Today Formlabs announced a huge USD$35M investment round, which should enable some very interesting things to occur.
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!
Believe It: Carbon Nanotube 3D Printer Filament is Pretty Strong
A new video from a supplier of carbon nanotube-infused 3D printer filament demonstrates amazing strength.
What is the Ideal 3D Printer Material? Is It PLA? ABS?
There is always a discussion taking place: Which is the best 3D print filament material to use? I think this question is distracting from the real question.
Tripodmaker’s 3D Printer is Half in the Cloud
There are some very interesting delta-style 3D printers, and one of them is from Tripodmaker.
ThreeD Materials Offers 3D Printer Filament By Subscription, But is This a Thing You Should Do?
New materials vendor ThreeD Materials has a new subscription-based method for distributing 3D printer filament, but is it something you should do?
3DPrinterOS Breaks Silence With New Enterprise Capabilities
I haven’t heard much from 3DPrinterOS for a while, but now the reason for this is clear: they’ve been working on powerful integrations.
3D Hubs Lands USD$7M, But What Will They Spend It On?
Community 3D printing network 3D Hubs gained a significant boost with a Series B investment round of USD$7M, but I believe they’ll use it to continue their focus switch.
Focusing on Business: MakerPoint Evolves
MakerPoint, a Netherlands-based chain of 3D print retail shops, seems to be slowly changing their focus.
The Foodini 3D Printer Lives!
The last time we wrote about the Foodini 3D printer, it was April of 2014, more than two years ago. Now, the machine is available!
Ultimaker is Taking This Portability Thing Seriously
When we met with Ultimaker last month the company was excited to explain one of their customers had discovered a new 3D print use case: portable 3D printing.
Le FabShop Shuts Down
A pioneering French 3D print firm, Le FabShop, has closed its doors forever.
Design of the Week: 3D Printed Mars Replica
This week’s selection is the realistic 3D printed Mars Replica by Instructables contributor grayst.
IonCore’s new Zinter Pro II
IonCore has launched a new professional desktop 3D printer, the Zinter Pro II.
See, 3D Printing is Definitely Not Dead
In spite of the stream of ridiculous mainstream media posts on the “death of 3D printing”, there are plenty of good news stories, too. Here’s two.
Who is Zrapid Tech and Why Don’t You Know About Them?
Our team encountered folks from a company called ZRapid, whom we learned much about – and you should too.
Is There a 3D Printer Nicer Than MassPortal’s Pharaoh?
If you’ve never seen a MassPortal 3D printer, you should.
BigRep Fine-Tunes Their Large-Scale 3D Print Strategy
We spoke with BigRep CEO Rene Gurkas recently and learned more about the company’s strategy and upcoming moves.
NinjaTek’s Two New 3D Printer Filaments
NinjaTek is most well known for their flexible filament, NinjaFlex, but two new products might change that notion.
Questions Raised Over Home-3D Printed Wrist Brace
Two questions came to mind when I saw reports of a home-3D printed brace to support a broken wrist.
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.
Shapeways Hacked! But It Could Have Been Far Worse
Popular 3D print service Shapeways announced today they’ve experienced a possibly major security incident.
ORD’s Full Color 3D Printer Now on Kickstarter
Canada-based ORD has been developing plastic mixing technology for some time now and the result is the very unusual RoVa4D Full Color Blender.
Yet Another Criminal Application of 3D Printing: Physical Theft
I’m always impressed with unique applications of 3D printing, but according to G4S, a global security firm, there’s a new, darker application being used.
Arcam Releases 2015Q1-2 Results: Mixed Results
Sweden-based Arcam, maker of powerful metal 3D printing gear, released interim financial results for the first half of the year, and there’s good and bad news.
Carbon’s True Focus: Materials
Carbon’s new M1 3D printer has been announced, but I feel the more interesting part of the Carbon story is the materials they’re offering – and will offer for the machine.
Please Make It Stop: “3D printers are never going to be a thing”
A piece yesterday in Mashable made myself and no doubt many others in the 3D print world upset.
And After You Learn 3D CAD…
I’m reading an interesting post on GrabCAD by Khadija Ouajjani that discusses the testing of a 3D design.
Design of the Week: Two Green Foxes
This week’s selection is the Two Green Foxes project by Nicholas Syiu and Alina Wong.
3D Print Stocks “Cratering”? “Entire Industry Appears to Be Falling Apart”? No, No, No
I’m reading some recent pieces analyzing the stock prices of publicly traded 3D printing companies and I’m having a hard time believing what I’m reading.
Large Scale 3D Printed Nanostructures Possible
A newly invented process could enable large-scale use of nano-printed metal materials.
Need a Custom 3D Print Material? Call ADVANC3D Materials!
There are many companies producing materials for 3D printing applications, but this one has an interesting speciality: custom materials.
Another Massive 3D Printer: The Box
Sweden-based BLB Industries has produced a massive 3D printer to join the growing ranks of meter-sized devices on the market.
The Versa3D is at a Different Level
A few 3D printer manufacturers have integrated different making tools into their devices, but the new Versa3D from CreateAll seems to go a lot farther.
