Understanding the Basics of 3D Printing Costs 3D printing can be an exciting venture, but understanding the costs involved is critical for success. At its core, 3D printing expenses can be divided into material costs, operational costs, and overhead costs. Material costs encompass the filament or resin used for printing, which can vary widely based on the type and quality selected. In addition to materials, operational costs include electricity usage and wear and tear on the printer. Overhead costs can also include maintenance, software subscriptions, and labor if applicable. Recognizing these elements helps in creating a comprehensive budget. Key Factors Influencing 3D Printing Expenses Several key factors can significantly influence the overall expenses of 3D printing. The type of material you choose is one of the most impactful; for example, high-quality filaments like nylon or polycarbonate can be more expensive than standard PLA. Additionally, the complexity and size of your… read more
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Researchers from the University of Washington (UW) have introduced a new way to 3D print mycelium-based biocomposites, sidestepping the need for traditional molds. Led by Danli Luo, alongside Junchao Yang, and Nadya Peek this approach uses a specialized 3D printable paste called Mycofluid, a custom-built 3D printing system named Fungibot, and an incubation process that allows mycelium to grow within printed structures. Published in the 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing journal, the study highlights how this method could offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional fabrication without compromising on functionality. Mycelium biocomposites offer structural strength and hydrophobic properties, but rigid molds limit design flexibility. Attempts with flexible formworks like knitting or weaving have led to uneven material distribution and structural inconsistencies, says the team. âWeâre interested in expanding this to other bio-derived materials, such as other forms of food waste,â Luo said. âWe want to broadly support this kind of… read more
Researchers have developed a new 3D printing technique capable of producing microfibers measuring just 1.5 microns in diameter. The advancement, detailed in a January 20 study published in Nature Communications, overcomes previous limitations in printing very thin, soft materials. A spiral structure produced using embedded 3D printing. (Image Credit: M. Tanver Hossain.) The team utilized a method called embedded printing, which deposits material into a gel mold rather than building layers from the ground up. This approach provides better support for delicate structures during the printing process. The researchers modified both the gel and printing ink to enable instant curing, preventing the thin filaments from breaking during production. âAchieving such high printing resolution means we now have the technological foundation to mimic the microfibers and hair-like structures found in nature, which exhibit remarkable functionalities,â said Wonsik Eom, an engineer at Dankook University who participated in the study. The printed fibers… read more
IperionX Limited, a U.S.-based materials company, has secured a US$47.1 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This funding is aimed at fortifying the U.S. Defense industrial base by advancing the development of a reliable, cost-effective, and fully integrated titanium supply chainâfrom mineral extraction to metal productionâthereby enhancing national security and economic resilience. The agreement represents a combined investment of US$70.7 million, which will fund a two-phase development program over the next two years. In the first phase, the DoD has allocated US$5 million through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, with IperionX contributing an additional US$1 million. These funds will expedite the Titan Critical Minerals Project in Tennessee, advancing it to project-ready statusâan essential step in establishing a new domestic source of titanium, rare earths, and zircon critical minerals. The remaining US$42.1 million will be allocated to IperionXâs Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia, ensuring vertical… read more
Researchers from John Hopkins University have developed a new 3D printing programming language called Time Code (T-Code). Outlined in a Nature Communications study, co-authors Sarah Propst and Jochen Mueller claim T-Code improves 3D printing speed and quality for complex multi-material parts. Optimized for Direct Ink Writing (DIW) additive manufacturing, this new approach uses a Python script to divide traditional G-Code into two separate tracks. One controls the 3D print path, while the other manages printhead functions. Unlike G-Code, which executes tasks line-by-line, T-Code uses time to synchronize the 3D printerâs motion with key commands like material switching and flow adjustments. This eliminates common start-stop interruptions that slow production and create defects, enabling continuous, uninterrupted fabrication. As a result, 3D printing becomes faster without losing accuracy or detail, facilitating advanced capabilities like smooth gradients and in-situ material changes. According to the Baltimore-based researchers, their new methodology can handle complex designs that… read more
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- Coffee grounds for 3D printing? A unique take on sustainable options for molds
- New 3D Printing Technique Replicates Nature’s Finest Fibers
- IperionX Awarded $47.1 Million DoD Contract to Strengthen U.S. Titanium Supply Chain
- Is T-Code the New G-Code? Researchers Develop New Programming Language
