Kerry Stevenson, Author at Fabbaloo

Design of the Week: Prusa Protective Face Shield

This week’s selection is the Prusa Protective Face Shield by Prusa Research.

Manufacturing Help Needed In California

A healthcare center in California is requesting manufacturing assistance.

Apple Shocks With LiDAR-Equipped iPad

Apple has surprisingly introduced a new iPad that includes a LiDAR depth sensor, potentially allowing the introdution of new, inexpensive mobile 3D scanning systems.

3D Print Companies Contribute To The Crisis In Unique Ways

Several 3D print companies have stepped up with initiatives to help aid the COVID-19 crisis, and Ultimaker has developed a unique service to do so.

Concerns Over DIY Designed COVID-19 Equipment

With everyone in the 3D print community rushing to help in the crisis, there are some concerns we might be doing the wrong things. We made a list.

JuggerBot 3D And Royal DSM To Develop Pellet 3D Printers

Royal DSM has partnered with another 3D printer manufacturer, JuggerBot 3D, to develop pellet 3D printers.

3D Systems Food 3D Printing Technology Continues

3D Systems seems to be still working to develop a food 3D printing solution, this time with an interesting partner.

Fusion 360 Now Offers 3D Print Slicing, But Will You Use It?

Autodesk surprised everyone by suddenly adding a way to slice 3D print jobs directly within their popular Fusion 360. But is it something you will use?

Canada To Declare Plastics As “Toxic Substance”: Implications On 3D Printing

Canada is set to declare plastics as a “toxic substance”. What effect could this have on 3D printing?

Is Your 3D Printer Killing You Slowly?

I’ve become aware of a potential issue that some readers may not know about: PFTE toxicity.

Comment of the Week: 3D Printing vs Global Production

A reader speculates on how the coronavirus crisis may provide an opportunity for additive manufacturing, and we have some additional thoughts on new opportunities.

Where To Offer 3D Printing Help During The COVID-19 Crisis

A number of initiatives have emerged that may need your help in providing critical medical equipment required by hospitals to deal with the crisis.

Ultimaker Releases Ultimaker Cura 4.5

Ultimaker has released a new version of Ultimaker Cura 4.5, and as usual there are a couple of very interesting new features.

Book of the Week: Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide

This week’s selection is “Project Management Absolute Beginner’s Guide” by Greg Horine.

A 9-Axis Concrete 3D Printer That Can Do Amazing Things

Twente Additive Manufacturing has developed a robotic-style concrete 3D printer that is capable of amazing detail and even overhangs.

3D Printing Helps Save Patients During Virus Crisis, And You Should Too

A quick-acting FabLab in Northern Italy may have saved many lives through rapid production of replacement parts. They are not the only ones who should do so.

Design of the Week: OpenAstroTracker

This week’s selection is the OpenAstroTracker by Fabian Uehleke.

Prusa Sets Example For 3D Print Companies During The Pandemic

Prusa Research is going above and beyond in their preparations to deal with COVID-19, and other companies should follow their example.

Question of the Week: Matching Materials To 3D Printer

A reader asks about the type of resins required for a specific 3D printer, and we uncovered a solution.

INTAMSYS 3D Printer Sparks Innovative Production Of Smart Components

INTAMSYS has worked with researchers to develop an interesting hybrid 3D printing / laser-scribing process that can be used in a variety of unusual sensors.

Aprecia’s 3D Printed Pharmaceuticals And A New Partnership

An Ohio company has been 3D printing medicinal tablets that can dissolve almost instantly using a proprietary 3D printing process.

The Desperate Choice Facing 3D Print Events In Coming Weeks

Major North American 3D print events face a critical decision in coming days and weeks over coronavirus fears.

Is Stratasys Feeling The Pressure From Below?

Stratasys launched an unusual marketing campaign that for the first time targets users of low-cost alternative 3D printing equipment. Why did they do this?

Ultimaker Lands A Breakthrough Customer

3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker announced today what I believe could be a breakthrough sale to a major client, and this could mean a lot more sales.

BigRep Ships 500th 3D Printer

BigRep hit a huge milestone with the shipment of their 500th 3D printer. We look back on how they got there.

What Does A 3D Printing Company In A Virus Outbreak Do? We Found Out

What does a 3D printing company do in the midst of a major virus outbreak? We spoke with one company that’s at the heart of the crisis.

Sinterit Positions For Huge Growth With New Massive Factory

Sinterit has just opened a massive new facility that will dramatically increase their production capability. What will they do with it?

3D Printing Events Could Fall Apart From The Inside

The fate of major 3D printing conferences in 2020 is unclear with the ongoing virus outbreak. We have thoughts on what it could mean.

The FELIX BIOprinter Is Released

FELIXprinters has released a new bioprinter, the FELIX BIOprinter, which is quite a change for the long-time 3D printer manufacturer.

