pla Archives « Fabbaloo

Ugee Funbox 3D Printer for Kids Goes on Sale

Remember the Funbox 3D printer? It’s now available for purchase.

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.

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.

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.

Study Examines Rapidly Deployable 3D Printed Biosensors

Researchers have shown that one common FFF material may be a much better foundation for rapidly deployable biosensors.

eSUN Revives Coffee-Filled Composite Filament

eSUN announced a bizarre 3D printing filament: PLA-Coffee.

Polymaker’s New HT-PLA Pro Outperforms PLA, ABS, PETG, and PC

Polymaker just released an extremely interesting new FFF material: HT-PLA PRO.

The Funbox, a Kid-Focused Desktop 3D Printer

Hong Kong-based Ugee announced a new desktop FFF 3D printer specifically designed for kids: the Funbox.

Design of the Week: NX2 Long Range Flying Wing

This week’s selection is the NX2 Long Range Flying Wing by YouTuber Neuroautics.

Study Probes PLA and Wood Dust FFF Composites

Researchers evaluated how wood dust affects PLA parts printed by FFF, and the results could change how makers and manufacturers approach bio-filled filaments.

Study Flags FFF Filament Uniformity For Electrodes

A new study digs into how Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) changes the performance of carbon-loaded plastics used as 3D printed electrodes.

Rice Husk Biochar Helps PLA Slide Better

Researchers may have found a useful role for rice husk waste in 3D printing: making PLA parts slide better and wear less.

Bambu Lab Launches Food Safe Filament … In China

Bambu Lab announced the availability of a line of food-safe 3D printer filament materials.

“WoolyFil” Uses Natural Wool Pigments to Color PLA Filament

Wool filament? Not exactly.

UK Service Turns Desktop 3D Printing Waste Into Filament

A UK company provides a regional recycling loop for desktop 3D printing waste.

3D Print Recycling Firm RecyclingFabrik Pauses Intake to Develop Next-Generation Process

RecyclingFabrik is expanding.

Vitamin E Enhanced PLA Filaments For 3D Printing

Researchers report on PLA filaments infused with vitamin E and their behavior in FFF printing.

Climate Specific PLA Might Fix Your Bad Prints

A materials startup claims your filament problems may be seasonal, not personal.

Why Recycling 3D Printed Plastic Remains Difficult Despite Growing Interest

Everyone wants to recycle their 3D prints, but it is quite difficult to do so. Here’s why.

Detoxified Asbestos Cement Becomes PLA Filler For 3D Printing

A research team proposes using detoxified asbestos cement as a depolymerization regulating filler in PLA composites for 3D printing.

Telemeter Launches 3D Printable Electromagnetic Absorber Filament for Automotive Radar

Telemeter Electronic is pushing electromagnetic absorber design into everyday FFF with a new filament tuned for automotive radar frequencies.

Unified Workflow Validates 3D Printed 14 DOF Humanoid

A new paper outlines a unified, simulation-first pipeline that validates a lightweight, 3D printed 14 DOF humanoid before any plastic touches a heated bed.

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.

Conductive PLA Enables 3D Printed Temperature Sensors

Researchers have 3D printed temperature sensors from conductive PLA, hinting at simple, embedded monitoring for everyday prints.

Why Desktop Recycling Struggles: Molecular Limits of Reusing 3D Printer Thermoplastics

Is it really possible to recycle 3D printer thermoplastics?

Bigger Nozzles Boost PLA Strength, Study Finds

A new study links larger FFF nozzle diameters to stronger PLA parts, with modeling to back it up.

3D-Fuel Lowers Filament Prices After Expanding Production Capacity

3D-Fuel has found a way to reduce their filament pricing.

Peanut Shells Added to PLA Yield Sustainable, Antimicrobial 3D Printing Material

Researchers have developed an antimicrobial 3D printer filament using peanut shells.

New Technique Uses Heated PLA and Molds to Reduce Supports and Print Time

I saw yet another new technique for 3D printing objects.

Real-World Outdoor Filament Test Launched to Evaluate 3D Print Material Durability

A 3D printer operator is undertaking a long-term filament endurance test.

Specialized Filaments Emerge for 3D Printing Airless Basketballs

There are now 3D printer filaments designed for specific applications.

Could LAHB Be the Future of Sustainable 3D Print Filament?

Researchers have investigated the biodegradability of LAHB, a material that has properties of PLA and PHB.

Hands on With Polymaker HT-PLA

We’ve been testing the new high-temperature PLA material from Polymaker.

Polymaker Unveils HT-PLA and HT-PLA-GF for High-Temperature, High-Strength 3D Printing

Polymaker introduced two very intriguing new 3D printer materials today.

New 3D300 PLA from NatureWorks Targets High-Speed 3D Printing

NatureWorks announced a new, high speed PLA material grade, 3D300.

Time-Based 3D Printing: Timeplast’s Water-Soluble Filament Revolutionizes Sustainability

I had a chat with the folks from Timeplast, who produce the most environmentally friendly 3D printer filament ever made.

Polymaker’s Innovative CoPE Filament: Affordable, Compatible, and Ready to Disrupt the Market

We had a fascinating visit with Polymaker, and learned of a new, inexpensive material they’re developing, among others.

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.

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.