A common misunderstanding by newbie 3D print folks is that objects are printed completely solid. In fact, we believe that many prints should be hollow!
learning
The Insidious Problem of 3D Print Retraction
A common problem encountered with plastic extrusion 3D printers is stripped filament. We explain how this happens.
3D Printer Almost Burns Down House
A 3D printer operator was lucky to have been present when his 3D printer went awry and almost burnt his home to the ground.
Tinkerineâs Drones Are Engineered for Learning 3D Printing
3D printer manufacturer has been specializing on the education market, and wow, theyâve developed some very interesting programs for students!
âClock Bombâ Kid Gets 3D Printer From Microsoft
Microsoft has provided a now-famous Texas student with a makerâs dream set of equipment, including a 3D printer.
Dremel Provides Support For Education With MyStemKits
Dremel has partnered with MyStemKits to provide owners of Dremel 3D printers with access to educational kits.
How To Quickly Model and 3D Print Small Household Objects
New 3D printer owners might be having fun printing pre-designed 3D models, but what if you need to produce a custom object on demand? Here’s how to do it.
Dicing Up The Inside of a 3D Model With MeshMixer
Weâve been experimenting with some of MeshMixerâs lesser-known but highly powerful capabilities to create a hidden internal mesh for solid models.
Binder Jetting for Investment Casting: AM Is Transforming an Age-Old Industrial Process
Investment casting is one of humanityâs oldest manufacturing technologies.
The Desktop 3D Printer Toolkit
Those who own a personal 3D printer likely have a suite of instruments ready to be used with their printer. What instruments are essential?
3DCADemy To Offer Training in 3D
Toronto-based 3DCADemy is preparing to offer training in 3D skills to interested parties.
You Invent Brings 3D Printing to Students
A new venture in the UK has developed a package for easily launching 3D printing clubs for students.
What Does âHDâ Color 3D Printing Really Mean?
MCOR recently announced something they call âHDâ color 3D printing. But what kinds of 3D print color exist?
How To Fix Those Annoying Knotted 3D Printer Filaments
Thereâs a way to very easily untangle knotted filaments, according to ToyBuilder Labsâ Joseph Chiu.
iMakrâs Incredible 3D Printing Training Program
We visited iMakrâs New York City retail store and were surprised to find a number of people training to become 3D print experts. iMakr has two retail locations, London and NYC, where they provide a number of services related to 3D printing, including sales of multiple brands of 3D printers, supplies, 3D printing services, repairs… Continue reading iMakrâs Incredible 3D Printing Training Program
3D Systems Launches MakerLab Club
3D Systems continues its journey into personal 3D printing by enabling easy access to 3D printing at 100 public organizations across the United States.
How to Print Tall Without a Tall 3D Printer
Thereâs been a rash of âtallâ 3D printers lately, but perhaps thereâs a way to print tall without one.
What is a 3D Model, Anyway?
Those new to 3D printing get excited about the ability to print, but may be wondering about this thing called a â3D modelâ.
Can You Be 3D Scanned?
We recently were contacted by a reader interested in 3D scanning a person. The answers to their questions may be of interest to other readers, too.
Someone Made Up a 3D Modeling Language Called MadeUp
A project called âMadeUpâ provides a way to programmatically generate 3D models suitable for 3D printing.
How to License Your 3D Prints
While itâs now become easy for many to create 3D designs and produce 3D prints, few are aware of ways to properly license them. A new paper explains how.
Bigger Nozzle Equals Faster Printing
Some 3D prints require a long time to complete. In general, the rule of thumb is: The larger the print, the longer the print. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speed up the process.
Help a Teen Start a 3D Printing Business
Many people are now considering starting a business in the 3D print world, but not many are as young and ambitious as Michael Becerra.
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.
Attempt to 3D Print Zolaâs Train Reveals a Truth of 3D Design
Yale assistant professor of French Morgane Cadieu transformed a literary description of a train into a real 3D print. But sheâs demonstrated a barrier to 3D printing by doing so.
Anaheim Ducks Reach Out With 3D Printing
The National Hockey Leagueâs Anaheim Ducks recently involved 3D printing in an educational initiative.
