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3D Printing Design

The latest news, trends, and manufacturing design tips for additive manufacturing.

All Articles3D Printing DesignBlogCase StudiesCastingDesign GuidesIndustry DesignInjection MoldingMachining DesignMaterialsMetal and Plastic ExtrusionProcurementSheetSupplier Shop TipsTube
All Articles3D Printing DesignBlogCase StudiesCastingDesign GuidesIndustry DesignInjection MoldingMachining DesignMaterialsMetal and Plastic ExtrusionProcurementSheetSupplier Shop TipsTube
Close up of a 3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Alex_Traksel
 Article

Elongation: Definition, How To Calculate, and Importance

By Team Xometry
 10 min read
Article
Chamfering process with the metal plate parts. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

Fillet vs. Chamfer — What Are the Differences and Uses?

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Engineers working with CAD software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff
Article
Designer working with CAD file. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/FERNANDO BLANCO CALZADA

Revit® Vs. AutoCAD® - Software Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
A clear polyjet part after polishing and clear coating.

Achieving Clarity With Polyjet

By Joel Schadegg
  3 min read
Article
STL file icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Vector Stall

15 Best STL File Converters

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
Xometry Image

Full Color 3D Printing Best Practices

By Joel Schadegg
  7 min read
Article
Metal 3D printer in action - Image Credit: Shutterstock/asharkyu
Article
AutoCAD logo on computer screen. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/monticello
Article
Engineer working with CAD software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff

10 Best STL Editors of 2023

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Dual extruder 3d printer printing two objects. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Reflexpixel

5 Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers in 2023

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
3D printer printing small yellow house. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Artshake Media

5 Best Cheap 3D Printers in 2023

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
3D printed object made with resin. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B

8 Best Resins for 3D Printers

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
SolidWorks logo on a computer screen. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/monticello

CREO vs. Solidworks® — Software Comparison

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
Close up of engineering using CAD software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff
Article
3D printing file type icons. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/aiconsmith

9 Most Common 3D Printing File Types

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Engineer working on CAD software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff
Article
Red 3D printed object. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/guteksk7
Article
Blue 3D printed sneaker. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/asharkyu
Article
3D printing software on a screen. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Oleksiy Mark

22 Best Free 3D Printing Software

By Team Xometry
  15 min read
Article
Desktop computer with CAD software open. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff
Article
SketchUp logo on computer screen. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/monticello
Article
3D printer printing an object. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Sergi Lopez Roig
Article
3D printing software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/cigdem

10 Most Important 3D Printing Slicer Settings

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
3MF file type icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/IYIKON
Article
Dark gray file icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Mr.Creative
Article
Purple file icons. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pendimarfuad Adv
Article
AMF file type icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/IYIKON
Article
DIY 3D printer extruder design. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Ulas Tigin

5 Best 3D Printer Extruders in 2023

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Multicolored filaments of plastic for 3D printing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

Types of 3D Printer Filaments

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Large inkjet printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Mumemories
Article
File conversion icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/vectorchef
Article
CAD software on desktop computer. Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

10 Best Slicer Software for 3D Printing

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
STL file name. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Profit_Image
Article
EBM 3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Moreno Soppelsa
Article
DXF file icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/IYIKON

All About DXF File Format for 3D Printing

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Plastic propeller turbo made from automatic 3d printer - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Surasak_Photo
Article
Dual extruder 3d printer producing two bicolor egg model - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Reflexpixel

DXF to STL: How to Convert DXF to STL Files

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
Models printed on 3D printer isolated on white background. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

Material Jetting: Applications and Process

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
.STL file extension. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Profit_Image

Complete Guide to 3D Printing STL Files

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
Digital Light Processing 3D Printer in Action - Image Credit: Shutterstock/luchschenF
Article
3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Alex_Traksel

25 Best 3D Printer Upgrades in 2023

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
3D printing machine in lab. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Studio Peace
Article
3D printing software. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Gorodenkoff

10 Best 3D Printing Software for Beginners

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
3D printer additive manufacturing and robotic automation technology. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/asharkyu

7 Different Types of Additive Manufacturing

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
File conversion. Image credit: Shutterstock.com/AdresiaStock

OBJ to STL: How to Convert OBJ to STL Files

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
OBJ file format icon. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Iconstar

All About OBJ File Format for 3D Printing

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
3D printed metal piece. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/sspopov

4 Best Materials for Metal 3D Printing

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Three-dimensional object created by high-precision 3D printing technologies - Image Credit: Shutterstock/MarinaGrigorivna
Article
A 3D printer in action - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Aasharkyu

TPE vs. TPU: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
PLA and ABS filament for 3D printing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/luchschenF

PLA vs. ABS: Differences and Comparisons

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
Object printed on metal 3d printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

DMLS vs. EBM: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
3D printer printing metal. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

EBM vs. SLM: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
Dental technician modeling frame for implant production from a 3d printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/asharkyu
Article
Stereolithography 3D printer in process. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/asharkyu
Article
Stack of colorful 3D printer filaments. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/cigdem

PETG vs. PLA: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Large Format 3D Printer in Action - Image Credit: Shutterstock/Aasharkyu

ABS vs. PETG: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Up close of modern 3d printer. Image Credit: asharkyu/Shutterstock.com
Article
3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/leungchopan

SLA vs. DLP: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
3D printing process up close. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Alexander Tolstykh

SLA vs. FDM: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Multicolored filaments for plastic 3D printing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

FDM vs. DLP: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Plastic 3D printing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Alex_Traksel

SLS vs. SLM: Differences and Comparisons

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
A variety of SLS and HP MJF parts, vapor smoothed

