AI Modeling

While generative AI images have been a thing for several years now, getting artificial intelligence to design accurate and usable 3D models has been somewhat more difficult. However, there are now several different services available that are offering users a taste of what is to come, and we expect it will only get better.

Enter Text to Generate 3D Models by AI

It is already possible to use ChatGPT to generate basic 3D models for instance, by simply describing the shape by text in order to get the desired results. It might require some tweaking and trying out different prompts, but this is a free and quick way to prototype ideas.

As you can see from the images above, this actually works as it is already. Depending on the complexity of the models, these prompts alone can be enough to get the desired results, while more advanced users can import the STL into their 3D editing software and further tweak it.

Make 2D Model into 3D STL by AI

Another option is to use a 2D image for generating 3D stl models. This can be another great way to establish a more specific shape, and control the proportions and overall design more accurately compared to text.

As seen from the example above, AI modeling is already possible and available. Over time it is only logical to assume that the entire space will be moving in the direction of ai generated 3D models in general, as it saves valuable time and allows for even more efficient workflows.

AI Enables Eco-Friendly 3D Printing

Using AI in 3D printing can also help address the issue that 3D printing is often criticized for wasting materials. 3D model artificial intelligence generators are generally quite efficient with their overall designs, reducing the need for extra 3D printing materials when printing. Not only can you use AI to generate new designs from scratch, but also make use of the technology in combination with existing files by using topology optimization services.

Normally, optimizing topology is a rather complex and time consuming process for 3D artists, that require them to remove any surplus vectors and faces from their designs, in order to cut down on the actual material required for 3D printing.

AI makes it easier to simply plug in the model to the algorithm, and use mathematical functions that automatically allocate materials within a given design space, find the most efficient force path, remove redundant parts, and ultimately generate organic forms that resemble “natural growth” (such as bones or tree structures).

The manual process is something that professional engineers and 3D modelers have spent a long time perfecting, but for hobby artists and beginners new to using CAD for 3D printing, these AI methods can remove the barrier for entry and help optimize any 3D design quickly and efficiently.

As an example, the NASA satellite bracket was developed precisely using AI-driven topology optimization combined with 3D printing technology which reduced material use by 30-70%. Another example includes SpaceX’s Super Draco engine bracket, which also used AI-driven topology optimization combined with 3D printing technology,which reduce the material processing waste rate from 80% to 0%, material cost from $8000 to $3500.

AI-Optimized Weight Reduction Cases in Aerospace:

Below are a few examples of previous designs being optimized using AI, in order to cut down on weight, save on printing time and reduce the overall complexity of the 3D designs.

As you can see, the reductions in weight are particularly impressive, resulting in a substantial reduction in material usage and costs. Likewise, for private hobbyists, AI-driven design optimization can also minimize material consumption and shorten printing time ( conserve energy ) — making the overall process more eco-friendly while effectively addressing key challenges in desktop 3D printer.

AI in Manufacturing of 3D Printing

There are also advancements in the manufacturing industry, as AI models for 3D printing are already being used in production lines in different sectors. For now they are primarily being used to improve efficiency and reduce excess materials, which in turn helps develop the tools and services even more.

Optimize Production Process and Improve Production Efficiency

The German car manufacturer BMW uses AI to optimize brake parts for instance, in some cases allowing them to reduce their printing time by 40%, which is an impressive percentage no matter if you are considering a hobby artist looking to print a few models per week, or a large industrial company printing thousands of copies daily.

Other manufacturing companies are exploring the use of innovative software solutions that are AI powered for additive manufacturing, which allows fast and efficient optimisation, and could change the preferred overall method of 3D printing. Whether these technologies will be available to the public is difficult to say right now, as they are currently providing the companies with technological advantages over the competition.

Quality Control and Inspection

AI technology can also be used to scan prints and identify micro-cracks, pores, or dimensional deviations with far greater accuracy than manual detection. This is especially interesting for industrial purposes, where for instance Siemens AI solutions are able to monitor metal printing pools in real time, reducing their defects by up to 90%, a truly remarkable improvement.

AI and 3D Printing in Biomedical Domain

There are also advancements when it comes to 3D model artificial intelligence solutions for the biomedical industries. One invention revolved around AI-guided 3D printing technologies, that are able to help doctors print complex replicas of human organs for surgeons to practice before actual surgery and improve surgical outcomes.

