HP announced a new metal 3D printing process today, and there are some interesting implications.
Ideas
The 3mm Filament Problem
I’ve hit this problem twice now this week: is 3mm filament really 3.00mm?
A Caution for 3D Printer Startups: You’re Too Late
After watching a video of Prusa Research headquarters, it’s increasingly obvious that time is up for new 3D printer startups.
What Construction 3D Printing Must Do Next
After reading yet another wildly exaggerated story about 3D construction printing, I thought I’d make a list of things to do.
Ride The Wave: 3D Print Market Grows Sharply
A spending forecast from IDC indicates very substantial growth in 3D printing over the next four years.
The Need For 3D Printing Joint Ventures
Recent interest in more exotic materials should drive a lot more partnerships in the future.
Could Carbon Become an Automotive Giant?
I had an interesting thought about Carbon and where they might end up.
A New Frontier For 3D Printing: Fishing?
I’m looking at a 3D model and wondering if this could be the start of something interesting.
A Home for Unused 3D Printer Materials?
I’m reading a fundraising campaign for a school’s 3D printer and had an idea.
The Rise of the Flexible 3D Printing Plate
Sometimes it takes years for an industry to discover the best approach, and that’s what seems to have happened with 3D printing surfaces.
Is Autodesk Winning the Free CAD War?
I’ve noticed a bit of a trend, at least informally, regarding use of free 3D CAD suites.
3D Metal Printing: Picking the Right Process
A piece from Fabrisonic explains how their process might be better than others, but it suggests a pattern across all 3D printing processes.
Are 3D Print Services Better?
After reading Matt Sand’s story earlier this week, I am now thinking a bit differently about 3D print services.
Metal 3D Printing: Seven Trends & Emerging Tech
I recently presented to a sold-out audience at MD&M East, a leading conference in manufacturing medical devices and surgical instruments.
Should Premade GCODE Be Used?
I’ve seen pre-made GCODE a few times recently, and I am a bit suspicious of it.
Indo Pacific Implications of 3D Printing?
I’m reading a two-part story talking about how 3D printing may affect the Indo Pacific region.
Deepmind’s 3D Capabilities: Productive or Scary?
Google’s DeepMind project has developed some interesting 3D capabilities.
Another Industry Ripe for 3D Printing: Military
An amusing story on Military.com got me thinking about how industry uses – or doesn’t use 3D printing.
Someone Moves into a 3D Printed Home: Is This Really The Future?
News last week that a family is moving into a 3D printed home got me thinking.
4 Ways 3D Printing Can Revolutionize Automobile Manufacturing
The automobile sector is booming.
Some Advice for 3D Printing Companies Thinking of Attending CES 2019
We have some thoughts about attending CES in 2019.
Is 3D Printing a Logistics Solution?
An interesting question was raised regarding the use of 3D printing.
Will 3D Printers “Bring Back Jobs”?
Over the past few years I’ve heard some propose that 3D printers may “bring back jobs”.
Third Party 3D Printer Resin Thoughts
Virtually all major resin-powered 3D printers today can use the manufacturer’s materials.
3D Printer Purchases: Is It Now Only About Price?
Today I’m thinking about how price has become a major factor in 3D printer sales.
The Need For A Standard Spool Label
Here’s the situation: a print is running at the lab, and the filament is running short.
Look for More 3D Printing Accessory Devices
There’s a trend in 3D printing these days: accessories.
What is “Make On Demand”?
I’m reading a press release from Rize that describes a new service that performs “Make on Demand”.
3D Printing May Change Mass Manufacturing Expectations
I had a thought about how the integration of 3D printing into manufacturing may change how we think about products.
Learning to Apply a New 3D Printing Technology
I’m always fascinated with unusual 3D printing processes, and Fabrisonic certainly qualifies.
Is 3D Printing Getting Any Easier?
I’ve been reflecting on the history of 3D printing and had some thoughts about ease of use.
The Evolution of Standard 3D Printer Features
In many ways the evolution of 3D printers follows the path taken by automobiles.
Don’t Take 3D Printing For Granted
3D printing offers tremendous advantages, but we don’t mention them as often as we should.
