Researchers have been exploring new concepts for developing metamaterials. We look at how this could affect 3D printing in the future.
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!
BigRep’s New 3D Printing “Eco Focus”
BigRep has discovered something important for the future of 3D printing, and it could cause many more companies to take a big shift towards eco-friendly products.
5 Ways A 3D Printer’s Lifetime Expires
Once a 3D printer is installed and operated, how long does it last? We know five reasons why 3D printers die.
Dassault Systèmes Deepens Partnership With RIZE
Dassault Systèmes has integrated RIZE 3D printing technology directly into their CAD software products to aid manufacturers. We know why they did so.
Book of the Week: Digital Modelmaking: Laser Cutting, 3D Printing and Reverse Engineering
This week’s selection is “Digital Modelmaking: Laser Cutting, 3D Printing and Reverse Engineering” by Helen Lansdown.
Printsyst Partners With DNA.me For Additive Manufacturing Process Automation
Printsyst and DNA.me have partnered to combine their respective expertise on additive manufacturing automation. We speculate on what may happen in the long term.
The Secret To A Successful Manufacturing Network
DiManEx has developed a comprehensive service providing an end-to-end approach to 3D printing and other manufacturing services.
The PrintDry Filament Dryer 2.0
PrintDry released an updated version of their popular desktop 3D printer filament dryer, which can dramatically increase the quality of hydroscopic 3D printer materials such as nylon.
Design of the Week: Airplane Toy
This week’s selection is the flappy winged Airplane Toy by Prusa Printers contributor Jhuttula.
A Photogrammetry Survey For You
A researcher wants to know more about how you use photogrammetry, and you can fill out his survey to help a research project.
Additive Manufacturing: Bridging The Gap From Craft To Automation
What happens when your skilled craft workers retire? You switch to additive manufacturing. See the details in this interesting case study.
More On 6K Additive’s Amazing Metal Powder Process
6K Additive has developed a radically new system for producing fine metal powder for additive manufacturing and 3D printing, even enabling 3D printing of impossible alloys.
Digital Inventory Comes To The High Seas
The vision of a digital inventory with on-demand 3D printing is becoming a reality, with several companies entering an early adopter program.
New Investment Interest in 3D Printed Human Organs
A billionaire has invested in research to develop practical methods of 3D printing human hearts. Why would this happen? We have some ideas.
e-NABLE Expands to Colombia With Smart International’s Help
e-NABLE continues to expand its presence around the world, thanks to generous 3D printing companies.
Oqton Does It All In Additive Manufacturing
Oqton has finally revealed the scope of their massive AI-powered database and its ability to provide a wide variety of services to optimize all types of additive manufacturing workflows. We saw examples of their capabilities.
3D Models Are Increasingly Available From Manufacturers
Guess who is offering free downloads of 3D models for their consumer products? We found a major company doing so and we think everyone else should, too.
One on One With The New EOS CEO, Marie Langer
We had a chat with EOS’ new CEO, Marie Langer in which she described some fundamental changes to the 3D printer manufacturer.
Alphastar’s Genoa 3DP Simulation Suite
Alphastar’s Genoa 3DP Suite provides a wide range of advanced 3D model simulation functions to ensure more accurate and reliable additive manufacturing jobs.
Tritone’s MoldJet Technology Well Suited For Production Use
Tritone announced a revolutionary 3D printing process called “MoldJet” that 3D prints molds and casts objects during the 3D printing process.
Signify To 3D Print Massive Quantities of Light Shades And Fixtures
Signify announced a plan to mass customize lighting products using 3D printing technology, potentially requiring as many as 500 3D printers.
Siemens Scoops Up Atlas 3D
Industrial giant Siemens acquired Atlas 3D and their Sunata simulation software to add to their growing additive manufacturing portfolio.
RPS: The Most Bizarre 3D Printing Process Yet Seen
A bizarre new 3D printing process called Roll Powder Sintering could be the fastest and cheapest way to 3D print metal, ceramic and thermoplastic materials. We found out how it works.
Xometry Launches European Expansion Through Acquisition
US-based manufacturing network Xometry is using their recent investment round money to fund a huge expansion into Europe.
