Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine take a look at an innovative company’s use of 3D printing and other technologies in the face of pandemic.
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New news and reviews
Bioprinting Cartilage Tissue To Help Knees Function Again
The Wake Forest Institute has bioprinted regenerative knee cartilage tissue to replace damaged knee cartilage.
3D Alliances Reseller Survey Reveals 2020 3D Printer Troubles
A new survey has revealed the troubles 3D printer resellers encountered during last year’s catastrophic events.
European Companies Seek U.S. Alternative Energy Projects And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine European-driven opportunities for 3D printing in U.S. sustainable energy initiatives.
Desktop Metal Introduces Two-Step Metal 3D Printing With Studio System 2
The key word is “easy” for the latest metal 3D printing launch from Desktop Metal.
Book of the Week: Engineering Fundamentals
This week’s selection is “Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering” by Saeed Moaveni.
3D Systems Bets On Bioprinting
3D Systems announced a “significant” expansion into bioprinting applications.
Are Biocompatible 3D Printer Resins Truly Safe?
New research has uncovered previously unrecognized toxicity issues with certain biocompatible resins.
The 3D Printing Spring 2021 Calendar
With recently announced changes, two major spring 3D printing events are set to take place in person — but not only in the spring.
Emerson Electric And Self-Automation
Charles R. Goulding and Harry Foxman consider Emerson Electric’s Industry 4.0 strategies in staying successful during difficult times.
Design of the Week: Armed Chicken Arms
This week’s selection is “Armed Chicken Arms” by Max.
Using Calibry With 3DMeasureUp
Thor3D announced a partnership with ProtoTech to allow for Calibry 3D scans to be used with 3DMeasureUp.
3D Printing And Air Compressors
Charles R. Goulding and Randy Rothbort take a look at the growing relationship between the air compressor industry and 3D printing.
Phrozen Tweaks Resin 3D Printer Prices
Taiwan-based resin 3D printer manufacturer Phrozen adjusted the pricing on their product line, but in an unusual way.
There’s Reasons For Coming 3D Print Consolidations
In recent weeks there have been several high-profile corporate acquisitions in the 3D printing world. There are reasons this is happening and we should expect more.
Shining 3D Releases ExScan 3.6
Shining 3D has released a new version of their 3D scanning software for EinScan devices, version 3.6.
Machine Shops And Intellectual Curiosity Into 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding considers the intellectual curiosity required for more machine shops to adopt 3D printing in their work.
Xolography—The Latest Innovation in 3D Printing
New technique improves accuracy of linear volumetric 3D printing method.
Neatsy AI Upgrades Shoe Fit With 3D Foot Scans
A U.S.-based startup called Neatsy AI makes use of the iPhone’s depth-sensing FaceID technology to predict comfortable sneaker fit for customers via 3D modelling.
Mobile High-Temperature 3D Printing
There was a time when high-temperature 3D printing was considered an experimental exercise, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
Wayland Additive Releases More Details On NeuBeam
UK-based Wayland Additive has released some additional details of their unusual NeuBeam metal 3D printing process.
Getting Organized With Marie Kondo, The Container Store, And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi clean up their act with 3D printed organization.
Matt Rittman’s Gun CAD Creations Show How The Real Things Work
It can be baffling how CAD encompasses a seemingly infinite number of fields: from animation, to product prototyping, to homemade 3D printing.
Sculpteo Needs Your Help
Sculpteo has launched their annual State of 3D Printing survey.
Taking A Very Close Look At FFF 3D Printing
A unique view of 3D printing in action appears in a new CNC Kitchen video.
Some Questions About The PolySmoother
I’m looking at a new and wildly successful Kickstarter for something called the “PolySmoother”, which they say is “an extremely convenient tool for polishing 3D prints”.
Boem, A New 3D Model Store
I haven’t seen an example of this type of online 3D model store appear for some time.
New Developments In 3D Printing For Digital Orthodontics And Dentistry
Charles R. Goulding considers the work in and implications of 3D printing in the dental industry.
Autodesk Fusion 360 Discount Available
Autodesk is offering a notable discount on their powerful 3D CAD tool, Fusion 360.
The Science Of 3D Printed Jigs & Fixtures
Jigs and fixtures are a staple application in 3D printing, but there’s much to know when using them.
Xerox To Focus On Innovation, 3D Printing For Future Revenue Growth
Xerox seems to have quietly placed its first customer 3D printer installation as the company looks at innovation for future growth.
Formlabs Finally Releases The Fuse 1 SLS 3D Printer
At long last, Formlabs has released the Fuse 1, their production SLS 3D printer.
