We had a fascinating visit with Polymaker, and learned of a new, inexpensive material they’re developing, among others.
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3D Printing with Chitu Systems’ Rainbow Filaments – Plus a Reader Discount
One of the hidden secrets in desktop 3D printing is the use of rainbow filaments.
Filkemp Launches High Performance Sustainable PLN Filament for Makers
Filkemp introduced a new line of sustainable PLA filament products targeted at makers.
Recycling Fabrik Offers 3D Printer Waste Recycling for Sustainable Filament Options
A European filament producer offers the ability to recycle certain polymers.
How Printerior is Making 3D Print Waste Recycling a Bit More Accessible
Most people want to recycle their 3D print waste, but have no options to do so.
Beyond Plastic’s Quest to Make PHA the Standard for Eco-Friendly 3D Printing
I had a long discussion with Fred Pinczuk of Beyond Plastic about the potential for PHA material in 3D printing.
Filamentive Launches UK’s First 3D Print Waste Recycling Scheme
Aiming to address the issue of plastic waste in the industry, starting with PLA.
MIT Engineers Pioneer Advanced 3D Printing Technique for High-Performance Solenoids
There’s been an interesting development in how functional solenoids can be directly 3D printed.
Revolutionary Enzyme-Based PLA Recycling Method Discovered, Transforming 3D Print Waste Management
A surprise breakthrough could enable easy recycling of PLA, the most common 3D printable material.
Eco-Friendly 3D Printing: Study Examines Ocean Degradation of 3D Print Materials
An interesting study has investigated whether commonly used plastics, including 3D print materials, can naturally decompose in the ocean.
Advancing Construction: PLA and Wood Fiber Composite for 3D Printed Concrete Molds
An interesting research paper proposes using 3D printed concrete molds made from PLA and wood fiber.
Defining ‘High-Speed’ Filament: Polymaker’s Innovative PolySonic Solution
Polymaker announced a new series of high speed 3D print materials called “PolySonic”.
Breaking News: Slant 3D Unveils Revolutionary $10/kg 3D Printer Filament Plan
3D printer filament spools priced at only US$10/kg?
Essentium and 3D-Fuel Announce Unique Materials Partnership
Essentium announced a comprehensive partnership with 3D-Fuel.
New AM Materials Round Up, June 29, 2023
Several new AM materials were announced in past weeks.
Is it Possible to 3D Print PLA Bicycle Pedals that Meet CEN Standards?
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have been testing whether it’s feasible to 3D print key bicycle parts using common PLA material.
Could PLA be Used to 3D Print Prosthetic Joints?
Could PLA be used for 3D printed prosthetics?
A New Way to Reuse 3D Print Scraps: RecyclingFabrik’s Recycling Service
A new 3D print recycling service has emerged in Germany: RecyclingFabrik.
Can Your 3D Printed Artwork Last 52,000 Years?
Researchers have analyzed the long-term durability of the most commonly 3D printed materials, PLA and ABS.
What is PLA?
Novice 3D printer operators often wonder, “what is the PLA that I am printing?”
Why is PLA Still Popular For 3D Printing?
I’ve been wondering why PLA is still the most popular 3D printing material, and have some thoughts.
Some Updates from Polymaker on the 3D Print Materials Scene
I had a chat with Luke Taylor of Polymaker about the latest developments from the company.
Hands On with the Anycubic Kobra Desktop 3D Printer, Part 2
Our hands on review of the Anycubic Kobra desktop 3D printer continues with a look at operations, print results and conclusions.
Hands On with the Anycubic Kobra Desktop 3D Printer, Part 1
Our busy lab managed to give the Anycubic Kobra desktop 3D printer a thorough workout.
Prusa’s Sustainable Step: Recycled Prusament
Prusa Research took a very interesting further step into the world of sustainability with the introduction of a recycled PLA material.
What is “Tough PLA” and Why Do You Need It?
There are now many sources of “tough PLA”, but what is this mysterious material and why is it gaining popularity?
Design of the Week: Digital Circular Pavilion
This week’s selection is the Digital Circular Pavilion by studio Spazio Z.
Hands On With The Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 3
I had the opportunity to test out the new Vyper 3D printer from Anycubic in our lab: print results.
Hands On With The Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 2
I had the opportunity to test out the new Vyper 3D printer from Anycubic in our lab: setup and printing.
Hands On With The Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 1
I had the opportunity to test out the new Vyper 3D printer from Anycubic in our lab: features and unpacking.
A Reminder For 3D Printer Operators During Heat Waves
It’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and that means one thing: Heat, and lots of it.
Polymaker’s Deep Thrust Into Carbon Negative 3D Printing
Polymaker announced a very intriguing new 3D print material called “PolyTerra”.
