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.

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?

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!