4D Printing: smart materials that autonomously transform over time through external stimuli and AI. In medicine, orthopedic scaffolds and devices self-assemble within the body. The healthcare market will reach $4.7 billion by 2034.

ColorMix in beta on PrusaSlicer enables multicolor printing with few filaments, alternating them per layer to simulate new shades. It works without additional hardware on multi-material printers, but is calibrated only for Prusament PLA and Prusa XL.

3D printer kits save 20-30% and offer total control, but require time and skills. From basic models like Dagoma (€399) to advanced ones like Prusa CORE One+ (€1,999), choosing a kit is convenient for those who want to customize and maintain their own machine, dedicating hours to assembly.

OrcaSlicer 2.4.0 Alpha offers Orca Cloud, Z Anti-Aliasing, and Machine Input Shaping, but it has technical limitations and risks of instability. For production environments, it is essential to maintain a stable version in parallel and test only copies of the profiles.

3D printed centrifugal pump in a single piece: bearings and o-rings inserted during printing, dissolvable supports for the impeller and epoxy coating for sealing. A hybrid technique that eliminates post-print assembly.

Double the strength of 3D prints without extra weight: use gyroid infill, optimized pathing with Arachne, and localized reinforcements in the G-Code. Advanced slicing techniques for stronger and lighter parts, without complex CAD modifications.

ESA is developing Smart Skin, an intelligent 3D-printed skin for space robotic arms. The flexible coating integrates thermal protection, sensors, and wiring for lunar and Martian missions, overcoming the limits of traditional insulation.

Practical guide to building a tool changer system for 3D printers with less than €30 and a weekend of work. Discover which components to buy, what to print, the critical tolerances to respect, and common errors to avoid to build a functional DIY tool changer.

In 2026, 3D shoes become industrial reality: Zellerfeld, PollyFab and others offer production platforms, AI design and dedicated materials. From custom footwear to orthopedic soles, the industry abandons experimentation for scalable models and digital customization.

The Saint Louis Art Museum replicated a section of the Trajan's Column with 30 desktop 3D printers. A modular workflow of modeling, printing, and assembly created a full-scale tactile replica, demonstrating that distributed desktop production is scalable for cultural heritage.

Digitizing industrial components for 3D printing in a few hours is possible with real-time visual feedback scanners, automatic mesh cleaning, and parameters aligned with the printer. A method that reduces errors, iterations, and the learning curve.

Three solutions to optimize print farms: SimplyPrint, AutoFarm3D, and 3D Print Manager. Reduce setup times by up to 70% with centralized queues, multi-start, automatic monitoring, and integrated material and cost management.