3devo has introduced the Precision and Composer Series of filament makers.
materials
Good News: You Can Use Third Party Materials Without Legal Fears
Well, well, it seems there has been a significant legal development in the USA regarding use of third party 3D printing materials.
Sinterit Flexes SLS with Soft TPU
Sinterit’s newest material explores the softer side of SLS.
3M and the Expansion of 3D Printing Materials
Charles Goulding and Andressa Bonafe of R&D Tax Savers discuss 3M’s interest in 3D printing.
Towards Self-Repairing 3D Prints?
New research from MIT shows a potential approach for producing self-repairing 3D prints.
A 3D Printer Filament Recycling Service?
I’m looking at Replay 3D, a seller of recycled 3D printer filaments.
A Sustainable Place to Rest Your Rear
3D printing the seating of the future isn’t just getting personal, it’s sustainable.
Ultimaker Adds Material Solutions, Print Core
Desktop 3D printing mainstay Ultimaker continues to up its offerings for professionals with more materials-centered announcements today.
TRUE Food Safe PLA
Filaments.ca is introducing a new food-safe line of 3D printing filament.
A Chat with HP’s Global Head of 3D Metals
I sat down with HP’s new Global Head of 3D Metals, Dr. Tim Weber, to discuss Metal Jet 3D printing.
Which 3D Printing Material is Right for Your Next Project?
Manufacturing is embracing 3D printing, due to the vast number of choices for materials.
The Need For 3D Printing Joint Ventures
Recent interest in more exotic materials should drive a lot more partnerships in the future.
$25 Million from Chemical Giant Advances Materialise’s 3D Printing Partnership with BASF
Powder Bed Fusion machines located at Materialise’s 3D printing facilities. (Image courtesy of Materialise.)
A Home for Unused 3D Printer Materials?
I’m reading a fundraising campaign for a school’s 3D printer and had an idea.
Hands on with the Sindoh 3DWOX 1, Part 2
There is a very special feature on this new model.
Have You Tried RollingUp Spool Manager?
The developer of Printoid has produced another useful application: RollingUp.
BASF’s Biggest Step into 3D Printing Yet
BASF announced yet another 3D printing deal, but this one is very significant.
Plant-Based 3D Printing Material Developed by ORNL
The power of 3D printing lies in the materials
BASF Continues Harvesting 3D Print Operations
BASF, the largest chemical company in the world, is deadly serious about their 3D print ambitions.
Third Party 3D Printer Resin Thoughts
Virtually all major resin-powered 3D printers today can use the manufacturer’s materials.
What Filament Should I Use?
With the dramatic increase of 3D print material availability, the choice of filament becomes far more difficult.
Photochromic 3D Printing Under Development
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed what might be called “Photochromic 3D printing”.
More on Kimya’s Transformation
Last week we wrote on the benefits of having an easily searchable 3D printing company name, but we ended up finding out a lot more about one company.
Could Cheaper Carbon Nanotube 3D Printer Materials Be On The Way?
A new development might lower the cost of 3D print material that uses carbon nanotubes.
Choice: The Future Dilemma of 3D Printing
As things are unfolding in 2018, there seems to be a growing challenge: material choice.
3D Printable Glass?
Research from the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie suggests the possibility of cold 3D printed glass objects.
Could We Propose Thermoelectric Filament?
I’m reading some interesting research from MIT researchers, who have developed a substance with vastly improved thermoelectric properties.
Buying 3D Printer Filament: Online or In Person?
There are now more ways to acquire 3D printer filament, but what is the best way to do so?
The Other Reason for 3D Printing Pellets
Pellets are slowly becoming a more popular 3D printing material, but there is one surprising reason this is so.
What Happens When Flexible Gets Large
BigRep announced a new material that has my mind buzzing about what might happen.
BASF Takes a Huge Step – With BigRep
BASF and BigRep announced a blockbuster deal yesterday, or at least we think so.
Senvol Joins The US Navy
Senvol has contracted with the US Navy to develop very powerful 3D printing software.
3D Print Services and Certifications
There’s an interesting story at Sculpteo about how they provide certifications for their materials.
3D Print Materials Copyright Law Battle
Micheal Weinberg writes of an interesting legal battle taking place over use of third party 3D print materials.
Simplify3D Updates Their Free Ultimate 3D Printing Material Guide
While the term “3D Printing” has become synonymous with creating physical objects
The New Future for 3D Printing: MetaMaterials?
I’m reading more about the concept of metamaterials, and believe this is a lot more important than I imagined.
Recyclable BioPlastics Are Not Necessarily Energy Efficient
A research report puts doubt on the notion of “eco friendly” 3D printing.
