Stratasys has patented a simplified approach for tuning 3D printers, which could have major implications in the future.
news
From Surf Breaks to Build Plates: El Segundo’s Quiet Rise as a Hardware Startup Hub
Charles R. Goulding explains how El Segundo is quietly becoming a hardware startup hotspot, where deep aerospace roots, advanced 3D printing, and a surf-and-lift culture are combining to fuel the next generation of serious manufacturing innovation.
Patent Outlines Heat-Aided Finishing For Thermoset AM Parts
A new US patent application proposes a heat-aided abrasion method to speed finishing of additively manufactured thermoset parts.
BamBuddy Launches as Open-Source Alternative to Bambu Lab’s Cloud
A new open-source tool is ready to help manage your Bambu Lab 3D prints.
Hands on with GenPHA Filament
We had the chance to test out a new type of 3D print material, PHA.
Growing Ecosystem of Printers, Materials, and Brands Signals Rise of 3D Printed Shoes
There seems to be something afoot in the footwear industry.
Five Breakthrough Industries Shaping 2026 — and Why Additive Manufacturing Is Embedded in All of Them
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi predict which industries will have the most significant impact in 2026.
Patent Proposes Alternating-Polarity Electrophotographic 3D Printing
A new patent outlines an electrophotographic powder process that flips powder polarity between layers to curb charge build-up and enable cleaner, denser prints.
Washington Bill Would Require Weapon-Blocking Software in 3D Printers
Two US states appear to be launching new laws to prevent 3D printing of weapons.
After LIMIT3D Irons, Cobra Deepens Investment in 3D Printing With New Putter Line
Golf equipment maker Cobra has gone deeper into metal 3D printing with the announcement of an entire family of putters.
Velo3D Signs US Army Agreement On LPBF
Velo3D has struck a new agreement with the U.S. Army to accelerate qualification of metal 3D printed parts that could relieve ground-vehicle supply bottlenecks.
Industrial AI and the Next Revolution: Siemens and NVIDIA at CES 2026
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi spotlight why Siemens believes AI-driven digital twins are now as essential to industry as electricity once was, and how NVIDIA’s computing power makes that vision real.
Patent Proposes Multiangle Centrifuge For Resin Print Cleaning
A newly published US patent describes a multiangle centrifuge that tilts build plates during spin to strip viscous resin from complex parts.
Xact Metal Achieves Year-Over-Year Order Growth While Other Companies Struggle
Xact Metal announced they’ve achieved very significant growth this year.
Metal Additive Manufacturing in CO2 Shows Promise for Mars Missions
New research suggests laser melting metal parts in a CO2 atmosphere could be “good enough” for Mars, and maybe cheaper on Earth too.
MechStyle Keeps AI Stylized Models From Snapping
MechStyle blends generative AI stylization with mechanical simulation so your “make it brick” prompt does not accidentally create a fragile print.
Design of the Week: Clippy
This week’s selection is Clippy by MakerWorld contributor PrintBusters.
Study Benchmarks Shrinkage Monitoring For 3D Printed Concrete
A new research paper benchmarks ways to measure early age shrinkage in 3D printed cementitious mixes and points to practical low cost setups that labs and contractors could deploy quickly.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, January 18. 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
Rebuilding Venezuela’s Oil & Gas Infrastructure and 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Anthony Palumbo examine how Venezuela’s long-declining oil and gas sector could accelerate infrastructure recovery by using industrial 3D printing to produce qualified spare parts, retrofit obsolete equipment, and reduce maintenance lead times, drawing on Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Baker Hughes, and SLB case examples.
LithoBulb Transforms Lithophanes Into Spherical, Light-Driven 3D Prints
You know all about Lithophanes, but have you heard of LithoBulbs?
Home 3D Printing Experiment Demonstrates Potential for Low-Cost Custom Orthotics
There could be a way for anyone to personally manufacture their own orthotics.
Two Photon Printing Microdevices Inside Living Cells
Two photon polymerization has now moved from “on cells” to “inside cells”, opening a strange, new frontier.
Chinese 3D Printer Output Reportedly Doubled in 2025, According to National Statistics
A report from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics reveals something interesting about the 3D print industry.
Patent Proposes Variable Frequency Microwave 3D Printer
A new patent describes a printer that cures deposited material with variable frequency microwaves, eliminating separate post curing.
