In a very tiny booth on the left side of the FormNext exhibition was a display from a one-person company that just may have figured out a monstrous breakthrough in 3D printing.
Hardware
Portable “BeastCam” Field 3D Scanner for Research Use
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s certainly the case with the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s new “Beastcam”.
van Straaten’s Quest for Color 3D Print Quality: An Update
Remember a few months ago Netherlands-based Eric van Straaten sought funding to acquire a color 3D printer? There’s an interesting update to his story.
Several Unique Features of the Zesty Nimble 3D Printer Extruder
A new extruder design has hit Kickstarter: the Zesty Nimble.
Could the 3devo Filament Extruder Be The One That Works?
A new desktop-sized filament extruder was announced by 3devo of Netherlands.
Type A Machines Partners with Mosaic for Multi-Color 3D Printing
Multi-color – or indeed multi-material – 3D printing just got a little bit easier with a new deal between Type A Machines and Mosaic Manufacturing.
Yum! The ColorPod Now 3D Prints Edible Items
Remember the ColorPod? The kit that converts a plastic 3D printer into a powder 3D printer? Now they print edible objects, too.
Another 3D Printer Manufacturer Buys a Ticket on the Pellet Train
Titan Robotics announced plans to incorporate a pellet-fueled extruder on their massive Atlas 3D printer.
Airwolf 3D’s New Direct Drive Option
Desktop 3D printer manufacturer Airwolf3D announced a new option for their AXIOM and AXIOMe 3D printers: direct drive.
Cosine Additive Adds “Tandem Mode”
Large-format 3D printer manufacturer Cosine Additive has developed a powerful new feature that they call “Tandem” printing.
Multi-Nozzle Desktop 3D Printers Just Died
I’ve never been a big fan of dual (or more) nozzle 3D printers because of the problems inherent in the design, but now, perhaps, that style may be heading out with a development from Prusa Research.
CEL-Robox’s Unique Solution to The Retraction Problem: The Needle Valve
Cel-Robox’s desktop 3D printer has a feature I hadn’t noticed previously: needle valves.
Could Custom Eyewear 3D Prints Become Widespread? Fuel3D’s New Scanner Might Make It So
Fuel3D announced a new “mirror” 3D scanner that could lead to advanced eyewear applications.
Kúla’s 3D Camera Gadget is Almost a 3D Scanner
Reykjavík-based Kúla has produced a gadget that can – almost – transform any smartphone into a rudimentary 3D scanner.
Interesting Extruder Concept is More Complex Than It Appears
An extruder concept proposed by Reddit contributor lxo96 poses some interesting questions.
Could the Bunker be a Transformational 3D Printing Product?
I’m looking at the Bunker, a 3D printing accessory designed to manage 3D printer filament, but it seems this device is far more than it appears.
Dyze Design’s New DyzeXtruder GT
Montreal’s Dyze Design has released a new version of their 3D printer extruder mechanism and it seems to include many interesting design features.
Socks for your 3D Printer Nozzle?
E3D announced a new product: HotEnd Socks. Is this a necessary item?
Hands On With Afinia’s ES360 Desktop 3D Scanner
This week we had the chance to test out Afinia’s ES360 tabletop 3D scanning system.
Two 3D Printer Liquid Adhesives You Can Buy
The eternal problem of extrusion-based desktop 3D printers is bed adhesion. Here are two commercial solutions specifically designed for that purpose.
A Method to Add Color to Your 3D Printer: ColorPod
A project by Netherlands-based Aad van der Geest has created “ColorPod”, a concept for converting a monocolor desktop 3D printer into a full color machine.
Reflow: Recycled 3D Printer Filament System That Works
There have been many aborted attempts at producing recycled 3D printer filament, but Reflow’s approach appears to be successful.
dddmaterial Launches Powerful Tungsten 3D Printer Nozzles, Again
Germany-based dddmaterial has launched a second Kickstarter campaign to produce a batch of powerful tungsten 3D printer nozzles.
