thoughts about what might transpire in the world of 3D printing during 2022.
The Five Great Challenges Additive Manufacturing Must Overcome
What are the remaining barriers to mass use of additive manufacturing?
Restructuring Asian Toy Supply Chains
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi suggest more use of 3D printing for toy manufacturing could be considered.
Can The Military Really Use 3D Printing?
I’ve been wondering about the actual logistics of using 3D printing in military settings, and its a bit more gray than black and white.
3D Printed Concrete for Tornado Protection
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine look at how construction 3D printing might avert future disasters.
Do 3D Printers Make You Cry?
Fabbaloo readers are highly likely to own a 3D printer they operate themselves, but why don’t other people have them, too?
Robots, Automation, and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi predict areas of interest for 3D printing based on the recent CES event.
The Trouble With Many Asian Desktop 3D Printers
Many Asia-based desktop 3D printer manufacturers suffer from a key limitation that holds back their growth.
Additive Manufacturing Innovation in the Mobility Industry
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine look at recent mergers in the transportation industry and see how they could benefit from 3D printing.
Life on Mars and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how buildings could be 3D printed on another planet.
3D Printing Implications of Sesame’s Street’s Education Initiatives
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger look at how a children’s TV show pivot could make good use of 3D printing technology.
Can 3D Printing Be the Technology That Helps Bring Music to the Environmentally-Savvy Consumer?
A resurgence in popularity for vinyl music coincided with the democratization of 3D printing technologies.
Looking Forward To AM in 2022
Well, well — it’s the beginning of another year, and time for some forward thinking.
Looking Back at 3D Print Trends in 2021
The year 2021 has ended, and it’s time to look back to see what happened in 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing.
3D Printing Implications of the Johnson & Johnson Split
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger look at how 3D technology usage could increase at J&J.
Scholastic Publishing’s Most Beloved Series and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi see an opening for additional 3D printing.
Airbus and 3D Printing Market Share Opportunities
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine look at how leasing moves could affect the production of 3D printed aviation parts.
BigRep’s Four Levels of Smart 3D Printing
BigRep published an interesting piece explaining how they break down the features in “smart 3D printing”.
CoComelon Going Public and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how 3D printing technology could be used in the children’s entertainment business.
Construction Supply Chains and Growing 3D Printing Markets
Charles Goulding and Joseph Castine look at how 3D printing technology might alleviate some of the current construction procurement challenges.
Why 3D Printing Needs To Meet Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing countless industries, and its machine learning capabilities are capable of transforming additive manufacturing as well.
Levi Strauss, the Supply Chain, and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Harry Foxman look at how the pandemic could encourage fashion makers to use more 3D printing technology.
So Many Thought’s On Prusa’s New XL 3D Printer
Last week Prusa Research unveiled their new Original Prusa XL large format 3D printer, and there are a number of interesting implications.
“Squid Game” and 3D Printed Toys
Charles R. Goulding and Mindy Zhu look at how 3D printing could capitalize on the Squid Game craze.
It’s All About Customization With Additive Manufacturing
The business case for using additive manufacturing has always been challenging for many industries, but now things are becoming much clearer.
Texas A&M University and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the use of 3D printing by Texas A&M students.
Construction 3D Printing Taking Off?
For many years, construction 3D printing has been mostly experimental or demonstrative. Now, that may be changing.
How 3D Printing Can Benefit Your Family’s Home Comfort
3D printing innovations have had a positive impact on so many different industries.
The Century of Biology, ESG Investing, and the Influence of 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Arianna Coger examine the relationship between increased interest in ESG and additive manufacturing.
What’s With All The 3D Print Cleaning Stations?
Another week and more news on a dedicated cleaning station. But why so many announcements?
The Solution to the Budget Appliance Shortage: Product Mix and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the possibilities and risks of using 3D printing to overcome supply chain challenges.
National Press for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) 3D Printing Project
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the relevance of DIY 3D printing projects.
Dallas and 3D Printing for Bikes
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the possibiliites of 3D printing for the bicycle industry.
Allbirds’ IPO and 3D Printing: For the Birds?
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the value of 3D printing technology for Allbirds, a footwear manufacturer.
3D Printing: The Solution for Unfinished Goods
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the challenging state of affairs in large scale manufacturing.
Impacts of Desktop Metal’s Aidro Acquisition
Charles R. Goulding and Randall Rothbort look at the implications of Desktop Metal potentially competing with their own clients.
Taiwan Tensions and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how 3D printing may be affected by the current Taiwan situation.