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
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
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
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
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
Argon vs. Nitrogen – Choosing the Right Shielding Gas in Metal AM In powder bed fusion systems, the role of shielding gas is often underestimated. Yet, the choice between argon and nitrogen can profoundly impact the final properties of 3D-printed metal parts. These ... Jan 7, 2026
Denser Isn’t Always Faster – Understanding Recoater Limitations When designing build layouts for metal additive manufacturing, it’s tempting to assume that packing as many parts as possible will automatically lead to faster, more efficient production. However, thi... Jan 7, 2026
Build Plate Coatings, The Unsung Hero of Print Reliability Success in metal 3D printing doesn’t begin at the first layer, it begins at the very bottom: the build plate. Often overlooked, build plate coatings like boron nitride, ceramic sprays, or even graphit... Dec 12, 2025
Preheat to Print Better: Improve Flow, Minimize Defects Preheating metal powders before printing is a simple yet powerful technique to improve print quality. By warming the powder bed or the material itself before the printing process begins, manufacturers... Nov 12, 2025
Mind the Recoater: Clearance for Tall Parts In metal additive manufacturing, one overlooked design mistake can lead to costly print failures: forgetting to account for recoater clearance. The recoater blade spreads each new layer of powder, and... Nov 12, 2025
Why Inert Gas Flow is a Game-Changer in Powder Bed Fusion In powder bed fusion (PBF) processes, inert gas flow plays a vital role far beyond just clearing smoke, it directly influences the consistency, quality, and reliability of your metal prints. Typically... Nov 5, 2025