Is 3D printer filament made from recycled material financially viable? Czech company RE PET 3D hopes to prove so, with their 100% recycled 3D printer filament products.
Kerry Stevenson
Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!
Ultimaker Is Winning. We Found Their Black Magic
How does Ultimaker make so many 3D printer sales? We had a chat with them and found out their secret sales approach, and it’s very different.
Book of the Week: Build Your Own CNC Machine
This week’s selection is “Build Your Own CNC Machine” by Floyd Kelly James and Patrick Hood-Daniel.
Stratasys’ Digital Inventory Strategy Is Hard, But They’re Making Progress
Stratasys is working on a fascinating transition to a digital inventory provider. See their experiments with rail car suppliers to understand how it works.
E3D-Online Announces The Hermes System
E3D-Online announced a breakthrough 3D printing extruder / hot end system called Hermes. It offers a very powerful feature, yet is still low priced.
Design of the Week: Picadilly Circus Architectural Model
We selected an amazing large 3D print of Picadilly Circus as our design of the week.
What Makes a 3D Printer “Production”?
Is that a “production” 3D printer? What characteristics make a 3D printer “production”? We present a list of features to help classify additive manufacturing machines.
How To Reclaim More 3D Print Powder Material And Increase 3D Print Quality
You can lose a great deal of expensive 3D printing powder due to limited recycling abilities. But now there may be a way to optimize additive manufacturing powder recycling.
A Sophisticated Dental 3D Printing Strategy From Ray
South Korea-based Ray has developed an amazing 3D printing system for dentists to use directly without need for dental labs.
Thoughts On TCT Show 2019
What happened at TCT Show 2019? We were there and provide an overview of our thoughts on this event.
Digital Metal Expands Build Volume, With More To Come?
Digital Metal’s quiet change to their metal 3D printer might mean a new option for those seeking larger, high-resolution metal 3D prints.
Unusual Engineered Material Maintains Strength With Light
What is a light-stabilized material? Could it be used in 3D printing? If so, what could you make?
Question of the Week: 3D Printer Resin Safety
Is 3D printer resin safe? Is it safe when ventilated? The answer is most definitely no, and it’s not because of resin fumes.
A Deeper Look At The MakerBot Method X
Does the MakerBot Method X 3D printer really work? We examined several large ABS 3D prints and were very surprised.
The Busy Hidden Uses Of 3D Printing
Are there hidden use cases for 3D printing that are incredibly powerful? We’ve found some before, now here’s another one.
Book of the Week: Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Additive Manufacturing
This week’s selection is “Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Additive Manufacturing” by Michael Gouge and Pan Michaleris.
Ultimaker Releases Closed Environment Features For Production Capability
Ultimaker just announced the Ultimaker S5 Bundle, with heat and humidity management features that could enable true 3D print production.
Ultimaker Announces S3 Professional 3D Printer
Need a professional level desktop 3D printer? The new Ultimaker S3 is not only powerful, but also affordable and includes many ease-of-use features.
One On One With Standard Cyborg’s CEO
What is Standard Cyborg all about? We talked to Co-Founder and CEO Jeff Huber to learn more about the 3D vision and scanning startup.
Design of the Week: Cosplay Armor
This week’s selection is an incredible set of Cosplay Armor of Anduin Wryn from World of Warcraft by Josh from Grizzly Tech.
Fabbaloo Visits Birmingham, UK This Week
What really happens at 3D print trade shows? There’s a lot more going on than just the exhibitors you see. We explain the inside story on trade shows.
How 3D Printing Can Really Bring Back Jobs
Could 3D printing bring back jobs? We think it can, but not necessarily in the way you might think.
End Of The Line For The Replicator 2
How important was the now-unsupported MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer? More important than you might think.
3D Printing Weapons of Mass Destruction? Inevitable or Controllable?
Could 3D printing be used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction? Is additive manufacturing dangerous? We have thoughts.
RAMP MD: Helping A Region Go Additive
How can you learn additive manufacturing? Where can you get experience at a low cost? One state seems to have figured out a way to do so.
Could Anisoprint Catch Markforged In The Continuous Carbon Fiber 3D Printing Market?
