Researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the IMDEA Materials Institute, in collaboration with German medical technology company Meotec, have developed a degradation-triggered 4D printing method that allows gradual, time-controlled shape changes using standard fused filament fabrication (FFF). Published in Additive Manufacturing, the study shows that hydrolytic degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) can be […]
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have developed a multi-agent, Large Language Model (LLM)-orchestrated workflow designed to automate early-stage alloy evaluation for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the system integrates Thermo-Calc property calculations with an analytical melt pool model to generate lack of fusion (LoF) process maps for screening known […]
Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso, working with Sandia National Laboratories and FAR Associates, have developed a method to approximate the absorptivity of Inconel 625 during powder bed fusion by analyzing in situ radiation thermometry data collected during electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB/M). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the study shows […]
Researchers at Shenzhen University and partner institutions showed a way to reduce functional anisotropy in a 4D-printed high-entropy shape memory alloy (HESMA) by adding TiN nanoparticles during laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Reported in Additive Manufacturing Letters, the study shows that nanoparticle-driven grain refinement lowers both mechanical and shape-memory anisotropy, and that a short heat […]
U.S. defense weapon system Velo3D has been designated as the first approved additive manufacturing provider supporting the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center’s (GVSC) effort to accelerate the integration of qualified AM capabilities within the Defense Industrial Base. The selection expands an existing Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) between Velo3D and U.S. Army DEVCOM […]
restor3d, a specialist in 3D printed personalized orthopedic solutions, has announced the full commercial release of the Ossera AFX Ankle Fusion Cage System. The platform, designed to address complex ankle fusion cases, is now available in both standard off-the-shelf and custom made-to-order configurations. “We understand that every surgeon has unique preferences and approaches when it […]
In this edition of SLICED, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we compile the latest developments across the additive manufacturing (AM) sector, including global distribution expansions, defense manufacturing trials, asset acquisitions, and aerospace qualification programs. In today’s digest, updates span regional reseller agreements, deployable cold spray repair for naval operations, polymer material validation for aerospace, […]
Predictable motion in soft robotics has traditionally depended on complex molds and multi-step fabrication processes, slowing design iteration and limiting customization. Researchers at Harvard University have now introduced a multimaterial 3D printing approach that embeds actuation directly into flexible structures during fabrication, allowing soft robotic devices to be produced with built-in, programmable movement. Reported in […]
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a computational framework for designing 3D woven metamaterials that are soft, flexible, and programmable. Unlike traditional metamaterials, which rely on rigidity and lightweight structures, these woven lattices can be tuned fiber by fiber to stretch, bend, or fail in controlled ways, opening new possibilities for […]
Researchers at Penn State University have unveiled a 4D printing method that produces “smart synthetic skin” capable of dynamically changing its shape, texture, and appearance in response to external stimuli. Unlike traditional synthetic materials with fixed properties, this hydrogel-based material can perform multiple functions, from adaptive camouflage to information encryption and mechanical deformation, all within […]
US motorsport organization National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is applying its expertise in additive manufacturing and digital engineering to optimize performance in Winter Olympic luge. By producing life-size 3D printed athlete models, performing CFD simulations, and testing in wind tunnels, NASCAR is helping USA Luge refine sled aerodynamics and athlete positioning to […]
The United States Marine Corps is expanding advanced manufacturing capacity in the Indo-Pacific through a public-private partnership with a Japanese firm designed to produce and repair parts closer to where forces operate. Marine Depot Maintenance Command (MDMC) has signed an agreement with Japanese advanced manufacturing firm MadeHere K.K. to address a persistent problem in military […]
WASP’s construction-focused startup WASP 3D Build has completed the 3D printing of the walls for Itaca, a self-sufficient home billed as Italy’s first certified 3D printed construction. Located at the Shamballa open air laboratory in the hills of Northern Italy, the structure complies with Italian and European construction regulations, including earthquake resistance standards. For 3D […]
Florida State University’s InSPIRE Institute and the Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) have announced the second national 3D Printing Tech Challenge. The 2026 challenge addresses a major constraint in precision additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense: predicting and compensating in LPBF Inconel 718. Participants will work to predict the as-built distortion […]
The Sanjay Mortimer RepRap Festival (SMRRF) is back in Manchester on 7–8 March 2026, uniting makers, engineers, students, and industry players for two days of immersive workshops, hands-on demonstrations, robotics competitions, and a glimpse into the future of 3D printing. Organised by the Sanjay Mortimer Foundation in partnership with PrintCity, SMRRF 2026 will feature a […]
At the Rock Island Arsenal–Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC), U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) is using advanced manufacturing to address critical supply shortages and keep equipment mission-ready. This initiative also expands the technical capabilities of Ordnance Corps personnel, particularly 91E Allied Trades Specialists and 914A Allied Trades Warrant Officers, ensuring they are […]
As 3D printing grows in popularity, creators increasingly face unauthorized copying and sales of their designs. Digital platform and community for 3D printing creators MakerWorld’s new Creator Copyright Protection Program addresses this problem, providing procedural support, streamlined reporting, and international enforcement to help designers protect original models and maintain control over their work. Supporting Creators […]
For AI-generated 3D models, visual completeness does not guarantee physical viability. A mesh that looks coherent on screen can still fail at the slicer stage due to non-manifold edges, thin walls, or ambiguous negative space. As generative systems increase output resolution and complexity, those failure modes become harder to treat as edge cases. They define […]
Nikon has taken close to ¥90bn ($574.7 million) in impairment charges, mostly against its additive manufacturing business, marking a significant retreat from the growth assumptions that underpinned its 2023 acquisition of SLM Solutions. Impairment reflects revised assumptions behind SLM acquisition The writedowns cover goodwill and intangible assets. They stem from a reassessment of future cash […]
3D printed firearms have become a growing concern for law enforcement in recent years. Lawmakers and online platforms have introduced new restrictions targeting both the weapons themselves and the digital files used to produce them. Now two states are attempting to push that strategy further upstream. New York and Washington State are pursuing legislation to […]
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