On a tip I took a look at how desktop 3D printer filament is priced by major suppliers and found something quite interesting.
Ideas
Four New Pandemic-Generated 3D Printing Business Models
The pandemic is far from over, but its effect on 3D printing business is becoming clear; we list 4 new business models for 3D printing.
All About 3D Printer Recoater Blades
I’m reading a fascinating piece by Additive Manufacturing Consultant Michael Wohlfart discussing the different types of recoaters one might use.
Using Correct Additive Manufacturing Terminology
Are we using the right words when referring to our favorite technology?
3D Printing Brings Optimism To The Post-Coronavirus Economy
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafé consider the positive economic impact of 3D printing that can carry on after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Economies Of 3D Printed Direct Rapid Soft Tooling
Nanofabrica has demonstrated an intriguing economy of scale when producing 3D printed injection molds.
Can 3D Printed Thermoplastics Replace Metal?
A question being asked is whether a plastic 3D printed part could replace a metal part, and the answer is increasingly, “Yes!”
Is this The Time For The 3D Printing Industry To Double Down?
Charles R. Goulding considers the path forward for 3D printing in the time of big tech.
Aftermarket Parts: Another 3D Printing Niche?
Could aftermarket parts be a niche application for 3D printing? I think it has huge potential.
3D Printing Is Emerging
The COVID-19 crisis has shown deficiencies in the supply chain, providing opportunity for democratization of production with 3D printing.
Are Open Source 3D Printers Truly Possible?
Is it really possible to produce a truly open source 3D printer at scale and be successful in the market?
3D Printing Companies Standing For Equity
These are troubled times. The 3D printing industry is banding together to stand strong on the right side of history.
Is It Time To Shut Down Smaller 3D Printed PPE Operations?
Over the past few months most regions have self-organized informal 3D printed PPE networks, but perhaps it’s time to consider shutting them down.
ExOne’s #MakeMetalGreen Campaign Highlights Industry’s Lack of Knowledge
ExOne launched a new social media campaign a few weeks ago focusing on the green aspects of 3D printing, but why do they need to do that at all?
Where To Send Your 3D Printed PPE Press Releases
We’re not the ones who need to see the announcement that you’re 3D printing face shields.
Are 3D Printer Kickstarters Changing Into Something New?
Crowdfunding ventures for 3D printers seem to have transformed significantly in the past few years, and a recent event is the first of many to come.
Patenting Pandemic Designs?
3D printing has really stepped up to the plate in pandemic response — but what happens with those designs post-pandemic?
Could The Pandemic Cause 3D Printer Company Tranformations?
After seeing 3D printer companies make fundamental transformations in their business models, I’m wondering if this is a trend.
Improving Just In Time (JIT) with 3D Printing
David Macfie, Charles R. Goulding, and Alyssa Schneider explore the use of 3D printing in just in time manufacturing.
New Supply Chains and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look into 3D printing and the new shape of supply chains.
Formlabs Client Demonstrates Immense Production Flexibility Using 3D Printing
One of Formlabs’ clients has been saved from catastrophe during the COVID-19 crisis in a way that demonstrates the incredible power of 3D printing.
Three Business Revelations During COVID-19
Anna Zevelyov, the CEO of 3D scanner company Thor3D, examines three revelations when it comes to conducting business during and beyond the time of COVID-19.
Future Bioprinting Faces Unknown Regulations
An intriguing piece by The Conversation provokes some thinking into the future regulatory environment that might face bioprinting, a form of 3D printing that is rapidly advancing.
How To Keep In Contact With Your 3D Print Vendor During The Crisis
With the cancellation of countless in-person 3D print events, companies have leveraged technology to keep in contact with clients and prospects in unique ways.
Who Will Be The Jony Ive Of Healthy Product Design?
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider the visionary Jony Ive and who might next offer a compelling future for product design.
This Year’s Special College Intern Candidates
Charles R. Goulding examines opportunities for students looking for internships in the 3D printing industry in the strange landscape of 2020.
Are TranPham’s 3D Printing Trends True?
Fabbaloo friend Tuan Tranpham issued a list of 3D printing trends he’s perceived — but are they really true?
Lean Manufacturing, Automation and Distancing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the principles of Lean Manufacturing together with rising trends in automation and required social distancing.
Identifying Alternative Metal 3D Printing Customers
Charles R. Goulding examines metal 3D printing applications outside of automotive and aerospace.
Is There Any Point To 3D Printer Kits These Days?
For years there have been two types of 3D printers: kits and assembled. I no longer think that is the case.
A Few Considerations For Attending Virtual Events
With so many virtual events popping up, we all need to consider strategies when it comes to tuning in.
Proposal: MakerBot Should Change Their Name
I’m thinking MakerBot should consider changing their name, as there are now several very good reasons to do so.
1.75 vs 2.85mm Filament Showdown
Where did the two 3D printer filament diameters come from and what is the difference? Which one is better?