Tips on Painting a 3D Printed Model
German designer Guido Mandorf presents a very good tutorial on painting printed 3D models on i.Materialise.
Hiding 3D Print Quality Issues
Does the quality of 3D printers vary among machines? Yes. Is it possible to hide flaws? Also, yes.
Free Course on 3D Printing Technology
Deloitte University Press is offering an introductory course on 3D printing aimed at business and professionals.
MyStemKits Launches
Today MyStemKits launched on Kickstarter, with the goal of providing effective 3D prints for educators.
Open3DPâs Polymer Guide For 3D Printing
Researchers at the University of Washington have put together a quick guide to chemically binding 3D printing materials.
RichRap Explores Slicing Parameters
Fabbaloo friend Richard Horn has produced a detailed tutorial on how best to produce strong 3D printed parts.
More Quick Advice on 3D Print Design
Following up from our post on designing for use, reader Mark Lynch pointed out his terrific list of design tips 3D printing.
Design for Purpose
People who are new to personal 3D printing sometimes learn the hard way that you must design for purpose.
3D Printed Art Engages Children
An art exhibition at a K-12 school in India converted imaginary objects from the minds of children to become real objects.
A Few Flashforge 3D Printer Tips
The folks at the University of Washingtonâs Mechanical Engineering Departmentâs Solheim Additive Manufacturing Laboratory apparently like fixing their Flashforge 3D printers.
3D Printing Microscopic Surface Tutorial
Andrés Gómez has produced a simple tutorial for 3D printing a surface obtained with atomic force microscopy.
Can Less Privileged Children Use 3D Printing?
3D printing today is expensive, even for consumers. Does this mean only the rich can make use of 3D printing? We donât think so.
3D Printing or Injection Molding?
This could be the question if youâre thinking of making many copies of an object: Should you 3D print or injection mold.
Build Your Own 3D Printer, Step-by-Step
Build your own 3D printer? Thatâs too difficult. Or is it?
3D Printed Robotics Club Gains Award
MakerClub, a UK-based 3D printed robotics organization, has received a large award to explore educational opportunities.
How to Test Your 3D Printerâs Performance
Have you ever wondered how to measure the quality of your personal 3D printerâs output? Now thereâs a standard way to do so.
Easy Overmolding For Your 3D Prints
SolidSmack details a terrifically simple solution to apply overmolds to your 3D prints.
This 3D Printed Xenomorph Suit is Getting Scary
James Brutonâs project to create a full scale, wearable Xenomorph suit is looking terrifying.
An eBook for 3D Print Entrepreneurs
Fascinated with 3D printing and the potential business opportunities offered by the technology? Thereâs an eBook for that.
3D Printed Robots from The Poppy Project
Robotics and often 3D printing go together and now thereâs a project specifically for that.
Free Additive Manufacturing Introductory Course
Are you in a business faced with a transition to 3D printing technology? Thereâs a course for that.
An Introduction to Support Structures
Weâve found a terrific introductory video explaining the reasons for use of support structures when 3D printing.
Refining the Lost-PLA Burnout Process for 3D Printed Metal Casting
The folks at the University of Washingtonâs Mechanical Engineering Department have been refining the process of metal casting using 3D printed PLA.
Personal 3D Printing Safety Concerns
Youâve bought and installed a 3D printer in your home. What should you be worried about?
A 3D Printed Chainmail Tutorial
Have you ever wanted to 3D print fabric? Thereâs a tutorial for that.
MakerBotâs Extruder Woes?
MakerBot introduced an advanced extruder earlier this year, but it seems people are having trouble with it.
Learn the Secrets of 3D Fashion Design
If you have any notion of creating your own 3D printed fashion, youâd best take advantage of this opportunity.
Ultimakerâs CREATE Education Program
Ultimakerâs UK branch, Ultimaker GB, has launched a program to bring 3D printing to schools.
Make Certain Your 3D Modelâs Bottom is Flat
If it hasnât happened to you yet, it will in the future: prints with not-quite flat bottoms.
The Challenges of Self-Made 3D Printer Filament
3D Hubs has been doing some experiments with their Filabot to prepare their own printer filament.