Book of the Week: 3D Printing Projects

This week’s selection is “3D Printing Projects” by Dorling Kindersley, a.k.a. “DK”.

Are CoreXY 3D Printers Taking Over?

CoreXY is becoming a very popular approach for 3D printer motion systems, but is it the ultimate answer? We list the advantages and disadvantages.

Behind The Scenes At Shapeways: How They Really Run A 3D Print Service

A blog post reveals much of what happens behind the scenes at 3D print service Shapeways.

Design of the Week: Coronavirus

This week’s selection is a 3D printed Coronavirus!

AREVO Puts All The 3D Pieces Together

A manufacturing-as-a-service company has developed a way to 3D print continuous carbon fiber in a production setting.

Why Collaborative 3D Printing Is So Challenging

No one seems to offer collaborative 3D printing modes on dual extrusion devices. We explain why this is the case.

Polymers Are Used in Medicinal Tablets: A 3D Printing Opportunity

EOS and Merck Group’s partnership to develop 3D printed medicinal tablets may actually be a lot more interesting than initially thought.

Producing Paper Objects With 3D Printing

An inventive designer has developed a method for producing 3D paper objects using recycled paper and 3D printed molds.

Nova Meat Hopes to 3D Print Your Steak

A Spanish company hopes to develop a specialized 3D printer that is capable of producing vegetarian steaks that both taste good and have great texture. But will you eat one?

Volumetric 3D Printing Is Far More Complex Than You Imagine

A research thesis details the incredibly complex world of volumetric 3D printing. We review the highlights.

Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting 3D Scanning

New research has found a way to 3D scan objects successfully, even when exposed to significant reflected light.

Why 3D Printed Vascular Structures Matter

New research in bioprinting has discovered a method to 3D print vascular structures, which could in the future become blood vessels, thus significantly altering the bioprinting space.

Setting Prices For Your 3D Prints? You’re Probably Doing It Wrong

MakerOS has a brilliant hidden feature in their online service: a sophisticated 3D print pricing calculator that allows operators to determine exactly how to price prints.

Handheld 3D Bioprinter Enables Muscle Reconstruction

Researchers have developed a handheld 3D bioprinter that is apparently able to repair damaged muscle tissue. We think this could be automated in the future.

Hold On, There ARE 3D Models In The Smithsonian’s Archive

It turns out there are indeed some 3D models in their archive, but it takes a bit of detective work to find them.

Book of the Week: Introduction to Manufacturing Processes

This week’s selection is “Introduction to Manufacturing Processes” by Mikell Groover.

Are Auto-Unloading 3D Printers Truly Desirable?

There have been multiple attempts to develop continuously operating 3D printers, but none seem to have been widely adopted. Why is this the case?

The Challenge And Opportunity of 3D Printing Patent 684116B2

A key patent assigned to 3D Systems expires in 2022. What will this mean for 3D Systems and everyone else? We have some thoughts.

Checking Out MiniFactory’s 3D Print Technical Sheets

MiniFactory’s new software produces a very useful report for each 3D print that may be important for clients. We had a close look at one.

Tomorrow, Fabbaloo Gets Back To Normal

Tomorrow is the first work week of March, and things will be back to normal at this publication with the return of our Managing Editor.

Essentium Introduces High Speed, Low Cost Engineering Materials

Essentium announced a pair of new materials for their high speed 3D printer, and there’s an interesting story behind the move.

Formlabs Does Everyone A Favor With Some New Videos

Formlabs just issued three new videos for beginners to 3D printing, and the result was quite surprising.

EOS Getting Into Medical Tablet Business With Merck

EOS is going into business with Merck Group to develop a way to 3D print medicine in tablet form, but they will have some challenges.

Ultimaker Cura Has Incredible Usage, But How Is this Known?

Ultimaker announced some startling statistics gathered from everyone’s use of their very popular Ultimaker Cura 3D print slicing system.

3D Systems Releases Annual Report, And It’s More Of The Same

3D Systems released their 2019 annual report, and it seems to be more of the same: cutting costs and continued losses.

More 3D Print Workflow Automation Coming from Additive Flow

Additive Flow has unveiled a new generative design tool for additive manufacturing that has the unique ability to handle solutions for materials and mechanical design simultaneously.

Another 3D Print Event Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Arburg announced the cancellation of a major event due to virus concerns, and this will not be the last 3D printing event to be shut down.

VSHAPER’s 3D Printing Guides For Engineers

VSHAPER has released a pair of interesting 3D printing guides, and unlike most beginner guides, these are designed for engineers.

Smithsonian Releases Massive Amount of Digital Data, But Where Are The 3D Models?

The Smithsonian this week announced the availability of 2.8M digital artifacts for download. Are there 3D models in the repository? We took a look.

UV Resistant Biopolymers Coming?

New research could result in the availability of UV-resistant biopolymers.

3D Printing Disappearing Into Specialized Firms

The use of “3D Printing” is beginning to fade, at least with respect to application-focused 3D print services. As for the rest, we’ll find out what happens.

