This week’s selection is Antonis Kiourktsis’ elegant Inmotion figurine.
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Fuel 3D’s New Funding
Fuel3D launched in a very successful manner on Kickstarter some months ago, but now they have a new success story.
Digital Playspace Goes to 3D Systems
At CES this year we were quite impressed with a gigantic dollhouse filled with 3D prints. Little did we know there was more to the story.
Everyone’s 3D Printing George Crowdsourcington
What do you do when you have a rather large 3D print to produce? One that might take weeks to complete? There’s a surprising answer.
Connex3 Tech’s Affect on 3D Printed Fashion
It’s still quite early in its lifecycle, but Stratasys’ new Connex3 color 3D printing technology is beginning to have an affect on one application: fashion.
NASA Research Aims to Print Wood in Space
In a completely new twist for the world of 3D printing, two researchers are working to create a new bioprinting methodology that would see clumps of cells spawn custom engineered, non-living biomaterials.
3D Printing Live Seeds
There’s a lot of people around the world trying to 3D print all types of materials, but this venture is a little different. What it prints is alive.
M3D’s Micro 3D Printer
Many new 3D printers are available, but M3D’s new Micro 3D printer has some very intriguing features we haven’t seen before.
A 3D Printing Mutual Fund?
Don’t want to miss out on the massive growth of 3D printing companies? Not sure where to invest your cash? There could be an answer for you.
The Unfortunate End of a 3D Print
An unfortunate incident occurred at the 3D Printshow last week. While browsing the incredible artistic 3D prints in the gallery, a massive shattering noise was heard.
MakeXYZ and CGTrader Receive Big Cash
The public perception of 3D printing has changed. How do we know this? Just take at look at the cash invested in two growing 3D print companies.
The ECV-One 3D Printer
There’s a new personal 3D printer from French-based e-crew vis: the ECV-One. This printer does offer some unusual features.
Leapfrog’s Tall Experiment Becomes a Product: The Creatr XL
While visiting the Leapfrog booth at Euromold, we were struck by a very curious and unannounced 3D printer. Now it’s become a product.
The Latest Trends from 3D Hubs
One of the many reasons to like 3D Hubs, beyond their excellent crowdsourced network of 3D printers is their monthly statistical report. This month shows some interesting trends.
The Beachy Head Lady Reconstructed
The Daily Mail reports on an ancient skull being reconstructed with modern 3D technology.
Design of the Week: Articulated Doll
This week’s selection is an articulated doll by digital sculptor Ryan Kittleson in collaboration with artist Elizabeth Shupe.
From Trash to 3D Printer: WoeLab’s Incredible Machine
At this year’s NYC 3D Printshow we had the great privilege to see a historic 3D printer: the first 3D printer ever made solely from e-waste.
Big Rep One is One Big Rep
While trundling around NYC’s 3D Printshow we happened to bump into what must be the largest commercially available RepRap-style 3D printer in the world.
Project Shapeshifter Improves
Autodesk’s 123D initiative’s subproject, Project Shapeshifter, recently received a very exciting upgrade.
It’s 3D Printed, and It’s Flexible
At NYC’s 3D Printshow this week there are plenty of amazing items to check out. One that caught our eye was very flexible.
Beyond Connex3: What Would a True Color 3D Printer Be?
With the excitement from Stratasys’ recent announcement of the color Connex3 technology, we’re wondering where this is going next.
3D Printing A Complex Mechanism: Proven
Solidsmack reports on a fascinating attempt to 3D print an entire working clockwork motor in a single print operation. Did it work?
Heat-Resistant PLA Could Expand 3D Printing Capabilities
PLA plastic, a commonly used 3D printing material, could be on the verge of becoming more versatile thanks to research conducted by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
Confirming the Other Half of 3D Printing
The science of 3D printing was conceived some 30 years ago with intentions of becoming a new form of manufacturing. By 2014, that’s clearly happened. But after attending the opening event of NYC’s first 3D Printshow last night, we have another thought.
3D Printed Revolver: It Works!
We’ve written many times about experiments in 3D printed firearms, but never about a fully functional 3D printed revolver.
