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Tag: 3D Printing

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3D Printing Engineering Manufacturing

Hybrid Manufacturing at Formlabs: 3D Printing Meets Pressure Forming

Inside Formlabs’ R&D Workflow: Combining SLA 3D Printing with the Mayku Multiplier for Faster, Scalable Product Development

Time is one of the most valuable resources for research and development teams. Whether you’re prototyping a new component or preparing for low-volume production, the goal is always the same: to find the most efficient path to a working solution without compromising quality. That’s where hybrid manufacturing comes in.

By combining SLA 3D printing with pressure forming, companies like Formlabs are unlocking faster, more flexible ways to build, iterate, and scale.

What Is Hybrid Manufacturing?

Hybrid manufacturing refers to the integration of multiple fabrication technologies such as combining resin-based SLA 3D printing with desktop pressure forming into a single workflow. While 3D printing is ideal for rapid prototyping and custom part production, pairing it with pressure forming allows teams to move seamlessly into short-run production using durable, functional materials.

This powerful combination reduces turnaround times, lowers production costs, and improves surface finish and part performance making it especially valuable for engineering teams transitioning from prototypes to real-world applications.

Why Formlabs Combines SLA Printing and Pressure Forming

Formlabs, a global leader in professional desktop 3D printing, doesn’t just sell cutting-edge technology, they use it. Inside their Boston-based headquarters, Formlabs’ R&D team relies on hybrid manufacturing to prototype, test, and produce parts entirely in-house.

Their full-stack machine shop includes CNC machining, laser cutting, casting, and SLA 3D printers, all of which empower engineers to maintain complete control over the product development cycle. By integrating the Mayku Multiplier, a compact desktop pressure former, into their workflow, Formlabs has dramatically increased both the speed and scalability of their prototyping process.

The Power of the Mayku Multiplier in Formlabs’ Workflow

A standout example of this approach was the development of a protective IR sensor cover for the new Form 4 printer. The part needed to be both durable and precisely formed to prevent resin leaks that could damage sensitive components.

To solve the challenge, the Formlabs team used their SLA 3D printers to create accurate molds and then leveraged the Mayku Multiplier to pressure-form thermoplastic covers. The result? A functional prototype completed in just days without the need for costly outsourcing or long lead times.

Faster Prototyping With SLA Molds and Pressure Forming

Mayku Multiplier heating up material

Mayku Multipler heating up material 

Multiplier pressure formed IR sensor covers on a Formlabs SLA 3D printed mold.

By pairing SLA-printed molds with pressure-formed parts, the Formlabs team rapidly iterated through designs, testing each version in real-world conditions. What would typically take weeks via third-party vendors was completed in-house in a fraction of the time. This hybrid approach turned a traditionally linear process into an agile, feedback-driven workflow.

“Being able to go from idea to prototype in a day or two changes how we work,” said Mechanical Engineer Jennifer Lu. “It lets us test faster, learn faster, and stay focused on building a better product.”

Real-World Results: Same-Day Prototyping With Mayku and Formlabs

The Mayku Multiplier delivered production-quality parts even on intricate geometries making it a reliable tool for daily use. Its ability to form parts quickly and in high detail helped the Formlabs team speed up testing, reduce iteration time, and boost product development velocity.

Franko Kosic-Matulic, Machine Shop Coordinator at Formlabs.

Franko Kosic-Matulic, Machine Shop Coordinator at Formlabs.

The finished  pressureformed sensor cover after postprocessing

The finished  pressureformed sensor cover after postprocessing

“We can definitely rely on the Multiplier to give us really high detail and also form quickly and produce a lot of parts,” said Machine Shop Coordinator Franko Kosic-Matulic.

What Hybrid Manufacturing Means for Engineers and Product Developers

The collaboration between Formlabs and Mayku is a compelling example of how hybrid manufacturing can elevate modern product development. By combining SLA 3D printing with pressure forming, engineers gain access to a faster, more repeatable, and cost-effective workflow ideal for prototyping, testing, and small-batch production.

Whether you’re a mechanical engineer, industrial designer, or lab manager, this approach shows how the right combination of tools can transform the way you work.

Download the Full Case Study: How Formlabs Accelerated Prototyping with the Mayku Multiplier

Get instant access to the full case study and learn how Formlabs leveraged pressure forming to cut prototyping time from weeks to days.

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3D Printing

Dynamism Sponsors Make48 2025: Supporting Innovation with Ultimaker & MakerBot

At Dynamism, we’re passionate about helping our customers succeed in additive manufacturing. Whether it’s schools, makerspaces, or businesses, our goal is to provide the tools and resources they need to innovate and grow. We’ve been deeply involved in education, working with schools, universities, and makerspaces to build impactful print labs that foster creativity and hands-on learning. We believe 3D printing is a key part of STEM education, helping students develop problem-solving skills and think like innovators. That’s why we’re excited to sponsor Make48 2025, alongside  Ultimaker and MakerBot! This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting creators, problem solvers, and future innovators with the tools they need to bring their ideas to life.

