Ideas Archives « Page 2 of 22

New Technique Uses Heated PLA and Molds to Reduce Supports and Print Time

I saw yet another new technique for 3D printing objects.

Fully Automated Resin 3D Printing Demonstrates Path to Mass Manufacturing

A fully automated resin 3D printing system has been set up.

Local Access to Spare Parts and Filament Gives Bambu Lab a Competitive Advantage

I’ve realized there is another advantage held by Bambu Lab in the 3D printer market.

Manufacturers Could Unlock Greater 3D Printing Adoption by Automating Post-Processing

The hidden cost of post-processing could hamper many manufacturers.

From AMS to Vortek: Why Filament Swappers May Be Reaching the End of the Line

Recent surprises from 3D printer manufacturers are tipping over established machine designs.

Nike Air Max 1000 by Zellerfeld Proves Market Demand for Fully 3D Printed Shoes

Zellerfeld’s new Nike shoe has sold out, and that tells us something about the future of 3D-printed footwear.

Is “Fire Rated” Becoming a New Marketing Angle for 3DCP?

I’ve noticed something interesting appearing in some stories and promotions for 3DCP applications.

Is Open Hardware in 3D Printing Losing Ground to Commercial Systems?

Is Open Source Hardware really dying? I believe the answer is yes and no.

Desktop 3D Printing Enters a New Poop-Free Era

It was a quiet moment, but I believe a significant shift in desktop 3D printing occurred last week.

Why 3D Print Waste Remains Unrecyclable

There are multiple difficult barriers to effective 3D print recycling.

New DIY Method Combines TPU and Aluminum Wire for Flexible, Poseable 3D Prints

A very interesting 3D printing technique using aluminum wire can be used by any 3D printer operator.

As DJI Faces U.S. Ban, Could Bambu Lab Be the Next Target of Regulatory Scrutiny?

I’m increasingly concerned about the possibility of Bambu Lab products being banned in the US in years to come.

Bambu Lab’s Spool Design Quietly Becomes De Facto Standard in 3D Printing Industry

Has Bambu Lab won the filament spool format war?

Why Ease of Use May Be the Most Overlooked Factor in 3D Printer Adoption

What makes the best 3D printer for you? I think there’s another factor we’ve all been missing.

Josef Průša Declares Open Hardware Desktop 3D Printing “Dead

Josef Průša has declared “open hardware desktop 3D printing is dead”.

Fake Bambu Lab Websites Target 3D Printer Buyers with Sophisticated Scam

You’d better be careful when shopping for Bambu Lab 3D printers.

DJI Drone Sales Disrupted in U.S. Amid Tariff and Regulatory Pressure: Will Bambu Lab Be Next?

Something very strange is happening to DJI, and I’m wondering if Bambu Lab may follow.

Is the Original Ender-3 Now Obsolete? Why Donating It Might Not Be the Best Option

I read a post where someone was asking what they should do with their aging Ender-3 3D printer.

Stratasys Moves to Differentiate FDM From FFF in New Marketing Strategy

It looks like Stratasys wants to differentiate FDM from FFF.

Could Retro Color Filaments Be the Next Big Differentiator in 3D Printing?

There now seems to be yet another take on 3D printer filament colors.

Bambu Lab’s H2D: Does the Market Want a Multifunction 3D Printer?

Do you need a multifunction 3D printer?

Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Design for Desktop 3D Printers

What should a desktop 3D printer look like?

Evaluating the Practicality of Release Agents for 3D Printing Support Removal

Release agents are a good idea, but also not particularly practical.

Why It’s Time to Redefine “High Speed” in Desktop 3D Printing

I’m struggling with the concept of “high speed” 3D printers, and now believe there should be a terminology change.

Realistic Full-Color 3D Printing Exists — So Why Isn’t Everyone Using It?

There really aren’t a lot of full-colour 3D printers on the market. Why is that?

White Tower Project Signals Shift Toward Parallelized, Prefab 3D Printing in Construction

I had some thoughts about the speed of 3DCP and how large buildings can be 3D printed quickly.

AI Slop’ Threatens Viability of 3D Model Platforms as Content Moderation Struggles to Keep Up

AI slop is going to cause a transformation in 3D model repositories.

New Study Finds Microplastics Strongly Adsorb Toxic Metals, Increasing Health Risks

There’s even more bad news about microplastics. Microplastics are rapidly becoming a major problem. They are the end result of poorly disposed plastic items. Discarded plastic eventually breaks down in the environment due to UV exposure, temperature changes, water exposure, or mechanical action. Ultimately, it becomes plastic “dust” that easily blows around the planet and… Continue reading New Study Finds Microplastics Strongly Adsorb Toxic Metals, Increasing Health Risks

3D Printer Kickstarters Decline as Market Maturity Demands Niche Innovation

Kickstarters used to be the place where you could find new 3D printers. Is that still the case?

How to Launch and Market a 3D Printing Business with What You Already Have

You already have what you need to start a 3D printing business.

Photocentric Targets Electrification Market With Solvent-Free 3D Printed Cathode Technology

The 3D printing market is shifting, and companies sometimes have to move into other areas, but there’s one that is not as popular as it could be: batteries.

Legacy Desktop 3D Printer Brands Struggle or Exit Amid Bambu Lab’s Market Disruption

Has Bambu Lab’s market domination caused company exits from the desktop 3D printer market? We took a look.

Engineer Demonstrates IPX7-Like Waterproofing With TPU 3D Printed Container

Some thoughts about making water-sealed 3D printed containers.