Mass Portal’s Three New Excellent Products
Mass Portal continues to experiment with advanced 3D printing techniques.
Need Unusual Powder for 3D Metal Printing? Make it On Your Desktop!
We ran into something entirely unexpected at FormNext: a machine that produces 3D metal printing powder on your desktop.
The Arrival of the Big Guys in 3D Printing Shakes Things up
Something quite interesting was observed at the recent FormNext exhibition.
Professional Filament Drying Now Available
Latvia-based Mass Portal announced a new line of professional filament drying systems.
What is BASF Doing in 3D Printing? A Lot, It Appears
BASF is making more moves into 3D print space.
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.
Possibly Game-Changing 3D Print Spinoff From NASA?
NASA announced they’re working on something called the “Refabricator”, and I’m wondering where this is going.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Polyethylene
How much do you know about polyethylene?
Should We 3D Print PVC?
There are an increasing number of thermoplastics that can be 3D printed recently, and one of them is PVC.
Get On It: A 3D Print Spool Enclosure
A Kickstarter project hopes to solve one major issue with 3D printer spools: contamination.
BASF Targeting 3D Printing?
Chemical giant BASF is to set up a new subsidiary dedicated to 3D printing.
Have You Used the Materials Project?
The Materials Project is a massive online database of materials.
Made In Space Begins 3D Printing PEI/PC on the ISS
Earlier this year, we spoke to Made In Space President Andrew Rush about some of the new exciting projects that the company is working on.
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.
Is “Carbon Fiber” 3D Print Material Really “Carbon Fiber”?
Recently a number of 3D print companies have announced what’s described as “carbon fiber” materials, but are these really as strong as carbon fiber?
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.
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.
Will Mosaic Manufacturing’s Color 3D Printing Approach Catch On?
There are multiple ways to achieve color 3D printing, and one of them is Mosaic Manufacturing’s Palette. But will it catch on?
Coming Soon: Super Stretchy 3D Print Materials
Researchers in Singapore have developed new elastomeric materials that could be used in 3D printing applications.
Do Ya Think 3D Systems is Pursuing the Medical Market?
An announcement this week from 3D Systems has, for me, settled the debate about 3D Systems’ strategy going forward.
MIT Develops 3D Porous Graphene 10 Times Stronger, But Lighter, Than Steel
Graphene. That awesome meta-material that was identified in 1916, imaged in 1948, grown on substrates in the 70’s, and finally manufactured in 2014, has yet to be incorporated into any consumer market applications.
3D Printed Weapons to be Produced by US Department of Defense
A very curious solicitation from the US DOD requests “explosive” 3D printer materials.
Can You Really 3D Print ANY Material?
The notion of buying a desktop 3D printer that is sufficiently flexible to print in many materials isn’t enough.
Has 3d-figo Figured Out How To 3D Print Any Material?
In a very tiny booth on the left side of the FormNext exhibition was a display from a one-person company that just may have figured out a monstrous breakthrough in 3D printing.
3D Printing: Shape, Check! Function, Not So Much
3D printing may be on the verge of a dramatic shift in focus as we’ve overcome one mountain, only to be faced with another.
Stratasys’ Online Store
Stratasys made a bit of a splash with their online materials store this past week.
Another 3D Printing Materials Property You May Not Have Considered
Recently I had a discussion with a maker designing a handheld transmitting device, who insisted on 3D printing with ABS instead of PLA, but his reasons were not what you might think.
3D Print Community: The RMADS Rapid Manufacturing Advice System
This month’s community support selection is the RMADS project undertaken by researchers at Newcastle University.
A Metamaterial Demonstration Suggests Insane Future 3D Applications
I’m watching a video demonstrating a “meta material mechanism” and the mind boggles at what become of this concept.
Is Carbon Fiber Filament a Marketing Gimmick?
Running a small product design and 3D printing business, shookideas.com, I receive questions about carbon fiber filament almost every week.
MakerBot’s Peculiar, But Very Appropriate Announcement
This week MakerBot unleashed a series of announcements regarding their products, services and supplies.
Beyond the New 3D Printing Materials
The era of extremely limited 3D printer material selection seems to be ending, but what might the next materials challenge become?
Waiting for Transparent Aluminum 3D Printers
Among the infinite variety of materials in our world is a very peculiar substance known as Aluminium oxynitride, or as some call it, transparent aluminum.
Ti3AU, the Hardest New Metal Material for 3D Printing?
Researchers at Rice University and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have developed a startlingly hard material, Ti3Au.