What happens when two companies market continuous carbon fiber 3D printers? We think there will be competition between Anisoprint and Markforged.
Mosaic Manufacturing Almost Reduces Price Of 3D Print Color System
Is the Palette 2 color filament device for 3D printers too expensive? Perhaps, but it is now available at a much lower price.
SMARTTECH3D Announces “Green Stereo” 3D Scanner
SMARTTECH3D announced a new industrial 3D scanner for quality control, using green LED light in stereo mode.
The Regionality Of Major 3D Print Events
Every 3D printing / additive manufacturing trade show attracts a certain crowd, and it seems to differ by region. Why is this important?
New Engineering Materials And Hot Ends From Kodak
Kodak just announced two unusual engineering filaments for the Kodak Portrait 3D Printer, as well as a surprise hot end feature.
Increasing Interest In Additive Manufacturing Investment?
If you invest in 3D print companies, how do you find them? Opportunities are scarce, yet additive manufacturing companies need investment.
Method Of Developing Reconfigurable Materials Discovered
Can 3D prints change shape and maintain the new shape? New research seems to show this is possible, but what could this research lead to?
Raise3D Adds Focus On Education Market With E2 Announcement
Raise3D announced a new 3D printer for the education market, the E2. Is this a good move? We take a close look.
Book of the Week: Hardcore Inventing
This week’s selection is “Hardcore Inventing” by Robert Yonover and Ellie Crowe.
Is Traditional Manufacturing Feeling The Heat From Additive Manufacturing?
Traditional manufacturing is a well understood major global industry. But will it be replaced by additive manufacturing? We do some analysis.
A Funny Thing Happened When Filament Shopping
What is the key factor for buying 3D printer filament? It is not cost and we tell you why.
Design of the Week: Zeus V8 Electric Motorcycle
This week’s selection is the radical Zeus V8 Electric Motorcycle by Curtiss Motorcycles.
How Are 3D Prints Used For Design?
What is Design Feedback with 3D Printing? It is a technique used by architects to solve highly complex building construction designs.
A £99 3D Printer? Apparently So
Is a low-cost, actually functional 3D printer possible? It may be so with Makertech 3D’s new Axis 3D printer, which sports many features normally found on higher-priced gear.
3D Printed Rocket Manufacturer Gets First Customer
Can a rocket be entirely 3D printed? We will soon find out as Relativity Space gains their first customer, Momentus.
Stratasys Invests Big Time in Xaar, But Why?
Why would Stratasys invest so much in Xaar? Our thoughts lead directly to Stratasys’ new product strategy, and it’s not like their previous products at all.
A “Universal Cartridge” For Form 2 3D Printers, But Should You Use It?
ProtoArt sells a universal cartridge for Form 2 resin 3D printers, allowing third party resins. But should you really use this product?
Stratasys Shows Fashion Fabric 3D Printing System
When will 3D printing finally change the fashion industry? It may happen soon with Stratasys’ announcement of a way to 3D print in full color directly on fabric using production processes.
Artec 3D Gives Legs To Their Large-Format 3D Scanner
How can 3D scanners really capture large objects? Artec 3D has come up with a remote app that for the first time allows this to happen.
The 3D Printing Cloud Can Be A Lot Bigger Than You Think
How important is Ultimaker’s cloud infrastructure? I think it is a critical part of their growth strategy to sell 3D printers to large enterprise clients.
ASTM Explores Additive Manufacturing Structural Integrity
Do your 3D prints lack structural integrity? It could be due to an incorrect combination of feedstock, process, structure, property and performance. Find out more from ASTM.
The Importance Of Investment In Certain Types Of 3D Print Companies
Why do some 3D print services require so much investment? We analyzed the situation facing metal additive manufacturing services.
Space Startup Offering Earth-Based 3D Printed Housing Experience
Want to stay in a space habitat? One 3D printed space habitat is being offered to the public for short stays, but it’s located on Earth.
What Will Ultimaker Announce?
Ultimaker announced they’re announcing a new device. What is it? What 3D printer features could it include? We enhance some images and provide speculation.
