This week’s selection is the TwinJet Speedboat by Printables contributor 3_Dave.
news
Can Electropolishing Reach the Roughest Parts of an LPBF Lattice?
Here’s a really common problem in metal 3D printing: LPBF can make shapes that are almost impossible to machine — and then you discover they’re also almost impossible to finish.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, September 6, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
How 3D Printing Turned Simple Fidget Clickers into a Thriving Business While Helping Neurodivergent Users
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi describe why 3D printing proved to be the perfect manufacturing solution for customizable fidget toys that are making a meaningful difference for neurodivergent users.
3D Printed Tornado Storm Shelters?
I’m reading about a potential application for 3DCP: tornado shelters.
Could AI-Generated Software Keep Aging 3D Printers Operational?
Could the aging software barrier be broken in 3D printing?
UltiMaker Emphasizes NATO-Aligned Security as Competition Intensifies
Is UltiMaker going “secure”? I’ve watched the desktop 3D printing industry since it began more than 15 years ago, and in the years following, almost all of the original companies have disappeared. Some suddenly, while others gradually faded away. One that’s still around is UltiMaker. They have been quite successful in the past, developing robust… Continue reading UltiMaker Emphasizes NATO-Aligned Security as Competition Intensifies
Chinese Patent Proposes Swappable Hotends For Multimaterial FFF
Changing filament in a multimaterial FFF printer usually means pushing the new material through the old hotend until the previous material is gone. A Chinese patent proposes a different solution: leave the extruder in place and swap the hotend underneath it.
Single Laser Tracks Tame 200 Micron Aluminum LPBF Lattices
A single laser pass per wall produced 200µm aluminum lattices that behaved remarkably close to their computer models.
MAASS Developing Full-Color Six-Vat Resin 3D Printer
There’s a full-colour resin 3D printer in the works.
Researcher Reports Potential Account Takeover Security Issue in Lychee Slicer
Do you use the Lychee Slicer? It seems there is a security issue with the software.
Carbon Patent Adds Laser Cleanup To Resin Printing
Resin 3D printing usually treats excess material as a post-processing problem. Carbon’s latest patent application proposes dealing with it while the part is still inside the printer.
Stanley Black & Decker’s US$1 Billion U.S. Manufacturing and R&D Bet Could Be a Gold Mine for 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi see a familiar Gold Rush story unfolding in American manufacturing, where the biggest opportunities for 3D printing may come from supplying the tools that enable the next industrial expansion.
Researchers Investigate TPU-CF Properties
Researchers have produced a carbon filled TPU filament that stays flexible while becoming dramatically stiffer and electrically conductive.
Knowledge Guided AI Designs Stronger, More Printable Metal Alloys
A new machine learning approach has designed metal alloys and their printing parameters at the same time.
US Navy’s New Rules Could Boost US Metal 3D Printing Industry
The US Navy made a very important announcement regarding their use of 3D print technology.
Bambu Lab School Ambassadors Bring 3D Printing and Making to Thousands
Bambu Lab has launched its 2026 School Ambassador program in North America.
3D Systems Patent Moves The Build Plane Through Liquid
3D Systems proposes a vat photopolymerization system that moves its build plane downward by pumping a dense transparent fluid away, while a projector follows the changing focus position.
The Universal Instruments Patent Wall: Connecting Past Innovation to the Future of Manufacturing
Charles Goulding and Lia Palumbo explore the Universal Instruments patent wall as a reflection of engineering innovation, highlighting the role patents play in advancing technology. They also examine the Southern Tier’s legacy of innovation, the importance of workforce development, and the impact of emerging technologies on the future of manufacturing.
Knowledge Guided AI Designs Stronger, More Printable Metal Alloys
A new machine learning approach has designed metal alloys and their laser printing parameters at the same time.
Lightmake L4 Four-Tool IDEX 3D Printer Launches on Kickstarter
Lightmake’s four-tool IDEX 3D printer is now live on Kickstarter.
Key Findings From VoxelMatters’ 2025 Polymer 3D Printing Industry Report
VoxelMatters released their latest additive manufacturing state of the industry report on polymers, and it’s full of interesting items.