Finally: Method Discovered To Easily Decompose 3D Print Material
Researchers have identified a method of easily — and ecologically — disposing of PET thermoplastics.
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”.
Mosaic Manufacturing Sells Materials?
I just read a press release from Mosaic Manufacturing announcing a new product: filaments!
It May Be Time To Abandon PLA For 3D Printing
I’m now considering whether PLA should be the default 3D printing material for desktop equipment.
Hands On With PLA-F, An ABS & PLA Blend
I heard about a new 3D printer filament with an unlikely combination of materials: PLA and ABS.
Hands On With Two More Fiberlogy Filaments
We examine two more filament materials from Fiberlogy, another PLA and a PET-G, and made some surprising discoveries.
Hands On With Two Fiberlogy Filaments
We tested two types of 3D printer filament from Fiberlogy and found some very interesting results.
What’s With The Silk Filaments?
There’s increasing interest in “silk” 3D printer filaments, which are astonishingly shiny and now available from mainstream materials providers.
Project PLA Hopes To Solve The 3D Printing Waste Challenge
A service wants to recycle your PLA 3D printer scraps by collecting them and sending to industrial recyclers.
An Update On RePLAy 3D
RePLAy 3D contacted us to explain more details about the nature of their unusual 3D printer filament recycling service.
Natural Fibers Enhance the 3D Printing Industry
Charles Goulding & Greer Veon of R&D Tax Savers look at the use of natural fibers in 3D print materials.
Question of the Week: PLA Storage in Winter
This week’s question asks how to best store and transport PLA 3D printer material in cold winter conditions.
Is There Such A Thing As Museum-Quality 3D Printer Filament?
Is there a “correct” or “optimal” set of colors for 3D printing materials for artists? One company has scientifically developed a set of unique and beautiful PLA materials for artistic 3D prints.
Should 3D Print Services Use Recycled Material?
Should 3D print services use recycled 3D printer materials? It seems like the eco-friendly thing to do, but is it economically feasible?
3D Printing Plant-Based Plastics And The Environment
Charles Goulding and Peter Favata of R&D Tax Savers discuss use of bioplastics in 3D printing.
How To Break A 3D Printer’s Glass Build Plate
Have you ever broken a 3D printer build plate? We did! Our glass build plate had a sad case of over-adhesion on a PLA print that could not be removed.
3D Platform’s Huge WorkCenter 500 Large Format 3D Printer
3D Platform has produced a rather large 3D printer, the WorkCenter 500, and we had a close look at it.
Not Your Average MakerBot
We had a long chat with MakerBot CEO Nadav Goshen about the current state of the company and its products.
Anisoprint Expands Continuous Fiber 3D Printing Capabilities
Anisoprint announced an arrangement that should make their continuous carbon fiber 3D printer even better.
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Final Thoughts
This is part 4 of a 4 part series reviewing the Kodak Portrait 3D printer.
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Advanced Operations
This is part 3 of a 4 part series reviewing the Kodak Portrait 3D printer.
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Basic Operations
This is part 2 of a 4 part series reviewing the Kodak Portrait 3D printer.
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Unboxing And Setup
This is part 1 of a 4 part series reviewing the Kodak Portrait 3D printer.
Strengthen PLA Prints By Annealing
Many 3D printer operators are unaware of a technique for transforming materials into stronger versions: annealing.
What They Don’t Tell You About 3D Printing PLA
In the desktop 3D printing community, polylactic acid (PLA) is easily one of the most popular plastics.
Contemplating colorFabb’s Upcoming Foaming 3D Print Material
colorFabb is teasing a rather strange and new 3D print material.
How Expensive Is That Diamond Filament?
A company is marketing a “diamond” 3D printer filament.
colorFabb Introduces Color On Demand Filaments
Dutch 3D printer material mastermind colorFabb has introduced something quite revolutionary: color on demand.
A 3D Printer Filament Recycling Service?
I’m looking at Replay 3D, a seller of recycled 3D printer filaments.
Prusa Introduces Filament Line with Powerful Process
Prusa Research has done something few, if any, 3D printer manufacturers have done: develop their own in-house produced filament.
TRUE Food Safe PLA
Filaments.ca is introducing a new food-safe line of 3D printing filament.
MakerBot’s Unique Materials Strategy
MakerBot’s materials strategy seems be successful.
High Temperature PLA 3D Printer Filament?
A new 3D printer filament proposes a much higher deformation temperature.
Hands on with MakerBot’s Tough PLA System
I had the opportunity to give MakerBot’s new Tough PLA system a try, and was impressed.
Philament’s New Glass 3D Printer Filament
This is interesting: a reinforced PLA material using glass fiber.
Formfutura Joins the Engineering 3D Print Materials Gang
The trend towards professional desktop 3D printing continues with another materials announcement.