What is Make48?

Make48 is an intense 48-hour invention challenge where teams of makers, engineers, designers, and everyday problem-solvers compete to turn ideas into tangible prototypes. Participants are given a real-world challenge and access to a wide range of tools, mentors, and resources to create working prototypes. The event ends with presentations of each team’s product to a panel of judges, with winners receiving opportunities to take their inventions even further.

Why Dynamism is Sponsoring Make48

At Dynamism, we’re all about helping innovators push the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D printing. That’s why we’re excited to support Make48—it’s a perfect fit with our mission. This competition gives creative minds the chance to tackle real-world challenges using cutting-edge tools. By teaming up with Ultimaker and MakerBot, we’re making sure participants have access to top-tier 3D printing technology to bring their ideas to life, faster and more efficiently.

How Ultimaker and MakerBot Elevate the Challenge

Ultimaker and MakerBot, two of the most trusted names in 3D printing, are bringing their expertise and industry-leading technology to Make48. Participants will have the opportunity to utilize makerbots precise and user-friendly 3D printers, and 2 engineering mentors from Ultimaker’s team to help guide participants with tips and tricks when using the 3D printers. With these advanced tools at their disposal, teams can turn ideas into reality faster than ever before.

The Impact of This Partnership

By sponsoring Make48 we’re investing in the future of design, engineering, and manufacturing. This competition provides an invaluable learning experience, teaching participants about rapid prototyping, iteration, and the importance of creative problem-solving. Equipping the participants with the skills and confidence to bring their ideas to life will encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs and product developers to bring their ideas to market. This is also a great opportunity for educators to see the real impact tools like 3D printing can have in real time and to encourage access to STEM tools in their institutions.

Join Us for an Exciting Year of Innovation

Make48 2025 is set to be an incredible experience and opportunity to its participants.  As a sponsor, Dynamism is proud to be part of this journey, empowering makers to push the boundaries of innovation. Stay tuned for event updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and highlights from the competition. Follow make48 on social media @gomake48 and visit the make48 website to learn more about this exciting program.

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3D Printing Engineering

FDM Printing in Architecture, Design, and Traditional Engineering: Dynamism & Ultimaker Shine at Dubai Design Week

FDM Printing in Architecture, Design, and Traditional Engineering: Dynamism & Ultimaker Shine at Dubai Design Week

How FDM Printing is Revolutionizing Architecture and Design

Dubai Design Week, the Middle East’s premier design event served as the global stage for Mitsubishi Estate’s visionary 3D-printed teahouse. This groundbreaking creation seamlessly merged traditional Japanese culture and heritage with FDM 3D printing technology, offering a captivating showcase of architectural innovation. Dynamism played a key role in supporting the 3D printing of teahouse components, which were all done using a wood-based filament. These parts were then shipped to Dubai, where they were seamlessly assembled into the stunning final structure.

Dubai Design Week: A Global Hub for Creativity

Dubai Design Week is renowned for uniting designers from around the world to inspire creativity and foster innovation. The annual event features exhibitions, pop-ups, installations, and talks that engage professionals, media, and design enthusiasts while strengthening Dubai’s reputation as a vibrant design capital.

The 3D-Printed Teahouse: Tradition Meets Innovation

The 3D-printed teahouse stood out as a beacon of innovation at Dubai Design Week. By merging traditional architecture with modern 3D printing, this ambitious project showcased how additive manufacturing can preserve cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of design and engineering.

Traditional Japanese Engineering Influences

The teahouse design drew heavily from Japanese traditions, particularly the “hozo tsugi” joinery technique. This ancient method involves interlocking wooden joints without nails or screws, a skill-intensive practice that ensures durability and elegance. To recreate this authentically, Polywood—a wood-infused resin filament—was used to replicate the aesthetic of traditional Japanese tea rooms.

Ultimaker’s Role in Precision Printing

Key to the project’s success was Ultimaker’s S series 3D printers. Using digital renderings, the intricate teahouse design was divided into 988 individual parts, including 1,938 meticulously crafted “hozo” joints. The Ultimaker printers delivered unparalleled precision, completing approximately 4,000 hours of printing to bring the project to life. The printers’ versatility enabled the seamless integration of traditional engineering with advanced FDM printing techniques.