Hands on with the PollyFab Flux 3D Printed Shoe
PollyFab is a global lifestyle brand, producing 3D-printed accessories and shoes.
Forensic Specialists Use 3D-Printed Replicas to Improve Autopsy Analysis
I’m always on the lookout for unusual 3D printer applications, and this is certainly one: autopsy analysis.
BIQU’s AJAX TD1S Provides Instant Filament Color Identification
It seems every week BIQU has something new for us. This time they have an unusual colour accessory.
University of North Carolina’s Research Strategy and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine how UNC Chapel Hill’s pragmatic research strategy, shaped by federal funding cuts and pharma reshoring, is positioning 3D printing and life-science innovation as a critical pillar of the Research Triangle’s next growth phase.
Patent Reimagines Editable Tree 3D Supports
A newly published patent outlines editable, tree-style supports with controllable penetration tips to cut support count and stabilize tricky overhangs.
Prusa Research Explores New Prusament Filament Concepts
Prusa Research is looking for your help.
Metal Powder Works’ DirectPowder Process Produces AM Metal Powder Without Heat
I’m looking at Metal Powder Works’ energy-efficient method of producing metal powder for AM.
Sovol Releases New SV08 Max Enclosure
Sovol is pitching its SV08 Max Enclosure Kit as a simple way to control temperature swings that routinely ruin prints, especially with higher-performance filaments.
From Mountains to Micro-Layers: Italy’s Abruzzo Region Prints the Future of Food
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how in Abruzzo, a region better known for sheep trails and red wine, Italian researchers are 3D printing plant-based foods designed for Earth, orbit, and beyond.
Patent: Cooling Unlocks Large-Volume Volumetric AM
A new patent outlines a cooled volumetric 3D printing architecture that promises bigger parts and faster builds.
FFF Filament Prices Continue to Fall as Competition Pushes PLA Into Commodity Range
What are the typical prices for FFF filament these days?
Filament2 Secures Patent for Coaxial Extrusion System Enabling New FFF Materials
Filament2 has secured a patent for their highly unusual coaxial extrusion system.
BCN3D Launches Omega I60 G2, Its First New System Since Acquisition
BCN3D announced a new version of their Omega I60 industrial 3D printer, the G2.
Carbon-Capturing Materials and the Push for Sustainable Additive Manufacturing
Anthony Palumbo and Charles Goulding examine how emerging carbon-negative construction materials, combined with advances in sustainable additive manufacturing and 3D printing, signal a structural shift toward climate-positive manufacturing and construction ecosystems.
Patent Outlines Cylindrical Rotary Inkjet 3D Printer
A newly published Chinese patent describes a cylindrical, continuously rotating inkjet 3D printer that aims to boost jet on time and throughput.
Bambu Lab Launches Creator Copyright Support Program to Combat 3D Model Theft
Bambu Lab announced a new “Creator Copyright Support” program.
Rotoforge Explores Friction-Based Metal 3D Printing for Desktop-Scale Systems
The Rotoforge project is developing a low-cost, open-source, metal 3D printer based on the Ender-3 platform.
Erika Prints Offers Scrap-to-Filament Program to Recycle Desktop 3D Printing Waste
Want to recycle your 3D print scraps? There’s a way that can lower your material costs.
Hybrid AFP-FFF Head For Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber
A new Chinese patent describes a robotic toolhead that blends automatic fiber placement with FFF for thermoplastic carbon fiber parts.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, January 11, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
Printing With the Planet: The Rise of 3D Printed Rammed Earth Architecture
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider how rammed earth, one of humanity’s oldest building techniques, is discovering new life through large-scale 3D printing and redefining what sustainable housing can look like. For most of human history, people built with the ground beneath their feet. Earth, compacted and shaped by hand, formed walls that were… Continue reading Printing With the Planet: The Rise of 3D Printed Rammed Earth Architecture
Sweet Robo Introduces ChocoPrint, a Commercial Chocolate 3D Printing Vending Machine
There’s another chocolate 3D printer option on the market: ChocoPrint.
AI Adoption in 3D Printing Should Accelerate Despite Early Failures and Skepticism
Where is AI going in the 3D print world?
Build List Aggregates Regional 3D Printing and Manufacturing Services in a Single Directory
Looking for a smaller, regional 3D print service? Build List can find that for you.
Patent Reveals Single-Sided Ultrasonic Levitation Printing
A newly published patent proposes a single-sided ultrasonic levitation printer that maintains contactless deposition even when obstacles and conveyors disturb the sound field.