Two Neat Features on the FELIX Pro 1
The other week we had a really close look at the FELIX Pro 1 and found a couple of very interesting features.
Printr Updates Their Cloud 3D Print Management System
Amsterdam-based Printr has been quietly improving their cloud-based 3D print management system, Formide.
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.
The Coming Importance of Furnaces for 3D Printing
Furnaces for 3D printing? Yes, I think so.
Automate Your 3D Printer’s Operations: Now Possible?
This is a big deal: a company has figured out how to perform automated operations on 3D printers.
3D Foot Scanning Now Reality: 3D Printed Orthotics to Follow
Fuel3D and Cryos Technologies announced a new, custom designed 3D foot scanner using Fuel3D’s scanning tech. There are some very interesting implications of this development.
ANTCLABS’ Useful 3D Print Bed-Leveling Sensor
Korea-based ANTCLABS has released a very inexpensive sensor that could enable your 3D printer to include auto-leveling.
Stratasys’s Very Focused FDM Enhancements Keep With The Theme
There seems to be an interesting theme emerging from Stratasys these days, and it’s not simply announcing hardware.
A Pasty Option For Ultimaker 3D Printing
Strucur3D announced they’ve established an intimate relationship with Ultimaker to enable plug-and-play paste extrusion on Ultimaker equipment.
3DPrinterOS Gains Some Portability
One of the leading cloud-based 3D printing services just made life a lot easier by supporting the Raspberry Pi 3.
Is A Liquid-Based 3D Scanner Really Necessary?
A recent instructables proposes using “Milk” as a 3D scanning medium. I think this approach may be more trouble than it’s worth.
E3D-Online’s Powerful Titan Extruder Is In High Demand
E3D-Online released their new Titan Extruder, and it seems to have all the features many have wanted in a high-performance extruder.
Mosaic Manufacturing Finally Ships The Palette
If you’re looking for a fascinating way to coax your monocolor 3D printer into producing multiple colors, you can now obtain a Palette from Mosaic Manufacturing.
Yet Another Way To 3D Scan: Drones
A terrific story by Jess Hedstrom of Sculpteo explains how 3D scans of large objects can be accomplished, and it’s surprisingly similar to the process in our scanning series.
Resin 3D Printer Owners: You Need A Fixer3D
A very sophisticated 3D printing pen is designed to accurately repair resin 3D prints.
Beyond Mere Brass and Steel Nozzles, Lies Tungsten
A new premium 3D printing hot end nozzle has been developed in tungsten, which could alleviate many issues.
What MakerBot Really Did To The Smart Extruder
During my recent conversation with MakerBot CEO Jonathan Jaglom, he told us their new SmartExtruder+ had been redesigned and tested extensively. I had no idea how much until now.
How To Make An Air-Tight Dry Box For 3D Printer Filament
There’s a very useful Instructable describing how to keep your 3D printer filament from getting spoiled by humidity.
Watch Out For The MakerX Box
There’s going to be another option for 3D print streaming: The MakerX box.
3DPrintClean Introduces An Affordable Filtration Enclosure
3DPrintClean has been producing professional filtration solutions for a while now, but they’ve just launched a new low-cost version.
The REVOCaster Is Now Live
Back in 2014 I wrote on the REVOcaster, a rotational casting device that could complement any 3D printer operation. Now it’s available for order.
The Case For Adding Injection Molding Capability
Readers of this blog are by definition interested in 3D printing, but there are other ways to manufacture objects. One of them worth considering is injection molding.
UPDATE: MakerBot’s Astonishing Smart Extruder+ Endurance Test
We received some questions about our interview with MakerBot chief Jonathan Jaglom’s statement on Smart Extruder+ testing. We found answers today.
Need To Upgrade Your Replicator 2? Here’s One Interesting Option
A third party upgrade could bring new life and abilities to the many Replicator 2’s across the globe.
Fuel3D’s Journey To A New 3D Space
We chatted recently with Fuel3D CMO Philip Newman and learned the company has taken some big steps, and they’re not in 3D printing.
