A new form of laser has been developed, and I’m wondering what it may do to future 3D printers.
research
Bioprinting Architecture Method Developed
Research that could lead to true human organ 3D printing begins with a method of reliably 3D printing shapes.
Methods of Ensuring 3D Print Success and Detecting Compromised 3D Models
An interesting research paper provides three ideas on how to detect flaws in 3D prints.
FlowRep: Just What 3D Printing Needs?
Researchers at UBC have developed an incredible system for capturing 3D models from static images.
Efficiently Leveraging 3D Printer Resolution for Highly Complex Object Designs
Researchers from MIT have developed what appears to be a revolutionary 3D design system that could enable far more effective leveraging of 3D printing technology.
Telescoping 3D Prints?
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a computational technique that could solve issues in 3D printing and enable entirely new classes of printed parts.
Disney’s Compliant Mechanism System
Entertainment giant Disney has published an interesting study on a system they’ve developed to assist in the design of “compliant objects”, which could be very useful in 3D printing.
3D Printed Toys are Financially Feasible, Just Not How It Was Imagined
A study published in Technologies examines the effect of 3D printed toys, specially at MyMiniFactory.
3D Hubs Dramatically Revamps their Trends Report and Reveals More Truths About 3D Printers
Each quarter 3D Hubs has published an extensive statistical report on 3D printer trends based on their comprehensive usage data, but this time it looks significantly different.
Water Displacement 3D Scanning? Will This Work?
I’m reading a research paper on a very unusual method of 3D scanning solid objects.
Microwave Heating Method Strengthens 3D Printed Parts
Researchers have developed an interesting method for strengthening 3D printed parts by an application of microwaves.
UL Confirms Suspicions of 3D Printer Safety
Over the past few years we’ve always advised those with desktop 3D printers to ensure appropriate ventilation is present.
Ultrasonic 3D Printing: Not 3D Printing, But Still Interesting
I’m reviewing a video of a new concept called, “ultrasonic 3D printing”.
Custom Composite Materials on a Desktop 3D Printer? It’s Possible!
I’m reading through an experiment by Instructables’ Charlie Godfrey, where he’s managed to 3D print composite materials on a desktop 3D printer.
The Promising DiAM Metal 3D Printing Process
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a very attractive new method for rapidly 3D printing in metal.
Roboze Experimenting With Metal-Plated 3D Printed Parts
Italy-based Roboze has been marketing high-temperature desktop 3D printers for a while, but this experiment may make the prints even better.
Stepping Through Sculpteo’s Annual 3D Printing Survey
Each year Sculpteo performs an interesting survey of the 3D printing community and the results this year show some interesting trends.
New Gel Could Enable More Complex Living Tissue 3D Prints
Researchers at the University of Florida have created a gel medium specifically for 3D printing medical implants.
Is There Something To The “3D Printed Buildings” Concept After All?
Recently I’ve seen several new “3D printed construction” projects emerge, and I’m wondering if there really is something to them.
MIT and Steelcase’s New Rapid Liquid Printing Tech: So Many Questions!
Steelcase partnered with MIT to develop a radical new method of 3D printing.
Dissolvable Supports for 3D Metal Printing?
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a very interesting method of providing dissolvable supports for 3D metal prints.
A Chocolate 3D Printing Breakthrough?
I’m looking at a Reuters story about a Belgian company that’s created a 3D printed chocolate service, and there seems to be something quite interesting visible.
Sweet: Experimental Sugar 3D Printing Process Developed
An experimental 3D sugar printing process has been developed, but not for the reason you think it will be used.
Siemens Contemplating “Swarm” 3D Printing?
A report on Forbes details work undertaken by Siemens to develop a “mobile robotic 3D printer” concept.
How to Speed Up 3D Printing?
Researchers at Binghamton University have explored ways to theoretically increase the speed of filament-based 3D printing systems.
The First Step Towards the Ultimate 3D Printer?
Researchers at the Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science have devised a system that can apparently position individual atoms.
Meet the EU’s LASSIM Project
The EU is sponsoring a project that is attempting to create the “world’s largest hybrid manufacturing machine”.
Could Biological Means be Used to Dynamically Create New Materials?
I’m looking through a scientific paper where researchers used metabolic activity to “print” a new material.
Method for Selectively Polishing 3D Prints Proposed
Researchers are refining a very simple process for smoothing 3D prints.
Evidence of Gaseous Corruption in 3D Metal Printing
A study by LPW Technology reveals some of the complexities of performing 3D metal printing with powder processes.
Significant Speed Up For 3D Metal Printing Developed
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a unique 3D metal printing process that could dramatically speed up metal printing.
Soluble Support For Moulds? Experiments Are Underway
The rocket scientists at E3D-Online have been doing some rather interesting experiments with their soluble support material.
3D Printed Human Skin Moving Towards Real Life Use
Researchers at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have developed what appears to be a practical method for 3D printing human skin.
An Experiment From Formlabs Portends a Colorful 3D Printed Future
Formlabs has executed a very interesting experiment in hydrographics using their 3D printing equipment.
