Sometimes, you just need a dash of color in your 3D prints. Other times, maybe you want to mix and match two different materials in a single print. Changing filament mid-print can add a whole new dimension to your 3D-printed models. Cura makes it simple by giving you tools using which …
Cura Filament Change: Amazing Mid-Print Color Changes in 5 Easy Steps Read More
Slic3r and Cura have both done their part in improving the slicing software scene in 3D printing. In the early days of 3D printing, Slic3r played a significant role in the RepRap project and continues to do so now. Back in 2011, it was one of the few open-source slicers for …
Slic3r vs. Cura: Which to Master for 3D Printing Success? Read More
First invented for creating astronauts’ visors, Polycarbonate has quickly caught on to become one of the most versatile plastic materials in use today. It’s UV-resistant, has a high-temperature tolerance, and is widely used in industrial as well as day-to-day applications. Its versatility and tough mechanical characteristics have also helped it become …
Polycarbonate Filament: Unlock Its Potential With These Settings Read More
When it comes to 3D printing, the ultimate goal is to get perfect results. One of the challenges, however, that often emerges is stringing. Those pesky, unwanted strands of filament that can mar an otherwise flawless print. Luckily, the Coasting feature in Cura is designed to alleviate the strings in your …
Cura Coasting: The 3 Best Coast Settings to Avoid Stringing Read More
Ultimaker’s Cura and the PrusaSlicer are two of the best slicing software praised by the community. Both are open-source, free to use, and come with a unique set of features that contribute to their popularity. Ever since their release, the debate of Cura vs. PrusaSlicer has been an ongoing topic. The …
PrusaSlicer vs Cura: Which is the Ultimate 3D Printing Slicer? Read More
Cura is free, and Simplify3D is paid. The former has tree supports, the latter does not. One is open-source. The other is privately owned. The differences don’t seem to end. Cura vs Simplify3D is one of the most interesting debates in the world of 3D printing. At the surface level, both …
Cura vs Simplify3D: Is an Expensive Slicer Better? Read More
Glowforge and xTool laser cutters have both made it simple and safe for anyone to use laser cutters in their homes and garages and even start a laser cutting business. Choosing between the latest xTool P2 and Glowforge machines isn’t the easiest task, however. The xTool P2 is a new and …
xTool P2 vs Glowforge Laser Cutters: Which Crushes the Competition? Read More
The top and bottom layers of your 3D prints often have a rough finish because of extrusion lines. These lines can give your prints an unfinished appearance and affect their overall visual appeal. Sometimes, you just need parts that look smooth and clean. Fortunately, there’s a solution—ironing. Cura’s ironing feature smoothens …
Cura Ironing: The 7 Best Settings for a Smooth Top Layer Read More
Support structures are a core element in 3D printing. They hold up the overhangs of your pieces, making it easier to print elaborate models. But one problem with these supports is that they sometimes show up in unwanted places. What if the printer makes support even though you don’t need it …
Cura Support Blocker: How to Block Supports in 6 Easy Steps Read More
The vase mode in Cura is a pretty unique tool that is both useful and fun to use. Think of it as making a whole model with a single strand of 3D printer filament. No seams, no transitions between layers—just one continuous line 3D print. Even though Vase mode in Cura …
Cura Vase Mode: How to Create Spiralized Contours in 3 Easy Steps Read More
Cura has an extensive library of high-quality infill patterns to choose from. Each infill pattern has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are better for strength, while others have a superior appearance. Some patterns use less material, while others cut down on the amount of time it takes to print. Cura …
Cura Infill Patterns: Which Are the Best, Fastest, and Strongest? Read More
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most commonly used material in FDM 3D printing. This plant-based plastic is well-known for its ease of printing, reasonable cost, and wide assortment. Also, it’s better for the earth than other 3D printing materials. Every 3D printing enthusiast or professional user has printed something with PLA …
Each of Cura’s nifty features contributes to an overall better 3D printing experience. Ranging from tried-and-true standards to novel experiments, the slicer has a lot that helps you. One of the more experimental settings we’ll examine today is Cura’s Adaptive layers. Adaptive layers are a handy feature in Cura. It automatically …
Cura Adaptive Layers: Use Variable Layer Heights for Better Quality Prints Read More
If you are looking for Glowforge projects to try out, this article has you covered. Glowforge laser cutting machines have been trending in the DIY community since their introduction in 2018. Because of its flexibility and user-friendliness, it has given amateurs, experts, and everyone in between new ways to express their …
Starting a business in 3D printing is now more affordable and easier than ever. You’ve probably already seen dozens of online sellers of 3D-printed items on eBay, Etsy, and Amazon, so you know making money with a 3D printer is possible. Aside from the fun side of running a 3D printing …