Is Software The Answer To Reliable 3D Printing?
Like most of you, we like to watch 3D prints happen. There’s something magical about seeing a real object appear out of, apparently, thin air. But while the print takes place, angry thoughts emerge.
Chocolate 3D Printing: Easy to Do?
UK-based Jonathan Keep has been experimenting with chocolate 3D printing, with rather delicious results.
Friction Welding Your 3D Prints
A common technique to successfully 3D print complex objects is to print separate pieces and then glue them together. But are there other techniques for joining pieces together? Apparently yes.
NASA’s 3D Printed Instruments
NASA is experimenting with 3D printing techniques to develop not one, but at least three different solutions to space instrument manufacturing issues.
At NYC’s 3D Printshow This Week
Team Fabbaloo will be roaming the streets of NYC this week looking for stories, machines and more at and around the first NYC 3D Printshow. Will you be there?
BotObjects, Again
You might recall the controversial BotObjects ProDesk3D full color personal 3D printer? It’s controversial because many believe it doesn’t really exist. Or does it?
How To Replicate a Miniature Outboard Motor
The R/C community is always making custom items for remote controlled machines, but sometimes you just can’t do it by yourself.
3D Printing Ad During The Super Bowl?
Everyone knows that purchasing ad space during the Super Bowl is prohibitively expensive. It’s so expensive that no 3D printing company could afford an ad. Or could they?
New York City’s First 3D Printshow: This Week!
We’re busily packing our bags for another visit to the Big Apple this week for the very first 3D Printshow in that metropolis.
Design of the Week: Hatch for Eyewear Kit
This week’s selection is Michiel Cornelissen’s Hatch for Eyewear Kit. It’s a frame for lenses, but unlike any you’ve likely seen before.
MakerBot’s Hiring: What Does This Mean?
From time to time we see MakerBot advertising for new hires, and today there’s another such call. What’s going on behind the scenes?
It’s A New Day at Fabbaloo!
If you’re a long time reader of this publication, you’re probably noticing the significant changes we’ve made to the site today. The changes are perhaps the most significant in our seven year history. So what’s changed?
The Robo3D Printer
It’s a familiar story: a group of makers wants a 3D printer, but they can’t afford one. So they build their own and realize it’s good enough to sell. That’s the genesis of the Robo3D personal 3D printer.
Another 3D Printing Patent Set to Expire: What Does This Mean?
US Patent number 5,597,589, “Apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering”, is to expire this May. Originally filed on May 31, 1994, the patent expires exactly 20 years hence, on May 31, 2014. But what will this mean?
Laser Sintering Moves Into the Bike Market
As metal additive manufacturing techniques continue to increase the fidelity of the parts they produce, more industries are beginning to experiment with the technology.
MakerBot’s MakerWare Passes a Key Milestone
MakerBot’s latest release of their 3D printing management software, MakerWare, has passed what we believe to be a significant milestone.
Questions Trouble 3D BioPrinting
The ability to 3D print living human tissues, including skin and even organs, is under rapid development. When the technology becomes available, ethical questions must be answered.
Ultimaker 2 Unboxing
Barnacules Nerdgasm documents his Ultimaker 2 unboxing experience. If you’re at all interested in acquiring Ultimaker’s latest personal 3D printer, you’ll want to watch this video.
The Pegasus Touch 3D Printer
Everyone’s getting in on the laser-resin 3D printer market, it seems. Now we see Full Spectrum Laser, a company previously dedicated to traditional laser equipment, has produced their very first 3D printer, the Pegasus Touch.
3D Printer Built by Thirteen Year Old
The Times of India reports on a teenager who’s successfully constructed his own DIY 3D printer. While many people have built 3D printers from kits or parts, it’s interesting to see the age of builders decrease to the mid-teens. What are the implications?
3D Print Your Honda Concept Car
Honda Motors has taken a big step into the consumer 3D printing world by offering cars for download.
The OWL Nano 3D Printer
The OWL Nano 3D printer joins the growing ranks of personal 3D printers based on photo-cured resin technology. It’s a curious design, but this 3D printer can deliver incredibly good resolution.