Closed Loop Reference Method Optimizes FFF Accuracy
Researchers propose a new closed loop reference optimization for extrusion 3D printing.
Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 4
Our look at the Creality K2 Pro Combo 3D printer concludes with final thoughts. This is part four of a four part series, please read parts one, two and three. Creality K2 Pro Combo Final Thoughts Much like the smaller K2, the K2 Pro Combo’s packaging has been well thought out. Not only does it… Continue reading Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 4
Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 3
Our review of the Creality K2 Pro Combo 3D printer continues with a look at print results. This is part three of a four part series, please read parts one, two and four. Creality K2 Pro Combo Print Results The first job we sliced consisted of several calibration tests that we typically run, all combined… Continue reading Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 3
Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 2
Our review of the Creality K2 Pro Combo 3D printer continues with a look at setup, calibration, operations and software. This is part two of a four part series, please read parts one, three and four. Creality K2 Pro Combo Setup and Calibration When we flipped the power switch on the K2 Pro, it powered… Continue reading Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 2
Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 1
We’ve just finished testing Creality’s K2 Pro Combo 3D printer. This is part one of a four part series, please read parts two, three and four. Creality K2 Pro Combo Background Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd., better known as Creality, is one of the leading brands in desktop 3D printers, established in 2014. Creality… Continue reading Hands on with the Creality K2 Pro Combo, Part 1
Clay: Earth’s Abundant Material and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how earth-derived calcined clay cement is reshaping 3D printed construction by reducing carbon emissions, simplifying materials, and bringing buildings literally back to the ground they stand on.
One-Shot Camera Extrusion Optimization Targets High-Speed FFF
Researchers propose a one-shot, camera-based method to optimize extrusion for high-speed FFF.
Metalens-Based TPL Method Achieves 1,000× Print Speed Increase
There could be a way to dramatically scale up the two-photon lithography process.
Rising Microplastic Exposure Raises New Concerns for Filament-Swapping 3D Printers
There’s more dire news about microplastics.
3Drop Simplifies 3D Model Discovery by Searching Thingiverse, Printables, MakerWorld, and More
There’s another meta-search engine for printable 3D models you should try: 3Drop.
SharpaWave: The Robotic Hand that is the Wave of the Future for 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi connect the dots between a new mass-produced robotic hand, decades of end-effector engineering, and the expanding role of 3D printing in building smarter machines.
Open Troubleshooting Guide For Common 3D Printing Failures
A new open 3D Printing Troubleshooting Guide could reduce failures across desktop and industrial workflows.
Palette 300 Enters Low-Waste FFF Market With Rotating 12-Nozzle System
AtomForm has launched a new multicolor 3D printer, the Palette 300.
Bambu Lab Did Not Patent an A2 Model
Bambu Lab was awarded a patent for what is not an unannounced A2 model.
Patent Proposes Magnetic 3D Printing Of Recycled FRP
A new patent outlines a way to recycle fiber reinforced plastics waste into magnetically aligned, FFF-printed composites.
The Boeing, Airbus Role Reversal and 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Jacob Nolan examine how a shifting Airbus–Boeing rivalry, combined with 3D printing and tighter supply chain control, is redefining execution and advantage in modern aerospace.
PEEK/PEI Blends Tackle High-Temperature FFF Printability
A new study explores PEEK and PEI blends to make high temperature FFF more printable without losing performance.
Hitem3D Releases Version 2.0 With Integrated Texture Generation for Higher-Fidelity 3D Models
AI company Hitem3D has released a new version of their 3D generation service.
Panda Treat Add-On Allows Bambu Lab 3D Printers to Deposit Edible Materials
BIQU has released another highly unusual 3D printer add on, the Panda Treat.
Black Buffalo 3D Seeks Bankruptcy Protection in Competitive 3D Construction Market
A 3DCP equipment manufacturer has apparently filed for bankruptcy.
Design of the Week: Swimming Shark Automata
This week’s selection is the Swimming Shark Automata by Cults contributor AMAO.