Book of the Week: INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love
This week’s selection is “INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan.
HP’s Environmentally Friendly Packaging And Production Solution
HP has developed a new and innovative Molded Fiber Advanced Tooling Solution with the intention of delivering lighter, faster, more durable, user-friendly, cost-efficient, customizable, and environmentally friendly packaging.
Fabbaloo’s 2020 Reader Survey Results
We’ve completed an analysis of our 2020 Fabbaloo Reader Survey and here’s what we found.
The Plybot 3D Printer’s Most Unusual Motion System
A new Kickstarter project features a 3D printer with the most unusual motion system.
Case Western Reserve University’s Advancements In 3D Printing Materials
Charles R. Goulding and Joseph Castine consider a leading research university’s work in advancing 3D printing materials.
Design of the Week: Nut Bowl
This week’s selection is the startlingly simple Nut Bowl by designer Ahmad Hasan.
Mighty Buildings’ Different Approach To Construction 3D Printing
I have some thoughts about a new construction 3D printing startup, Mighty Buildings.
3D Printing R&D Acquisition Due Diligence
Charles R. Goulding considers R&D studies that should be undertaken in 3D printing M&A transactions.
Sensitive, ‘Invisible’ 3D Printed Sensors
Using 3D printing technology, Researchers from the University of Cambridge created electronic fibers 100 times thinner than a human hair, making sensors with massively improved capabilities.
A Peek Behind The Scenes At Prusa Research
Prusa Research published a series of very interesting statistics about their operations in 2020 and previous years.
EOS Affirms The Importance Of Opportunity And Diversity In Additive Manufacturing
A new scholarship program from EOS North America is set to even the playing field for historically underserved students pursuing STEM education.
The Empire State Trail: Opportunity For Recreational Activities And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Ryan Donley consider a hike or bike with 3D printing.
Robot Bike Company Turns to solidThinking for Custom Mountain Bikes
As more manufacturers combine additive manufacturing (AM) processes with innovative design techniques using modern software, the products once thought of as “one-size-fits-all” are becoming increasingly personalized.
Redefine Meat’s Food Truck Blind Taste Experiment Leads To Butcher Deals
Redefine Meat has landed a major distribution deal for their lifelike 3D printed “alt-meat” products.
BMW Abandons 3D Printed Customization Service
BMW has apparently abandoned their experiment in 3D printed customized parts.
We May See Very Large Metal 3D Printers In The Future
It’s likely we will see increasingly larger 3D printers in the future.
Semiconductor Industry Strategic Developments And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding considers the rising importance of the semiconductor industry and its impacts on the 3D printing sector.
Just How Reflective Is A Bottle Of Liquid Mirror Paint?
We all know about naturally reflective surfaces, but who knew you could apply the same effect with a bottle of paint?
Intech Launches Large-Format Metal 3D Printer
Intech Additive Solutions announced a new metal 3D printers that has a much bigger build volume.
3D Print Community: 3DP4ME
This month’s community support selection is the 3DP4ME Project in Jordan.
The Tiniest 3D Printed Lady Liberty Celebrates US Inauguration Day
Micron-scale 3D printing brings a tiny take to big celebrations as Microlight3D unveils the tiniest Statue of Liberty.
3Dfeedy: Another Way To Perform Multi-Material 3D Printing
A new Kickstarter project offers a different kind of 3D printer multi-material upgrade.
Air Force Issues National Call For 3D Scanner Technology
Charles R. Goulding and Ryan Donley examine Air Force demand for reverse engineering using 3D scanning and 3D printing.
2021: The Year Of Additive Manufacturing Market Consolidation?
It’s only January, but 2021 already shows an overarching theme in 3D printing: market consolidation.
3D Hubs Completes The Circuit
Today Protolabs announced that they will acquire 3D Hubs, and I have some thoughts.
Protolabs To Acquire 3D Hubs!
In a $280M digital manufacturing deal, Protolabs is set to acquire 3D Hubs.
2021 Predictions For 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi look ahead to a new year in 3D printing with nine predictions of what’s to come in 2021.
Books of the Year, 2020 Edition
This week’s selection is actually the top seven books we highlighted in 2020.
A Chairside Dental 3D Printer: DENTIQ
Ackuretta is about to release a new dental 3D printer, the DENTIQ.
Successful 3D Printing Requires Optimal Everything
I’m reading an interesting case study from Teton Simulation that illustrates an often-ignored fact of 3D printing: everything must work.