Even if you have your print settings down to a science, your 3D prints might still have holes and gaps. Most of the time, it’s easy to ignore these gaps because they’re small and don’t affect the strength of the print. But sometimes, they can be really noticeable and ruin the …
Holes and Gaps in 3D Prints: How to Get Smooth Surfaces On Every Print Read More
Supports are weird! Often you want them in your 3D prints, but nobody really likes them. Standard support structures don’t always work well and are known for being hard to take off the model. You can always “fine-tune” your support settings, but let’s be honest: they often still don’t print the …
Cura has loads of features tuned toward adjusting the retraction in your 3D prints. There’s coasting, sweeping, Z-hop, and the topic of today: combing. Combing in Cura is meant to reduce stringing and improve the surface quality of your prints. In this article, we’ll look at what combing mode is, how …
Splitting a 3D model for printing is something that solves many problems. You can print big parts with a smaller 3D printer, your parts won’t experience as much warping, and the parts are easier to handle during cleaning and post-processing. Of course, you’ll need to glue the 3D printed parts together …
By lifting the nozzle during retractions, Z-Hop helps to reduce the chances of your prints getting knocked over from the bed and scarring on your prints. With a Z-hop height of 0.2 mm, you can get smoother 3D prints and reduce print failure. Z-Hop is one of those important but often …
How long it will take to 3D print depends on multiple parameters. For example, the print speed, size of the 3D model, and printing technology. Typically, 3D prints can take anywhere between a couple of hours to several days. On average, a 3D Benchy takes about two to three hours to …
Laser cutting machines are more accessible now than ever. If you are running a small business, it’s a great idea to invest in one. Laser cutters and engravers offer precision, accuracy, and repeatability that hand-crafted tools can’t match. If you think a laser cutter’s cost will break your budget, don’t worry. …
SuperSlicer is an extensive slicing software that’s based on Prusa Slicer. It provides you with numerous additional settings to fine-tune your slicing process. You get better control over perimeters, thin walls, and also benefit from an excellent community that’s ready to help you out with any issues. SuperSlicer is one of …
Laser engraving on metal is now more accessible than ever, owing to the variety of powerful and relatively affordable CO2 and fiber laser machines. You can engrave keychains, jewelry, watches, barcodes, and labels with a small setup, right within your garage or small shop. In this article, we’ve compiled a list …
Laser engraving is an easy and exciting way to customize personal items and make unique gifts. But once you’ve picked out the best laser engraver for you, where do you go next? In this article, we’ve listed some of the best laser engraving ideas you can make with your laser machine …
Despite their low price, there are plenty of 3D printers under $200 that offer a good mix of features and printing quality. Long gone are the times where 3D printing was exclusively a domain of expert engineers or hobbyists spending thousands of dollars on high-end equipment. Even though you can set …
The first laser cutting machines were invented in the 1960s. Since then, the technology and the hardware have improved vastly. But, even if you have all the best hardware components put together in a laser machine, they’re only going to be as good as the software running it. For that reason, …
Klipper is an open-source 3D printer firmware that’s developed for high-speed 3D printing. It utilizes an additional single-board computer for extra features and improved print quality at fast print speeds. Klipper firmware is swiftly gaining popularity in the 3D printing community because of its improved feature set compared to other firmware. …
What Is Klipper Firmware and Why Use It for Your 3D Printer Read More
The main difference between the Ender 3 S1 and the Ender 3 S1 Pro is that the Pro version comes with an all-metal hot end and a PEI print bed to print with high-temperature filaments. Moreover, the Pro gets a touch screen and supports up to nine international languages. Creality launched …
Ender 3 S1 vs S1 Pro vs S1 Plus: What’s the Difference? Read More
Glowforge and Cricut machines have quickly become household standards for DIY makers. They are giving users new ways to create their favorite designs. You can cut, carve, etch, and engrave on various materials and use these machines for your kid’s projects or kickstart your own little Etsy shop. With similar applications …
Cheap laser engravers are easy to find nowadays. With significant progress in diode laser technology, it is now possible to purchase a laser engraver for your hobbies or small business at an affordable price. Also gone are the days when cheap equaled low quality. For under $500, you can get a …
The Creality Ender 3 V2 is the latest iteration in the Ender 3 series. You get an updated design that is more modern and up-to-date. Its glass bed helps with print adhesion, and the silent controller board lets you experience more silent 3D printing. The Ender 3 is one of Creality’s …
Fast 3D printers have taken the 3D printing world by storm. You have printers hitting 200, 300, and 600 mm/s printing speeds without sacrificing much print quality. We remember one of the first 3D printers to make these fast printing waves—the Voron. Well, technically, it still does. The latest Voron 2.4 …