Book of the Week: The Knowledge
What happens after the world ends? Do you know how to rebuild everything? This book gives you the steps to do so.
A Different Full Color 3D Printing Solution From OVE
For those interested in full color 3D printing with gradients and textures, OWE has developed a device that can do just that at a very low price.
We’re Heading To TCT Show 2019 In A Few Weeks – Are You?
Looking for concentrated information on 3D printing? Consider attending the 2019 TCT Show in Birmingham where over 300 exhibitors will show you their hardware, software and materials.
Design of the Week: Drifter Binocular Telescope
Need a 3D printed telescope? A radically different 3D printed rich field binocular telescope? The upcoming Drifter from Analog Sky may be the answer.
Which 3D Printing Tradeshows Are For You?
Should you attend a 3D printing event? Which one? We examine some of the most notable 3D print trade shows and additive manufacturing conferences.
Do You Need A 3D Printer Emissions Sensor?
3D printers emit VOCs — volatile organic compounds. Do you need a sensor to detect them? We examine a proposed DIY solution.
Prusa Sets World Record By Simultaneously Running 1096 3D Printers
How many 3D printers can you run at the same time? Prusa’s answer to that question is in the thousands, as they set a world record.
Microbeam Fabrication Technique Could Enable Complex Bioprinting
How does a bioprint hold its shape? New research shows ways support scaffolds could be made from living tissue that allows the bioprint to grow.
Big Chemical Forces Rigid.ink To Pivot
What happens when the big guys move into 3D print materials? The smaller players must pivot; Rigid.ink is no longer selling filament!
Will Digital Metal’s New Superalloys Mark The Beginning Of A Metal Battle?
Digital Metal announced two superalloys for their high-precision metal 3D printer. What does this mean for their competitors who cannot 3D print non-weldable materials?
The Inexpensive Phiz Tabletop 3D Scanner
Looking for an inexpensive tabletop 3D scanner? The upcoming Phiz 3D scanner from KIRI Innovation could be for you.
NASA has been 3D Printing Ice — In Plastic
How do you make aircraft wings resistant to icing? By carefully 3D scanning the way wing icing occurs, and 3D printing test wings.
Admatec Adds Vision-Based Process Monitoring System
Admatec’s new vision-based process monitoring system for their ceramic and metal 3D printers could dramatically increase the quality of industrial additive manufacturing.
Book of the Week: Total Inventor’s Manual
This week’s selection is the “Total Inventor’s Manual: Transform Your Idea into a Top-Selling Product” by Sean Michael Ragan.
Another Source For Quality 3D Printer Resins: Liqcreate
Need some high-quality resins for your 3D printer? One option is Liqcreate, which produces resins able to work in many 3D printers using SLA, DLP and LCD processes.
The Start Of A Very Good Idea: 3D Printer / Material Technical Datasheets
How do you know whether a 3D print material will work adequately on a given 3D printer? Now miniFactory is producing technical datasheets that let you know in advance.
The Final Word on 3D Printing vs Additive Manufacturing?
There is a way to make sense of the terminology of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing. We propose some rules.
Possible Patent Infringement By Non-Planar Slic3r Development?
Non-planar 3D printing is a massive improvement, but it seems that it could be patented by a company, possibly leaving it difficult for the open source community.
Design Of The Week: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Benchy…
Want to recreate a famous movie scene with 3D printing? This 3D model shows the iconic scene from Jaws where Quint is eaten by a shark.
Ionic Hybrid Support Material Has All The Right Properties
Is there a universal support material? It seems that MatterHackers’ new Ionic Hybrid Support Material could be, as it offers both breakaway and soluble properties.
Additive Industries Makes a Huge Sale And Proves Their Point
What does it mean when a client buys a huge number of metal 3D printers? We have some thoughts on the implications to Additive Industries.
XtreeE: One of Many Construction 3D Printing Consultants To Come
Why do construction 3D printing? It seems that there is a big need for consultants to help architects, builders and others discover concrete 3D printing.
SpaceX’s SX 500 Superalloy Passes a Big Test
What can superalloys do on a 3D printer? They can take us to the stars.
