The recent burst of attention focused on 3D printing has resulted in some interesting investment schemes, but this can tell us something about investor views of the technology.
Corporate
Tinkerine’s Focus on Education Shows Challenges Faced by Small 3D Printer Companies
We’ve been speaking with Tinkerine, a Vancouver-based manufacturer of personal 3D printing gear. It seems they’re now focusing on education.
3D Systems China Formed From New Acquisition
3D Systems announced the acquisition of Easyway Design and Manufacture Co in China. And then changed their name.
A Dark Day at MakerBot
Yesterday things happened at MakerBot. Layoffs. Closings.
Autodesk Invests $10 Million Dollars in Carbon 3D
Autodesk, Inc. announced an investment of $10 million in Carbon3D from the Spark Investment Fund.
3D Printing Market Worth USD$3.3B
A report from researcher Canalys suggests the 3D printing market hit USD$3.3B in 2014.
voxeljet’s USA Hub Opens
Germany-based voxeljet has opened a new service location in the United States.
Contrasting the Corporate Acquisitions of Stratasys and 3D Systems
Did you ever notice there’s quite a few news releases from 3D printing companies describing their latest acquisitions? We tallied them up.
Creaform Sets Up in the USA
Creaform has opened up an office in the USA. What does this mean?
MakerBot Continues Developing Retail Reach
MakerBot announced distribution partnerships with WYNIT, a New York-state based distributor and Sam’s Club.
So When Will 3D Printing Stocks Recover?
An article by Wyatt Investment research got us thinking about the future of stock plays in the 3D printing area.
iGo3D and Staples Take a Deeper Step Into 3D Printing
German 3D print retailer iGo3D has struck an interesting deal with Staples.
3D Hubs Supports Bitcoin
3D Hubs, the world’s largest 3D printing community network, now supports Bitcoin.
What is Senvol and Why Should You Hire Them?
We spoke with a leading 3D printing / additive manufacturing consulting company to determine the questions industry asks about the technology.
Stratasys Makes an Acquisition
3D printing giant Stratasys has acquired UK-based consultancy Econolyst and converting it into a key Stratasys division.
Ultimaker’s Trust Level: 10
We had an opportunity recently to speak with Ultimaker CEO Siert Wijnia, and discovered something very unusual.
Some Changes at the Top of MakerBot Today
MakerBot announced some key changes today to their top position. There’s a new CEO!
China Sets Up a Medical 3D Printing Center
The PRC has established a center for medical 3D printing.
Stratasys Moves Deeper Into China with New Acquisition of CAD/CAM Firm
Stratasys AP has announced the closing of an asset purchase transaction with its local channel partner — Intelligent CAD/CAM Technology Ltd (ICT), for the purchase of certain assets, targeted at deepening footprint in China to gain better insights into the increasing local market demand.
3D Systems Acquires a CAD/CAM Company
3D printing giant 3D Systems added another company to their portfolio: Cimatron Group.
3D Printed Left Shark Controversy
The popularity of the Super Bowl “Left Shark” has reached the 3D printing world.
3D Printing Mutual Fund Struggles
A mutual fund focusing on 3D printing technology has struggled over the past year.
BEETHEFIRST’s New Filament Policy
BEEVERYCREATIVE has changed their filament usage policy – for the better.
The Genesis of 3D Printing in Northern Mexico
We spoke with Cesar Rodriguez who told us the tale of how he started up a 3D printing operation, Ideaz 3D in Hermosillo, Sonora.
Le FabShop Transitions
Le Fab Shop is a France-based 3D print operation you may have heard of, but now they’re beginning a transition.
The Logic Behind The botObjects Acquisition
Last week 3D Systems announced they’d acquired botObjects, but many could not understand why 3D Systems would do so. We found out why.
3D Systems Acquires botObjects
One of the 3D printing giants swallowed up a small startup making a multicolor personal 3D printer: 3D Systems owns botObjects.
An Update on Arcam’s 3D Metal Printing Progress
One of the key metal 3D printing vendors is Arcam. How have they been doing lately?
Fuel3D Fueled by Much More Cash
Fuel3D, the 3D scanning startup we first encountered in 2013 at the 3D Printshow in London, has got additional funding.
Solidoodle’s Shipping Challenges
Solidoodle announced some terrific new machines earlier this year, but shipping them has proven difficult.
Amsterdam Gets a 3D Print Retail Store
Like many other leading cities around the world, Amsterdam now has a dedicated 3D print retail operation: Print3DMatter.
Alas, No New MakerBot Machine To Be Announced
In a departure from their corporate pattern of the past few years, MakerBot is not announcing a new personal 3D printer in January.