MakerBot Finally Upgrades The SmartExtruder!
MakerBot announced the SmartExtruder+, a new version of their advanced extruder used on their fifth generation equipment.
Wim3rl: A Water-Cooled 3D Printhead
There’s an unusual piece of hardware available for pre-order: a water-cooled 3D print head designed for delta-style 3D printers.
Finally, An Intelligent Spool Holder: The MonsterFeed
For those using generic 3D printer filament, the issue of spool management is sometimes troublesome. Now those issues could be solved with the MonsterFeed universal spool holder.
MODIFI3D: An Excellent Set Of 3D Print Finishing Tools
MODIFI3D is a set of excellent tools for finishing your 3D prints.
New 3D Printer Hot End Could Solve The Filament Dilemma
The “1730 Full Metal Hotend” from ReprapUniverse in The Netherlands is able to handle two different filament diameters.
Open Edge’s Strange But Amazing 3D Print Nozzle
Open Edge first appeared years ago when they began with the FoldaRap folding 3D printer, but now they’re on to something quite interesting: a very sophisticated nozzle.
Another Sticky Option: 3DLAC
There’s yet another option to ensure your 3D prints stick to the print surface during printing: 3DLAC.
The Multistruder: Core Of Your Future Filament Making System?
We’ve been contacted by the backers of the Multistruder, a new type of extruder, and it’s an interesting design.
Apple Applies For 3D Printer Patent? Not Exactly
The big buzz this week was the discovery that Apple applied for a patent for 3D printing. But when the details are examined, it’s not really a 3D printer.
Apple’s 3D Coloration Patent: Analysis
As we described yesterday, Apple last week applied for a US patent for 3D print coloration technology. But what does this mean?
Smart3D’s Inexpensive Pixelio 3D Scanning System
We’re checking out a forthcoming 3D scanning option, the Pixelio.
Surprise! 3D Systems Drops Price on iSense Scanner
3D Systems announced a significant price drop for their handheld “iSense” 3D scanner, just in time for the holidays.
Ultimaker Sweetens Their Extended Version With A Free Nozzle Switcher
Netherlands-based Ultimaker has been selling their Ultimaker 2 Extended machine for some time now, but until the end of the month, buyers will receive an extra feature.
Stratasys Applies For Patent on Magnetic Support Material
On October 1st, the USPTO published a patent application from 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys for an unusual method of supporting 3D prints: magnetic media.
The Flying Extruder: The Best of Bowden and Direct 3D Printer Extruders?
Comments on our Bowden vs Direct 3D printer extruder post led us to the “flying extruder” concept, which is a bit of both.
Bondtech’s New QR Extruder Includes Handy Features
Sweden-based Bondtech has released an upgrade to their already successful 3D printer extruder: the Bondtech QR.
The Proliferation of Inexpensive 3D Scanning Solutions
With many inexpensive 3D scanning options now appearing on the market, you might wonder which style you should choose for your application.
FLEKS3D’s Back With More Print Plate Options
FLEKS3D launched an innovative 3D printer plate system last year, and now they’re back with more products and options.
FUBOSS Simplifies 3D Body Scans – And Reduces Your Costs
José M. Martínez is not one to let a problem lay unsolved. In this case, he’s figured out a way to reliably obtain full body 3D scans at low cost.
Could A Sapphire Nozzle Should Fix Those Abrasive 3D Printing Issues?
A new sapphire-equipped 3D printer nozzle may eliminate abrasion issues, enabling the ability to 3D print very strong materials.
Could You Use ZYYX’s Multi-Color 3D Printing Technique?
ZYYX, manufacturers of an interesting desktop 3D printer, have released a video showing a fascinating technique for multi-color printing that you might be able to use.
The FilaFab EX’s Sensible Approach To Extrusion
We’re checking out a new filament manufacturing device, D3D Innovation’s FilaFab EX, and it seems they’ve taken this process a lot further than others have.
