The main advantage of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing is the ability to iterate quickly and cheaply. This makes the technology revolutionary in its ability to spur innovation. For a long time, 3D printing was best used for prototyping parts. Now, there are new durable and functional materials hitting the market nearly every day.

For various reasons, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are not always the best source for replacement parts. A growing number of people and companies are looking to 3D printing as a way to replicate parts that they otherwise would struggle to procure. This is especially true in the automotive, construction, and hardware technology industries.

The biggest mistake you can make in 3D printing is not understanding the limitations of 3D printing. This post contains some simple tips for developing 3D printable CAD models.

So you finished 3D modeling your project on your preferred CAD (Computer Aided Design) software and now you want to 3D print it. Before you can begin 3D printing, it is important to optimize your files and run through a few additional steps to avoid any problems during the printing process. This print guide will help you properly optimize and prepare your digital files prior to starting your prints.

Architectural models have long been made using traditional processes and materials such as paper, cardstock, chipboard, and balsa. Today, 3D printing is making it cheaper, faster and easier to produce more precise, higher quality and safer models using lightweight, durable filaments. This post examines how traditional model making compares to 3D printed architectural models.