Stratasys to be Acquired?
Bloomberg speculates on the future of 3D printing giant Stratasys. They believe the company could be acquired by one of two existing 2D printing companies.
Bow & Drape’s 3D Printing Venture
According to a report in the Wall St. Journal, New York startup Bow & Drape has raised USD$1.2M in new investment, specifically for developing new lines of customized fashion accessories using 3D printing.
DELL Offers Multiple 3D Printers?
The venerable PC maker DELL has signed a deal to resell 3D printers from not one, but two 3D printer manufacturers.
Can You 3D Print Cotton?
Probably you can’t 3D print cotton, but a new project hopes to find a way to do so.
Design of the Week: P6*6 120 Pinhole Camera
This week’s selection is the the P6*6 120 Pinhole Camera by Todd Schlemmer. It definitely looks like a camera and indeed if you print the parts and assemble them you can actually capture real images using standard 120 analog film.
More 3D Printing Hubs in the USA Planned
A brief mention of 3D printing occurred during US President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union Address last week. Apparently the high-tech manufacturing hubs previously announced by that administration were successful.
Why Was the Connex3 Delayed So Long?
You might have noticed that Stratasys announced a new, powerful color 3D printer this week, the Connex3. The new device is the world’s first 3D printer that can mix both differing materials and colors to produce more than 500 possible combo materials. But evidence of the machines existence has been apparent for some time.… Continue reading Why Was the Connex3 Delayed So Long?
The Spectrum of Color 3D Printers
You have a monocolor 3D printer and you want colors? You have a few options, but not all of them may fit into your budget. The simplest approach is simply buy differently-colored filament. However, you’re still printing in one color unless you print multiple pieces in different colors and then connect them together.… Continue reading The Spectrum of Color 3D Printers
Implications of Mark Forg3D’s Web-Based 3D Print Slicing
Mark Forg3D’s carbon fiber printer is a definitely a revolutionary concept, but that wasn’t the only feature that really impressed us. The other sleeper feature of the Mark One is its software. But wait, you say, every 3D printer includes software to drive the printer. That’s true, but Mark Forg3D’s software is cloud based.… Continue reading Implications of Mark Forg3D’s Web-Based 3D Print Slicing
Credit Suisse Revises Their 3D Printing Projections
In light of new analysis, banking giant Credit Suisse has recalculated its 3D printing projection, stating that the manufacturing tech’s market will increase to $800M by 2016. Led by market researcher Jonathan Shaffer, the revised projection is a startling 357% increase from Credit Suisse’s $175M market estimate late last year. Driving that claim is… Continue reading Credit Suisse Revises Their 3D Printing Projections
How Clear are “Transparent” 3D Prints, Anyway?
With the release of Connex3 color 3D printing technology this week, we started thinking more about “transparent” 3D printing. Stratasys provides a transparent material for their Connex series of printers and it’s often mixed with other colors to produce hybrid objects. But exactly how “transparent” is Transparent? We did an experiment. Stratasys often… Continue reading How Clear are “Transparent” 3D Prints, Anyway?