The Significance of the 3D-Printed Teahouse

The teahouse was more than an architectural marvel—it symbolized the harmonious blending of tradition and technology. Leveraging FDM printing, this demonstrated the transformative potential of additive manufacturing to preserve and reimagine cultural heritage. The teahouse captivated a global audience, underscoring the possibilities of 3D printing in architecture, design, and engineering.

Bridging Heritage and Innovation

Dynamism’s contribution to Dubai Design Week highlighted the growing role of 3D printing in modern design. Projects like the 3D-printed teahouse not only showcase the technological capabilities of FDM printing but also emphasize its power to honor and elevate tradition. As a leader in advanced 3D printing solutions, Dynamism continues to inspire by merging the past with the future through innovative designs.

ColorFabb 2.85mm Woodfill – 600g

ColorFabb 2.85mm Woodfill - 600g
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Ultimaker S Series

Ultimaker S7
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3D Printing Aerospace Education Engineering Healthcare Manufacturing

Tullomer Filament: Breakthrough Findings on Low-Outgassing for Ultra-High Vacuum Applications

Tullomer: The Ideal Low-Outgassing Filament for UHV Applications

With its remarkably low outgassing properties, Tullomer outperforms standard materials like PEEK, making it ideal for UHV applications. Extensive testing, including residual gas analysis, has proven its reliability in maintaining pristine vacuum conditions, making it a top choice for industries like aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing.

When designing components for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) applications, the choice of materials is crucial. Metals and ceramics have traditionally been favored due to their low outgassing properties, but recent advances in 3D printing are bringing plastics into the conversation. Evaluating these 3D-printed materials, particularly in terms of outgassing and residual gas analysis (RGA), is essential to ensuring they can maintain the integrity of a UHV environment.

Outgassing Challenges in UHV Applications

Outgassing refers to releasing trapped gasses from a material when exposed to vacuum conditions. 3D-printed plastics often present challenges due to the nature of polymer absorption and their manufacturing process, which can leave microscopic voids and unreacted compounds. For 3D-printed plastics to be viable for UHV applications, their outgassing properties must be minimized. Common strategies for reducing outgassing include baking components in a vacuum oven and applying specialized surface coatings.

Residual Gas Analysis and Testing Results

Residual Gas Analysis is a critical process used to evaluate the suitability of materials for UHV applications. By measuring the gases released from a material in a vacuum, RGA allows engineers to detect contaminants and the material’s overall outgassing characteristics.  In tests, Tullomer filament has shown a significantly lower emission of residual gases, making it a top choice for environments where even trace contaminants can cause issues.

Tullomer’s Superior Outgassing Performance

Tullomer filament has been scientifically proven to significantly outperform other materials in minimizing outgassing. In a recent study conducted by Lund University, Tullomer demonstrated an outgassing rate lower than industry-standard PEEK after a standard bakeout process. The results were so impressive that Tullomer reached the system detection limit post-bakeout, making it an ideal choice for engineers and researchers in UHV applications. These groundbreaking findings were presented at the SRI conference in Hamburg, where experts praised Tullomer for its unmatched outgassing performance in vacuum environments. As a result, Tullomer is now considered the top material for applications where maintaining vacuum conditions is critical.

Applications in Aerospace and Semiconductor Manufacturing

The unique formulation of Tullomer filament offers more than just low outgassing. It also provides exceptional strength and thermal stability, making it ideal for high-performance applications in both high-vacuum (HV) and UHV systems. Its low desorption rates ensure that vacuum conditions remain pristine, minimizing contamination risks while ensuring reliable operation over extended periods. Extensively tested and validated by leading experts in vacuum technology, Tullomer is engineered for precision. Whether you’re developing complex components for UHV research or deploying systems in critical environments like aerospace or semiconductor manufacturing, this filament offers unmatched performance, with proven results that set it apart from competitors like PEEK.

Why Tullomer is the Future of UHV-Compatible Filaments?

With the development of advanced filaments like Tullomer, 3D-printed plastics are set to become a reliable choice for UHV applications. While traditional polymers like PEEK and ULTEM have demonstrated solid performance, Tullomer’s revolutionary low-outgassing properties place it ahead of the curve. Its strength, thermal stability, and precision make it an indispensable material for engineers and researchers working in ultra-high vacuum environments. By minimizing outgassing and ensuring high system reliability, Tullomer elevates the standard for vacuum-compatible materials. Whether you’re prototyping or producing critical components, switching to Tullomer offers a new level of performance backed by scientific validation and industry trust.

Tullomer Out Performs All Tested Samples

Tullomer performed significantly better both before and after the bakeout, even reaching the detection limit of our setup for the sample size after the bakeout.