Make Your PLA 3D Prints Stick
Weâre written about the perils of ABS plastic warping and not sticking to your print surface, but what about PLA? Are there solutions? Is it even a problem?
The Eight Fundamental 3D Printing Prep Functions
3D printing a model is often not as simple as just hitting the âprintâ button. There are several operations you may need to do to your model before hitting that button.
How to 3D Print in Metal – At Home!
Extraordinary 3D printing experimenter Cosmo Wenman has come up with a feasible technique for producing metal objects using a personal 3D printer.
Making, 3D Printing a Part of Egypt’s Change
It was another testy day in the post-revolution Cairo of 2012, with protestors and police crowding streets that threatened to erupt into violence.
The Miracle of 3D Printing: Holding Your Thoughts
Weâre watching a video showing the effect 3D printing can have on schoolchildren.
Capturing Die Viktoria
This is the true story of how a massive 19th century German sculpture made its way into our 3D printers.
3D Printing Winged Victory
Every once in a while you bump into an incredible 3D print. We did and we wanted to make it, too. Thus began our Winged Victory Project.
How to Smooth Your PLA 3D Prints
Matthew Gorton of PrintedSolid seems to have found a way to smooth PLA prints.
Near Disaster While 3D Printing
Whatâs the worst thing that could happen to you while 3D printing? You could die. And it almost happened.
Stratasys Gets on the Bus
Stratasys announced an eight-month, 3D road trip that will showcase their tech across the USA.
Hair: The Bane of 3D Scanning
Those of you who attempt 3D scans of your friends with inexpensive Kinect-based scanning solutions will definitely have feelings about hairstyles.
3D Printingâs Pathological Geometries
As you become accustomed to making objects on your personal 3D printer, youâll soon learn there are several pathological geometric shapes you will hate.
Tomâs Leveling Video
Thomas Sanladerer presents a video explaining how to level the bed on your 3D printer.
What Does âExperimental 3D Printingâ Mean, Anyway?
The phrase âexperimental 3D printingâ has been used by several manufacturers, but what does it really mean?
A Spectacular Paint of 3D Model
You know how to paint your 3D prints? Just spray âem! Nope – thereâs a much better way we found at Redicubricks.
How Much Filament Do You Use? More Than You Have?
Filament management turns out to be an important task when using plastic extrusion personal 3D printers.
The Two Things You Must Do For Successful 3D Printing
If youâre using a filament-based personal 3D printer, thereâs two major things you must get right to succeed.
How To Build Your Own 3D Printer from E-Waste
A new Instructables describes how one maker designed and built a working 3D printer using, well, junk.
Spooling Issues can Spoil Your 3D Print
Of the numerous issues that can fail your 3D print, spooling issues are among the most frequent.
Making Long Duration 3D Prints More Reliable
The most spectacular 3D prints are often those that take a significant length of time to print. But how do you ensure the print completes?
Shrinkage: A Problem of 3D Measurement
When 3D printing objects, sometimes the size of the object matters, and sometimes it doesnât. Shrinkage can be a major issue.
MIT Offers 3D Printing Overview
MITâs Professional Education division now offers a course specifically on Additive Manufacturing.
How To Make Any 3D Printed Part Much Stronger
A persistent issue with 3D printed parts, particularly those printed on lesser machines, is strength and durability. They arenât quite as strong as injection molded parts. Now there could be a way to easily rectify this problem.
3D Printing Hurts!
Everyone knows that personal 3D printing can be a ton of fun, but did you know it can also be hazardous to your personal appendages? We certainly do.
A Visual Tour of Lost-PLA Casting
Thereâs a gallery of images available that demonstrate the process of lost-PLA casting to create a metal object using 3D printing.
ITERâs 3D Printing Benefits Are Those Many Could Have
ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor involves work at many locations. One of them is the US Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where theyâve discovered some interesting uses for 3D printing.
A Book on 3D Printing
Want to know more about 3D printing? Thereâs a ebook now available for download.
Friction Welding Your 3D Prints
A common technique to successfully 3D print complex objects is to print separate pieces and then glue them together. But are there other techniques for joining pieces together? Apparently yes.