In this case the AI software was fed a series of images and statistical data on various body parts, in order to produce realistic and accurate models. The AI was used in combination with other methods, and mainly focused on optimizing the settings for the 3D printers, but as time progresses these solutions will be more advanced and capable.

AI-Assisted 3D Printing in STEM

We have previously written a blog cost covering the use of 3D printing technology in the world of STEM, which are already showing great results and even better promises. By adding artificial intelligence 3D models into the mix, this is bound to further open up for new ideas and concepts, while also making the overall process more accessible to students and professionals alike.

For instance, we have seen that MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has been using AI and 3D printing in combination, in order for the researchers to design microstructural composites with superior properties that strike an ideal balance between stiffness and toughness, expanding the scope of materials science applications.

Conclusion

Overall, the field of artificial intelligence is evolving at a rapid pace. Currently, there are several ways for hobby artists to make a 2D model into 3D STL AI online free for instance, while they are also able to use text to generate models directly within ChatGPT and other services.

And for the question of when will AI make quality 3D models, we are seeing improvements weekly in the commercial space, and many people speculate that we are just one or two innovative solutions away from a breakthrough in the field, making it possible to create truly stunning 3D models by using artificial intelligence. So we will keep checking the latest updates and keep you all posted. Happy printing!

Geeetech bringt nun einen neuen 3D Drucker auf den Markt: den Geeetech M1 3D Drucker.

Der Vorverkauf startet am 25. Februar 2025!

Wir stellen dir heute diesen Mini 3D Drucker vor, der vor allem durch seine Geschwindigkeit und sein kompaktes Design heraussteht und unglaublich viele neue Features hat!

High-Speed & Premiumqualität

Eine Eigenschaft, die einfach genial ist, ist die Kombination aus hoher Geschwindigkeit und hoher Qualität. Möchtest du einen 3D Drucker kaufen, ist dieser Mini 3D Drucker eine sehr gute Wahl.

Nicht jeder FDM 3D Drucker ist schnell und kann zusätzlich mit Premiumqualität drucken.

Der GEEETECH M1 verfügt über eine Düse mit großer Kapazität, einen Extruder mit Direktantrieb, einen 50-W-Hot-End-Heizstab, ein beheiztes Bett, einen Kühlventilator für große Modelle und hat eine Druckgeschwindigkeit von bis zu 250 mm/s.

Es dauert sage und schreibe nur 29 Minuten, um ein 3D Benchy zu drucken!

Das klingt nach High-Speed, oder?

Die GEEETECH M1-Firmware hat zwei fortschrittliche integrierte Algorithmen: Input Shaping und Pressure Advance. In Kombination mit einem Extruder mit Direktantrieb kann also ein hochwertiger Druck bei hoher Geschwindigkeit erreicht werden.

Stabile Struktur

Geeetech legt beim M1 viel Wert auf ein stabiles Gehäuse und das Design, denn je stabiler die Struktur ist, umso präziser kann gedruckt werden. Geeetech M1 ist ein perfekter 3D Drucker für Einsteiger, denn das Gehäuse ist stabil und bietet eine perfekte Grundlage für problemloses 3D Drucken und ist so ein 3D Drucker bester Qualität.

Im Vergleich zu ähnlichen Produkten wurde die Struktur des GEEETECH M1 verbessert, um sicherzustellen, dass die gesamte Maschinenstruktur fester und stabiler als andere Drucker ist und dadurch eine grundlegende Garantie für schnelles und qualitativ hochwertiges Drucken bietet.

1. Verstärkung der Lederriemenscheibe
2. Drei Lager für die Heizplatte
3. Verdickte Filamenthalterung
4. Hochwertiger Hartkunststoff

Direktantrieb-Extruder

Wie funktioniert ein 3D Drucker bzw. der Extruder? 3D Drucker können verschiedene Extruder verwenden. Es gibt Bowden Extruder, Dual Extruder oder auch hybride Extruder.
Der GEEETECH M1 verfügt über einen Direktantriebs-Extruder mit Dual-Drive-Getrieben und einem Übersetzungsverhältnis von bis zu 5:1.

Im Vergleich zum BOWDEN-Extruder verfügt er über ein höheres Drehmoment, eine höhere Extrusionskraft, eine schnellere Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit, eine höhere Druckgenauigkeit und kann problemlos weiche TPU-Materialien drucken.