Tullomer vs PEEK

Tullomer filament residual gas analysis results

Tullomer vs all samples

Tullomer filament residual gas analysis results

Download The Full Case Study Results

Lund University’s Study on Outgassing Performance

Evaluation of 3D-Printed Plastics for Ultra-High Vacuum applications: Outgassing, and Residual Gas Analysis

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Tullomer: Minimize Outgassing, Maximize Performance

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3D Printing Education

The Benefits of 3D Printing in the Classroom

Year after year, schools and their teachers search for the best educational techniques to bring excitement and learning to the classroom. You will achieve both goals with the hands-on learning experience of 3D printing. 

Students benefit in many ways with the introduction of 3D printing to their curriculum. How?

Textbook based readings and standard homework assignments have always been a long-term strategy for learning. But, the on-screen to real-world nature of 3D printing truly sparks the engagement and creativity of students. 

At least as far as Onfim in the 13th Century, students have strived to be creative in the classroom, either through their assigned homework and projects, or simply by doodling at their desk. 

Bringing in the engaging technology of 3D printing allows students to exercise their creativity. Designing on their own and seeing it come to life can nurture that inherent creative spirit and push them to continue that mindset.

Studies have shown a high correlation between classroom 3D printing use and academic achievement. 

A 2018 study found that students that worked with 3D printing were able to more quickly and decisively answer questions on medical examinations, which was correlated with higher test scores.

Spatial Learning and its benefits are widely accepted. Utilizing the advanced technology of 3D printing is an excellent way to practice this learning technique. It helps to engage with your students and increases their capacity to better understand their surroundings. 

3D printing benefits students in the short-term, and it helps ensure that they will be able to retain those skills as they grow older.

Students that interact and actively use 3D printing technology gain valuable technological skills, but they will also derive other measurable  benefits. By actively using new technology like 3D printers in group projects and presentations, students will increase social and communication skills.

A study, conducted at Texas A&M University, echoed that sentiment, stating that working with and designing for 3D printing projects has “a positive influence on student’s motivation, interests, mathematic skills, and real-life skills.” 

As STEAM learning becomes more adopted, 3D printers have raced to the forefront of education. This approach has shown benefits in multiple ways, namely through the crucial impact it has had on girls.

An initiative demonstrating this remarkable impact is MakerGirl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This program has shown great efficacy by providing workshops and educational material to girls age 7 and up.

When you take a look back at the technological advancements of the past century, it is truly incredible how much innovation has occurred. It is not essential for students to have access to 3D printers.

For an entire nation, its workers, and its students, having access to leading technology bestows a “first-mover” advantage that lasts for decades. Implementing 3D printing in your school can help to provide that critical experience, giving your students true opportunity in the economy of the 2020s.

How do I get started?

To kick off 2022, Dynamism created a brand-new EDU Purchasing Guide for our Nation’s educators to get a better idea of which items might help their classroom. Take a look at our guide by filling out the form below!

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3D Printing Education

Why 3D Printers are Right for Your Classroom

We’re often asked if the kit-like 3D printers, usually marketed as a cool toy for consumers, and costing less than professional 3D printers, would be sufficient for a classroom. While these printers are okay for occasional printing in your garage, they don’t stand up to the rigor of daily use (whether by kids or adults), nor do they produce reliable and repeatable results.

Why Professional-Grade 3D Printers Save Money in the Long-Term

Investing in 3D printers designed for education will provide you the best long term return on investment, and reliably produce the best educational outcomes. The cheaper consumer-focused 3D printer is enticing, but they are typically only used for a few months before most realize they need a more robust tool.

Dynamism only sells professional-grade printers that will endure daily use, are easy to maintain, and generally modular–so if repairs are needed the vast majority are simple part swaps. Our printers are designed and manufactured for the heavy, everyday use in the educational 3D printer lab, classroom, factory floor, or engineer’s daily use.  These are a larger upfront investment than consumer-focused printers, but a lower cost of long-term ownership, and immeasurably better ownership experience due to their reliability and accuracy. 

Dynamism Makes 3D Printing Affordable for Education

In many cases we, working with our maker partners, can offer special Educator-only pricing. Fill out the form below to view your savings.

What Works for Schools

3D printing in education comes in three easy pieces: 3D printers, the consumable that is used for printing (filament or resin), and software.

There are many options when it comes to top tier 3D printers for school, but we have some top recommendations. For schools with the most budget flexibility, we recommend Ultimaker. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Ultimaker produces a beautiful quality and well manufactured 3D printer that is sophisticated, yet easy to use. They are simple to set up and run reliably.

As with any mechanical tool, occasional maintenance is needed. Ultimaker’s design makes this easy. And, our Warranty Plans can protect you against any unexpected cost for years to come.

Which Ultimaker 3D printers does Dynamism offer?

Ultimaker S5

Ultimaker’s best-seller is the Ultimaker S5. This printer also features Ultimaker’s largest potential print volume.