Piezoelectric 3D Printed Resonators Enable Tiny Robots
Researchers demonstrated autonomous miniature robots that use piezoelectric-actuated 3D printed resonators to move and steer.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, January 4, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
3D Printing Enters the Oil & Gas Era: Aramco’s US$30 Billion U.S. Partnerships and the Additive Manufacturing Opportunity
Anthony Palumbo and Charles Goulding analyze how Saudi Aramco’s US$30 billion-plus U.S. partnership framework signals a strategic inflection point for additive manufacturing, positioning 3D printing as a core enabler of localized production, digital spare-parts supply chains, and advanced materials integration across next-generation oil and gas infrastructure.
Co Print Unveils Quadro, a Low-Cost Waste-Free Multicolor FFF 3D Printer
There is yet another waste-free desktop FFF 3D printer coming to market: the Co Print Quadro.
PollyPolymer Emerges as New Chinese Competitor in Industrial Resin 3D Printing
The West may face a new competitor in 3D printing, PollyPolymer.
COBOD Reveals Real-World Cost and Time Savings From 3DCP Project
Hints at the true cost of 3DCP have been published by COBOD.
Bambu Lab Signals New Product Path as 3D Printable Footwear Enters Crowdfunding
A curious announcement from Bambu Lab shows an interesting option to 3D print your own footwear.
T250 CoreXY Design Demonstrates Sub-Two-Minute #3DBenchy With Radical Motion and Cooling System
What is the world’s fastest 3D printer? It’s probably the T250.
Yale University and Forte 3D Co-Design the Hybrid Carbon Fiber Cello: A High-Note in Music and Technology
Charles R. Goulding traces how Yale University’s unique commitment to elite, fully funded music education and its collaboration with Forte 3D on a hybrid carbon fiber cello—supported by Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner and praised by Yo-Yo Ma—signals a pivotal moment where 3D printing, traditional craftsmanship, and live musical experience converge to expand access, durability,… Continue reading Yale University and Forte 3D Co-Design the Hybrid Carbon Fiber Cello: A High-Note in Music and Technology
What Was The Most Important Development in 3D Printing in 2025?
Today turns out to be the end of the year, so it is time to reflect on the past and look forward.
The World’s Greatest Banker Invests in US Innovation
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi analyze Jamie Dimon’s recent Security & Resiliency Initiative (SRI), which strategically funds US defense and innovation projects.
Slant 3D Forecasts Deployment of 1.5 Million 3D Printers Over the Next Decade
Slant 3D expects to operate 1.5 million 3D printers in the next ten years.
Custom 3D Printed Boot Liners Emerge as Potential New Market for Additive Manufacturing
A new 3D print application has appeared: boot liners.
Safran’s Big Bet on India and the Future of 3D Printed Engines
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at how Safran’s full-engine tech transfer to India and its deep investment in additive manufacturing signal a major shift in global aerospace power. Europe is boosting defense spending, and that shift is giving serious momentum to companies with proven strength in propulsion, avionics, and next-generation manufacturing. Safran sits… Continue reading Safran’s Big Bet on India and the Future of 3D Printed Engines
New Free Looprint Utility Enables Hands-Free Batch Production
Looprint could be one of the most useful free utilities for Bambu Lab 3D printer operators.
Anycubic Launches Kobra X 3D Printer With First-of-Its-Kind “3D Print Guarantee” Program
Anycubic has launched a very unusual “3D print guarantee” along with their new Kobra X 3D printer.
Design of the Week: iPhone Fold Replica
This week’s selection is the iPhone Fold Replica by MakerWorld contributor Subsy.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, December 28, 2025
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
The Biotech Investment Backstop — And What It Means for 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi demonstrate how biotech is getting a boost from stronger pharma buyers, smarter use of 3D printing, and new OBBBA tax incentives that make early-stage R&D far easier to fund.
Teen 3D Printing Success Sparks Misconceptions: Why Most Makers Won’t Earn Millions
A recent story suggests anyone can make huge money with their 3D printer. It’s not that simple.
Stratasys–Novineer Partnership Brings Toolpath-Aware Generative Optimization to GrabCAD
Stratasys announced a very interesting partnership with Novineer.
Wireless Sensing In 3D Printed Metals: Magnetoelastic Inclusions
New research proposes wireless, embedded sensing for 3D printed metal parts using magnetoelastic and thermomagnetic inclusions.
Start Small, Think Global: The Case for Early Expansion
Charles R. Goulding advocates that setting up international business operations at the early stages of a company’s growth can greatly impact its success in the future.
Magnesium 3D Printing Edges Closer To Clinical Use
A new review examines how magnesium containing materials and additive processes could turn patient specific, resorbable bone repairs into reality.