3D Printshow Comes to the Big Apple
Last November we had the pleasure of attending the second London 3D Printshow, in London, of course. The event was spectacular, but attended mostly by Europeans who live close to the city of London. Due to distance people from North America often found it difficult to travel so far to attend. But all that’s… Continue reading 3D Printshow Comes to the Big Apple
Making Figurines with the Form 1
CultureJapan’s Danny Choo has posted a detailed hands-on experience with Formlab’s Form 1 resin-based 3D printer. As we’ve not yet been able to check one out in our lab, we thought we’d see how blogger Danny Choo felt about using the Form 1. Choo found Form 1’s driver software, PreForm, to be pretty easy… Continue reading Making Figurines with the Form 1
An Additional 3D Printer Buying Factor
The other week we wrote a piece on the major factors to consider when deciding on purchasing a 3D printer. While we stand by our list, a readers suggested another key factor. Operating System: One reader suggested the ability to run the printer’s software on Linux would be a deciding factor for him. We… Continue reading An Additional 3D Printer Buying Factor
Metal Powder Gets Cheaper
Metal producer Metalysis has invented a much more efficient method to make fine metal powder. Currently the price of titanium powder ranges from USD$200-400 per kg as it is made through a complex multi-step process. Metalysis’ new process involves a single step and should reduce the price accordingly. While this is quite important for… Continue reading Metal Powder Gets Cheaper
Color Mixing on the Connex3
Stratasys’ latest 3D printer series, the Connex3, is able to produce a wide variety of 3D objects with multiple properties. As we posted earlier, the technology permits rigid, color, transparent and flexible materials to be produced within a single 3D print operation. The Connex3’s can hold and print three unique materials simultaneously, with some… Continue reading Color Mixing on the Connex3
The Connex3 Materials Cabinet
The Connex3 also comes with a powerful materials cabinet. It’s a separate unit typically installed beside the main Connex3 and is intended to house cartridges containing color resins. The resins are pumped into the printer during active printing. Now you’d think there would need to be extra space for cartridges servicing the new third… Continue reading The Connex3 Materials Cabinet
The Mark One Carbon Fiber 3D Printer
We took a look at a surprise 3D printer unveiled this week: Mark Forg3D’s Mark One, after a year of secret development work. At a glance, it looks like any other personal-sized 3D printer, albeit with a very slick metal case. But then you look at what’s being printed. Carbon Fiber. Yes, this… Continue reading The Mark One Carbon Fiber 3D Printer
More on the Objet 500 Connex3
The Objet 500 Connex3 deserves another post as we weren’t able to fit in the specs and other details in just one post. Let’s review some questions: How big can you print with it? It has the same volume as the Objet 500 Connex. How much does it cost? We believe the MSRP… Continue reading More on the Objet 500 Connex3
Design of the Week: Forms in Nature
This week’s selection is Thyra Hilden and Pio Diaz’s Forms in Nature. This work uses a technique we’ve not seen previously: using a centrally illuminated 3D printed structure to cast shadows on the walls of a room. Don’t believe us? Just check out the image above. The artists say: Forms in Nature is… Continue reading Design of the Week: Forms in Nature
Stratasys Announces The Objet 500 Connex3 Advanced Color 3D Printer
During yesterday’s press conference at the San Diego Convention Center Stratasys publicly revealed what many had speculated about for months: a vastly improved color 3D printer. It’s called the Objet 500 Connex3. The name follows the pattern of the previous “Connex”, which referred to the technology of dynamically mixing two different types of materials in… Continue reading Stratasys Announces The Objet 500 Connex3 Advanced Color 3D Printer
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?
The Lightforge 3D Printer
Lightforge is developing a personal resin-based 3D printer, a device that apparently doesn’t have an official name yet. We checked out the machine, which was actually a “version 1 prototype”, built after some fifteen months of development. A spokesperson indicated they’re currently working on a version 2 prototype that may be part of a… Continue reading The Lightforge 3D Printer
3D Systems’ Digital Content Strategy