Be sure to check out the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, which includes air manager (with filtration), material station (for easy changing of filament colors or types), and all the necessary software to get your curriculum running.

Ultimaker S3

Ultimaker S3 is very similar to the Ultimaker S5, but with a smaller potential printing area.  It also uses less space on a tabletop. So, if space is a concern, or if you want more printers in a given budget, the Ultimaker S3 is an excellent option.

Ultimaker 2+ Connect

Out of the box, the Ultimaker 2+ Connect may be our most easy printer to start working with. The biggest difference between the 2+ and the S5/S3 is that it is a single extraction printer. This means that your prints will only be made with one filament type and may be less complex, but that can be a benefit depending on your classroom’s needs.

If you’d like even more functionality, we offer the Ultimaker 2+ Connect Air Manager Bundle which will help to filtrate your printing process.

Resin or Filament is the substance that your 3D printer uses to create an object. There are many 3D printing materials available, but if you would like to go with an Ultimaker 3D printer, we recommend Dynamism filament, or Ultimaker filament.

A Useful Filament Tool

An optional add-on for the Ultimaker S5 is the ever-so-useful Material Station. This add-on helps to ensure that your filament is stored in optimal humidity, automatically changes spools when necessary, and is included in the S5 Pro Bundle. Simply put, it’s an elegant solution.

Software can truly enhance your 3D printing experience. Some key programs cut down on time spent printing and materials used for your Software is a critical aspect of the 3D printing experience. Good software will configure your printer to achieve goals faster, and with less use of materials.

Which Software is compatible with Ultimakers, and how does it save money?

A lot of our Ultimaker bundles come with top of the line 3D printing software. Some bundles feature Ultimaker Essentials/Personal Software, but other Ultimaker printers give you eligibility for huge discounts on SmartSlice for Ultimaker Cura.

Ultimaker Cura

Ultimaker Cura is the world’s most popular 3D printing software. As a simple to use slicing software, Cura integrates smoothly with any workflow through their Marketplace plugins. With the needs of both beginners and engineers, Cura will make the most of your Ultimaker with a more speedy and reliable printing process.

SmartSlice

SmartSlice is a state of the art software designed for Ultimaker Cura that helps you optimize prints efficiently. By improving build instructions to the 3D printer, SmartSlice helps to cut down on the amount of time you spend printing and the amount of filament you use during your print, resulting in time and cost savings.

The Final Verdict

As you can see, there are many ways to gain efficiency with professional 3D printers. Although they are more expensive up front, they will save on overhead costs and give you back some much needed time for other tasks. Additionally, there are a plethora of materials, parts, and 3D printing software to limit waste and get more out of a given budget.

Whether you’re ready to start now, or you still have questions, check out our catalog of printers, materials, parts, and other useful tools. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out directly to one of our Product Experts at 1-800-711-6277 or sales@dynamism.com.

Exclusive Discounts & Detailed Recommendations

To kick off 2022, Dynamism created a brand-new EDU Purchasing Guide for our Nation’s educators to get a better idea of which items might help their classroom. Take a look at our guide by filling out the form below!

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Categories
3D Printing Education

What to know before 3D printing in the classroom

3D printing has exploded in importance in recent years, and now schools are starting to embrace the revolutionary technology. Still, 3D printing can remain a challenging technology to embrace for those without previous experience.

So, let our team at Dynamism walk you through the process, and we’ll start with answering some of the most common questions from educators.

What do I need to get started?

There are some key pieces of information that you need to know before you can start printing in your classroom. Take a look at our checklist below!

✅ 3D Printer

First is choosing the right 3D printer. Choosing the right 3D printer will have the largest impact on the rest of your experience. We can offer expert, unbiased, and detailed advice. As a start, we have a few recommendations below.

Which 3D printer will benefit my classroom?

Deciding which 3D printers to bring to your classroom can be confusing. Here are some tips from our extensive experience working with educators.

Grades K-6

For classrooms filled with eager kids, having printing bandwidth, easy accessible storage, and detailed plans to jump-start your learning are your keys to running a successful program. See which of our options is for you with our recommendations below.

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Looking to get started with a fast and simple-to-use 3D Printer that comes with numerous bells and whistles? Our MakerBot Sketch Classroom Bundle comes with two printers, an abundance of extra filament, and over 600 educational lesson plans to keep you covered through your entire school year and beyond. Order this bundle to get a great plug-and-play, straight out of the box, experience.

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Another excellent option for the classroom is our Dremel DigiLab 3D45 Education Package. It includes the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 printer, along with extra filament, 30 lesson plans for hands-on experience, and the opportunity to acquire 4 hours of Online Professional Development Credit through ISTE. To learn how to earn your 4 hours, please visit Dremel’s ISTE Certified PD Certificate Access Walkthrough.