Coming Soon: Super Stretchy 3D Print Materials
Researchers in Singapore have developed new elastomeric materials that could be used in 3D printing applications.
Can Automobiles Be Made More Efficient With 3D Printing: Yes and No
A report from the University of Nottingham proposes ways to make automobiles more fuel efficient through the application of 3D metal printing.
3D Printed Filtration Systems: Possible Or Not?
There’s some interesting research on the ability of 3D printing technologies and their ability to produce unusual membranes.
Reading Between the Lines of 3D Hubs’ Latest Trends Report
I found it interesting to see some long term patterns appearing in 3D Hubs’ monthly trends report.
3D Printed Weapons to be Produced by US Department of Defense
A very curious solicitation from the US DOD requests “explosive” 3D printer materials.
Magentic Bioprinting Experiment – In Orbit
Russian researchers are preparing a very unusual 3D printing experiment for use on the International Space Station.
3D Printing: The Key to the Solar System
A new paper from NASA proposes how to leverage 3D printing and robotics technologies to literally take over the solar system.
Attacking the Main Problem of Polymer 3D Printing
Finally, someone is doing something about a problem faced by virtually all polymer-based 3D printing: predictability.
This Time It Works: Facial 3D Models from Still Images
A research paper describes a new system that theoretically enables you to build a relatively accurate 3D model of a human face from a still image.
Artec 3D’s Experimental 3D Scan Automation System
Handheld 3D scanner operators might find this interesting: an experimental robotic 3D scanning system.
Building a Sand Printer with a Laser Cutter
California-based William Osman has been experimenting with a homemade sand-fusion system based on a laser cutter that could eventually become a full 3D printer.
Ricoh Working on Metal 3D Printing Technology – And Ceramics
While Ricoh has been selling their SLS-based 3D printer for over a year, they’re now beginning to move into a very different 3D printing technology.
3D Printing Enables Control of Ultrasounds
An unusual use of 3D printing has enabled far more powerful control over acoustic waves.
Magnetic 3D Prints Opens Up New Possibilities
Researchers at TU Wien in Austria have developed a method of 3D printing strong magnetic objects in arbitrary shapes using 3D printing.
Researchers Develop Unusual 3D Printing Technique
TU Delft researchers have combined two 3D printing techniques together to demonstrate a powerful new process.
EXCLUSIVE: The Man Who 3D Printed On Mars
Zak Wilson spent eight months in a Mars simulator, where he did a great deal of 3D printing.
A Profound Insight Found in 3D Hubs’ Latest Trend Report
I noticed something very interesting in this month’s 3D Hubs Trends report, something that tells the story of the last few years of 3D printing.
A Metamaterial Demonstration Suggests Insane Future 3D Applications
I’m watching a video demonstrating a “meta material mechanism” and the mind boggles at what become of this concept.
Avante’s Experiments with 3D Printed Injection Molds
Avante Technology has been experimenting with producing effective 3D printed injection molds and apparently has achieved some success.
BioPrinting Breakthrough in Ireland
Researchers at Trinity College in Dublin have worked out a new process for 3D printing live, complex bone structures.
Optomec’s New Micron-Level 3D Printing Capability
Optomec announced an improvement in their Aerosol Jet Technology that permits production of very small structures.
Two Interesting 3D Print Technologies Under Development
I recently encountered a couple of fascinating research projects that are both attempting to develop powerful new 3D printing technologies.
See, 3D Printing is Definitely Not Dead
In spite of the stream of ridiculous mainstream media posts on the “death of 3D printing”, there are plenty of good news stories, too. Here’s two.
Ti3AU, the Hardest New Metal Material for 3D Printing?
Researchers at Rice University and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have developed a startlingly hard material, Ti3Au.
Can You 3D Print a Superconductor?
Selective laser melting process in action. Credit: Tim Sercombe/University of Western Australia
Researchers have been investigating whether it’s possible to 3D print an object that acts as a superconductor.
Large Scale 3D Printed Nanostructures Possible
A newly invented process could enable large-scale use of nano-printed metal materials.
Security Risks in 3D Printing? Apparently So
A report suggests there may be cybersecurity risks present in the current 3D printing workflows that could result in bad things happening.
Dissolvable Metal Support Material for 3D Printed Metal Could Create New Opportunities
Researchers have developed a very unusual support material: dissolvable carbon steel that could be used for metal 3D printing support structures.
BAE Systems’ “Chemical” Printer: Fantasy or Possibility?
There’s a very strange announcement on the BAE Systems site, proposing a “chemputer” that would “grow” objects. Is this something that’s actually feasible?
3D Models, Created by an A.I.: Good or Bad Idea?
An experiment by researchers at the University of Copenhagen attempted to persuade an A.I. to create a 3D model from scratch. It did.
3D Printed Construction Milestone Achieved
Netherlands company Heijmans partnered with CyBe Construction to produce prototype concrete formworks. Apparently, they were successful.
A New Bio-Active 3D Printing Polymer Suggests Many New Applications
Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have done something I’ve not seen before: mixed bio-active enzymes with 3D printing polymer.