Who’s Working On Volumetric 3D Printing?

Volumetric 3D printing could be the biggest shake-up in 3D printing history. But who is working on the technology? We made a list.

SPEE3D Deployed To Australian Military

SPEE3D is placing their supersonic 3D printer in the Australian military to test its ability to 3D print metal parts in remote locations.

Copper3D Helps Produce HIV-Fighting 3D Printed Filter

Copper3D has helped design an antibacterial 3D printed filter that could help battle HIV infections.

Cubicure’s Hot Lithography Option

Cubicure has developed an unusual 3D printing process they call Hot Lithography. We review how it works.

Book of the Week: The Ethical Engineer

This week’s selection is “The Ethical Engineer” by Robert McGinn.

Markforged Receives Spooky Investment

Markforged has received a surprise, undescribed investment from In-Q-Tel. We speculate why this happened.

Teton Simulation’s Smart Slice Tool Works!

Teton Simulation has now integrated their FEA algorithm directly into Ultimaker Cura, vastly simplifying and empowering 3D printing workflows.

Tritone Making Progress Developing MoldJet Technology

Tritone has been quietly building their MoldJet technology and is nearing a release of their beta 3D printing equipment.

The Huge TheBox From BLB Industries

BLB Industries, a Swedish company, produces large format 3D printers suitable for industrial plastic parts production.

Scottish Startup 3D Prints Eco Rocket Engine

A Scottish aerospace startup shows how to leverage metal 3D printing to enable development of an unprecedented rocket engine.

Aurora Labs Takes Another Step Closer To Production MCP

Aurora Labs announced an important milestone in the development of their rapid metal 3D printing process.

Xometry’s Unusual Vibratory Test

Xometry performed an unusual test of many 3D prints using different materials and processes. The results were surprising.

Subtle Move By Formlabs Could Yield Big Results

Formlabs has struck a deal with a dental resin provider that could stealthily grow their business significantly.

German RepRap Acquired

German RepRap, a maker of large-format 3D printers and silicone 3D printers, has been acquired by a surprising other party.

Interesting Updates From COBOD

COBOD’s BOD2 construction 3D printer seems to be catching on as the company has made multiple sales of the new device.

New 5-Axis 3D Printer Seeks to Improve Additive Integrity

VSHAPER’s new 3D printer uses a 5-axis motion system to enable 3D printing without support structures.

Hirtenberger’s Automated Metal 3D Print Post Processing System

An Austrian company has developed an incredibly sophisticated end-to-end automation system for metal 3D print post processing.

Meltio: An Interesting Partnership Creates A Metal 3D Printer

A cross-Atlantic partnership has resulted in a new metal 3D printer with the ability to perform two different types of metal 3D printing in the same frame.

MakerOS Announces “PAQ”

MakerOS announced a new feature for their integrated manufacturing management service: PAQ. We describe how it works.

A Collision of 3D Printing Terminology?

A company terms their process as “volumetric” 3D printing, but is it really so?

Browsing Through Open Heritage 3D

A non-profit organization offers massively detailed 3D data for multiple sites worldwide.

Taking 3D Printed Orthopedic Devices To The Customers

Create It REAL has signed a deal with Spentys to help devise a secure system that provides onsite 3D printing of orthopedic devices in practice offices.

More Thoughts On Volumetric 3D Prining

One of my questions about the new volumetric 3D printing approach seems to have been answered by a mysterious contributor.

What Must 3D Systems Do Next?

3D Systems is to get a new CEO after the incumbent retires later this year. We have some ideas the new CEO could consider.

Implications of Volumetric 3D Printing

Several ventures and projects are now working on a powerful new concept called volumetric 3D printing. We have some thoughts on the implications of such a process.

What’s With The Silk Filaments?

There’s increasing interest in “silk” 3D printer filaments, which are astonishingly shiny and now available from mainstream materials providers.

Cost Effective 3D Printing Opens Doors For Research

Researchers are now able to procure incredibly powerful 3D printing equipment at lower costs to enable work that was previously impossible.

Book of the Week: 17 Equations That Changed the World

This week’s selection is “In Pursuit of the Unknown: 17 Equations That Changed the World” by Ian Stewart.

The Smithsonian’s 3D Printable Library

It turns out the Smithsonian has a relatively large (for museums) library of downloadable 3D models for 3D printing. We’re trying one now.

I Have Questions About Volumetric 3D Printing

Readily3D announced a new, ultra-high speed 3D printing process using a volumetric approach, but we have some questions.

Barry Callebaut Opens Chocolate 3D Printing Service

A major chocolate maker announced a new chocolate 3D print service, but there’s a slight catch.

High Speed Micro-Voxel 3D Printing Achieved

Researchers have been able to design a new 3D printing system that effectively parallelizes the familiar two-photon laser approach to achieve fantastic print speeds.