What to expect this week!

• A roundup of the latest 3D printing-related news and developments. This week it’s been all about fashion!

• Tips and tricks for getting the most out of your 3D printer, this edition we focus on the importance of filament choice.

• Troubleshooting advice for common issues that arise with 3D printing. This week it’s been a PETG problem week.

• Failed Prints! We love to see all your failed prints!

• Product reviews and recommendations for 3D printing software and equipment. This can be a paid placement but we will try to keep it enlightening and fun.

3D Printing News, oh no it’s February 2023 already!

First up, let's take a look at the latest news and developments in the 3D printing world.

• DefeXtiles: A low-cost and rapid technique to produce tulle-like fabrics using unmodified FDM printers by controlling under-extrusion defects and allowing hierarchical control from micrometer structure to decameter form, with compatibility with common 3D printing materials.

• Dior showcases 3D printed shoes at Paris Fashion Week, featuring sustainability and a modern take on the traditional "Carlo" design with a "punk" feel.

• A new metal nanocluster-based material has been developed to improve 3D printing efficiency, offering better two-photon light absorption and mechanical performance, with potential applications in microelectronics, biomaterials, micro-robotics, and thermal management.

• 3D Printing Materials Market to reach $14,274.2 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.45%, driven by demand from various industries and leading players offering cost & design benefits. Key players include: 3M, Arkema, BASF, EOS, and Stratasys, with potential material compatibility restraints.

• HyperX launches HX3D, a line of 3D-printed gaming accessories, with Cozy Cat keycap at $19.99 in Jan. Other concepts incl. animal keycaps, mic stands, headphone faceplates.

• A 3D printer builds first 2-story home in US. Weighs over 12 tons, prints 4k sq. ft home in 330 hours. Concrete material withstands Texas severe weather, requires fewer workers. Project by Hannah, Peri 3D, and Cive construction.

• Isometric invests in 3D printing for medical device OEMs to speed up product development, cut costs, and quickly launch new products. 3D molds enable fast design iteration, reducing clinical trial times and saving millions annually.

• HP asserts that 3D printing drives supply chain stability and enables personalised mass production, improving product quality and allowing manufacturers to meet consumers' ever-changing preferences while promoting sustainability.

• ANSTO-led international collaboration develops cost-effective 3D-printing technique for single-atom catalysts, potentially simplifying mass production for various industrial applications.

• A research team at Arizona State University is developing Multiphase Direct Ink Writing to improve 3D printing at the nanoscale, enabling a wider range of materials to be used and more precise results. This could have applications in sensor prototyping, soft robotics, actuator manufacturing and regenerative medicine.

• 3D printing transforms tabletop gaming industry by providing easier access and enabling players to design pieces/games. Has lower barriers to entry but labor-intensive processes. Controversial in subculture with debates on quality. Majority of revenue from US but interested in localising manufacturing.

• 3D printing transforms chaotic shapes into Chua circuit-based jewellery, providing a visually stunning representation of chaos and serving as an educational tool.

These and more news links for this week are available on the OneTab.

3D Printed shoes may sound like a thing from the future, but with real Brands like Heron Preston, Asics, Adidas, Reebok, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance and Puma means this is something that's a lot closer than it is seems.

According a video on Twitter from Dior “80% of the material can be entirely reused for other purposes” which is amazing for the sustainability of fashion shoes.

Twitter tweet

Figuring out PETG

So, have you heard about this thing called PETG for 3D printing? It's kind of like a stronger and stretchier version of the regular PLA material people usually use. It's great for making things that need to bend, or be near heat, because it won't break or melt easily. And even though you have to use a hotter printer, the final product comes out looking super cool and high quality.

I think it's definitely worth trying out if you're looking for a material that's versatile and durable. It's perfect for a lot of different projects and I'm sure you'll love the results. So, what do you say, should we give it a shot?

Designed and drawn by Ricardo Pirroni

So, I've been playing around with PETG for 3D printing, and it's pretty cool stuff! It's supposed to be super strong and flexible, which makes it perfect for things that need to bend a little. But, it does require some pretty high temperatures, like 245 degrees on the hot-end and 70 degrees on the bed, so it was a bit tricky to get everything just right.

One thing I learned was that the first layer has to be a bit thicker, around 0.3mm did the trick, to help it stick to the bed. And once I got that figured out, the prints turned out amazing! I made some RAM trays that are flexible enough to protect the sticks and tough enough to do the job.

So, overall, using PETG was definitely a challenge, but the results were totally worth it! If you're looking for a material that's strong and flexible, and you're up for a bit of a temperature adventure, then give PETG a try!

Prints Amiss: The Magic and Mystery of 3D Printing Fails

Have you ever seen a 3D print fail? It's kind of like watching a cake fall apart after you've worked so hard to bake it. It can be frustrating, but also fascinating at the same time.

You see, when you're 3D printing, sometimes things don't go as smoothly as you planned. Maybe the layers don't line up right, or maybe the plastic starts to warp or make strings. But the cool thing is, there's always a way to fix it. It's like a puzzle to figure out what went wrong and how to make it better next time.