Grades 7-12

For classrooms with students looking to expand their knowledge and get a little more serious with 3D Printing capabilities, here are excellent options.

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If you’re ready to bring 3D printing technology used by thousands of professional engineers to your classroom, try multi-color dual-head extrusion with the Ultimaker S5. Here, students get hands-on and real-world experience creating industrial-quality parts using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printing.

Additionally, our bundle provides you with a seamless printing experience, with the inclusion of the Air Manager, Material Station, and professional grade software.

Generally, the Ultimaker Series is an excellent option for new and experienced users alike. Take a look at our catalog of Ultimakers to see what might fit your needs.

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Many of our Dynamism printer packages come with useful tools, and the Formlabs Form 3+ Complete Package is no exception. The Resin Tank, Build Platform, Finish Kit, and other add-ons will provide you with extraordinary value to get the most out of your printer. To view our complete selection of Formlabs printers, please click here.

Do you have some more questions?

If you aren’t quite sure what products would be best for your classroom, please check out our buying guide for teachers, reach out to one of our product experts by phone at 1-800-711-6277, email us at sales@dynamism.com, or simply enter your information below and we will get back to you shortly.

✅ Filament & Resin

Think of filament or resin as analogous to ink in traditional printers. When printing, you’ll need the physical component that is transformed into your model. Generally speaking, filament arrives as a long thread on a spool, while resin is a liquid hardened in the 3D printing process.

Printer brands that use filament include MakerBot and Ultimaker, and printer brands that use resin include Formlabs and Nexa3D.

✅ Software

Having the right software for your 3D printer makes operating it so much easier. We recommend utilizing PrintLab’s Classroom Software. PrintLab’s software can serve the entire classroom or just the teacher. This software gives you everything needed to get your lesson plan rolling. 

In short, PrintLab Classroom provides you with top-of-the-line teacher training, lesson plans, and certifications.

✅ 3D Scanner (Optional)

3D scanners are not a classroom necessity, but they’re a remarkable luxury. 

Using pinpoint laser technology, these scanners create truly remarkable 3D models of real-world objects. Scan any object you want to use in your project, and print it straight away. To view our handheld 3D scanner guide, please click here.

What if I need Technical Support?

Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, 3D printing can be challenging. At Dynamism, we pride ourselves on providing you with unparalleled, unlimited, and always free support by toll-free phone, email, or chat.

In addition to unlimited free support, we also offer paid support options that include setup and training by videoconference or on-site, at your location. You can book a session with an expert from our staff to walk you through your product set up, and can even provide step-by-step instructions in real-time on any complications that you may be experiencing. 

Where do I find things to print?

You can either design your own files to print, or you can utilize online communities to download designs. If you’re looking for creative projects to print, check out some of these links:

  • Thingiverse by MakerBot: As an open and completely free community, Thingiverse is a blessing to enthusiasts and professionals alike. You can search for specific builds, or sort by most popular prints if you just want inspiration.
  • YouMagine: YouMagine is an accumulation of designs, blogs, and collections that can keep you and your entire classroom busy for years. We especially like incredibly unique collections page!
  • 3DShook: Although it’s not free, it is a very low cost way to purchase designs and packages of files. 3DShook is an excellent option for educators. 
  • Pinshape: Pinshape combines both free and paid designs of 3D printing enthusiasts from around the world. Download print projects, comb through their online forum or take part in one of their many 3D printing contests. Additionally, you can take a look at projects, tutorials, and pre-designed lesson plans.
  • Instructables: As an online platform set to inspire creative designs, Instructables can keep you and your classroom occupied for the entire year. Instructables has a dedicated page just for teachers, including featured projects broken down by subject and grade level.

Exclusive Discounts & Detailed Recommendations

To kick off 2022, Dynamism created a brand-new EDU Purchasing Guide for our Nation’s educators to get a better idea of which items might help their classroom. Take a look at our guide by filling out the form below!

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Engineering Manufacturing

Yasuhide Yokoi and Final Aim Inc’s Autonomous Delivery Robot

Yasuhide “Yasu” Yokoi is the cofounder of design and technology firm Final Aim Inc., which works with laboratories, startups, and multinational companies to transform ideas into tangible solutions. There, he and his team use Ultimaker 3D printers to better enable rapid design iterations during the prototyping phase.

One of the company’s latest projects is the OSTAW Camello, an autonomous package delivery robot.

Revolutionizing Package Delivery

The Camello was designed to address issues in the delivery logistics chain in Singapore, which causes high shipment costs and operational complexities. Due to low loads and long waiting periods in loading and unloading bays, package deliveries are often inefficient – a fact exacerbated by high delivery volumes and tight delivery deadlines.

