Research

3D printing is a special type of digital fabrication called additive manufacturing. The difference between additive manufacturing and traditional techniques is that objects are created layer-by-layer, so there is minimal loss of material. This creates a potential for a more…

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an FDM 3D printer that, with the help of a laser, prints 10 times faster than normal office machines. Though it uses a laser, it is still considered a fused deposition…

When you think of 3D printing, naturally you think of plastics. However, there is a growing trend towards using metals as a 3D printing material. The visibility of 3D printing metal has grown further recently as HP have announced plans…

We were lucky enough to sit down with Monad Studio recently to discuss their recent developments. Monad Studio have created some of the most beautiful, 3D printed instruments we have ever seen. These include instruments used by Viktoria Modesta and more,…

During the writing of our recent feature story on the use of 3D technology in restoring history we spoke to staff at the Harvard Semitic Museum. We received such a large amount of great information about the museum that we…

One of the main barriers preventing 3D printing becoming more widely adopted is speed. 3D printing is slow compared to traditional manufacturing. However, this latest update may solve some of these speed-related complaints. Engineers in Michigan have made a fantastic…

Intellectual Property is a controversial and sometimes confusing issue. The moniker covers such a broad spectrum, that it requires years of experience to master. This is bad for designers who want to create 3D-printed models and share them for both…

Researchers at Michigan State University have created a wearable fingerprint that is recognised by all 3 types of fingerprint readers. These fingerprints, created from 3D-printed molds, use a silicone material to mimic human skin. So successful are these ‘targets’, they…

There are numerous initiatives today showing how 3D printing helps art and history. This can be through creating complex shapes and new works, educating a wider audience, or preserving artefacts. By recreating a ruined monument for example, we preserve its…

Researchers at Massey University have successfully made a new 3D-printer. This printer is special: it can 3D-print new corneas, which can then be used to transplant them into humans. The best part? The printer creates these new corneas from fish scales.…

In Australia, at Monash University in Melbourne, a team of engineers have managed to design, assemble, and test a 3D print rocket engine in just four months. The engine, named Project X, is based on an aerospike nozzle that redesigns…

Refabricator is the new NASA recycling system that is expected to be ready by next year. Created by Tethers Unlimited Inc. (TUI), the system can be used to transform plastic objects and parts into printable materials on board the space…