Dissolvable Metal Support Material for 3D Printed Metal Could Create New Opportunities
Researchers have developed a very unusual support material: dissolvable carbon steel that could be used for metal 3D printing support structures.
A New Bio-Active 3D Printing Polymer Suggests Many New Applications
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have done something I’ve not seen before: mixed bio-active enzymes with 3D printing polymer.
Electric 3D Printing? New Adhesive Method Could Enable a New Form of 3D Printing
A new adhesive is triggered by electricity, suggesting the possibility of a new form of 3D printing.
Chemically Active 3D Prints To Make Amazing Things Happen
Some interesting research in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials shows how a 3D printed object could be functional in a chemical manner.
Mosaic Manufacturing Finally Ships The Palette
If you’re looking for a fascinating way to coax your monocolor 3D printer into producing multiple colors, you can now obtain a Palette from Mosaic Manufacturing.
Carbon Dioxide As 3D Printing Material?
Yes, we’ve all seen carbon fiber 3D printing material, but now scientists from the University Of California have managed to use carbon dioxide to 3D print.
Body-Temperature Polymer Could Provoke Some Very Interesting 3D Prints
A new polymer developed by a team from the University of Rochester has an interesting property: it changes shape when triggered by body temperature alone.
3D Hubs Adds PolyJet Capability
Community 3D printer network 3D Hubs announced another significant step into the world of commercial 3D print services by adding PolyJet materials.
World’s First 3D Printed Photosynthetic Wearable
Stratasys announced that its long-term collaborator, architect and designer Neri Oxman, has revealed the world’s first 3D printed photosynthetic wearable, “embedded with living matter.”
Could 3D Printing Use a K-Cup Strategy?
Several 3D printer manufacturers are experimenting with different business models, but is there a way to emulate the hot beverage companies?
Is Metal 3D Printer Filament Dangerous?
We’re wondering whether using metal-infused filaments in personal 3D printers is actually a safe thing to do.
Researchers Create New Class Of 3D Printed Aerogels
Using a 3D printing technique called direct ink writing, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers created graphene aerogel micro lattices with an engineered architecture.
ProtoCrate Offers Monthly Filament
Startup ProtoCrate now offers a “filament of the month” subscription service.
Is 3D Printer Filament a Commodity?
While most 3D printer manufacturers would prefer you use their in-house plastic filament in their equipment, we’re wondering whether filament is nearing “commodity” stage.
New Technique Could Enable 3D Printed Contact Lenses
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a technique for 3D printing multiple materials that could prove quite interesting.
Quasicrystalline Alloys Could Improve 3D Print Materials
Researchers at the University of Lorraine in France have been working on new methods of creating powdered alloys.
Stratasys Opens New Factory
Sales of Stratasys’ Connex equipment must be going well. So well they had to open a brand new factory to build them.
How Much 3D Printer Filament Do You Need?
There’s a slight trend emerging in the 3D printer filament market: volume shipments.
Endless Filament with the FUSE Welder
We’re looking at a unique device, the FUSE welding filament clamp, by industrial designer Pedro M. Librero.
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?
ABS Plastic On The Way Out?
We’re beginning to notice a significant trend. When looking at new emerging personal 3D printers we are seeing fewer that offer ABS plastic as an option as a 3D printing material. ABS was among the very first materials used by historic personal 3D printers, as it was commonly available due to its heavy use… Continue reading ABS Plastic On The Way Out?
ColorFabb’s Focus on 3D Printing
We had a chat about filament with Sander Strijbos of ColorFabb at the recent 3D Printshow in London. While there are quite a few vendors marketing filament, most of their innovations involve new colors of PLA and ABS plastic. Not so with ColorFabb, who explore the edge of the envelope in filament technology. Strijbos… Continue reading ColorFabb’s Focus on 3D Printing
Inexpensive, High Quality 3D Printer Resin?
Most personal 3D printers are filament-fueled extrusion machines, but there are a number of resin-based machines, such as the Form 1, the Nautilus, the mUVe 1, the B9 Creator and others. There’s also several open source plans for resin-based machines. But there could be a problem. Resins used by some of these machines can… Continue reading Inexpensive, High Quality 3D Printer Resin?
OpenFab’s Visionary Goal: Multi-material Objects
Developed by MIT and presented at this year’s SIGGRAPH conference, OpenFab proposes a way to more easily produce incredibly complex milt-material objects. OpenFab is not a 3D printer; it is a software “pipeline” of steps that enable the creation of complex, multi-material 3D models that can then be printed on a 3D printer capable… Continue reading OpenFab’s Visionary Goal: Multi-material Objects