To tackle this challenge, Final Aim collaborated with a Singaporean robotics start-up OTSAW Digital PTE LTD, with the Camello being the final product.

The Camello is user friendly, featuring an ergonomic cargo space and sleek design – optimal for Singapore’s urban environment. Plans are currently underway for it to be used by various industrial key players, delivery companies, and retailers throughout Singapore, creating an improved ecosystem that provides smooth and efficient delivery to customers, while increasing profit margins for those businesses that use it.

The Birth of the Camello

As with any product, several phases were involved in Camello’s design, with the Ultimaker S3, Ultimaker Cura, and CAD software acting as Yasu’s and Final Aim’s greatest companions throughout the process.

First came the robot’s concept development and evaluation. From the initiation to ideation, he used both hand-drawn design sketches and CAD software.

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Industrial designer Yasuhide Yokoi with the Ultimaker S3 and Camello prototypes

Once he developed the idea, Yasu began the process of presenting it to the higher-level management, frontline members, and end-users. This divergent approach allowed Yasu to gain as much feedback as possible, which he could then use to refine, improve, and further flesh out his concept.

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Early sketches of design ideas
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A CAD design iteration, which can be 3D printed

Next came the prototyping phase. As Yasu now had numerous potential ideas, he needed to rapidly actualize them – often on tight deadlines. Luckily, this was a task that 3D printing was able to easily handle. Compared to other common prototyping methods such as sculpting or carving from Styrofoam, chemical wood, or industrial clay, 3D printing is much more efficient – freeing up time for Yasu to work on other design tasks.

“More than just cost-cutting, 3D printing has added value to my process,” Yasu said.

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3D printed iterations of the robot, ready to be tested and compared

Finalizing an Intuitive Design

Yasu was also responsible for ensuring that the Camello’s final design was of excellent quality. As his works often incorporate organically curved surfaces and silhouettes, which are often difficult to implement, he needed to create numerous iterations. 3D printing technology utilizes the contour layers of printouts to analyze the curvature of surfaces – essentially an equivalent to the zebra mapping that CAD software performs.

“The Ultimaker S3’s double extrusion feature has [also] been essential to my everyday design applications,” Yasu said. “Together with Breakaway and PVA material, my printing experience has become exponentially more efficient. I am deeply satisfied with the resulting quality as it leaves behind no support structure remaining.”

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Final design iteration prototyped on the Ultimaker S3
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Production Camello delivering groceries in Singapore

For the Camello to be a success, its design had to be intuitive and accessible at first glance. The design process, therefore, involved divergent ideation, exploring all possibilities, which were then carefully narrowed in focus. Development speed was also critical for stakeholders’ requests.

3D printing enabled these stakeholders to see and touch a physical product, deepening their understanding of the Camello’s concept and design – and streamlining the decision-making process.

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Go To Market Faster

Discover how 3D printing can accelerate your development cycles, with insights including:

  • How to 3D print faster to test more iterations
  • 4 essential applications for designers
  • The ideal design studio setup and workflow
  • And lots more handy tips and tricks!
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3D Printing

Particle Emissions During 3D Printing

What are Volatile Organic Compounds?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are natural or synthetic airborne chemicals with a vapor pressure above 0.1 kPa at 20 °C. While they are often detectable as smells or odors, scientific detection takes place by sampling air around a printer under controlled conditions and then analyzing the samples. Some VOCs are hazardous. But depending on the molecular structure of the VOC, its safe Threshold Limit Values (TLV) concentration can range from a few micrograms to several milligrams per cubic meter.

Are 3D Printed VOC Emissions Dangerous?

The key to stating whether 3D printing may be harmful to your health depends on safe TLVs. These limit values essentially measure the concentration of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the air. The fewer particles in the air, the better the health outcome for the user. There are seven key factors to take into consideration when assessing health risks from 3D printing:

  • The room’s dimensional volume affects the TLV. Larger rooms have more air volume and will result in a lower concentration of UFPs.
  • The room’s air exchange rate affects concentration buildup. Faster/more frequent air exchange cycles of the room’s dimensional volume will reduce the UFP concentration.
  • How many 3D printers you are operating. Each printer will generate UFPs, and therefore more printers will produce more UFPs.
  • What material(s) you are printing. Different materials produce different levels of UFPs during normal operation of a printer.
  • How long you are printing. The longer you are printing, the more time UFPs have to accumulate in the room.
  • How close you are to the printer(s). The closer you are to a source of UFPs, the more concentrated they will be.
  • Whether there are other emission sources in the room. Additional emission sources can affect overall room air quality in addition to UFPs from 3D printing.

