September brought a fantastic lineup of videos that dive deep into the real economics of 3D printing, breakthrough robotic construction technology, life-changing prosthetic innovations, and creative intersections between parametric design and digital fabrication. We wrap it up with a colorful tour of the future of resin printing with none other than Adam Savage. Whether you’re optimizing your workflow, pushing architectural boundaries, or exploring new materials and design frontiers, these videos will inform and inspire. Let’s get started with this month’s pick!
Top 1: Victoria Hand Project: Changing Prosthetic Care with 3D Printing
The Victoria Hand Project is transforming prosthetic care worldwide by combining accessible design with powerful 3D printing. Based in Canada, this initiative produces fully customized upper-limb prosthetics for about $150, manufactured locally in clinics across the globe, including Ukraine and Africa. Using Original Prusa XL printers, they are able to quickly produce precision parts and above-elbow sockets, even in challenging conditions. This video is an inspiring look at how technology and humanitarian impact intersect to change lives!
Top 2: The Real Cost of 3D Printing (and How to Cut It)
Think that little 30¢ Benchy is the true cost of your print? 3Dnatives breaks down the real costs behind 3D printing and shows you how to reduce them. From filament and electricity to depreciation, labor, software, failed prints, and packaging, this video uncovers all the hidden factors that make prints cost five to ten times more than expected. After watching, you will walk away with five practical strategies to bring costs down, including smarter DFAM techniques, batching, automation, and slicer optimization! If you have ever wondered where your budget is really going, this is essential viewing.
Top 3: Spider Robot Could 3D Print Homes with Raw Materials On-Site
Meet Charlotte, an Australian-developed spider-like robot that might change the way we build on both Earth and space! This groundbreaking prototype is designed to 3D print structures using raw materials it processes on-site, removing the need to transport heavy materials and enabling construction in remote or extreme environments. Even more ambitious, the team envisions Charlotte one day building structures on the Moon. With its mobility, self-sufficiency, and additive approach, this robot represents a major leap toward autonomous, sustainable construction on Earth and beyond.
Top 4: Creality Maker Spotlight | Digital Ideas, Tangible Art
What happens when parametric design meets architectural creativity? Professor Diego García Cuevas from Universidad Europea de Madrid takes us on a deep dive into how digital concepts become a physical reality through 3D printing. From jewelry to architecture, Diego’s projects push boundaries, including a 200-piece 3D-printed bar that showcases the power of parametric workflows. He also shares insights from his book on Grasshopper + G-code and explains more about Creality’s K1 Max and K2 Plus printers. If you love the intersection of design, technology, and art, this is a must-watch!
Top 5: Adam Savage Learns About Full Color Resin 3D Printing!
In this visit to Fonco Studios, Adam Savage explores the cutting edge of full color resin 3D printing. Fon Davis gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the team uses advanced machines to create film and TV miniatures with unprecedented realism, including the ability to print dimensional textures on fabric. This tour is a fascinating glimpse into how additive manufacturing continues to revolutionize the entertainment industry.
Have you ever tracked your real 3D printing costs or experimented with parametric design? Which of these videos inspired you the most? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages! Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.