Vollautomatische 16-Punkt-Nivellierung

Der Mini 3D Drucker Geeetech M1 verwendet eine vollautomatische 16 Punkt-Nivellierung. Was bedeutet das?

Geeetech M1 integriert einen hochpräzisen Drucksensor am Hotend, misst die Ebenheit des Heizbetts durch die Düse und erreicht eine hochpräzise vollautomatische Nivellierung des Heizbetts, was die Einstiegsschwelle für Anfänger erheblich senkt.
Durch dieses Feature ist der Mini 3D Drucker ein perfekter 3D Drucker für Einsteiger.

Großer Schrittmotormit hohem Drehmoment

Möchte man einen 3D Drucker kaufen, ist der M1 eine perfekte Wahl, denn es ist ein Mini 3D Drucker und ein schneller 3D Drucker.

Wie es möglich ist? Ein Aspekt ist der Motor!

Im Vergleich zu ähnlichen Produkten verwendet Geeetech M1 einen Schrittmotor mit hohem Drehmoment (1.8° Schrittmotor), um die Gesamtleistung zu verbessern.

Die X-Achse, Y-Achse und Z-Achse verwenden alle 42 x 42 x 35 mm große NEMA 17-Motoren, um jeder Achse viel Leistung zu verleihen. Der Extruder verwendet einen 36 x 19,5 mm großen Nema 14-Rundschrittmotor, der das Gewicht des Druckkopfs effektiv reduziert und gleichzeitig die Leistungsanforderungen erfüllt.

Effiziente Wärmeableitung

Ein schneller 3D Drucker braucht ein qualitativ erstklassiges Konzept, um Überhitzung zu vermeiden, sodass mit hoher Geschwindigkeit gedruckt werden kann.

Geeetech M1 ist mit einem 50 × 50 × 15 mm großen Lüfter ausgestattet, um die Druckgeschwindigkeit und Modellqualität zu verbessern und das Überhitzungsproblem beim Hochgeschwindigkeitsdruck effektiv zu lösen.

Gleichzeitig wird dem Schrittmotorantrieb des Motherboards ein Kühllüfter hinzugefügt, um die Stabilität und Zuverlässigkeit weiter zu verbessern.

Filament-Runout-Sensor

Geeetech M1 ist mit einem Filament-Runout-Sensor.

Wenn das Filament während des Druckvorgangs reißt, unterbricht Geeetech M1 den Druckvorgang automatisch. So können weitere Komplikationen vorgebeugt werden! Nachdem das Filament wieder richtig positioniert wurde, kann der Druckvorgang fortgeführt werden.

Der Filament-Runout-Sensor erkennt, wenn Filament leer ist, sodass auch hier der Druckvorgang pausiert wird und nach Einsetzen von neuem Filament weitergeführt werden kann.

Automatischer Düsenreiniger

Um die Nivellierung und Druckgenauigkeit zu verbessern, ist Geeetech M1 mit einer automatischen Düsenreinigungsvorrichtung auf der Druckplattform ausgestattet.

Die Silicon Bürste, die hier verwendet wird, kann kurzfristig hohen Temperaturen bis zu 300°C standhalten und reinigt Rückstände und Exsudate sehr präzise. Außerdem ist der Verschleiß sehr gering. Vorteil des automatischen Düsenreinigers ist, dass er den Druckkopf und dessen Arbeit nicht behindert.

Dadurch gehört der M1 Mini 3D Drucker zu den besten 3D Druckern, da detaillierte Drucke auf höchstem Niveau möglich sind.

Benutzerfreundlicheres Design

Neben technischen Features bietet der M1 auch ein benutzerfreundliches Design. Deshalb ist der Mini 3D Drucker für Anfänger eine perfekte Anschaffung. Der Einsteiger 3D Drucker ist mit einem 2,4-Zoll-LCD Farbbildschirm ausgerüstet. Dies ermöglicht eine bequeme Bedienung aufgrund der größeren Anzeigegröße.

Der Geetech M1 verwendet eine PEI-Druckplatte, von der man Modelle einfach entfernen kann und trotzdem eine haftende Druckunterlage zum Drucken hat.
Im Gehäuse sind drei extra helle LEDs angebracht, sodass das Druckobjekt zu jederzeit optimal beleuchtet ist.