EOS Patent Shapes Laser Beams To Reduce Metal Cracks
A laser beam with a deliberately abrupt edge may help metal powder bed fusion produce fewer hot cracks.
Surgical Robots: What J&J’s OTTAVA Means for Physical AI and the Future of Medical Procedures
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look at OTTAVA’s evolution from surgical robotics to intelligent healthcare automation, and why the 3D printing industry should be watching closely.
Can Pine Cones Make Better 3D Printing Filament?
A new study from Romania turns discarded Scots pine cones into PLA filament and finds that the best recipe uses a surprisingly small amount of forest waste.
Creality Reveals SPARKX i8 With Four-Filament QuarTeks Extrusion System
Creality has released some details on a very intriguing new desktop 3D printer, the SPARKX i8, a multicolor FFF system.
Lawrence Livermore Patent Uses Z-Pinch For Metal Droplet Printing
What if a metal printer could use the molten metal itself as both the printing material and the actuator?
Modly Brings Free, Open-Source AI 3D Model Generation to Your Desktop
Want to generate 3D models on your own computer? You can!
Design of the Week: Sleep Apnea Mouthguard
This week’s selection is the Sleep Apnea Mouthguard by OVENTUS and CSIRO.
Model Targets More Reliable FFF Filament Bonding
A research team has proposed an uncertainty aware method to improve the weakest link in FFF: bonding between neighboring layers.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, August 30, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
A Bridge Between Cambridges: 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Ari Willick examine how Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Cambridge, England, are advancing the future of 3D printing.
Tripo P2.0 Preview Generates 3D Models With Up to 50,000 Triangles
Tripo AI released Tripo P2.0 Preview, which has a unique method to generate 3D models.
E3D Partners With Bondtech to Develop Abrasive-Resistant INDX Nozzle
There’s now another party involved in the INDX hardened nozzle situation: E3D.
Hands On with the SUNLU FilaDC i10 Filament Dehumidifying Cabinet
We’re now testing the huge ten spool SUNLU FilaDC i10 filament dryer.
SPELL3D Developing a Compact Pellet Extruder for Desktop FGF 3D Printing
A project is underway to develop an effective desktop FGF 3D printer.
HeyGears Looking at Automated Resin 3D Printing Production
HeyGears has filed a patent describing what looks like a highly automated resin 3D printing production system, including automatic part removal, resin drainage, recycling and job sorting.
Physics Informed ML Could Improve FFF Print Quality
A new research paper takes a look at whether physics-informed machine learning could make FFF process predictions useful without requiring enormous amounts of experimental data.
3D Printed Aircraft Accessories Unapproved by FAA
The US FAA notified aircraft operators of unapproved 3D printed parts.
Hands On with the SUNLU FilaDryer S4 Pro
We’ve been testing the FilaDryer S4 Pro from SUNLU.
AtomForm Patent Reveals Palette 300 Nozzle Carousel Details
Earlier this year we wrote about the unusual AtomForm Palette 300 and its 12-nozzle swapping system. Now a newly granted patent gives us a much better look at how part of that system works.
Ford, Harley-Davidson, and the 3D Printing Design Shift
Anthony Palumbo and Charles Goulding explore how Ford and Harley-Davidson are using faster, more flexible design systems as they reposition major vehicle programs, including Ford’s next-generation F-150 Lightning and Harley-Davidson’s planned return of an attainable, highly customizable Sportster.
Can Waste Plastic Filament Become Usable Filament?
A Zenodo indexed study examines the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts made with extruded waste plastic filament, highlighting a persistent challenge for recycled material programs: proving consistent performance beyond the filament spool.
Report: Bambu Lab Starts Development of a Consumer UV Printer
Could Bambu Lab launch a UV printer?
3D Systems Patent Describes Faster Sloped Resin Printing
3D Systems has patented an unusual resin 3D printing method that could point toward a larger high speed photopolymer architecture.
Building a New Structural Polymer Platform:An Interview with Z-Polymers’ Mike Zimmerman
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe interview Dr. Mike Zimmerman, founder and CEO fo Z-Polymers and gain insight into the company’s high-performance fibers and filaments.
Bayesian Optimization Targets FFF Quality Tradeoffs
A new approach to tuning FFF print parameters could help manufacturers find settings that work reliably, rather than settings that simply look best in one test.