Get Ready for the China versus U.S. Tech Wars
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the competitive tech landscape in two leading economies.
Encouraging Continued 3D Printing Innovation Throughout The Coronavirus Pandemic
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look to 3D printing for innovation in tough times.
When One Door Closes, A Touchless Door Opens (With The Help Of 3D Printing)
Charles R. Goulding looks to a future of touchless doors, helped along with 3D printing.
A Few Considerations For Virtual Events
We’ve been discussing a lot about virtual 3D printing events lately, as current global circumstance is keeping us physically separated.
Time To Switch To 3D Printing For Touchless Bathroom Design
Charles R. Goulding looks into the use of 3D printing to make public bathroom spaces “touchless.”
The Coronavirus Crisis, Deep Cleaning, and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi dive into deep cleaning and the place of 3D printing therein.
Converting The Boeing Supply Chain To Electric Boat Submarines
Charles Goulding examines the redistribution of aerospace suppliers to submarines, and how they can benefit from industrial 3D printing expertise.
Solitude and Creativity
Potential benefits from this crisis are far and few between. It will be nice if creativity supported by 3D printing is one of them.
3D Printing Short Circuits Supply Chain Woes?
Could 3D printing strategies overcome supply chain challenges? It seems that one company has done exactly that.
Some 3D Print Technologies Are Not Being Used In The Crisis
A company has the capability to produce high-resolution medical components in metal, but it seems no one is asking them to help.
3D Printing And Communication In The Time Of COVID-19
We’re talking often these days about the place of 3D printing in addressing the pandemic, but there are more nuances for the industry beyond manufacturing.
The Secret Factory Hidden Amongst Us Has No Brain
One of the learnings from the crisis is the need for a distributed 3D printing coordination authority.
The Rise Of Sustainability In 3D Printing
There’s a new trend washing over the 3D print industry these days: sustainability. We discuss several aspects and offer a prediction.
4 Things We’re Learning About 3D Printing From The Crisis
After seeing the flurry of activity in the 3D printing community to address the COVID-19 crisis, I had some thoughts about how things may change in the industry.
Reprioritizing 3D Printing Marketing Budgets: 10 Alternatives
Charles Goulding of R&D Tax Savers examines 10 options for replanning 3D printing marketing budgets in the face of disruption.
Concerns Over DIY Designed COVID-19 Equipment
With everyone in the 3D print community rushing to help in the crisis, there are some concerns we might be doing the wrong things. We made a list.
Canada To Declare Plastics As “Toxic Substance”: Implications On 3D Printing
Canada is set to declare plastics as a “toxic substance”. What effect could this have on 3D printing?
Is Stratasys Feeling The Pressure From Below?
Stratasys launched an unusual marketing campaign that for the first time targets users of low-cost alternative 3D printing equipment. Why did they do this?
Why Collaborative 3D Printing Is So Challenging
No one seems to offer collaborative 3D printing modes on dual extrusion devices. We explain why this is the case.
What I Learned About 3D Printing By Staying Out Of It
The 3D printing industry is fast-changing. Sometimes taking a step back, though, is necessary to grasp the bigger picture.
Ford vs. Ferrari: Using 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider how two prominent automotive firms, Ferrari and Ford, are using 3D printing.
Are Auto-Unloading 3D Printers Truly Desirable?
There have been multiple attempts to develop continuously operating 3D printers, but none seem to have been widely adopted. Why is this the case?
The Challenge And Opportunity of 3D Printing Patent 684116B2
A key patent assigned to 3D Systems expires in 2022. What will this mean for 3D Systems and everyone else? We have some thoughts.
3D Printing Disappearing Into Specialized Firms
The use of “3D Printing” is beginning to fade, at least with respect to application-focused 3D print services. As for the rest, we’ll find out what happens.
A Collision of 3D Printing Terminology?
A company terms their process as “volumetric” 3D printing, but is it really so?
More Thoughts On Volumetric 3D Prining
One of my questions about the new volumetric 3D printing approach seems to have been answered by a mysterious contributor.
Implications of Volumetric 3D Printing
Several ventures and projects are now working on a powerful new concept called volumetric 3D printing. We have some thoughts on the implications of such a process.
Cost Effective 3D Printing Opens Doors For Research
Researchers are now able to procure incredibly powerful 3D printing equipment at lower costs to enable work that was previously impossible.
The Three (and a Half) Approaches To 3D Print Materials
I’ve noticed there are now three main approaches to dealing with 3D printer materials. There’s more than just open and closed options.
Electric Boat’s Largest New Attack Submarine Can Strike a Balance With 3D Printing
Charles Goulding looks at developments in the submarine construction industry where there may be a big opening for 3D printing.
Olympics Approve 3D Printed Nike Vaporfly
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the use of 3D printing in Olympic events.
Major Developments in 3D Printing Technologies Throughout 2019
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi take a look at some major events in 3D printing during 2019.