Technische Daten des Geeetech M1

Hier findest du alle wichtigen Informationen und Daten zum Geeetech M1:

Druckerart: FDM

Druckdicke: 0.1-0.2mm

Druckgröße: 100*110*100mm

Druckgeschwindigkeit:<250mm/s

Druckgenauigkeit: +-0.1mm

Slicing Software: Orcaslicer, Cura

Maximale Düsentemperatur: 230°C

Maximale Druckbetttemperatur: 60°C

Maschinengröße:270(L)*200(W)*298(H)mm

Netto-Gewicht: 3kg

Eingangsleistung: DC 24V

Leistungsausgabe: 96W

Unterstützte Verbrauchsmaterialien: 1.75mm, PLA/TPU

Druckmethoden: TF card, USB cable

Düsendurchmesser: 0.4mm

Anzahl der Düsen: 1

Unterstütztes Dateiformat: .Gcode

Betriebsumgebungstemperatur: 10-40°C

Verpackungsgröße: 257(L)*270(W)ü405(H)mm

Verpackungsgewicht: 4kg

Hier ist ein Video zum Unboxing und Einrichtungs-Tutorial des Geeetech M1 Mini 3D-Druckers:

Das Printout von Geeetech M1

Es gibt bereits einige 3D Drucker Projekte des Geeetech M1.
Verwendet wurden dabei zwei Geeetech Filamente: TPU Filament und PLA Filament.

Der Druck beider Materialien ist sehr präzise, und die Druckobjekte weisen eine hohe Realitätsgetreue auf.

Material: TPU Filament

Die TPU Filament gedruckten Objekte weisen eine gute Elastizität und Flexibilität auf. Entsprechend den Materialeigenschaften von TPU ist das Objekt sehr abriebfest, chemikalienbeständig und lässt sich auch nicht von Temperaturen beschädigen.

Möchtest du mehr zum Thema TPU Druck erfahren, dann solltest du dir unseren Blogpost zum Thema Print Guide TPU durchlesen.

Material: PLA filament

Verwendet man das PLA Filament beim Druck mit dem Geeetech M1, dann sticht besonders die Oberflächenqualität heraus. Objekte können mit sehr glatten Oberflächen gedruckt werden und benötigen kaum oder gar keine Nachbearbeitung, da es keine „rauen Stellen“ gibt.

Druckobjekte mit PLA sind aufgrund der Materialeigenschaften von PLA nicht elastisch und flexibel, sondern sehr steif.
Erfahre mehr zum Thema, wie PLA optimal gedruckt werden kann, in unserem PLA Print Guide!

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1. Why does mixed color printing produce stringing or oozing?

We can go to the Cura official website to report similar slicing problems. Some reasons may not be a problem with the machine. Issues related to stringing: 1. Different manufacturers and types of consumables 2. Slicing setting temperature 3. Slicing retraction length. It may also be the difference between the structure of the mixer cavity of the A30T print head and single-head printing. Please confirm the usage age of the 3d printer. If you want to replace accessories, you can search our Geeetech official website to purchase new accessories.

2. Why do those colors mix on the printing results?

We collected the real experience of fans. One of them shared as follows:

A30T prints fine in pla with 4mm retraction while pla+ always strings no matter what settings are used. If you want it to print better, you can try to replace the Boden tubes with a direct drive extruder. The only reason for these usages and this style extruder is so it can print faster without the extra weight at the hot end. But anytime it slows down in the print movements without extruding filament will keep expanding and will leave blobs or thick strings. So his fix was extra retraction and speed up the whole printer he used 5500.0mm/min and raised the allowed minimum speed reductions to 30% instead of 20% the slicer. He has used every printer he owned Simplify3D through USB.

3. How to correctly print mixed-color or color-separated models？

Here are some solutions that we offer to you.

A. For multi-extrusion printers to print mixed color or gradient models, you can operate in the following three ways:

1. Just slice the monochrome model through the slicing software, and operate the start color mixing ratio, end color mixing ratio, and color mixing height on the printer. This method is simple and direct.

2. Geeetech official provides EasyPrint slicing software, which can meet the user’s color mixing requirements through visual interactive operations. This method is more flexible and interesting.

3. Using Marlin Gcode instructions M163/M164/M166, you can print models with any color mixing requirements. For details, please refer to Marlin’s official website instruction usage format https://marlinfw.org/meta/gcode/. This method requires users to be familiar with the Usage of Marlin code.