Or should we say, “Strategies”. We’re having a very hard time keeping track of 3D Systems content products. They’ve been rapidly acquiring existing 3D content providers while at the same time developing their own. They’ve entered into partnerships with untold numbers of other 3D services as well. Why are they doing this? To promote… Continue reading 3D Systems’ Digital Content Strategy
A Swashbuckling Update from Pirate 3D
Arr! The folks from Pirate 3D say they’re now in active production of their low-cost 3D printer, the Buccaneer. We’re not certain when it will ship, but it sounds like it will be very soon. According to a spokesperson, the number of orders have been “substantial”. This may grow even larger as we understand… Continue reading A Swashbuckling Update from Pirate 3D
UK to Invest £15M in 3D Printing Hub Focused on Aerospace Engineering
In a statement earlier this week, the UK’s Finance Minister has announced that the British government will set aside £15M to create a national 3D Printing Hub. With this massive investment the government plans to open the 3D Printing Hub by 2015, focusing on the development of technologies suited for aerospace engineering. According… Continue reading UK to Invest £15M in 3D Printing Hub Focused on Aerospace Engineering
Cubify’s 3D New Content
Up to now Cubify’s 3D model content has been somewhat simplistic. Toys, simple personalized items and the like have been the staple of online 3D content within 3D Systems’s Cubify operation. But now they’re taking a different and far more serious direction. If you hit the Cubify site now, (dubbed “2.0” by 3D Systems),… Continue reading Cubify’s 3D New Content
Klone World
At CES we encountered Klone World in the 3D Systems’ booth. Klone World is a service that provides the increasingly popular ability to implant your 3D face on a figurine. Klone World offers a number of different figurine scenarios and poses, different than those offered by 3D Systems’ 3DMe service. Amazingly, the service works… Continue reading Klone World
MakerBot’s Colorful Plastics
MakerBot is making a big deal out of their plastic selection, and they should. It’s a far cry from their initial selection of plain old colors years ago. Today you’ll find it includes a really terrific set of colors that they’ve grouped into: true colors, translucents and specialties. They offer ABS, PLA, dissolvable and flexible… Continue reading MakerBot’s Colorful Plastics
The Sweet ChefJet 3D Printers
3D Systems announced not one, but two edible food 3D printers last week, creating an entirely new genre of commercial 3D printing. The two models are the ChefJet and the ChefJet Pro. As you might imagine, the “Pro” version has more functions than it’s lesser sibling. The base ChefJet is a monochrome 3D… Continue reading The Sweet ChefJet 3D Printers
The Amazing 3DMe Photo Booth
We got a close look at 3D Systems’ new “3DMe Photo Booth” at CES and found a lot more than we bargained for. The system is set up to transfer a 3D representation of a subject’s face onto any of several pre-made fun 3D character models. We’ve seen the functionality of this before; 3D… Continue reading The Amazing 3DMe Photo Booth
The Urbee Car: Destroyed?
This picture tells the story. Evidently the world’s first 3D printed car, the Urbee, incurred significant damage while being shipped home to North America from the recent 3D Printshow in London. It looks to us that either the car was not properly tied down or the shipping container took a bit of a tumble. … Continue reading The Urbee Car: Destroyed?
3D Systems is Cooking Up a Chocolate 3D Printer with Hershey’s
3D Systems has fully committed to a food 3D printing strategy. After the surprise announcements of the ChefJet 3D printers, which can print sugar structures in full color (and flavor, too), they’ve announced a joint deal with chocolate conglomerate Hershey’s to develop “innovative opportunities for using 3D printing technology in creating edible foods, including confectionery… Continue reading 3D Systems is Cooking Up a Chocolate 3D Printer with Hershey’s
The Scoop on ABS and PLA
Most personal 3D printers use PLA or ABS plastic, but how much do you actually know about these materials? Aside from the fact that ABS’s melting temperature is somewhat higher than PLA, and that ABS is somewhat stronger than PLA, most 3D printer owners could be challenged to say more. Don’t fear: there is… Continue reading The Scoop on ABS and PLA
A 100% Plastic 3D Printer?
Many designs of self-reproducing 3D printers have been produced and built; that’s the goal of the RepRap project. But are they truly reproducing themselves? Not exactly; the machines are – so far – only capable of reproducing most of the major plastic components, such as the image above, which was apparently the very first… Continue reading A 100% Plastic 3D Printer?