Resurrecting an Extinct Chocolate Bar with 3D Printing
It’s now been proven: prehistoric chocolate bars can indeed be brought back from extinction!
Sculpteo Releases Their “State of 3D Printing” Survey Results
3D print service Sculpteo undertook a comprehensive survey of their clients earlier this year and today they publish the results.
Electric 3D Printing? New Adhesive Method Could Enable a New Form of 3D Printing
A new adhesive is triggered by electricity, suggesting the possibility of a new form of 3D printing.
Fascinating Vector-Driven Metal 3D Printing From Harvard
Researchers at Harvard have developed a truly fascinating 3D printing technique that shows the limitations of current technologies.
Is That 3D Printed Mega-Groot For Real?
Earlier we published a story on the massive CoLiDo Mega 3D printer, but some believed the print was faked.
Projection Micro-Stereo-Lithography: A New Way To Create Precision Components
Researchers at Northwestern University have used a 3D printing technique called “projection micro-stereo-lithography” to create incredibly complex lenses.
Siemens’ Spiders Could Lead To Massive 3D Printing Projects
Research at engineering giant Siemens seems to be developing a kind of mobile 3D printing robot.
RetroFab: 3D Printed Parasitic Interfaces For Ancient Appliances
A bizarre project from Autodesk Labs investigates whether one can generate new physical interfaces for old appliances: They Can!
NASA’s Aerosol Jet 3D Printing Experiment’s Will Change Your Factory
It seems that NASA has been experimenting with Aerosol Jet 3D printing and their work could leak into other applications.
Carbon’s Huge M1 Pricing May Not Be Totally Crazy After All
Some analysis shows that Carbon’s recent pricing announcement for their M1 “CLIP”-based 3D printer might not be as stratospheric as you might think.
A Consideration of EBM versus DMLS Industrial Metal 3D Printing Processes, Part 2
This is the final segment of a two-part series comparing EBM and DMLS 3D printing processes. The first part may be found here.
Chemically Active 3D Prints To Make Amazing Things Happen
Some interesting research in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials shows how a 3D printed object could be functional in a chemical manner.
New 3D Printing Process Could Revolutionize Metal Printing
Researchers from the University of Southern California have developed yet another 3D printing process, which they call “Selective Separation Sintering”.
Carbon Dioxide As 3D Printing Material?
Yes, we’ve all seen carbon fiber 3D printing material, but now scientists from the University Of California have managed to use carbon dioxide to 3D print.
Tallying Up The Carbon M1’s Total Cost Of Ownership
Carbon announced their first product, the M1 3D Printer last week, but with a twist: subscription pricing. We calculated how much it could cost you.
Could A Plasma 3D Printer Be In Your Future?
New research from NASA Ames and SLAC demonstrates an effective way of 3D printing nanomaterials using plasma.
The Most Unusual 3D Printing Patent Yet Seen
Researchers at Boeing have published a patent describing a bizarre method of 3D printing that involves levitation. I am skeptical.
Your Quick Answers Could Help Additive Manufacturing Research
A survey is underway seeking answers from professionals using 3D printing / additive manufacturing processes.
Autodesk’s Project Escher Attempts To Combine 3D Printing With Other Manufacturing Processes
This could be a very big deal: Autodesk has taken up the challenge of opening up 3D printing to a much wider audience with Project Escher.
The Secret To 3D Printing Graphene: Freeze It!
It’s been quite problematic to 3D print graphene, but researchers at the University of Buffalo have come up with a very cool solution.
Considering The True Biodegradability of PLA
Hackaday’s recent story about PLA biodegradability got me thinking more about PLA’s characteristics.
Audio Capture of 3D Print Security Fears Overblown
Researchers at the University of California at Irvine have found a potential security issue with 3D printers, but I believe fears expressed are overreactions.
Proven: Metal Additive Manufacturing Can Optimize Building Structure
A research paper by engineers from Netherlands-based Arup suggests that 3D printed building elements could provide significant benefit when designing particular structural styles.
Unique Method of 3D Printing Bone Joints
Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed a method of 3D printing custom, bio-absorbable bone joints.
Ultrafast 3D Printed SuperCapacitors Produced: Could Change Many Things
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a method of 3D printing graphene electrodes that could revolutionize the way we power mobile devices.
US Army Testing Mission-Specific Custom 3D Printed Drones
The US Army is conducting a test to investigate whether it is feasible to design and 3D print highly specific drone designs for specific missions.
Body-Temperature Polymer Could Provoke Some Very Interesting 3D Prints
A new polymer developed by a team from the University of Rochester has an interesting property: it changes shape when triggered by body temperature alone.
The Solid Vibration 3D Printing Project
Studio van Broekhoven in Eindhoven has developed a fascinating and simple technique to incorporate sound into 3D prints.
New Data On 3D Printer Emissions: Good Or Bad News?
Researchers from several institutions have performed more extensive testing on particulate emissions from commonly available 3D printers, and the results should be known by all 3D printer owners.