B. For multi-extrusion printers printing color separation models, a wiper tower needs to be set up to ensure that the residual filament inside the nozzle is fully extruded onto the wiper tower after the filament is withdrawn. To achieve the best cleaning effect, you can try the size and volume of the wiper tower.

Setting Procedures

1. Select Your Machine

Get access to the software and then click the “Machine” Button on the upper left corner and select the “Add New Machine” function.

2. Add New Machine with Dual Extruder (A10M/A20M/A30M), Or Machine with Triple Extruder (A10T/A20T/A30T)

Choose the printer that you’ve got, and then click “Finish” to enter the operating interface.

3. Upload the STL File

Import the STL file and then click the “Slice” button. And then choose “Yes” for coloring model layers.

4. Parameter Selection

As long as you’ve finished the slicing process, a Color Mixer Panel will pop up right away which allows you to DIY your color fantasy, and you can adjust the blending color by controlling the slider.

First, remove the default setting as you wish.

There is one fixed control panel “Layer Range” which allows you to pick a range of layers for a particular setting. For instance, if you want to operate the layers from 1-50, move the left button to the leftmost side which is marked with “1” on the top of it while moving the right button to the point marked with “50”.

Then, you’re allowed to control the buttons in the mix coloring section (Start Rate and End Rate) to adjust the proportion of each color. Take the model as an example, if you set the layer range from 1-199 (the quantity of layers is based on the volume of your model and the optimal slicing setting), with a start rate of 100% red and an end rate of 100% green. The effect of the color will be like the image as follows (The brightest red from the first layer to the brightest green till the end, while it gets a color transition in between.)

Or, according to your DIY creation (if you’re quite talented and sensitive to various color blending), you are allowed to adjust the proportion of each color while making a way more wonderful and eye-catching effect based on the color blending.

And don’t forget to click the “Add” button to save your previous setting, make sure that every layer is covered with color.

5. Preview and Save Gcode

Control the slider at the rightmost, you’re able to preview the whole model layer by layer. After this, please remember to your finished file in the format of Gcode. Geeetech Wiki

In this article, I would love to make a detailed introduction to the EasyPrint slicing software developed by Geeetech R&D Department. With the newly updated version of the functions, EasyPrint Lite now allows users to print models with multiple colors. For the color matching process, detailed steps are as follows (Take A10M and A10T as examples):

Geeetech A10M 3D Printer (Dual Extruder)

1. Select the Device of Your Machine

Get access to the software and then click the “Machine” Button on the upper left corner and select the “Add New Machine” function.

2. Add New Machine with Dual Extruder (A10M/A20M/A30M)

Choose the printer that you’ve got, and then click “Finish” to enter the operating interface.

3. Upload the STL Files

In this step, you have to click the “LOAD” icon select two STL files, and upload them into the software.

4. Select the Corresponding Extruder to Each Model That You’ve Uploaded and Commence Merging Them

Tap on one of the models by clicking the left button of your mouse, it will automatically select the chosen model as a default selection of EXTRUDER 0 while this part of the model will respond to the E0 Extruder. In the following step, tap on the other model by clicking the right button of your mouse, and click the selection “Dual Extrusion Merge”, and the chosen part will be selected to respond to the E1 Extruder.

As two of the models are combined into an integrated one with separate colors, click the “Slice” icon, and then choose “No” for not coloring your model.

5. Preview the Entire Model

By clicking the View Icon which is displayed right in the upper right corner of the interface, you will see several icons shown in its subordinate list, and then click the “Layers” icon right at the bottom of it. In the following steps, you are allowed to slide the slider to review and check every single layer for clear scrutiny.

6. Save the File As a Gcode File

Geeetech A10T 3D Printer (Triple Extruder)

1. Same Operation as A10M (Select the device of your printer, A10T as an Example)

2. Upload the STL Files

Click the “LOAD” icon select three STL files and upload them into the software.

3. Select the Corresponding Extruder to Each Model That You’ve Uploaded and Commence Merging Them

Tap on one of the models by clicking the left button of your mouse, it will automatically select the chosen model as a default selection of EXTRUDER 0 while this part of the model will respond to E0 Extruder. In the following step, tap on the other model by clicking the right button of your mouse, and click the selection “Dual Extrusion Merge”, and the chosen part will be selected to respond to the E1 Extruder. For the third part of the model, operate the same process to combine it with the first and second models, and automatically, it will be selected to respond to the E2 Extruder

As three of the models are combined into an integrated one with separate colors, click the “Slice” icon, and then choose “No” for not coloring your model.