Five 3D Printer Buying Decisions
When you’ve decided to buy a 3D printer there are some questions you should ask yourself before proceeding. The current array of buyable 3D printers is the largest in the history of the world, so having some parameters to make a decision is a good thing. The questions are actually not about 3D printers,… Continue reading Five 3D Printer Buying Decisions
The Boiling Cauldron of 3D Printing: China
For some time now we’ve been interested in detailing the 3D printing space in China, but it seems that it’s a lot harder to analyze. Every time we take a look there seems to be new 3D printers and new 3D printing companies. That’s the norm in China these days: huge competition and a… Continue reading The Boiling Cauldron of 3D Printing: China
Design of the Week: 3D Lying Kitten
This week’s selection is Dotsan’s 3D Lying Kitten. It’s a wireframe version of a kitten, and we apologize profusely to readers for not selecting a kitten as the Design of the Week previously. The 3D Lying Kitten is a simple design, but it works best when you have several placed together as in the… Continue reading Design of the Week: 3D Lying Kitten
MakerBot’s Digital Content
While Thingiverse has been a wonderful source for 3D models for the initial wave of 3D printing, it’s not exactly consumer-friendly. It has a large number of models (over 218,000, according to a recent statement by MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis), which is good and bad. It’s good because the model you want is somewhere in… Continue reading MakerBot’s Digital Content
Battle of the Mini 3D Printers
Some say the pricing of assembled 3D printers from the major manufacturers has risen, and in some cases they have, but usually accompanied with a series of new useful features. To counteract the “price barrier”, as perceived by new members of the 3D printing community, the majors have developed “mini” 3D printers. The first… Continue reading Battle of the Mini 3D Printers
3D System’s Color 3D Printers
3D Systems recently made a couple of announcements regarding their full-color 3D printers, releasing the new ProJet 4500 and the CubeJet. Both 3D printers are capable of producing full-RGB color solid objects. They’re both evolutions of the technology 3D Systems obtained when they acquired ZCorp some years ago. ZCorp offered various models that printed… Continue reading 3D System’s Color 3D Printers
Makeraser’s Smooth Launch
Finally Makeraser is available for purchase, having launched on Kickstarter this week. It’s not a 3D printer, but everyone who owns a 3D printer should certainly get one. It’s a multi-use accessory that leverages acetone’s peculiar property of dissolving ABS plastic. In the past we’ve seen various attempts to use acetone to smooth ABS… Continue reading Makeraser’s Smooth Launch
The World’s First Snap Together 3D Printer
Designed in 2011 at a local machine shop in Fullerton, California, the modular Snap 3D printer has come a long way in the past few years. Originally constructed from wood and held together with store bought components, today’s Snap 3D has become a fully functional 3D printer capable of servicing the prototyping needs of… Continue reading The World’s First Snap Together 3D Printer
Cubify’s Advanced Material Cartridges
Cubify’s new Cube 3 includes a fascinating new feature: extremely simplified material loading, made possible only through the development of a new way to handle plastic filament. The new cartridges are quite different from any generic spool you’ve seen before. They’re sealed to prevent dust and dirt from contaminating the filament (which eventually clogs… Continue reading Cubify’s Advanced Material Cartridges
3D Printing… From Photoshop???
It’s true. Adobe announced new 3D printing capabilities within its current Photoshop Creative Cloud web service. At first, this seems to be an unusual function for a product dedicated, literally, to 2D images. But then it makes more sense when we thought about it. First, what does the new 3D print service actually do… Continue reading 3D Printing… From Photoshop???
Thoughts on MakerBot’s Curious Replicator Z18
Of all the 3D printers marketed by MakerBot since its founding, we find the Replicator Z18 to be the most curious. While previous models (and even the new Mini and Replicator) seemed to be logical extensions and modifications of prior units, the Z18 is quite different: It’s in a completely different price range: whereas… Continue reading Thoughts on MakerBot’s Curious Replicator Z18
The Rise of Resin 3D Printers
There was something quite unusual about the 3D printer manufacturers exhibiting at CES 2014 versus those exhibiting the previous year. At the London 3D Printshow, for example, we saw dozens of plastic filament machines, typically regionally focused. At CES 2014 we saw multiple resin-based 3D printers. It seems that the expiration of patents has… Continue reading The Rise of Resin 3D Printers
Matterform’s 3D Scanner in the Flesh
We managed to chat with Adam Brandejs of Matterform at CES, where he and colleagues demonstrated their powerful and inexpensive tabletop 3D scanner. We wondered how they felt about recent announcements by other companies of various kinds of 3D scanners. Matterform is not concerned and reports that “pre-sales have been going very well” for… Continue reading Matterform’s 3D Scanner in the Flesh