Is The Race To The Bottom in 3D Printing a Good Thing?
Pricing of low-cost 3D printers has consistently dropped, but is this a good thing?
Potential Future Security Risks for 3D Printing
I’m reading a story about security challenges with 2D photocopiers and am wondering how similar approaches may affect 3D printing in the future.
Choice: The Future Dilemma of 3D Printing
As things are unfolding in 2018, there seems to be a growing challenge: material choice.
Interesting Thoughts on 3D Print Business Models
I’m reading a brief analysis by Gartner’s Pete Basiliere on how 3D printing could affect business models.
Buying 3D Printer Filament: Online or In Person?
There are now more ways to acquire 3D printer filament, but what is the best way to do so?
Is It Time For Educators To Upgrade 3D Printing Equipment?
It’s nearing the end of school year for many organizations across the world, but is it time to upgrade?
Shapeways Improves Post Processing Options, But Where Are They Going?
Shapeways announced several new post printing options, and I think this is a very interesting development.
The End of an Era? 3D Systems Selling Molding Machines?
A quick glance at 3D Systems’ marketing material lately might have you believe they’re selling injection molding equipment. But not really.
The Rise of Small Regional 3D Print Services
I’ve noticed a bit of trend: the occurrence of small, regional 3D print services seems to be growing.
How To Keep Up With 3D Printer Updates – Or Not
It seems that as soon as you acquire a 3D printer, it’s obsolete. What should you do?
Was There Really “Consumer Indifference” To 3D Printers?
I’m reading a story suggesting that it was “Consumer Indifference” that “killed all hope for 3d printing stocks.”
How to Make Impossible Objects
3D printers are well known for their ability to make “impossible objects”.
RAND’s Four Beefs with 3D Printing Discussed
RAND Corporation’s views on 3D printing seem a lot more worrisome than they should be.
The Other Reason for 3D Printing Pellets
Pellets are slowly becoming a more popular 3D printing material, but there is one surprising reason this is so.
A Brilliant Solution for 3D Scanning
If you’ve even used a handheld 3D scanner, you know what’s going to happen.
Bricks: A Different Kind of Voxel
I’m looking at an Australian company that seems to have produced a 3D printer, but don’t call it one.
What’s After Voxel Level 3D Printing?
There is another level of 3D printing that no one has yet attained.
3D Print Education – In All Forms
Across the world, we are now seeing the seeds of the future for 3D printing.
Should You Participate In A 3D Printer Beta Program?
Sometimes you’ll hear about a “beta” program. What’s that all about, and should you participate?
There is No “Best 3D Printer”, Unless There Is One For You
I read with amusement an investment piece proclaiming the “best 3D printers”.
Intelligent 3D Scanning Could Open Up New 3D Printing Applications
Some interesting research at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 3D scanning may offer some very intriguing possibilities.
Try Before You Buy: The New 3D Printer Business Model
I’m reading a release from 3D printer manufacturer Intamsys that suggests a new style of business model is evolving.
The Temptation of Non-Foodsafe 3D Prints
There is a problem that I see unfolding everyday.
What are “Digitally Augmented Additive Manufacturing Parts” and How Could They Work?
Rize announced something they call “Digitally Augmented Additive Manufacturing Parts” and while very promising, faces a steep path to adoption.
Insurance May Be The Key to 3D Printing Safety
Yes, it apparently happened again. Someone’s house burned because of a 3D printer.
Could Voice Ever Be A 3D Interface?
I’m giggling over Xometry’s April Fool’s joke, but then had a thought.
3D Printing Is a Game Changer for Dentistry
Replacement teeth and dental appliances aren’t new technology
When You Can’t 3D Print It
There are times when complex objects cannot be 3D printed.
What Happens When Flexible Gets Large
BigRep announced a new material that has my mind buzzing about what might happen.
Could Dedicated 3D Print Factories Be The Future?
As manufacturing moves more strongly into 3D printing, there is a question about how it will be implemented.
Are Robots the Answer for 3D Printer Operation? Probably Not
A video from Mashable shows a robotic prototype operating MakerBot 3D printers.