What Will No-Deal Brexit Mean For 3D Printing?
The UK leaves the EU on October 31st. What might this mean for companies involved in 3D printing? We look at a long list of issues.
How To Save Your $25K Metal 3D Print From Failure
What happens when an expensive metal 3D print fails and no one is around? The Polysense Solutions sensor will detect and alert additive manufacturing operators in real time.
How To 3D Print Stretchable Wires
Stretchable wires are an exotic component, but now it may be possible to 3D print them directly into objects for industry and research use.
Analysis: Is It “3D Printing” or “Additive Manufacturing”?
What’s the right terminology, 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing? We investigate this issue using Science.
FORECAST 3D Increases Investment in HP 3D Print Technology
Why does FORECAST 3D have so many HP MJF 3D printers? There is a very good reason, and it has to do with volume production capacity.
An Opportunity To Learn New 3D Printing Standards
ASTM International has been building new standards for additive manufacturing / 3D printing. Do you know what they are? Find out at this important industry conference.
Book of the Week: Prototyping and Modelmaking for Product Design
This week’s selection is “Prototyping and Modelmaking for Product Design” by Bjarki Hallgrimsson.
About That Fully Functional 3D Printed Heart…
Is that 3D printed heart really fully functional? It’s totally not the case and we can tell you why.
MultiMaterial Breakthrough: OpenFab Enables Large-Scale Voxel-Based 3D Printing
3D printing is severely constrained today, but a new initiative called OpenFab hopes to break processing barriers to allow very complex multi-material 3D prints in the future.
Design of the Week: Coandă Effect Drone Propulsion
Could a drone use the Coandă Effect? With 3D printing, Tom Stanton was able to iterate through many designs to determine if this is possible.
Choose SLS, SLA or SLM 3D Printers From SondaSys
Need a 3D printer manufacturer providing multiple additive manufacturing processes? One option is SondaSys, which provides six machines using three different processes.
Stuck In the Doghouse Of The Future: Why Some Companies Can’t Do Additive Manufacturing
Why don’t companies adopt additive manufacturing? There are cultural, organizational and financial barriers to overcome that could block incorporation of 3D printing.
More On The PowerBelt3D Zero: Exclusive Images
Is the PowerBelt3D Zero for real? That’s the question asked by the 3D printing community. We obtained exclusive images of prints from the new belt-driven 3D printer.
Breakthrough: Thermoset Powders For SLS 3D Printers Invented By Tiger Coatings
Can you use thermoset materials in an SLS 3D printer? Not until just now: researchers from Tiger Coatings have developed a thermoset powder that makes much stronger objects.
PrintrBot To Reboot?
Could PrintrBot return? It seems founder Brooke Drumm wants to restart the 3D printer company with a partnership with Polar3D and a new design for a belt-driven 3D printer.
After Several Months, How Is Ultimaker’s Cura Marketplace Doing?
How is Ultimaker’s new Cura marketplace doing? We took a look at the current state of the innovative material profile venture to help 3D printer operators.
The BB023 Spool Tracker
How much filament is left on that spool? If you don’t know, you might need a spool tracking device. The BB023 fits on a 3D printer and counts the length remaining.
3D Print Learning Series: Safety
This is an entry in our 3D Print Learning Series, focusing on 3D print safety, which is far more risky than you might have imagined.
You Can Buy An Infinite 3D Printer For Only US$399
Need to 3D print very long objects at low cost? The PowerBelt3D Zero Infinite 3D printer might be just for you.
3D Systems’ New CFO Could Mark The Start Of Big Changes
3D Systems announced a new CFO this week, but what does that mean for the future of the 3D printing giant? We have some ideas.
FATHOM Patents Method of Quoting 3D Print Services
FATHOM has patented a method for pricing 3D print service quotes for molds. What does this mean for designers and engineers?
What To Do With Thingiverse?
Thingiverse is the largest printable 3D model repository on the planet, but it doesn’t seem to be progressing. We know why.
Book of the Week: Introduction to Polymers
This week’s selection is “Introduction to Polymers” by Robert J. Young and Peter A. Lovell.