I think it's important to show that 3D printing isn't just about the successful prints. Sometimes things don't go as planned and that's okay. It's all part of the learning process and discovering what works best for your machine. And just like in life, sometimes things don't go as expected, but it's all about how we handle it and come out stronger on the other side.

So, that's why I love 3D printing, even when things go wrong. There's always something new to learn and it's just as much about the journey as it is the final product. Just like in life, it's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

Software Updates!

PrusaSlicer is getting major updates, with organic tree supports and cut and hopefully join tools in the near future. It’s currently in the Alpha version if you can't wait to give it a try. We’ll be trying this out and writing about it further next week but testing is promising!

Tortoise designed by Rick Pirroni, sliced using PrusaSlicer organic supports

Hey {{first name}}

Welcome to the first edition of 3D Printing Innovations, your go-to source for all things 3D printing. We're thrilled to have you join us on this journey to explore new possibilities and keep up with the latest developments in the field.

What to Expect each week!

• A roundup of the latest 3D printing-related news and developments. You'll be surprised at how many advancements have been made this year alone.

• Tips and tricks for getting the most out of your 3D printer, this edition we focus on the importance of temperature and filament choice.

• Troubleshooting advice for common issues that arise with 3D printing.

• Failed Prints! A segment featuring "failed print" stories and advice on how to avoid similar mistakes.

• Product reviews and recommendations for 3D printing software and equipment. This can be a paid placement but we will try to keep it enlightening and fun.

3D Printing News Roundup for January 2023

First up, let's take a look at the latest news and developments in the 3D printing world.

• 3D printing is making incredible strides in the medical field, with researchers and scientists using the technology to create life-like organs and make medical breakthroughs.

• The Navy is investing in additive manufacturing, using 3D printing to build up their equipment and infrastructure.

• 3D printing is also being used to create innovative solutions for environmental and social issues, such as creating affordable housing and designing new types of batteries for electric vehicles.

• 3D printing is being utilised in a variety of industries, from construction and housing to space travel and beyond. Companies are developing new materials and techniques to make the technology even more versatile.

• 3D printing is being used to create some truly unique and amazing things, such as a 3D-printed mosque in Dubai, ceramic art, and even a 3D-printed hand for a disabled classmate.

These and more news links for this week are available on the OneTab.

OneTab - Shared tabs

https://www.one-tab.com/page/EGuAujlKTHyQObOhNSkcTw

Maximise Your 3D Printing: Expert Tips and Tricks

If you're having issues with your 3D printer, don't worry - you're not alone! In this edition, we'll be sharing troubleshooting advice for some common problems that arise with 3D printing.

One important tip is to make sure that your printer is properly calibrated. This will ensure that your prints come out looking their best. Another tip is to use high-quality filament. Using low-quality filament can result in poor print quality and can even damage your printer.

If you're having issues with your 3D printer, don't worry - you're not alone! Common problems that arise with 3D printing include poor adhesion, warping, and stringing. One solution to these issues is to adjust your printer's temperature settings. Another solution is to use a different type of filament.

Overcoming 3D Printing Challenges: My Journey to Success

In our "Failed Print" segment, we'll be featuring user-submitted stories of a failed print and sharing advice on how to avoid similar mistakes. But in this edition, we're featuring a story from myself.

One thing I didn't realise at the time was cooling was a problem. The reason I was having such poor prints with the PETG was the vent for the cooling fan had flung off after being caught in a failed print. I didn't realise this until after many more failed prints. After securing this vent back and rebuilding the hot-end to avoid any wobble and remove a persistent clog due to the bowden tube not being fully seated; I started to get some good prints in the PLA. Back to the PETG it did like a warmer bed to stick but the issue was mainly the PEI fitted to the glass bed. I fixed this by turning the bed over and fitting a different PEI sheet from LokBuild. This helped tremendously with PETG adhesion issues, and the PLA was printing at 40c on the bed.

LokBuild : 3D Print Build Surface - Large (295 x 295mm) | eBay

LokBuild is the ultimate 3D printing surface for FFF/FDM 3D printers. It is a long lasting alternative to films and tapes.LokBuild can be easily cut to suit the exact shape and size of your 3D printers build surface.

https://ebay.us/df0OUz

We'll further breakdown these problems and discuss solutions over the coming weeks, some are easy to diagnose and some not so but we are here to help.

Software and Equipment Reviews

Last but not least, we'll be reviewing some of the best 3D printing software and equipment on the market.

One of the best pieces of software for 3D printing is Cura. It is a free, open-source software that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints. I picked this slicer this week because it's helped me calibrate my printer. Even though it didn't have a profile I found it easy to create a custom printer profile and start calibration. For the beginner and advanced it has a lot of features that stand out. I especially like the tree supports.

How MirageC helped BondTech improve it's extruder design

One company that caught our eye this week is BondTech. MirageC did a wonderful collaboration to improve the main gearing on the extruder and how they solved a mystery around extrusion quality.

That's it for this week in 3D Printing Innovations

We hope you found this edition of 3D Printing Innovations informative and helpful. If you have any suggestions for future content or feedback on this edition, please don't hesitate to reach out. And don't forget to share the newsletter with your friends and colleagues who are interested in 3D printing. Please do share your failed prints!

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we'll see you in the next edition of 3D Printing Innovations.