To dispel any concerns, if you 3D print under the recommended conditions, using any Ultimaker 3D printer and Ultimaker material, there is minimal concern for health risks. For current Ultimaker materials, a nano reference value of 40,000 particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3) is relevant. Below this concentration, health risks are very unlikely.

This chart provides three average UFP concentration readings for three different print materials. These represent the low, mid, and high end range of possible particulate emissions when using an Ultimaker S5 with the standard configuration that does not include an Air Manager. Specifically, this is due to the level of UFP emission during printing for materials ranging from the low end (PLA) to the high end (Polycarbonate).

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* Calculated based on the particle emission rate determined from independent test laboratory measurements and assuming a typical office room of 30.6 m3 with an air exchange rate of 1.8/hr

How Do I Mitigate 3D Printed Emissions?

While it is not possible to eliminate VOC emissions entirely while 3D printing, there are steps you can take to mitigate the particulates released into the local environment.

This chart shows the particulate emissions from the same three materials and printers, along with a second reading taken an Ultimaker Air Manager system has been installed on the printer. For each material, the particle emissions have dropped to less than 500 particles per cubic centimeter. In the case of Ultimaker Polycarbonate, this has reduced overall emissions by more than 95%.

The Air Manager uses a quiet, multi-speed fan to pull air contained inside the enclosed build chamber through a filter, creating an inside-out airflow. This results in nearly all air leaving the printer through the filter, with the exhausted air having the majority of particles removed.

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* Calculated based on the particle emission rate determined from independent test laboratory measurements and assuming a typical office room of 30.6 m3 with an air exchange rate of 1.8/hr

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Download the Full VOC Emissions Paper

Get the full case study, which details the process used by Ultimaker to determine VOC emissions from their printers and materials.

Final Thoughts

An Air Manager fully encloses the Ultimaker S5 build chamber, providing users with the freedom to set up 3D printers in more locations – including areas where unwanted airflows would negatively impact print quality. Additionally, by providing a physical barrier that stops anyone from touching hot or moving parts, workplace safety is improved. Though it’s up to each individual user to assess the safety of their printing environment and make proper adjustments, adding an Air Manager or filtration solution to your setup mitigates risk substantially, while also improving overall print quality by providing a more consistent print environment.

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Ultimaker 2+ Connect Air Manager

The Ultimaker 2+ Connect Air Manager (including front door enclosure) fully encloses the build chamber for a more stable printing environment, while preventing anyone from touching hot and moving components during operation.

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Ultimaker S5 Air Manager

An integrated filtration solution for the Ultimaker S5 printer, utilizing HEPA filtration while providing optimized airflow settings for all Ultimaker filament. Incorporate safety in your 3D printing workflow.

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BOFA 3D PrintPro 3

The 3D PrintPRO extraction system combines high capture performance with proven filter technology, ensuring the effective removal of hazardous particulate, gases/vapors, and odors associated with 3D printing methods. Requires an additional compatible print enclosure for proper operation.

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Desktop Metal to acquire EnvisionTEC

Announced today, two 3D printing powerhouses are to join forces with a definitive agreement for Desktop Metal to acquire EnvisionTEC, a market leader in photopolymer printing with an incredible IP and product portfolio. The acquisition will add a large portfolio of photopolymer 3D printers for end-use parts, dental and orthodontic applications, bioprinting, and casting markets such as jewelry. Dynamism is an authorized reseller of both brands, discover their available 3D printing solutions here.

In the industrial additive manufacturing market, growth has been driven by a shift from purely prototyping to dedicated solutions for end-use applications, an area where EnvisionTEC excels. Founded in 2002, EnvisionTEC boasts a large portfolio of over 190 materials and seven current 3D printers, which come in a variety of industry-focused configurations. Of notable mention, a recent material addition, EnvisionTEC’s E-3955 Thermal Cure exceeds material properties of Ultem1010, the strongest material currently available for material extrusion 3D printers (FFF/FDM). In addition, the EnvisionTEC portfolio includes a massive, high-speed 3D printer powered by an 8k DLP light source, printers 100X faster than legacy thermoplastic printers, a bioprinter, and several industry leading solutions for dental, jewelry, and manufacturing applications.

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A complete look at the combined Desktop Metal and EnvisionTEC hardware portfolio

Through the acquisition expect “business as usual” for both companies.  EnvisionTEC will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary, maintaining the current organizational structure, with founder Al Siblani remaining as CEO, and the EnvisionTEC sales organization and channel program remaining in place.

Dynamism is an authorized reseller of both Desktop Metal and EnvisionTEC

Discover solutions from each company by clicking the logos below or reach out to sales@dynamism.com with your additive needs. Our dedicated industrial 3D printing specialist can work with you to discover how these complementary product lines can help your company with the digital manufacturing transformation.

DISCOVER SOLUTIONS

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