A Look Inside the ZMorph 2.0 SX
Our team got a chance to take a close look at the ZMorph Multitool 3D printer.
3D Pens are NOT 3D Printers
For several years now, we’ve all seen those inexpensive “3D Pens” that are for some reason thought related to 3D printing. I think not.
BEEVERYCREATIVE is also Working on a Space 3D Printer
While much of the world watches the 3D printer testing by NASA, there’s another space 3D printer in the works.
Rize3D Emerges and Solves a Huge Problem
Stealth 3D printer startup Rize3D today released details on their new device, the Rize One, which has a unique approach to handling support structures.
3D Printing Needs Clean, Constant Power
You might think you need to fuel a 3D printer with plastic or resin and you’re good to go. But there’s something else you should be very concerned about: power.
BuildTak’s New FlexPlate System
BuildTak has become a very popular solution to hold down prints on otherwise uncooperative desktop 3D printers, but now they’ve come up with a new approach.
What’s Up With Skriware?
Skriware launched late last year with a reasonably successful Kickstarter campaign, but where are they now?
Creative Commons Investigating Ways To Better License 3D Designs
Creative Commons recently held a workshop to identify ways to move forward in providing better ways to license 3D content.
The New Emendo is 10X Faster
Emendo, a STL file repair utility from Avante Technology, boasts a dramatic processing speed up of ten times over the previous version.
Design of the Week: Subaru WRX EJ20 Boxer Engine
This week’s selection is the incredible Subaru WRX EJ20 Boxer Engine functional model designed by Eric Harrell of Santa Cruz, California.
The Sinterit Lisa: An Affordable SLS 3D Printer
Looking for a low-cost SLS 3D printer? You might want to check out the Sinterit Lisa.
Proven: 3D Printing is Easy, if You Let Kids Try
For many adults, 3D printing is a challenging process to attempt, but this isn’t so if you introduce the technology at an early age.
Rokit’s Sophisticated BioPrinter
There are not very many bioprinters on the market, but one of the more sophisticated options is the Invivo from ROKIT.
Upcoming 3D Print Restaurant Could Face Huge Challenges
Food Ink, a London-based pop-up restaurant project, is attempting something very challenging: a service produced entirely by 3D printing technology.
Security Risks in 3D Printing? Apparently So
A report suggests there may be cybersecurity risks present in the current 3D printing workflows that could result in bad things happening.
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.
The J750 3D Printer is Amazing, But Where Can You Actually Use One?
A few months ago, Stratasys announced one of the most powerful 3D printers ever, the J750. But how can you actually use one?
From Russia With Imprinta
We took a look at 3D printers from Russia recently, but the interesting part of the story isn’t the hardware.
The Coming Importance of Furnaces for 3D Printing
Furnaces for 3D printing? Yes, I think so.
MALPRO Breaks the Filament Price Barrier
I’ve always been suspicious of low-cost 3D printer filament, as it can often be of questionable quality. However, MALPRO may have broken that barrier.
The Bottom to Top Chase in 3D Printing is Closing
For years there has been a significant gap in quality between industrial and “hobby” 3D printers, but it’s becoming a more difficult to measure.
A Visit to 3D Hubs
When in Amsterdam last week we managed to interrupt the fine folks at 3D Hubs, where their global headquarters is located.
The Thing That Happened to 3D Printing
I’m reading a piece in TechCrunch by Signe Brewster entitled “Whatever happened to 3D printing?” and have some thoughts.
Up Close With the WASP 3 MT
Days ago I wrote about the massive WASP 3 MT massive multi-tool making machine. Now I’ve seen this item in person and it is totally amazing.
Dismissed: That Class Action Suit Against MakerBot Dies Completely
Remember that class action suit against MakerBot / Stratasys? Well, it’s now concluded and Stratasys has come out on top.
Securing 3D Files for 3D Printing with Make it LEO
There’s a peculiar startup offering a secure method of handling 3D design files called, “Make it LEO”.
Design of the Week: 3D Printed Illuminated Magnifying Glass
This week’s selection is the 3D Printed Illuminated Magnifying Glass by Anil Mahtani of The C Continuum.
Builder’s Massive Extreme 2000 3D Printer
Our team took a close look (up) at Buildr’s latest large-format 3D printer, the Extreme 2000. And it is most definitely extreme!
Ultimaker’s Very Serious Focus on Professional 3D Printing
At the very beginning, Ultimaker was a group of guys who built a hobby 3D printer. Now, things are utterly changed.
Implications of Höganäs’ Digital Metal Process
Yesterday I described about Höganäs’ incredible Digital Metal 3D printing process, but I believe there are some strong implications here.
BAE Systems’ “Chemical” Printer: Fantasy or Possibility?
There’s a very strange announcement on the BAE Systems site, proposing a “chemputer” that would “grow” objects. Is this something that’s actually feasible?
Who Is Höganäs and How Did They Make This Amazing Metal 3D Printer?
Who knew that one of the most amazing metal 3D printing technologies is hidden in Sweden?
