Editorials / Opinions
DLP 3D Printing, What’s the Big Deal?
I’d have to say that out of all the additive manufacturing (AM) technologies this industry has to offer—and there are a lot—digital light processing (DLP) has been made particularly exciting…
3D Printing 1990: “The Present State of Accuracy in Stereolithography”
AMUG DiNO Jim Harrison, a Technical Sales Representative at nScrypt, has been in the 3D printing industry since its inception. In this series on the history of additive manufacturing, Jim recounts…
Will 3D Printed Aircraft Soon Become a Reality?
As the aviation industry continues to struggle with rising costs and the question of long-term environmental sustainability, there may be an option that can help with both problems. The 3D…
The Power of Serendipity at NYC’s Premier 3D Printing Event
This year’s Additive Manufacturing Strategies business and networking summit was fantastic. I know I’m biased, but I really loved the event and had an amazing time. First off, it’s always…
Ethical 3D Printing: 9 Ways 3D Printing Could Aid Criminals
3D printed guns have received a lot of attention, since the dawn of the Liberator pistol. Copyright and other IP infringement achieved with 3D printing has also been brought up…
Ethical 3D Printing: The Bomber Will Always Get Through
Supply chain resilience via additive manufacturing (AM) is a wonderful thing, especially if you’re an outside nation, like North Korea. Supply chain resilience has become buzz word, but is also…
What if 3D Printing Mass Customized Everything at the Voxel Level?
When we think of mass customization and 3D printing, we often think of personalizing an object’s shape. Shape alone, however, doesn’t often make a good business case. Frequently, additive manufacturing…
Reducing Sand Casting Lead Times and Costs with Hybrid 3D Printing
The sand casting process has undergone dramatic changes in recent years thanks to the benefits and advantages offered by 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM). Rest assured, sand…
Why Is There so Little 3D Printing Training Available?
If I ask friends what they need in 3D printing the most, mature users often point to training. I did a survey at one point and, the more production oriented…
Will Nikon’s SLM Solutions Deal Go through?
When Japanese multinational Nikon (TYO: 7731) announced its intention to acquire SLM Solutions (ETR: AM3D) in September 2022, it seemed like a reasonable part of its digital manufacturing strategy, and there is…
The Coming Commoditization of Metal 3D Printing
In our article on predictions for the serial production of metal parts Autodesk’s Director of Additive Manufacturing, Alexander Oster, suggested that, “the metal AM space is currently splitting in high-end…
Engineers Ask: Where Do I Source Complex Metal Parts in 2022?
It’s 2022, yet some seemingly basic questions remain unanswered at our doorstep. For engineers, one of those concerns is sourcing custom, intricately-featured metal parts. With an ever-widening array of new…
What’s the Deal with Metal Binder Jet 3D Printing?
90 to 95 percent of the part files I received as a Regional Technical Manager for Desktop Metal were designed and proved out for another manufacturing process. Companies all over…
Why Did HP Kill off its Full-Color 3D Printer?
The full-color HP Jet Fusion 580 3D printer was a fantastic machine; however, HP’s decision to cease production of the system is shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, there are fascinating takeaways…
ICAM 2022: 3D Printing Engineers Need More ($$$)!
The engineers and technicians have gotten the additive manufacturing (AM) sector to where it is now. It’s up to investors and policymakers to take the next step in bringing the…
Ye Debuts 3D Printed Boot Powered by Zellerfeld for Paris Fashion Week
Amidst outrage at his decision to wear a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt at Paris Fashion Week while debuting the YEEZY Season 9 collection, other aspects of the show naturally flew…
The Desire Engine: Machine Learning and 3D Printing
Machine learning will impossibly transform our world. I say “impossibly” because we can not foresee the implications and changes that artificial general intelligence will bring to bear on society. The…
3D Printing Everything that Matters
Bits flow through our lives. The modern world is permeated by information being broadcast continuously. If we walk today, we are accompanied by accelerometers, gyroscopes, motion and light sensors taking…
IMTS 2022: 3D Printing is a Manufacturing Technology. Now What?
About a decade ago, 3D printing began to transition into an actual production technology. This saw makers of industrial additive manufacturing (AM) systems engaged in a variety of endeavors to…
Looking to Dominate Medical 3D Printing, Formlabs Appoints President of Healthcare
From Kickstarter to a president of Healthcare, it has been a heady journey for professional desktop 3D printing company Formlabs. The company announced that Guillaume Bailliard is to be its…
Digital Textures Can Hasten the Adoption of 3D Printed Products
Recently, I’ve been conducting more research via touch. I slide my fingertips over a new MYKITA Studio pair of sunglasses. The sensation is like Arkema’s Rilsan material with an AMT…
Markforged Buys Digital Metal: What Does it Mean for the 3D Printing Industry?
This PRO article was originally published in July 2022 and is being re-shared here as Markforged has completed its acquisition of Digital Metal. It’s been a few months since the additive…
Wang Laboratories: The PC and the Future of 3D Printing
A friend of mine pointed out the incredible degree of strategic replication in the 3D printing market. Due to this, I try to second guess all of my own opinions…
Unseen Opportunity: What Is the Ideal In-Hospital 3D Printer
Just a few years ago, 3D printers were rare inside hospitals. Now, over the past five years, we’ve seen a huge growth in 3D printing adoption inside hospitals. This includes…