Ultimaker Cura 4.4 Includes An Interesting New Concept
Ultimaker released a new version of Ultimaker Cura 3D printer slicing software that includes a very intriguing new feature: Intent Profiles.
Book of the Week: Fusion 360 For Makers
This week’s selection is “Fusion 360 For Makers” by Lydia Sloane Cline.
Carbon: 3D Printer Manufacturer or Software Company?
What is Carbon’s secret sauce? We spoke with the 3D printer manufacturer’s Philip DeSimone to find out their strategy with hardware, software and customers.
The First High Temperature Continuous Carbon Fiber 3D Printer Is Coming
Anisoprint has developed a new high temperature 3D printer that can also 3D print continuous carbon fiber. We found out how it works.
Nefertiti Is Free!
After years of behind-the-scenes effort, the ultra-high resolution 3D scan of the ancient egyptian Nefertiti sculpture has been released to the public. We have the story of how it happened.
High Efficiency Solid State Cooling Made Through Additive Manufacturing
Researchers have developed a new application for 3D printing that could revolutionize the energy efficiency of solid state cooling equipment.
Design of the Week: Clutch Bag
This week’s selection is the incredible 3D printed titanium Clutch Bag by Lionel Theodore Dean.
When Is A 3D Printer Feature Actually Feasible?
When is a 3D printer feature worth buying? We have some tips on how to evaluate situations, and the answers will sometime surprise you.
What Will Be The Fate of AMUG?
The Additive Manufacturing User Group, or AMUG, is quite popular, but now that they’ve ventured into vendor sponsorships, confusion emerges.
A Revolutionary Revolving 3D Printer Extruder from Fuselab
A new extruder concept was unveiled by Fuselab that spins at high speed to reliably deliver precise amounts of thermoplastics in 3D printers. We found out how it works.
3M Enters 3D Printing Market With Printable PTFE Service
Is it possible to 3D print in PTFE, aka Teflon? Yes, but the process for doing so is incredibly difficult. But 3M has figured out how to do so.
Attend A Virtual 3D Printing Event – For Free!
There’s a virtual conference on advanced 3D printing techniques coming up this week, and there’s no charge to attend. Details in this story.
Question of the Week: Resin 3D Printing Safety
Exactly how dangerous is 3D printer resin, and what do you do about it. We list some thoughts and actions you can take to ensure additional safety.
3D Printed Parts with 60% Continuous Carbon Fiber?
Is it possible to 3D print parts made from 60% continuous carbon fiber? There is, and we learned how it is done.
AMT’s Automated Post Processing System
AMT’s new automated post processing system for 3D printing could enable massive scalability. We found out how it works.
Stratasys Digital Inventory For Rail Gets Serious
Stratasys’ experiments in digital inventory solutions for the rail industry just got very real.
Belgian Startup Develops Inexpensive Metal 3D Printing Process
A new revolutionary metal 3D printing process has been developed by a startup that could drop the price of metal 3D printing significantly. We found out how it works.
Battle Of The Speedy Metal 3D Printers
Two Australian companies seek to be the fastest metal 3D printers in the land. Who will win? We have some ideas.
Why Did BASF Acquire Sculpteo?
3D print service Sculpteo is to be acquired by BASF, but why is a chemical company buying a service company, something they’ve never done before? We found out why.
Michaelyn Thomas: “Women In The Aerospace Industry Are Badass”
Dr. Michaelyn Thomas is the Head of Affordability at Virgin Orbit in Long Beach, California.
That 3D Printer Will Never Exist
What you see at a 3D printer trade show is not necessarily what you will get. We have some ideas on what’s really going on at 3D printing exhibitions.
Finally: A Way To Really 3D Print Actual Transparent Glass
Glassomer has produced a resin usable in any SLA or DLP 3D printing process that can 3D print pure glass objects. We found out how it works.
An Update on Sandhelden
Sandhelden just split their company into two different divisions to allow their sand-stabilization 3D printing technology to be used in both construction and household applications.
Book of the Week: Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry
This week’s selection is “Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry” by Francis Froes and Rodney Boyer.