4. Preview the Entire Model

By clicking the View icon which is displayed right in the upper right corner of the interface, you will see several icons shown in its subordinate list, and then click the “Layers” icon right at the bottom of it. In the following steps, you are allowed to slide the slider to review and check every single layer for clear scrutiny.

5. Save the File As a Gcode File

3D-printed portrait sculpture

Some users might have various questions about this FDM technology lingering in their minds, like: What can an FDM printer print? What’s the finished product’s usage?

As far as the current 3D printing technology is concerned, 3D printers adopting plastics as filament have been widely used in this market. It is mainly suitable for the design stage, helping users to turn the design in their minds into visible and tangible more quickly. It can help VERIFY the feasibility of the design faster to a large extent while saving your time and money.

1. The Architectural Model

The 3D architectural model printed by a 3D printer costs almost half the time shorter than the one made by any traditional method. On the other hand, it reduces greatly original costs. A roll of filament can be used to print at least three to four models while costing you the lowest price. In addition, the 3D printer filaments adopt eco-friendly material, and the finished model will be much more exquisite.

Review of Geeetech A20M 3D printer

Showcase of Architectural Model

2. The Automotive Industry

For the design of the car shape or internal structure, you only need to draw the parts you need through the 3D software in the very beginning, and then convert it into G-code code through the slicing software and insert the file into the 3D printer through the SD card, then you can operate the control screen and commence printing.

Application to car design

3D-printed car part

3. Animation Industry

Before the emergence of 3D printing technology, some props, or let’s say, various stage properties were produced manually. For now, with the FDM 3D printers you can easily produce any customized evil headgear or superhero outfit. One of the advantages is that 3D printing production requires only a short time, saving a lot of time for the crew. Secondly, there is almost no limitation of complexity, which can greatly improve the visual effects and texture of film and television dramas.

3D-printed anime character props

4. Smart Home

In the smart home industry, the use of 3D printing eliminates the need to use any tools or molds in the processing process, thereby greatly reducing the cost of manufacturing, which is particularly advantageous in the early conceptual design stage. Designers do not need to worry about the cost, so they can use 3D printing to create conceptual models of various shapes and functions, and fully start brainstorming and accelerate the formation of the final design plan. 3D printing can optimize the development process of household products, solve and improve the entire product development link and work efficiency, and change the design thinking of household design.

Lamp design

5. Education

Nowadays, an increasing number of educational institutions have brought 3D printing equipment into their innovative classes, and 3D printers can be used in the classroom to train students in innovative and practical abilities, it allows students to transform their ideas or creations into reality, greatly assisting their students in developing their hands-on ability and intelligence. For further application, students are allowed to design on their computers and upload their own drafted model in the 3D printer and then they can print their models out. In other words, 3D printers can be quite a promising platform, connecting the ideas from the virtual world with the production from reality.

Traditional Way of Leveling: Manual Leveling

For every 3D printer, the success of the whole printing depends on whether the first layer of the printing can be evenly and steadily landing. Generally speaking, the thickness of the first layer should be 0.35mm as its optimal height. A closer distance between the nozzle and the hotbed will cause situations like extruding difficulty, uneven bottom layer, and even the scratch onto the hotbed. A longer distance between them will cause situations like splicing ricketiness and even forming threadiness in the air. In this case, bed leveling should be a vital part of the whole printing work.

In general, most 3D printers support the manual bed leveling function. Four knobs of adjustment are usually designed at the four corners at the bottom of the hotbed. When users are applying to adjust the distance, they are only required to rotate the knobs and then use a piece of A4 paper to measure and detect the distance between the nozzle and the hotbed. However, the whole process is not that kind of friendly to novices and requires profound experience in handling tedious operations.

In providing a better experience and far smoother operation when users apply to print in the 3D printing work, 3D touch emerges as the times require.

What is 3D Touch?

In brief, 3D Touch is an automatic bed leveling accessory for FDM 3D printers. It can help users detect and measure the inclination of the hotbed with wide compatibility with various hotbeds like grass, wood, metal, and so on. A real hands-free component for users to automatically level the bed while bringing a way more convenient and faster experience, and enhancing the success rate and printing accuracy of the printing work.

What does 3D Touch require to get installed?

3D Touch is a sensor module which requires:
① An additional interface to connect it with the machine
② a supportive firmware to detect the existence of itself.