To Taiwan From China: Reshoring And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider 3D printing in Taiwan’s return to domestic supply chain focus.
Design of the Week: Bicycle Parking Brake
This week’s selection is the Bicycle Parking Brake by designer Bryce Lenarcic.
E3D-Online Resumes Hemera Extruder Production
E3D-Online announced a resumption of production for their advanced Hemera 3D printer extruder.
You May Soon Upgrade Your 3D Printer To Not Require Supports
Researchers at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) have developed a novel approach to 3D print extrusion that could transform many desktop 3D printers.
COBOD Using Real Concrete For Construction 3D Printing
COBOD announced the completion of a notable construction 3D print in India, but there’s more to the story.
Oqton Raises US$40M
Oqton announced it has raised a massive US$40M from investors.
Production 3D Printing At The Heart Of Recent Acquisitions
Recent 3D printing acquisition announcements have something significant in common: production focus.
Desktop Metal To Acquire EnvisionTEC!
Desktop Metal’s first major move since becoming a public company is a $300M one: acquiring EnvisionTEC.
PrusaSlicer 2.3 Is A Bigger Update Than Expected
Prusa Research announced the official release of PrusaSlicer version 2.3, their latest slicing software tool.
Siemens’ Latest NX Offers Big Enhancements
When Siemens implemented its continuous release plan almost two years ago, it promised enhancements to NX every six months.
Demand For 3D Printers Falls, Then Rises
I’m looking at a report from CONTEXT, who provided some numbers for 3D printer sales in 2020.
Final Reminder: Fabbaloo’s Annual Survey About To Close
It’s the final days for you to shovel us some direct feedback via our annual survey.
Researchers Find Method To Align Fibers During 3D Printer Extrusion
Researchers have developed an unusual “morphing nozzle” that can orient fibers during 3D printing.
Gideon Gartner’s Legacy Included 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider the 3D printing legacy of the late Gideon Gartner.
Successfully Funding a Kickstarter a 2nd Time: Anthony Mattana and the Hooke Lav
Get some tips for launching a Kickstarter from a veteran.
Improving The Ability To 3D Print Food
Researchers have discovered a straightforward treatment that could improve the ability to 3D print food.
Farsoon Parts Ways With Prodways
Farsoon announced a break with long-time partner Prodways.
Why Would a 2D Printing Company Install a 3D Printer?
A curious announcement from Stratasys detailed how a 2D printing company installed a 3D printer. I’m wondering why they would do so.
American Bicycle Group And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding goes on a 3D printing ride with the American Bicycle Group (ABG).
Women in 3D Printing Set To Launch Their First Conference
Only days from now Women in 3D Printing will take a step unimaginable when they started: hosting a massive online conference on 3D printing.
Prusa Announces PVB Material, But Is It Too Difficult To Use?
Prusa Research announced the availability of a new and unusual material for 3D printing for their Prusament line: PVB.
Autodesk Adds Fusion 360 To Netfabb
Autodesk announced a very interesting addition to Netfabb: Fusion 360!
The Fauci Effect: Medical School Applications Rise To New Levels As 3D Printing Aids The Profession
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider rising interest in medical school – and how 3D printing might come into play educating our next generation of doctors.
Book of the Week: Smoothing 3D Prints from ABS Using Acetone Vapors
This week’s selection is “Smoothing 3D prints from ABS using acetone vapors” by Jagoda Ryba and Urszula Lelek-Borkowska.
Rhino3D Version 7 Released
Robert McNeel & Associates has released version 7 of their popular 3D CAD tool, Rhinoceros, a.k.a. Rhino3D.
CES Goes Virtual In 2021
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi take a look at this year’s virtual CES.
3D Printing The Tiniest Tools
I spoke with Avi Cohen, EVP Sales at Nanofabrica, for a look into why micro-scale precision in 3D printing is a huge achievement.
TCT 3Sixty Now Scheduled For September
Rapid News Group announced their intent to hold the 2021 TCT 3Sixty event over three days this coming September.
Formlabs, The 3D Print Material Company?
Formlabs announced a new castable resin today, marking yet another new material in their product catalog.
Design of the Week: Air Filtration System
This week’s selection is the outrageous Air Filtration System by software engineer Mike Buss.
What Do You Want To Know In 3D Printing?
Last call: let us know what you want 3D printing developments you want to read about.
Ursa Major Technologies Applies 3D Printing To Rocket Engines
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider out-of-this-world opportunities for 3D printing.
3D Systems Stock Makes Massive Jump
3D Systems stock has taken the biggest leap upwards in years.