Is Formnext Too Big?
Formnext 2019 was the largest ever, but can it grow further? What should happen at Formnext 2020? We have some ideas.
New Microwave Process Could Change Metal 3D Printing Pricing
A new experimental 3D printer that uses microwaves instead of lasers could dramatically drop the price of metal 3D printing in the near future.
Trends and Impressions of Formnext 2019
Formnext 2019 was the largest 3D printing event ever held in history. We list the top trends seen at the growing trade show.
ROBOZE Introduces The ARGO 350 Industrial 3D Printer
ROBOZE introduced a mid-sized industrial 3D printer for high temperature materials including PEEK and ULTEM, the ARGO 350.
Design of the Week: This Is Fine
This week’s selection is the “This Is Fine” 3D model by industrial designer Phil Carroll.
Prusa Takes Aim At Thingiverse
Prusa Research seems to be taking aim at capturing the crown of 3D model repositories from Thingiverse with the help of a one-touch import tool.
nTopology Releases nTop Platform 2.0
nTopology released the latest version of their nTop Platform software, 2.0, and it seems to include some incredibly powerful built-in toolkits.
Survey Indicates Massive Growth in Industrial 3D Printing
Essentium commissioned an extensive survey of manufacturers to determine additive manufacturing usage and intentions. The results were very surprising.
First Fire Safe 3D Printable Resin Produced
Henkel and Origin have developed the first 3D printable resin for SLA 3D printers that is fire resistant and meets industry certifications. Certain industries will find this of great interest.
Inside 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Technology
What’s inside 3D Systems’ Figure 4 SLA 3D printer, and how does is print so fast? We found out their secret.
XRIZE Ships!
Rize announced they are now shipping their flagship full-color 3D Printer, the XRIZE, to the public.
From Now On, Two Types Of 3D Printing Events
Fabbaloo video friend Joel Telling, the 3D Printing Nerd, tells us of the notable vendors exhibiting at the East Coast RepRap Festival, or “ERRF”.
Question of the Week: PLA Storage in Winter
This week’s question asks how to best store and transport PLA 3D printer material in cold winter conditions.
The FUNMAT PRO 610 HT From INTAMSYS
INTAMSYS presented its latest cutting-edge 3D printer, the FUNMAT PRO 610 HT at Formnext 2019 in Frankfurt, the first time seen publicly in Europe.
The Carbon L1 Ships
Carbon announced they now offer their huge Carbon L1 Production 3D printer for general availability.
Single Cell Bioprinting Technology from Fluicell
While most bioprinters use gel or scaffolds to hold 3D printed living cells, Fluicell’s Biopixlar bioprinter does not require them due to an innovative approach.
Why Does RPS Offer a Material Development Kit?
RPS has developed a “Materials Development Kit” for their NEO 800 SLA 3D printer for a very interesting reason.
Essentium Raises The Temperature With New Materials and Machines
Essentium enters the high-temperature 3D printing business by introducing the HSE 180•S machine and high temp materials including nylon and PEEK.
What Every 3D Printing Company Should Be Doing
Trinckle has developed a powerful new system, Paramate, that can automatically generate custom 3D models to vastly simplify the process of producing unique low volume parts for production.
Attention Metal Workshops: Desktop Metal’s New Shop System Announced
Desktop Metal announced a new low-cost binder jet metal 3D printer for metal workshops, including high resolution capability and integrated end-to-end part production.
EOS Partnering With AMFG To Simplify Additive Manufacturing Workflows
AMFG announced a deal with EOS to integrate the 3D printer manufacturer’s hardware with AMFG’s advanced 3D print production management system.
Book of the Week: 101 Design Methods
This week’s selection is “101 Design Methods: A Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization” by Vijay Kumar.
Stratasys Introduces “GrabCAD Shop”
Stratasys introduced GrabCAD Shop, a new service to streamline workflow for internal enterprise 3D print competency centers.
Many Possibilities With The Duet 3 Mainboard
Duet3D introduced the Duet 3 Mainboard 6HC, a powerful real-time controller specifically designed for advanced 3D printers and OEM use.
