Preheat to Perform: Why Build Plate Temperature Matters One of the simplest yet most overlooked steps in 3D printing setup is preheating the build plate. This foundational step plays a critical role in stabilizing early layer deposition, especially in mate... Feb 13, 2026 Repeatability and Process Control
Seeing Inside the Build: Optical Tomography in Metal AM As metal 3D printing matures, so does the demand for real-time quality assurance. One of the most transformative technologies in this space is optical tomography, a non-invasive method that captures l... Feb 13, 2026 Repeatability and Process Control
Defects Start at the Source: Why Post-Processing Can’t Fix Everything It’s a common misconception in metal additive manufacturing that post-processing is a cure-all. While finishing operations like CNC machining, polishing, and heat treatment play a critical role in ach... Feb 13, 2026 Post-Processing & Reliability
Integrated Hinges – Print Once, Function Forever Traditional mechanical assemblies often rely on discrete hinges that must be assembled post-manufacturing using pins, screws, or other fasteners. Additive manufacturing flips this approach on its head... Feb 13, 2026 Industrial Applications & Use Cases
Machining Stock: The Small Detail That Prevents Big Failures In metal additive manufacturing, achieving net-shape doesn’t always mean achieving net-tolerance. Critical surfaces, such as sealing faces, bearing seats, or assembly features, often require post-proc... Feb 13, 2026 Design for Additive Manufacturing
Build Orientation and Fatigue Life in Metal AM In powder bed fusion, anisotropy is an inherent characteristic, parts do not have uniform properties in all directions. This directional dependence means the orientation in which a part is built has a... Feb 13, 2026 Design for Additive Manufacturing
Smart Orientation = Cleaner Prints + Fewer Supports Part orientation is often underestimated in additive manufacturing, yet it can dramatically influence build success, cost, and post-processing time. One of the primary considerations in AM setup is su... Feb 13, 2026 Design for Additive Manufacturing
Humidity Control: Protecting Your Powder Investment Metal powder might look inert, but it’s chemically reactive, especially to water. Even trace amounts of humidity can alter its behavior during laser melting. Moisture adsorbed on the surface of partic... Feb 13, 2026 Repeatability and Process Control
Higher Power ≠ Better Fusion In laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), it’s tempting to assume that increasing laser power will automatically improve part fusion and density. While power is a key parameter, additive manufacturing is hig... Feb 13, 2026 Repeatability and Process Control
Ultra-Fine Internal Channels: Redefining Heat Exchanger Design with Metal AM One of the most powerful capabilities of metal additive manufacturing is the ability to create ultra-fine internal channels, geometries that were previously impossible with traditional manufacturing. ... Jan 14, 2026 Industrial Applications & Use Cases
Thread Orientation in AM: Why Vertical Bosses Matter Threads are essential features in many metal and polymer components, but their performance depends heavily on how they’re printed and finished. In additive manufacturing, it’s common to post-machine t... Jan 14, 2026 Design for Additive Manufacturing
Layer Thickness in Metal Additive Manufacturing – Striking the Right Balance In metal additive manufacturing, the choice of layer thickness plays a pivotal role in balancing productivity, resolution, and material integrity. While it might seem like a minor parameter, it direct... Jan 14, 2026 Repeatability and Process Control