All Geeetech printers of A series do support the installation of 3D Touch. However, some old versions from our Geeetech brand have not yet been in their factory firmware setting to support 3D Touch. In that case, users have to make sure that their machines’ firmware has already been upgraded to the version that is compatible with the installation of 3D touch. For more precise information and guidance, let’s take Geeetech A20 (Old Version, new version of A series is equipped with 4.1 Version mainboard) for example. Further details are as follows:

First, visit our website, and click the “Download” Button.

Second, find the right model you own, (For instance, if I own a GEEETECH A20 machine, I can choose the A20 icon as follows)

Third, pay attention to the “Related Software” Block, select the newly uploaded file which is marked with “Support 3D Touch”, and then click the “Download” button right at the rightmost side to download the file.

Fourth, follow the guidance from the file downloaded. Precise installation steps are included within.

Once the upgrade is done, 3D Touch is no longer limited to being installed and can be used smoothly.

As for other printers from other brands, users have to check first if there exists an additional interface supporting the installation of 3D Touch.

① If the machine grabs no specified interface for 3D Touch, this product is not recommended for purchasing.
② If the machine is designed with a certainly additional interface for 3D Touch, then users have to check out if this brand of printer possesses firmware supporting 3D Touch or not. Two situations are as follows:

(1) If the firmware supports 3D Touch, this brand is compatible with this product without limitation.
(2) If not, users who have profound knowledge about how to modify the instructions are allowed to amend it. And for the novices who lack the knowledge, this product is not recommended.

Geeetech 3D Touch V3.2 and 3D Touch V3.2 Pro are coming soon. The upgraded version of 3D Touch V1.0: Versions of higher accuracy and precision. Please pay closer attention to our official website! Also, for further details and more promotion deals, please visit our official accounts from other platforms.

ArchForm produces aligners for half the price of other companies to rival industry leaders like Invisalign, Byte, Candid, and SmileDirectClub. According to the company, ArchForm’s aligners are manufactured by robotic precision engineering with a multi-layer plastic material and will be delivered to a specific orthodontist within 10 to 14 days.

Invisalign reduces some of the costs of metal brace treatment. However, most of the orthodontists’ profit margins are controlled by the parent company Align. They currently pay about $1,700 per patient to Invisalign, and other clear aligner vendors following the same regime. ArchForm is changing this pricing structure. With ArchForm, the cost for orthodontists to print a moderate-to-severe case in-office is reduced to $542, and each patient will be charged only $14.

The production of dental aligners requires the use of professional 3D software to design a stepwise series of 30 to 40 aligner models that can adjust the patient’s teeth based on the scan data. The models are then 3D-printed and the actual aligners are produced by thermoforming biocompatible plastic over the models. With ArchForm’s software, Many orthodontist offices that already have 3D printers can save money and be allowed to plan cases faster with automatic one-click features.

For practices that do not plan to invest in 3D printers, ArchForm’s new plant is ideal for outsourcing the aligner designs. Using a higher-resolution 3D printer, three-layer plastic material, and a robot that is more comfortably precise than manual trimming, ArchForm claims to manufacture more accurately shaped aligners with less visible layer lines.

Ideally, using ArchForm can help orthodontists take digital scans at the patient’s first appointment, 3D print the day’s aligners in their office labs, and then outsource the remaining treatment to ArchForm’s aligners. By reducing the waiting time from six weeks to four weeks, orthodontists can offer better service as a result.

Example #1:

3D Printed Dress and Jacket

The dress, named Rose, was certainly the centerpiece of the collection presented at the Met Gala.The garment was worn by model Jourdan Dunn, consists of 21 3D-printed rose petals – each petal measures 53 cm and weighs 0.4 kilos.They were produced on a SLA 3D printer – the process was managed by Protolabs’ 3D printing department.Each petal includes a coat of primer and a coat of chameleon-effect automotive paint.Besides, the dress is modular: petals (up to 37 in all) can be added to increase the length of the dress.

In 2016, Ministry of Supply released a 3D-printed jacket for $250 that quickly sold out.Because the jacket is 3D-printed, it has no seams, which makes it very comfortable to wear.Although it has no seams, the garment still has joints to fit the outline of the body.

The jacket was made on a 3D robotic knitting machine, a process that uses less material than traditional knitting.It’s thought that using traditional methods wastes 15-30% of the material.