K40 laser cutters are the perfect machines to start your laser engraving journey. They’re budget-friendly, fit on a desktop, and are easy for beginners to operate. But with all K40 machines looking similar on the surface, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Moreover, the laser …
3D printers are sophisticated pieces of machinery. And as with any such machine, they come with their own set of essential tools and accessories that help make the 3D printing experience easier and more reliable. From print removal tools to calipers, these accessories are essential for successfully operating a 3D printer. …
18 Must-Have 3D Printer Accessories & 3D Printing Tools Read More
PolyLactic Acid (PLA) is one of the primary plastic filaments in 3D printing. It’s easy to 3D print, affordable, and comes in many colors and varieties. And with its popularity, many users are always looking to get the best PLA 3D prints possible. You can choose to sand and polish your …
Glowforge is among the most popular laser cutter brands. The modern look, sturdy build, and high-end functionality have made Glowforge machines popular among both amateur and expert Etsy artisans. However, some of the machines’ drawbacks include a subpar software user interface and limited value for the money. And due to their …
10 Glowforge Alternatives for Cheaper Laser Cutting Read More
The easiest way to fix Z-banding is to replace your lead screw(s) and correctly align the Z-axis with your 3D printer’s frame. PID tuning your heat bed and cleaning out your nozzle are secondary solutions that can help resolve your Z-banding lines on your 3D prints. Z-Banding is a common issue …
11 Ways to Fix Z-Banding and Z-Wobble in Your 3D Prints Read More
3-in-1 3D printers are very much in demand due to their unique value proposition. You can 3D print using a print head, carve using a CNC bit, and engrave your models using a laser, all on a single machine. This versatility opens up several avenues for DIY makers, hobbyists, and creators …
The 5 Best 3-in-1 3D Printers for Complete Fabrication Read More
Rapid prototyping technology is evolving rapidly, and consumer-level 3D printer prices have decreased significantly. With these, numerous large-scale machines are now available in the market. Large 3D printers give you the extra space to print massive designs in a single instance, and you don’t need to split or otherwise optimize the …
The 10 Best Large 3D Printers For Massive 3D Prints Read More
3D printed house costs can range anywhere from $10,000 to $400,000. The final price will vary wildly depending on the geographical location, size of the house, land cost, labor cost, electricals, and any furnishings that go in the home. 3D printed homes are a relatively new concept that has started taking …
Delta 3D printers are best known for their large print heights and fast 3D printing speeds. They are a great choice if you want to quickly 3D print architectural designs, prototypes, or large-scale models. Alternatively, if you only have limited space available, the small footprint of a Delta 3D printer can …
The 7 Best Delta 3D Printers for Rapid 3D Printing Read More
The number of 3D printed houses available currently is scarce. But, many companies are working actively to make 3D printed houses a reality for the masses. Some of these mass-produced 3D printed houses will be available in the next 5-7 years. A decade ago, 3D printed houses were in their nascent …
Nowadays, you can find 3D printers at a variety of price points. No matter your budget, if you want a 3D printer under $300, a 3D printer under $1000, or anything in between, it is available for you to buy. Each of these price ranges has its own merits and drawbacks. If you’re …
Airbrushes are a great tool to have in any painter’s arsenal. They allow you to create smooth, even coats of paint without leaving any brush strokes behind. Right from painting cars and walls to the delicate work of decorating cakes and painting miniatures, an airbrush can bring your work to life. …
The 11 Best Airbrush Compressors for Smooth Airbrushing Read More
Prusa Research launched its i3-style 3D printers late back in 2012. Since then, the company has grown tremendously and gained massive popularity in the 3D printing community. The Prusa i3 MK3 series and Prusa MINI+ helped the company establish a prominent position in the market. The success of the i3-style printers …
Laser engravers are becoming an increasingly popular tool for hobbyists. You can use them to create detailed designs and patterns on a variety of materials and they offer a high degree of accuracy and precision. No matter if you run a maker’s workshop, a prototyper’s garage, or a manufacturing factory, it …
In recent years, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines have evolved a lot in their designs, applications, and use case scenarios. You can now buy a them at a relatively affordable price and get started carving your ideas. Getting your hands on some of the best CNC routers for at home is …
The 8 Best Home CNC Machines for Easy Desktop Routing Read More
3D printer designs have evolved a lot since their inception in the 1980s. Cartesian, CoreXY, and Delta 3D printers are the standard norm in the hobby 3D printing space. Recently, we have seen the introduction of conveyor belt 3D printers. These 3D printers have the belt embedded into the build platform, …
Using a nozzle cleaning kit and a cleaning filament is the most effective way to clean your 3D printer nozzle. You can remove the nozzle and soak it in acetone to remove any traces of filament impurities. A brass wire brush with soft bristles will help eliminate any leftover filament residue. …