SLS vs. MJF: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/leungchopan

PolyJet vs. SLA: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
DLP printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/luchschenF

DLP vs. LCD: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Polyjet 3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Moreno Soppelsa

FDM vs. PolyJet: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
3D printer printing metal. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

PolyJet vs. SLS: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
3D prototype. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

FDM vs. MJF: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Object printed in laser sintering machine. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

DMLS vs. SLM: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
An FDM 3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/R_Boe

FDM vs. FFF: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
Metal 3D printing. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

SLS vs. DMLS: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
A stereolithography 3d printer in the laboratory. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Scharfsinn

SLS vs. SLA: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
3D printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Pixel B
Article
Metal 3D printed object. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

SLS vs. FDM: Differences and Comparisons

By Team Xometry
  8 min read
Article
Object printed on metal 3d printer. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna

DLP vs. SLS: Differences and Comparison

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
a collection of 3D Printed Parts

5 Ways to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printing

By Nathaniel Miller
  1 min read
Article
3d plastic printer. Image Credit: Alex_Traksel/Shutterstock.com

Everything You Need to Know About 3D Printing

By Team Xometry
  10 min read
Article
Xometry Image
Article
a ceramic-filled SLA part, made from Somos® PerFORM

When to Use Ceramic-Filled SLA Materials

By Nathaniel Miller
  3 min read
Article
a collection of 3D printed Xometry logos
Article
Tensegrity

10 Cool Things to 3D Print in 2021

By Team Xometry
  7 min read
Article
3d printed metal part 2021

The Best 3D Printing Software in 2021

By Team Xometry
  6 min read
Article
3D printed part with lattice structure
Article
Metal 3D printer from EOS

How Much Does a Metal 3D Printer Cost?

By Team Xometry
  5 min read
Article
Xometry logo in PLA and ABS

PLA vs. ABS: What is the difference?

By Team Xometry
  4 min read
Article
3D printed metal lattice structures in DMLS stainless steel
Video
Photos of webinar participants
Article
SLS nylon 3D prints with brass threaded inserts
Article
Fused deposition modeling FDM production of parts in large format 3D printing build
Video
various 3d printed parts

Video: Will It Beat the Heat?

By Serena Ngoh
October 9, 2020
Article
Carbon DLS Sample Part
Article
3D print sample cube

Now Available: 3D Printing Sample Cube

By Serena Ngoh
  1 min read
Video
Xometry Image
Article
Xometry Image

How to Select an Online 3D Printing Service

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Video
Xometry Image
Video
HP MJF 3D printed parts
Article
SLS part
Article
Xometry Image

Getting Your Part Ready for Binder Jetting

By Team Xometry
  2 min read
Article
MJF printed abstract models. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/MarinaGrigorivna
Article
SLS 3D printed plastic parts
Article
DMLS Part

To DMLS or not to DMLS

By Team Xometry
  2 min read
Video
Xometry Image
Article
SLA parts in a row
Article
SLS part

3D Printing is Not a Cheat Code

By Team Xometry
  9 min read
Article
CAD fantasy football trophy
Video
DMLS Part

Video: 3D Printing Complexity Paradox

By Team Xometry
October 8, 2020
Article
FDM infill options

Comparing Infill Options for FDM

By Team Xometry
  2 min read
Article
3D printed wheels
Article
Xometry Image

Trends in 3D Printing for 2020

By Greg Paulsen
  14 min read
Article
Xometry Image
Article
Xometry Image

6 Advantages of Rapid Prototyping

By Serena Ngoh
  4 min read
Article
12 sided 3D printed part

Maximum Print Sizes for 3D Printed Parts

By Team Xometry
  1 min read
Article
Xometry Image

The 3D Printing “Complexity Paradox”

By Greg Paulsen
  4 min read
Article
rubber-like material part

Manufacturing Rubber-Like Materials

By Team Xometry
  2 min read
Article
Xometry Image
Article
Xometry Image

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Mini-Guide

By Team Xometry
  5 min read
Article
Xometry Image
Article
SLS finishes

Visual Guide to SLS 3D Printing Finishes

By Team Xometry
  1 min read
Article
Xometry Image

Comparing 3D Printing Processes

By Team Xometry
  4 min read
Article
3D printed prototype

3D Printed Prototype – Test & Iterate

By Team Xometry
  2 min read
Article
Xometry Image
Article
Xometry Image

The Advantages of Additive Manufacturing

By Greg Paulsen
  6 min read
Article
Xometry Image

PolyJet vs CNC vs Something Else?

By Greg Paulsen
  2 min read
Video
Xometry Image

What is SLS 3D printing?

By Greg Paulsen
October 2, 2020
Video
Will It Break Engineering Challenge

Video: Will It Break?

By Greg Paulsen
September 29, 2020
Article
Xometry Image

5 Easy Ways to Reduce 3D Printing Costs

By Greg Paulsen
  7 min read
Article
Xometry Image

The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printed Text

By Team Xometry
  3 min read
Article
3D Printed Parts in Video: Will It Wrench?

Video: Will It Wrench?

By Team Xometry
  1 min read
Article
What Will It Look Like Video

Video: What Will It Look Like?

By Team Xometry
  1 min read
Article
lego mating parts

Video: Will It Fit?

By Team Xometry
  3 min read
Article
Xometry Image

Video: How Will It Grow? Part 2

By Team Xometry
  3 min read
Video
Xometry Image

Video: Will It Melt?

By Team Xometry
September 18, 2020
Article
A metal 3D printed aluminum part with its support structures

Video: How Will It Grow?

By Team Xometry
  3 min read