Lack of Standardized Spool Formats Frustrates Users of Multimaterial 3D Printing Systems

Why isn’t there an official spool format standard?

Implications of the S4 Slicer: Nonplanar 3D Printing for Everyone?

A new nonplanar slicer has been released as open source. What could this mean for 3D printing?

Desktop 3D Printer Manufacturers Face New Challenges After Bambu Lab Advances Again

The race to catch up to Bambu Labs continues.

New Industry Trend: 3D Printer Firms Begin Vetting Customers for Strategic Fit

I learned there is a new practice emerging among large 3D printer manufacturers: customer screening.

Should You Print Multiple 3D Objects Together or Separately? Key Factors Explained

How should you print multiple copies of an object? The answer is more complex than you’d think.

Is it Possible to Start a New 3D Printer Company Today?

I’ve been thinking more about the implications of the recent price changes in the desktop 3D printing market.

Is Bambu Lab’s H2D Linked to the Stratasys Patent Lawsuit?

Could there be a relationship between Bambu Lab’s new 3D printer and the Stratasys lawsuit?

The Digital Divide and 3D Printing: How Online Resources Are Expanding Access

3D printing has transformed industries from healthcare to manufacturing, and its role in education continues to grow.

Valcun’s Open Day Signifies The Company’s Journey to Success

Valcun recently had a notable customer event, but it’s only the beginning for the young company.

Backflip’s 3D Scan to CAD Could Disrupt Almost Everything

There are considerable implications from this week’s announcement of a 3D Scan to CAD service from Backflip.

The Desktop 3D Printing Market is Splitting Between Consumers and Enthusiasts

There’s a way for desktop 3D printer operators to determine their place in the coming consumer shift.

The Fate of Old 3D Printers: Why Donations Are No Longer an Option

There could be a spot in the local landfill for your aging desktop 3D printer.

How 3D Printing Terminology is Holding Back Industry Growth

Are we all prisoners of our 3D print terminology?

The Dark Side of 3D Printing’s Price War: How Competition Is Hurting Software Quality

Competition is good, except when it isn’t.

Elegoo’s $199 Centauri Redefines Budget 3D Printing, Challenging Open Gantry Systems

Let’s take a deeper look at Elegoo’s incredible price breakthrough from earlier this week.

How Fast Can 3D Printing Really Get?

How fast can a 3D printer be?

Why Standard Print Profiles Are Holding Back Additive Manufacturing

At AMS2025, I heard an interesting angle on print profiles from Dyndrite CEO Harshil Goel.

AMS 2025: Stratasys CEO Outlines the Only Two Viable Strategies for 3D Printer Manufacturers

At AMS 2025, I heard what could be the most accurate prediction for the future of 3D printing.

Bleach Printing: The 3D Printing Hack for Custom Designs on Fabric

There’s a new craze in desktop 3D printing: bleach printing.

The End of Proprietary 3D Printing Materials? Industry Signals a Shift

It may be that the era of proprietary materials might be ending.

How Potential Tariffs on Chinese Imports Could Reshape the 3D Printing Market

There’s been a lot of talk lately about tariffs, but what might they mean in the desktop 3D printing world?

Practical Safety Tools You Can 3D Print

3D printing has revolutionized everyday life by making manufacturing accessible and versatile for everyone.

Community Backlash Could Accelerate Bambu Lab’s Shift to Consumer-Centric 3D Printing

Community reaction to the Bambu Lab controversy may inadvertently result in the situation they fear most.

Desktop 3D Printing at a Crossroads: Will the Market Split Between DIY and Consumer?

I’ve been thinking about this past weekend’s Bambu Lab controversy, and have some thoughts.

Are Desktop 3D Printers Becoming Disposable in the Face of Rapid Advancements?

I’m now wondering if desktop 3D printers have become a disposable product.

Nikon SLM and EOS Achieve Record Sales Milestones in Metal 3D Printing

Two of the largest metal 3D printer manufacturers have announced record milestones. Some weeks ago, Nikon SLM Solutions revealed that they had sold their 1,000th system, which turned out to be purchased by Bosch. The machine sold was one of their largest machines, the massive twelve-laser NXG XII 600, which sports a build volume of… Continue reading Nikon SLM and EOS Achieve Record Sales Milestones in Metal 3D Printing

How Automation is Redefining the Desktop 3D Printing Culture

I’m sensing a gradual shift in the attitudes of desktop 3D printer operators.

Understanding Thermal Runaway: A Critical Safety Feature for 3D Printers

I was reading about someone’s struggle with a thermal runaway and realized many new 3D printer operators may not have heard of the condition.

Ups and Downs for 3D Printing in 2025

Well, it just happens to be the first day of the year. What might happen in the next 364 days?

End-of-Year Reflections: Rising Competition, Quality Standards, and Accessibility

My goodness, it’s the end of the year once again, and time for some reflection on the state of 3D printing.

From Awareness to Affordability: How Xact Metal is Changing 3D Printing Adoption Dynamics

I had an interesting discussion with the friendly folks from Xact Metal about the current buyers of metal 3D printers.

From MakerBot to Bambu Lab: There’s Always a Better 3D Printer Coming Next

After years of seeing amazing desktop 3D printers emerge year after year, I see a pattern. I’ve been fiddling with desktop 3D printers for almost 15 years now, beginning with my first device, the venerable MakerBot CupCake. It took several days to assemble it from wires, boards, motors, and pieces of wood, and successfully printed… Continue reading From MakerBot to Bambu Lab: There’s Always a Better 3D Printer Coming Next