There’s More 3D Printing / Chemical Company Partnerships
Mitsubishi, a global chemical giant, has partnered with 3D printer manufacturer atum 3D to develop new 3D printing resins and materials.
AstroPrint Announces Education Plan
AstroPrint announced a new service dedicated to education, Astroprint For Education. The service allows an institution to effectively manage 3D printers in schools.
Design of the Week: 7 Segment Controller
This week’s selection is the awesome 7 Segment Controller by Cults contributor Florian Hu.
Hands On With Thingiverse++
A Chrome Extension, Thingiverse++, can supercharge your Thingiverse 3D model browsing and download experience.
Robiot Can Automatically Design Handy Household Machines
Researchers have developed an incredible system to automatically design 3D printable parts to implement mechanical systems from only a video.
Fabbaloo Attends Formnext 2019
Next week we will attending Formnext, the largest 3D printing event ever held in human history. Will you be there, too?
Is It Possible To 3D Print Spacecraft?
It has now been demonstrated it’s possible to 3D print spacecraft parts in thermoplastic thanks to an experiment by CRP Technology.
SOLVAY’s Advanced Polymers Head to the ARGO Production 3D Printer
ROBOZE announced an interesting deal for advanced 3D printing materials with SOLVAY to provide access to high temperature PEEK and carbon fiber filaments.
The Speedy 3DGence INDUSTRY F420 Industrial 3D Printer
3DGence announced a new, large-format high temperature industrial 3D printer, the INDUSTRY F420, which is capable of 3D printing in PEEK and ULTEM materials.
The Largest SLA 3D Printer In China
Shenzhen Kings 3D Printers apparently produces the largest SLA 3D printer available today in China, and now they’re taking it to the rest of the world.
Thoughts on LulzBot’s Near-Demise
With the near-demise of LulzBot 3D printers, I am now wondering about the future of open source 3D printer companies. Can they ever succeed again?
The Challenge of Finding 3D Printer Resellers
There are many kinds of equipment resellers, but some are not appropriate for 3D printing [Source: Fabbaloo]
HP Makes Several Business Moves, Including New Subscription Service
HP announced several things today, including a new subscription service, 3DaaS, that should allow many more companies to more easily access MJF 3D printing technology.
Is There Such A Thing As Museum-Quality 3D Printer Filament?
Is there a “correct” or “optimal” set of colors for 3D printing materials for artists? One company has scientifically developed a set of unique and beautiful PLA materials for artistic 3D prints.
3D Printing Food, And Cooking It, Too!
Could it be possible to 3D print AND cook food items? New research is looking into that technology.
PostProcess Technologies Scores Huge Investment, Plans Expansion
PostProcess Technologies has received a huge investment that should fuel their ambitious European expansion plans.
Formlabs Expands Dental Program In A Big Way
Formlabs announced a series of bold moves to secure their place at the top of the dental 3D printing industry, including a new business unit, new dental 3D printing materials and a new dental 3D printer, the Form 3B.
Formlabs Acquires Long Time Photopolymer Resin Supplier
Formlabs just announced they’ve acquired their long-time supplier of photopolymer resins for their Form 2 and Form 3 3D printers. Spectra Polymers is now part of Formlabs.
Robot Factory’s Silver Belt 3D Printer
Robot Factory just announced a new continuous belt 3D printer that can, with the right options, reach high temperatures, enabling 3D printing of engineering materials like PEEK and ULTEM.
Book of the Week: DIY Drones for the Evil Genius
This week’s selection is “DIY Drones for the Evil Genius” by Ian Cinnamon, Romi S. Kadri, and Fitz Tepper.
Farsoon’s Powder-Eating CAMS System
Farsoon completed customer beta-testing of their powerful HT1001P CAMS nylon 3D printing production system, which can 3D print continuously.
What Is Digital Inventory And How Does It Work?
Digital Inventory is a new approach to manufacturing and few know how it works. We spoke with Dominik Lindenberger of 3YOURMIND to find out more.
More Details on The COBOD 2 Construction 3D Printer
We just learned a lot more about the COBOD BOD2, the world’s largest construction 3D printer.