Why UV Printers Are Suddenly Everywhere and How They Differ From 3D Printers
Why are there all these UV printers suddenly on the market? What are they, anyway?
Continuous Composites’ Fibre Seek Lawsuit Has A Financial Backstory
Continuous Composites’ new patent lawsuit against Fibre Seek looks a bit different once you examine the company’s recent financial troubles and the legal battle with the lawyers who won its previous patent case. Continuous Composites, or “CCI”, has been developing continuous fiber composite 3D printing technology for many years. Its patent family goes back all… Continue reading Continuous Composites’ Fibre Seek Lawsuit Has A Financial Backstory
Prusa Patent Describes Handheld 3D Print Repair Multitool
Prusa has filed a patent a handheld multitool intended specifically for repairing and finishing 3D prints.
From Plato to Prototypes: Greece’s New Chapter in 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi explore how Greece is leveraging additive manufacturing to strengthen advanced manufacturing while drawing inspiration from a legacy of innovation that stretches back to antiquity.
Can The Resin 3D Printing Waste Problem Be Solved?
A new research paper looks at something resin 3D printing has never been particularly good at: dealing with what happens to the leftover material after printing.
Why US States Are Pursuing 3D Printer Gun-Detection Laws
Why are multiple US states suddenly pursuing technically impossible 3D printer regulations?
Kalogon Uses 3D Printed Variable-Density Lattices for Customized Supportive Seating
I bumped into a new 3D-printed application: supportive seating.
Design of the Week: Supersonic Trebuchet
This week’s selection is the Supersonic Trebuchet by YouTuber Tom Stanton.
Wood PLA Is More Sensitive to Nozzle Size Than You Might Think
A new study looks at something most 3D printer operators might not think about: how much the nozzle diameter can change the performance of wood-filled PLA.
Celebrating the Voice Behind Fabbaloo
The last time I interviewed Kerry Stevenson it was for Fabbaloo’s 10th Anniversary. This isn’t an interview but I am writing about him again.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, August 23, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
Looking Ahead to IMTS 2026: Where Machine Tools, Automation, and Additive Manufacturing Converge
Charles R. Goulding describes his hopes for the IMTS 2026 event in Chicago this September.
California’s AB 2047 3D Printer Bill Is Weakened but Expands to Industrial Machines
The saga of California’s 3D printer bill, AB2047, has played out in the most unusual fashion.
Hi3D Upgrades AI 3D Platform With Better Resolution and Cleaner Meshes
Hi3D has upgraded their AI 3D generative service to 3.0.
Thingiverse Adds SOLIDWORKS for Makers Discount
Thingiverse now has a deal for SOLIDWORKS.
NanoVoxel Patent Turns Micro 3D Prints Into Metal Parts
NanoVoxel has patented a clever method for producing highly detailed metal microcomponents using polymer micro 3D printing as a temporary mold.
3D Printing Could Help Pack More Energy Into Tiny Devices
A new research paper suggests additive manufacturing is moving steadily toward producing complete functional electronic devices.
AxiLoop Teases MC8 3D Printer With Eight-Color, Low-Waste Printing
A new multilateral 3D printer has been — sort of — announced, the MC8 from AxiLoop.
Meshy 7 Improves Image-to-3D Accuracy With New Geometry Alignment Technology
Meshy has released a new version of their AI-powered image-to-3D model service.
SeaRush Shows the Next Phase of Large-Scale Maritime 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Ari Willick examine how the SeaRush project demonstrates the potential of large-scale 3D printing to accelerate maritime design through rapid prototyping, robotic manufacturing, and iterative testing.
Anycubic Patent Explores Full Color Resin 3D Printing
Anycubic has patented an unusual way to produce multicolor resin prints without painting them afterwards.
3D Printing Could Help Pack More Energy Into Tiny Devices
Microscale energy storage is an unusual but potentially valuable target for additive manufacturing.
Bambu Studio 2.8 Adds Automated Assembly Guide Generation
Bambu Lab has added a fascinating new feature to Bambu Studio: semi-automated Assembly Guide generation.