More On MakerBot Classroom, And The 3D Printer Controversy
Last week we posted a couple of stories on MakerBot’s new product, MakerBot Classroom, but there seems to be some controversy brewing.
There Will Be No General Purpose 3D Printer In The Future
3D printers are increasingly becoming specialized. Are the days of the “general purpose” 3D printer gone?
Our Annual Reminder to 3D Print Vendors About AMUG
There’s a secret issue with the annual AMUG conference, and we have to tell you about it.
Is Cold-Spray 3D Printing To Take A Market Segment?
The cold-spray technique for 3D printing metal parts seems to be increasing in popularity. What are its advantages?
The Innovator’s Dilemma: 3D Printing and Disruptive Technology
Charles R. Goulding looks at the legacy of recently passed Clayton Christensen, and in particular the impact it could have on 3D printing.
Which Of The Seven Multi-Color Filament 3D Printing Approach Is The Best?
There are several ways to perform multi-material 3D printing using filaments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Crazy Idea: AI-Based 3D Model Generation For Consumers
A new AI-based system can generate incredibly realistic human faces. What if the same technology was turned towards 3D printing?
Implications of MakerBot Classroom: Addressing The Educational 3D Printer Market
MakerBot’s new Classroom product is set to shake up the education market for 3D printing significantly due to its features, price and most importantly, how it was designed and implemented.
Are Composites Disrupting 3D Printing?
Megan has some thoughts about the use of composite materials in 3D printing.
Seven Ways A Business Could Begin 3D Printing
Many small businesses don’t yet use 3D printing, but probably could benefit from the technology. We list seven ways to help get that process started.
Clariant’s Zero Emission Production: The Beginning of a Trend?
Clariant’s production plant is now running on entirely green energy, making it possible for them to boast of green products. Is this a PR move, or a real trend?
Adding A “3D” To Your Company Name Is Sometimes Required
There’s some fun patterns in 3D printing company names if you look closely at their corresponding domain names.
Don’t Be Fooled by Low 3D Printing Stock Prices
It’s now much harder to get a handle on the current state of 3D printing merely by looking at stock prices. There’s a lot more to the story.
Will There Be Many Seismic Shifts Enabled By 3D Printing?
While there are breakthroughs occurring in several industries as a result of additive manufacturing, how many other industries could be affected?
Filament Drying: The Quest For Perfect 3D Prints Continues
There seems to be a burst of 3D printer manufacturers offering filament drying equipment. We have some ideas why this is happening.
The Right Way To Market Commercial 3D Printed Designs
Mixed Dimensions used the correct approach for licensing and using 3D models from EVE Online for their printing service.
Gaming Chairs That Sit Well With 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the potential for 3D printed designs in gaming chairs.
What Is Consumer 3D Printing, And Does It Really Exist?
In response to recent controversy over the notion of “consumer 3D printing”, I propose some alternate ways to look at the situation.
Reviewing Xometry’s 3D Printing Trends
Xometry’s Greg Paulsen examines recent trends in additive manufacturing, and we provide some additional thoughts.
3D Printing Comes to Davos for the First Time
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi have some thoughts about the unexpected appearance of 3D printing technology at the annual Davos summit.
Are Quiet 3D Printers A Good Thing?
Many new 3D printers seem to be using specialized motor drivers that provide for silent operation. But are quiet 3D printers a good thing?
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investing and 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at the portrayal of 3D printing in the ESG market.
Big Changes Coming: Essentium Survey Reveals Significant Issues With Closed Material 3D Printing
A new survey of large-scale 3D printing operations from Essentium reveals what could be a fatal flaw in the strategies of most major 3D printer manufacturers who hope to move towards production additive manufacturing.
The 3D Printing Market Will Exceed US$50B By 2026: So What?
Fortune Business Insights predicts a massive growth in the 3D printing market by 2026. We have some thoughts on what that means for existing and new 3D printing ventures.
Manufacturing Makerspaces Push the Growth of 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Greer Veon examine the benefits of using an internal makerspace for corporate or manufacturing innovation.
How 3D Printing Can Weigh-In on the New Shipping Threshold Rate Hike
Charles Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi determine ways in which 3D printing could help with recent hikes in shipping rates by FedEx and UPS.
We Will Never 3D Print A Car; We Will 3D Print Car Parts
The application of multiple 3D printing processes to help build parts for a concept electric vehicle hints at how future automobiles might be 3D printed.
The Race To The Bottom: Effects On 3D Printing
With the availability of a functional desktop 3D printer for only US$89, we had some thoughts on what this means and what happens next.
Avoiding 3D Printing Legacy Technology Status
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe look at how “legacy” companies make a transition into 3D printing.
Space-Based Manufacturing Project Hints at Digital Manufacturing Constraints
Some thoughts about in-space manufacturing suggest a slightly different view of what digital inventory projects could or could not achieve on the ground.