Impossible Objects Receives Funding
The scientists at Impossible Objects have developed a unique 3D printing process, and it appears the market like it: they were just awarded USD$2.8M.
Big Money Flowing Toward Resin-Based 3D Printers
While multiple plastic extrusion 3D printer manufacturers have received significant investment, we now see more money flowing toward resin-based 3D printer ventures.
Formlabs is in The Clear
Remember the lawsuit against Formlabs launched by industry giant 3D Systems? It’s been dismissed.
Stratasys’ Strategic Reaction to HP’s 3D Printing Technology?
We were initially puzzled by Stratasys’ peculiar lack of equipment announcements at this year’s EuroMold, but then it suddenly made a lot of sense.
Robox Enters US Market
Personal 3D printer manufacturer CEL Technology has begun selling the Robox 3D printer directly in the United States.
Fabbaloo Visits iGo3D
iGo3D is a German-based retail chain specializing in 3D printing gear. We took a close look at their operations.
Stratasys’ New Strategy
We listened to CEO David Reis at Stratasys’ press conference this week as he outlined a new corporate strategy. One that’s quite different from their previous approaches.
3D Printing Press Release Roundup
This week’s 3D printing press releases from the majors included a number of new products from 3D Systems. 3D Systems announced new flexible materials for their ProJet 5500X, including black and translucent. 3D Systems announced five new materials for their ProJet 1200 3D printer, targeted at Jewelry, Dental, Engineering and Artistic applications 3D Systems announced… Continue reading 3D Printing Press Release Roundup
Stratasys Nabs Former HP Exec
This is interesting: An executive from HP has joined Stratasys.
Medical 3D Printing Set to Explode
We’re reading two different reports on use of 3D printing for medical uses.
A Peek Inside Shapeways
Shapeways just opened a new 3D print factory. Want to see inside?
MakiBOX is Done
Once promising, the inexpensive MaxiBOX personal 3D printer seems to be no more.
Zortrax Goes Retail
Poland-based 3D printer manufacturer Zortrax has opened a retail store.
MakerBot Expands to South Africa
MakerBot continues to spread its marketing umbrella across the globe, now entering Africa.
HP Sets Announcement Date
Well! HP has issued invitations to media for a special event on October 29th. What could it be about?
Demand High for New Solidoodle 3D Printer
We wrote on Solidoodle’s new “Press” personal 3D printer a few months ago and now it’s getting close to shipment.
3D Printing Press Release Roundup
This week’s announcements from the industrial 3D printing vendors.
Bhold Labs Partners with Ultimaker
Bhold has partnered with Ultimaker to enable everyone to easily participate in their 3D printed product development program.
3D Printing Stocks Punished in September
It’s been a bad month for most 3D printing stocks, in spite of the recent hype.
Stratasys Opens New Factory
Sales of Stratasys’ Connex equipment must be going well. So well they had to open a brand new factory to build them.
3D Hubs and ColorFabb Team Up for Discounts
They come from the same country, but that’s not the only thing going on between 3D Hubs and ColorFabb.
Stratasys Expands UPS Store 3D Print Service
3D printing giant Stratasys announced plans to dramatically expand their presence in UPS Stores across the United States.
3D Printing Jobs Explode
A report on Forbes analyzes the state of job openings related to 3D printing and finds there’s been a massive increase.
Stratasys Grabs GrabCAD
In an unexpected corporate move, 3D printing industry giant announced its acquisition of GrabCAD.
iMakr’s Unique Retail Concept
While in London recently we were able to visit the iMakr store, one of the few dedicated resellers of personal 3D printer gear.
Investing in Tinkerine?
Canada-based Tinkerine makes the Ditto line of personal 3D printers, but did you know they are also a public company?
An Update From PrintrBot
At the recent 3D Printshow in London we ran into Brook Drumm, CEO of PrintrBot and got an update on their developments.
3D Hubs Rakes in Major Cash
Burgeoning 3D printing network 3D Hubs made a rather spectacular announcement: they’re raised a significant investment.
Verbatim Makes 3D Printer Filament?
Who knew? The venerable analog media giant now markets their own 3D printer filament.
Stratasys Patent Claims Against Afinia Dropped, Partially
The outcome is beginning to appear in the patent infringement case Stratasys brought against personal 3D printer marketer Afinia.
MakerBot Shuts Down Its Google Group
MakerBot is converting its Google Group into an archive and focusing support efforts on their in-house programs instead.
3D Systems’ 1H14 Financial Results
3D printing titan 3D Systems announced their first half of 2014 financial results. Let’s dissect the numbers and see what we can find.
MakerBot’s European Wing
MakerBot announced they’ve created “MakerBot Europe”, which they say is a “major expansion”.