The Scoop on ABS and PLA
Most personal 3D printers use PLA or ABS plastic, but how much do you actually know about these materials? Aside from the fact that ABS’s melting temperature is somewhat higher than PLA, and that ABS is somewhat stronger than PLA, most 3D printer owners could be challenged to say more. Don’t fear: there is… Continue reading The Scoop on ABS and PLA
Keeping The Heat in 3D Printing
Most 3D printer owners quickly discover the perils of printing ABS plastic in a cold or even room temperature environment. The quirky material shrinks a small amount when it cools after emerging from the hot extruder. This often leads to warping, as the lower portions of the print shrink and the newer portions are still… Continue reading Keeping The Heat in 3D Printing
Top 10 Handheld 3D Scanning Tips
At the Fabbaloo Lab we’ve performed 3D scans using a variety of handheld scanning equipment, ranging from el-cheapo Microsoft Kinect hacks to pricey USD$50K units. The experience can be both frustrating and elating; it’s normally a learning process of discovering what to do and what not to do. Today we thought we’d list a few… Continue reading Top 10 Handheld 3D Scanning Tips
3D Printed Skulls Help Teach Future Brain Surgeons
Brain surgery is notoriously difficult with surgeons spending years honing their craft. Given the need for more hands-on practice performing surgical operations, researchers at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur have created a 3D printed skull that can provide just that. Using scans of each layer of the human skull, Vicknes Waran, professor… Continue reading 3D Printed Skulls Help Teach Future Brain Surgeons
Digital Crafts: A Book for Artists Exploring 3D Printing
We’ve checked out a new book that is specifically designed to assist artists who enter the world of 3D printing and digital design. The book contains many case studies involving not only digital design using 3D CAD software, but also the process of 3D printing using contemporary equipment and 3D scanning. There’s even information… Continue reading Digital Crafts: A Book for Artists Exploring 3D Printing
The Five Most Important 3D Printing Tips You Must Know
If you have a plastic extrusion-based personal 3D printer, there’s some things you’d better know. This printing technology has its quirks regardless of the brand and model of machine you’re using. We’ve put together a few of the most basic things to know before you get started. Level The Bed: Perhaps the single most… Continue reading The Five Most Important 3D Printing Tips You Must Know
The Ethical Filament Foundation
Do you know where your 3D printer plastic filament came from? Do you know who produced it, and how they did it? Is it possible you purchased 3D printer filament that was made by children, perhaps in dangerous environments? It seems that some filament is produced in third world countries by having the poor… Continue reading The Ethical Filament Foundation
Making Prints Stick: Some Tips
The folks at ProtoParadigm have produced a terrific list of tips on how to reduce or eliminate the deadly warping effect that plagues personal 3D printers. There’s nothing worse than discovering a time-consuming mess caused by a print that lifted off the bed. The warping itself isn’t such a problem; it’s that the warping… Continue reading Making Prints Stick: Some Tips
MakerBot’s Leap into Classrooms
At this year’s 3D Printshow, MakerBot CEO Bre Pettis expressed his unhappiness with the current US educational system, which has largely removed “making” courses from the curriculum. As a student, Pettis enjoyed “shop classes” where he no doubt picked up the making bug. But how can this happen today? MakerBot is attempting to change… Continue reading MakerBot’s Leap into Classrooms
Three Ways to Embed Bolts in Your 3D Prints
Courtesy of industrial designer David Bernhardt, we’ve been able to examine this example of embedding bolts. Actually, the piece demonstrates not one, but three different ways to put a bolt in your print. The first way is visually obvious – the head of the bolt is inside the print, while the shaft is free. … Continue reading Three Ways to Embed Bolts in Your 3D Prints
3D Printing Curriculum Available
3D printer manufacturer Afinia has partnered with education supplier Pitsco to develop a comprehensive solution for teachers looking to educate their students on 3D printing. Pitsco develops and markets packaged educational curriculums, which contain lessons and examples targeted at grades 6-9 students. The 3D printing package description: This curriculum is designed for three… Continue reading 3D Printing Curriculum Available