In this episode, Tom and Stefan present their new logo and talk about a semi open-source approach to electric driving vehicles, Lulzbot’s new “as low as $750” printer, Stratasys’ last heated build chamber finally expiring and a slicer integration to finally print 90° overhangs without support. The main topic is about the question if we are genii since so many reach out to us as their last hope for support and why we often have to refuse direct assistance. Questions cover “why PLA doesn’t get soft in hot tea water”.

First, Tom and Stefan talk about the recent Corona situation and how it’s affecting them. They quickly change the topic and discuss their latest experience with the CR-30 belt printer they have for testing. The news topics cover yet another Kickstarter where Ulendo is claiming that we can print 2x faster with their cloud service. Then XOLO announced their first volumetric 3D printer and a new patent was granted for an interesting fluorescence switch SLA printing method. Tom talks about his recent work with the new WhamBam Mutant quick-change system and other ones that are on the market. The last big topic is an uprising 3D printing channel called marsgizmo with roots at TikTok, which is bigger than any other 3D printing YouTube channel, and both didn’t even know about it before! The questions cover Stefans recent trimmer line video and printing fume safety.

After a bit of a break, Tom and Stefan are back talking about their responsibility as “influencers” and the new hype around Belt 3D Printers that are currently on Kickstarter. Belt 3D printing doesn’t only require suitable hardware, but also software that supports this uncommon kinematic. Both talk about the importance of hardware and software upgrades and how they are necessary to improve the technology over time.

This week, Stefan and Tom have a guest on the podcast – Gine Häußge, main developer of OctoPrint! They talk about what it’s like creating and maintaining open-source software, what her learnings mean for other projects like FreeCAD and what it’s like to be a solo entrepreneur.

With Stefan’s last day on parental leave, he and Tom get together once more to talk about the developments in the 3D printer scene. It seems like Belt printers are making a comeback, Fusion360 is again making drastic changes and E3D have somewhat quietly released their hybrid manufacturing toolhead for the toolchanger.

After another short break due to Stefan becoming a father, both talk about recent projects involving 3D scanners & sublimating 3D scanning spray. News cover KFC planning to print with lab meat in Russia, 3D printing gunpowder, a Standard for Open Hardware and Open Source Computer Vision Algorithms for print correction. Due to recent events, both rant about an allegedly “fully” 3D printed motorcycle, 3D printed houses, and how Kickstarters rarely are used anymore for what they should. Questions cover, exotic material printing, printing services, and testing out your designs for different printing technologies.

3D Printed “meat” is the hot topic right now! Stefan and Tom cover two approaches that aim to print texture into vegan “steak” and “salmon”. Both look promising, but like with most 3D printed food, the hard challenges remain to be solved.
Can a huge show like Formnext happen in the current pandemic? Apparently the answer is “yes”, as TCT Asia has just finished.
Staying with Asia, Creality is reporting record shipments for the month of march – but might be infringing on a patent with their latest model!

After thinking about buying a lathe for ages, Stefan finally bought himself a new machining tool for the workshop. Tom shares his own experience with his Mini Lathe. Tom recently received a Prusa Mini and talks about his first impressions as well as some plans for it in his upcoming 3D Printing Beginners Series on YouTube. Both discuss the recent theft of fellow YouTuber Heliox’ channel and a new “Ultra Fast” printing process that slightly resembles an old CRT television as well as locally pre-heating a print for better layer adhesion. Miele released some printable upgrades for their appliances, so Tom and Stefan discuss the feasibility of these parts and what we could see in the future. Topic of the week is the maintenance of 3D printer – how much is necessary and what to regularly check? Questions cover automatic bed change and the applicability of a filament-width sensor.