A 3D Printing Pen – That Prints In Metal!
The 3DMetalCreator is a unique device: it’s a pen that can print in metal.
Mobium Solutions Working On a Continuous Print Surface
A small startup, Mobium Solutions, has developed what we believe could be the most important 3D printer accessory ever created.
Kentstrapper Presents The “Noah” 3D Printer Controller
3D printer manufacturer Kentstrapper announced their new Noah 3D printer controller.
Eora 3D Scanner Launches Today
An inexpensive, portable 3D scanner is set to launch today on Kickstarter.
SMARTTECH 3D’s New Industrial 3D Scanner
SMARTTECH 3D announced a powerful 3D scanner designed for industrial use: the SMARTTECH 3D Robotized.
The Colorful Technology of Honeycomb Graphics
A company from Chile is developing a fascinating process for color 3D printing.
A Kaleidoscope of Colors With The CollideOScope Multi-Filament 3D Print Head
A new 3D print head is able to print not two, not three, but up to SEVEN different filaments at a time.
The Many Plugins Available For OctoPrint
We’ve been looking through a site chock-full of plugins for 3D printer management software OctoPrint, and there’s some very useful functions present.
Hands On With The Zebra Plate
We’ve been testing PRINTinZ’s essential accessory, the Zebra printing plate.
The MatterControl Touch: A Brain For Your 3D Printer
Let’s face it: most desktop 3D printers are pretty dumb. But now you can add some smarts to your device with the MatterControl Touch.
3DPrintClean’s Filtrations Solutions Now Available
3DPrintClean’s product line of 3D printer accessories for emission filtration are now available for purchase.
ZMorph Adds Three More
3D printer manufacturer ZMorph has released no less than three new toolheads for their device.
Want an Ember 3D Printer? Now You Can Build One Yourself!
Autodesk has released the firmware and electronics for their high resolution resin 3D printer, the Ember.
S Square’s Three 3D Scanning Solutions
We took a good look at not one, but THREE 3D scanners from Hong Kong-based S Square System.
3D Printer “Dough Cannon” Struggles
A Kickstarter project to develop a unique extruder specifically for 3D printed dough seems to be having trouble raising funds.
Hands On With 3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse Pro Wireless – And a Special Offer For You!
We’ve been secretly testing 3DConnexion’s incredible SpaceMouse Pro Wireless for the past few weeks and it’s time to tell you how we fared. Short version: Excellent!
Hands On With The XTC-3D Smoothing System
We got dirty with XTC-3D, a 3D print smoothing resin. The results are very shiny.
Afinia’s New ES360 Desktop 3D Scanner
Afinia announced the ES360 3D Scanner that offers a unique two-way scanning technique.
MakerBot Continues To Probe Professional 3D Printing Applications
When MakerBot was born some years ago, the focus was entirely on personal 3D printing; now that’s changed.
FABtotum Combines Two 3D Printing Processes – and More!
FABTotum launched a new making option, the PRISM, which enables their Personal Fabricator to include multiple 3D printing processes.
3devo Launches the NEXT 1.0 Filament Recycler
Utrecht-based 3devo’s new filament extruder is now available on their crowdfunding page, but will it be practical?
Matter and Form’s Bevel Nails Funding For 3D Scanning Clip
The folks from Matter and Form, makers of a powerful tabletop 3D scanner, launched a new product: the Bevel clip, a smartphone attachment that performs mobile 3D scanning.
SKY-TECH’s New SKYPEN: A Dual Color 3D Pen
Taiwan-based SKY-TECH offers a number of 3D products, but now they’re offering a very low-cost, advanced technology 3D printing pen.
SKY-TECH’s New 3D Scanner
Taiwan-based SKY-TECH has announced a new handheld 3D scanner based on Intel Realsense, the 3D Hermes.
The RangeVision Portable 3D Scanner
Russia-based RangeVision produces a portable 3D scanner that can produce very good results: the RangeVision Smart.