The First Graphene 3D Printer?
A startup hopes to develop not only graphene materials for 3D printers, but a 3D printer designed for graphene printing. But we’re not so sure.
Amazon’s 3D Nuclear Option Launches
Things just got mainstream: Amazon announced a dedicated 3D print service.
Hurco to Transform CNC Machines into 3D Printers?
Industrial CNC machine maker Hurco says they’ve filed a patent to enable CNC machines to become 3D printers.
Shapeways Partners with Hasbro?
Toy giant Hasbro has struck a deal with Shapeways to provide access to some of their copyrighted characters.
MakerBot’s New Reseller: Home Depot
MakerBot has agreed with Home Depot to have specially designed “MakerBot kiosks” in a dozen Home Depot outlets in the US.
The Two Business Models of 3D Printing
We’re reading a post on The Motley Fool focusing on MCOR’s paper-powered 3D printer. It got us thinking about how 3D printing companies make their money.
MOTA Bails Out
A 3D printer launch campaign has fizzled. MOTA has suspended their Kickstarter.
3D Hubs Begins a Content Ecosystem
While 3D Hubs may be one of the largest networks of independently operated 3D printers, it really just provides access to printing. Until today, that is, with the addition of a new content service.
Materialise Goes Public
There are few publicly traded 3D printing companies, but now there’s another: Materialise.
be3D Expands into the USA
Czech-based be3Dprinters has established a US office for major push into the American market.
3DiTALY Becomes the Largest 3D Printer Store Network?
We’ve learned of a new chain of consumer-focused 3D printer stores: 3DiTaly.
3D Systems Releases Details About Its High Speed 3DP Production Line
Sometimes technological developments are born out of necessity—you have a need, you fill it. But other times technological developments trigger new needs and ideas altogether.
The Dirty Details on a 3D Model Theft
We’re reading a very detailed account of the theft and exploitation of a 3D model theft that recently took place – and was successfully resolved.
Walmart CEO Says Retail Giant May Buy 3D Printer Company
At an event during the re/Code Conference Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon hinted that his company might be in the market to acquire a 3D printing company.
Backlash to MakerBot’s Patents Grows
The knowledge that MakerBot has apparently patented designs given to them by their community is spreading and some folks are upset.
iMakr to Open Manhattan 3D Printer Store
iMakr, perhaps the first independent 3D printer retail store, announced expansion to New York City.
Has MakerBot Crossed The Line? For Some, Yes
Controversy this week regarding MakerBot’s aggressive patent filings. Why the controversy? Because the concepts were originally donated by supporters in good faith to further the cause of 3D printing. And now MakerBot has patented them.
Is Google or Apple Developing a 3D Printer?
Rumors echo through the interwebs suggesting that Google AND Apple are developing 3D printers. But are they really?
Autodesk’s Spark Initiative
Autodesk announced a new initiative they call “Spark”. It’s an “open 3D printing platform” that could change many things in 3D printing.
Oxfam Partners with MyMiniFactory
3D printing is powerful and can, like atomic power, be used for good and evil. Today we’re learning about one of the good uses.
Are 3D Printing Stocks Recovering?
After a precipitous fall, 3D printing stocks seem to have rebounded slightly this week. What’s up with that?
Whoopass Drops 3D Printing
Whoopass is a bobble head manufacturer. You’d think they could make great use of 3D printing technology, but it didn’t work out for them.
Leapfrog Gets a New HQ
Netherlands-based 3D printer manufacturer Leapfrog has made the jump into a new headquarters.
The Defensive Patent License
A large portion of the 3D printing community is within the open source world, while the rest is commercially oriented. Conflicts have occurred, but now there could be a way to reduce them.
3D Systems Acquires Medical Modeling
3D printing giant 3D Systems announced it’s acquired Medical Modeling, Inc., a provider of custom medical products.
3D Printing Stocks Continue to Languish
After a massive run up in the past few years, major 3D printing stocks have been struggling of late.
The Inconsistent 3D Printers of Staples
Staples is a pretty big chain, supplying office equipment and supplies to a large portion of the planet. They sell 3D printers, too. But not everywhere.
Epson Acquires RepRap
It’s a blockbuster move and one printer manufacturer Epson hopes will enable them to catch up to competitor Hewlett Packard in the 3D printing space: Epson has fully acquired the RepRap open source project.
Build Your Own Ultimaker?
Looking for plans to build your own 3D printer? Now you can consider building an Ultimaker 2. While it’s for sale in assembled form, you can now inspect the plans for it.
Ultimaker Changes It Up – Again!
3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker has made a big change at the top, not too long after doing so once before. They’ve got a new CEO, but he’s not exactly new.