Is Mass Customization To Take Over?
There is now another form of manufacturing becoming available: mass customization. But will it become ubiquitous?
It’s Time For An Adapter Generator
There’s something I’d like to see: a universal adapter generator.
A Proposal to Prevent 3D Printed Weapons?
I’m reading a research paper that proposes a machine-learning approach to stopping the evils of 3D printed weapons.
Why Is It So Hard To Buy 3D Printer Filament?
Sometimes it is just too difficult to buy 3D printer filament from some companies.
The Competitive Path of Resin 3D Printers
The more things happen, the more things are the same.
The Spectrum of 3D Printer Operators and Why It Is Important
I have a suspicion that many people don’t recognize there are some very different types of people using 3D printers, each with unique characteristics.
3D Printed Buildings and Real Estate: Is the Development Space due for Disruption?
Now that we’re no longer confined to printing in two dimensions, the opportunities are almost endless for many businesses that rely on manufacturing and design.
3D Print Services and Certifications
There’s an interesting story at Sculpteo about how they provide certifications for their materials.
A Rhino Upgrade Signals Industry Change
Robert McNeel & Associates, makers of the popular Rhinoceros 3D CAD tool, have shipped V6, but with a very intriguing change.
That 3D Dental Attraction
This week there’s an important conference for 3D printing: LMT LAB DAY.
Software is Often Greater than Hardware in 3D Printing
I’m reading a press release from SMARTTECH and noticed a common pattern in the industry.
We Are Seeing The 3D Printers of the Future Now Emerging
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what might happen in the future, but perhaps we there is something now visible.
Exploring the Science of Big 3D Printing
While extrusion-based 3D printers have been around for decades, there is still the need for some exploration, especially when it comes to large-scale printing.
Could the End of STL be In Sight?
The venerable STL file format for describing 3D models has been around for far too long. But now the end could be finally appearing.
More on 3D Printed MetaMaterials. A Lot More
Last week we posted a story about metamaterials, but it seems there is far more to the story.
3D Printing’s Color Problem
Most 3D printing is done without regard to color, but what happens when it is truly important?
8 3D Printing Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2018
Since the relatively recent start of the rise of 3D printing, the industry has gone through many changes and improvements.
Is Voice Control Really Useful For 3D Printers?
I’ve now seen at least two 3D printers with voice systems, but is this something we need?
The New Future for 3D Printing: MetaMaterials?
I’m reading more about the concept of metamaterials, and believe this is a lot more important than I imagined.
New Normal: The Permanent Beta
There’s a very powerful implication of the Carbon / Adidas shoe project that could change everything in the near future.
The Third Way to Sell 3D Printers
Selling commercial 3D printers is an unusual business, but there seems to now be another way to do so.
Education is the Key to the Future of 3D Printing
I’m reading a fascinating post from GE on their experience with 3D metal printing, but it occurs to me a change must be made.
A 3D Printed Faucet Demonstrates Integration Possibilities
A new project by 3D Systems made me realize something interesting about 3D metal printing.
What Might We See in 3D Printing in 2018?
I hate making predictions because they may turn out wrong. But let’s do so anyway.
“3D Printing” Will Eventually Disappear. Maybe
I often write on the phenomenon of 3D printing and here’s more thoughts for you.
A Culture of Making “Anythings”: More 3D Printing Misunderstandings
I noticed a tweet from Mashable that got me a bit riled.
The Next Target for 3D Printing: Worldwide Inventories
I’ve been hearing this from a number of directions lately, but let’s put it all together: parts inventories are going to die.
Niche 3D Printers Are Feasible
With big companies moving into the 3D printer space, is there any room left for the small guys?
Is 3D Printed Furniture Practical?
With the advent of large-scale 3D printers, one is tempted to 3D print furniture.
WARNING: No 3D Printed Weapons!
The College of Charleston in South Carolina does not want you to 3D print any weapons.
3D Printed Soft Robots Could Be “A Thing”
Eindhoven-based 3D print aficionado Joris Peels makes the case for 3D printed soft robots.