Ford Patents Production 3D Printed Suspension Parts
Ford is looking at something much more interesting than 3D printing another automotive part.
CEAD Patent Targets Nonstop Continuous Extrusion Toolpaths
CEAD has patented an unusual slicing strategy designed for 3D printing materials that cannot easily stop flowing.
Why Engineering Services Are Outpacing Hardware in Additive Manufacturing
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe explain why companies are increasingly turning to engineering-driven additive manufacturing services to strengthen supply chains, accelerate production, and unlock valuable R&D tax incentives.
How 3D Printing Could Turn Sensor Housings Into Vibration Filters
A new study on locally resonant metaplates points to an interesting application for 3D printing: structures that mechanically filter vibration before it reaches a sensor.
Creality Swings From Profit to Projected Loss
Creality is facing a financial loss.
Chocola3D Food 3D Printer Handles More Than 26 Ingredients
There are a few chocolate 3D printers on the market, and we found another one: the Chocola3D.
IBM Patents “5D Printing”
IBM has patented a way to make robotic “5D printing” compensate automatically when the workpiece moves during fabrication.
Digital Biology and 3D Printing
Charles G. Goulding examines the convergence of AI-driven digital biology and additive manufacturing, revealing how next-generation research is accelerating scientific breakthroughs and reshaping the future of biotechnology.
3D Printing Pushes Auxetic Metamaterials Into More Complex Territory
A new research paper shows how additive manufacturing is enabling increasingly sophisticated auxetic structures with unusual mechanical behavior.
Bambu Lab Patent Reveals Multi-Printhead Toolchanger Concept Beyond Vortek
Bambu Lab has a new patent that seems to describe something beyond their advanced Vortek technology.
Prusa Refreshes XL and CORE One Line With Across-the-Board Hardware Upgrades
Prusa Research has refreshed its XL and CORE One 3D printers with a long list of hardware changes
Design of the Week: Evaporative Cubes
This week’s selection is the 3D printed ceramic cubes by TU Graz.
Study Examines Large Spatter In Metal Additive Manufacturing
A new simulation study investigates how large spatter forms and damages surface quality in metal additive manufacturing.
Who’s The Biggest In 3D Printing, August 16, 2026
Once again we take a look at the valuations of the major 3D printing companies over the past week.
Boustead Singapore Invests in Robotic Urology Diagnostics
Charles Goulding and Ari Willick analyze how Boustead Singapore’s acquisition of UroMedTech reflects the growing convergence of robotics, 3D printing, and precision healthcare in Singapore.
California 3D Printer Bill AB 2047 Clears Key Senate Appropriations Vote
The California 3D printer law has progressed forward in a significant way.
Whatever Happened to Glass 3D Printer Build Plates?
Whatever happened to glass 3D printing plates?
Thermwood Patent Adds Internal Bracing to Cut Layer Tooling
Thermwood has patented an interesting way to strengthen large hollow tooling made from stacked, machined layers.
Oscillating Toolpaths Could Make 3D Printed Carbon Fiber Parts Tougher
Researchers have found a way to increase energy absorption in 3D printed carbon fiber composites simply by changing how the print head moves.
Backflip Adds AI-Powered Reverse Engineering to Convert Mesh Files Into CAD Models
Backflip announced a new capability: reverse engineering.
3D Printed Liquid Crystal Elastomers Learn to Expand and Contract
Researchers have developed a 3D printing technique that can program opposite actuation behaviors into different sections of the same printed filament.
Hybrid Manufacturing Patent Automates Additive Tool Docking
Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies has published a European patent application describing a way to make toolheads work like CNC tools.
Math, Models, and Mysteries Solved: How Additive Manufacturing Helped Find the Answer to Schrödinger’s Color Theory
Charles R. Goulding and Kate Esposito reveal how 3D printing transformed an abstract mathematical mystery into a tangible breakthrough, completing one of Schrödinger’s unfinished scientific puzzles.
Could PAC Bayes Make Learning Based 3D Printer Control More Trustworthy?
A new control theory paper offers a way to certify learning based controllers from limited data, something that could eventually matter to advanced 3D printers.
The Big List of 3D Model Sites, 2026
Let’s take an inventory of all the places you can find 3D models.