Additive Industries is Hiring – and a Lot More
Metal 3D printing startup Additive Industries seems to be succeeding, judging by their need for immediate hiring.
colorFabb Now Sells a 3D Printer, and it’s a Big One
For years now the industry has looked to colorFabb for quality 3D printer filaments and innovative plastic formulations. Now they’re selling a 3D printer, too.
The 3D Printer Filament Stats We Really Want
Buying some 3D printer filament? Did you check anything other than the price and color first? Maybe there’s more you should look at.
What Could a True Ceramic 3D Printer Actually Do?
Yesterday I wrote about Olivier van Herpt’s amazing ceramic 3D printer, but I’ve been wondering what the implications of such a machine could be. They are huge.
HP Adds 3D Scanning Technology from an Unlikely Source
HP announced it’s buying the assets of David Vision Systems, providing an immediate 3D scanning technology for the corporation.
XYZPrinting’s MiniMaker Could Make Things Tough For Many Small 3D Printer Manufacturers
XYZPrinting just announced a new desktop 3D printer specifically designed for younger schoolchildren, and this could rattle the business models of many other manufacturers.
Sometimes Extra Detail on 3D Prints is Not Helpful
Often 3D printer operators seek machines capable of printing ever-more-detailed objects, with finer resolution. But sometimes that’s a problem.
The Massive “Gettoblaster” 3D Printer has a Tall Secret
While wandering about the AMShow Europe last week our team almost missed the gigantic 3DP1204 from Netherlands-based SDD (“Smart Dedicated Design”), also known as the “Gettoblaster”.
van Herpt’s Incredible Ceramic 3D Printer
In a tiny workshop located in a repurposed aging factory in Eindhoven lies one of the most interesting 3D printers in the world: Olivier van Herpt’s ceramic 3D printer.
Idea: Human Drone Scanning
Just a possibly crazy idea, but why couldn’t we perform high resolution scans of humans using drones?
colorFabb Announces Steel 3D Printer Filament
True to form, Netherlands-based colorFabb introduced yet another pioneering 3D printer filament, this time based on Steel.
Design of the Week: Saturn V Rocket
This week’s selection is the not-quite-lifesize 3D print of the 1960’s Saturn V Rocket by Korneel Bullens.
It’s True: Apple is Actually Selling 3D Printers
There’s been speculation for years now about whether giant Apple would ever sell a 3D printer. Turns out they have been for a while.
Predicting 3D Printers by the Spool
An industry report has been published that talks about the prospects for growth of 3D printing plastics. But what does this mean?
FATHOM’s Fascinating Hybrid 3D Print Services
I’m looking at a very interesting company based on the west side of the United States, FATHOM. Their purpose is, well, multifold.
The Secrets of 3D Printerworks
3D Printerworks is a small company with a big mission: provide effective 3D printing equipment for business.
A Quick Catchup On MakePrintable
Last fall I wrote a series of stories on an interesting 3D printing startup, MakePrintable. What’s happened since then?
A Closer Look at Fictiv, a Manufacturing Platform for Startups
We wrote about Fictiv, an unusual 3D printing startup a few weeks ago, but today we’re getting more information from their CEO.
Tinkerine Ups Their STEAM Game
3D printer manufacturer Tinkerine has launched a new version of their online university, Tinkerine U.
Regional 3D Print Services Emerge
In spite of the efforts of the major 3D printing industry companies to grow their empires around the world, there is still much opportunity for regional players to emerge.
Innofil3D’s Super-Strong PRO1 3D Printer Filament
Netherlands-based Innofil3D has released a video showing their new “Pro1” 3D printer filament that has some very strong characteristics.
WASP’s Flexible DeltaWASP 3MT Is More Than Just a Giant 3D Printer
WASP is set to display what might be the largest multi-function 3D printer in the world: the DeltaWASP 3MT.
The MTW Create 3D Printer Kit is Much Improved
Maker’s Tool Works announced the release of the MTW Create 3D printer kit.
Design of the Week: Solar System
This week’s selection is the educational “Solar System” by Luis Cordoba.
3D Archaeology Offers Advantages and Disadvantages
A report in Digital Trends describing how a shipwreck was recreated by 3D scanning and printing suggests some possibilities of the technology in archaeology.
3DPrinterOS Cozies up to Microsoft: Is there More to the Story?
Cloud-based 3D print management service 3DPrinterOS announced they’ve moved their processing to Microsoft’s Azure cloud service.
3D Models, Created by an A.I.: Good or Bad Idea?
An experiment by researchers at the University of Copenhagen attempted to persuade an A.I. to create a 3D model from scratch. It did.
Defeat Thieves With 3D Printed Stolen Logos
This application of 3D printing resonates strongly with me, and it may with you as well: replacing a stolen logo.
The Unusual Properties of PCL 3D Printer Filament
I’m looking at a plastic I haven’t seen before for 3D printing: PCL.
Yet Another Composite Filament Idea: Reflectivity
Taiwan-based BotFeeder has launched a new “reflective” 3D printer filament on Indiegogo.