Example #2:

3D printed accessories

Every day, more and more jewelers are using 3D printing to produce rings, bracelets, necklaces and similar products.

What you see above is a sterling silver bracelet that mimics patterns found in nature.The maker, Nervous System, first 3D printed the model in wax and then cast it in pure silver.

Metal 3D printing is a perfect technology for watchmakers, both for prototyping and production of end-use pieces.

The Lo Scienziato timepiece from Panerai uses a fully 3D-printed titanium housing made by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).If you want to see the Panerai on your wrist, you’ll have to pay up to $170,000. 

The actress Katie Holmes wore a 3D-printed collar produced with resin machine on her dress. It represents pearly purple palm leaves and required 56 hours of 3D printing and finishing.

VIP TIE is an Italian company known for its 3D-printed ties.VIP TIE combines luxury and innovative high-tech design.The whole process of making one tie can involve a complex mix of complementary procedures and materials: craftsmanship, embroidery, 3D printing, exotic leather, mother-of-pearl, carbon fiber, silver, gold and silver plated solid.

XYZ Bag is an Italian brand behind the Dada collection of customizable 3D printed handbags. Each bag is connected by a leather strap and a 3D-printed outer shell with a fabric lining.For each bag, the customer has to choose between several design options based on 3 different products.Once the model is selected, it is designed in CAD software.

The company uses SLS technology to make components, although they have recently integrated the one developed by HP, Multi Jet Fusion. These bags cost between 290 and 330 euros, which is quite expensive, but also reasonable for 3D printing products.

Example #3:

3D printed footwear

The big companies in the shoe industry have been developing solutions for mass customization for years.Not only does 3D printing allow these companies to prototype faster, it’s also a great solution for mass customization.

Companies in this field, including Adidas and New Balance, have started producing 3D-printed midsoles .Nike, meanwhile, is experimenting with 3D-printed “uppers”.

Annie Foo is a high-end footwear designer who uses 3D printing technologies in her manufacturing process.She explained that she has always been so obsessed with the combination of existing footwear manufacturing methods with modern technologies and materials to create something new.She uses 3D modeling software to design complex shapes to make her shoes look more aesthetically pleasing.Her final works for the runway were made with HP’s Jet Fusion 4200 machine, using PA12 (nylon).

Now, 3D printers that come with a dual or triple extrusion setup have been avaiable for a good number of years. On top of that, there are other options in the Geeetech “A” family that allow for multi-color/material 3D printing, such as the A20M/T, A30M/T, which are more advanced than the A10M. With that said, the A10M, aside from being user-friendly, is the most affordable dual extrusion system in the “A” series. Not to mention the fact that the new version features an upgraded mother board, LCD screen and new gantry. It is therefore safe to say the upgraded A10M is one of the most competitive multi-material 3D printer for beginners and the frugal-minded who are looking to enrich their 3D printing experience.

But before we move on, let’s first debunk the following myths around dual extruder 3D printers.

Myth #1 –Dual extruder 3D printers print twice as fast as their single extrusion counterparts.

If you are a novice in 3D printing, you are probably wondering why this is not the case. More often than not, a dual extruder 3D system is faster than a single extrusion setup, but it almost certainly does not double the speed, and definitly not for the reason you may think.

The real reason is that, with a dual extruder printer, you can avoid the lengthy process of swapping out one filament for another.

Having more than one extruder allows you to have different filaments piped in from the very start.Changing filaments, whether for a different colour or material, is labour-intensive.With a dual or multiple extrusion design, you no longer have to pause a print, empty out the extruder, feed in the next filament, and resume the print every time you need a different material or color. This is where the saved time comes from. As a matter of fact, the two extruders share the same print head and can’t move independently.

Myth #2–dual extruder 3D printers are only useful for multi-color objects.

The Geeetech A10M features a 2 in 1 out design. It enables you to print with numerous combinations of colors using the Color Mixer software developed by Geeetech. But its another, more common use is to seperate the filament used for printing your object from the support material, which is often less expensive, of lower grade, and soluble in water, and will eventually be removed.

A single extruder 3D printer is actually capable of printing multi-color objects and support structures. But the whole process is tedious, as pointed out above.

The Geeetech A10M comes half assembled , and is easy to set up. Check out the unboxing video here by Hoffman Engineering on Youtube.

This blog post will be updated when full review video is out. Stay tuned!

A10M on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gN3l0C