👋 Welcome to The Filament Feed!

Today’s top stories: PrusaSlicer V2.8.0-alpha5 releases with a ton of new features and bug fixes, a new method for 3D printing strong, yet durable Aluminum alloy, and Azul 3D releases a new large format printer based on HARP technology.

🤩 Hobbyist 3D Printing

PrusaSlicer V2.8.0-alpha5 Was Released Over the Weekend (6 minute read) - Link

PrusaSlicer V2.8.0-alpha5 was released over the weekend with a ton of new features and bug fixes. One of the largest features was the ability to access Prusa Connect via the slicer itself. Prusa Connect is the web based solution to access your printers and see their status via your web browser, and now you can access all that info straight from the slicer.

Additionally, PrusaSlicer has undergone significant UI updates, G-Code viewer updates, seam improvements and more. Be sure to check out the link to read the release notes and check out all the new features and bug fixes.

🏭 3D Printing Industry

Scientist Create Method for 3D Printing Strong but Flexible Aluminum (30 minute read, research paper) - Link

Scientists have developed a new method for 3D printing aluminum alloy that is both very strong and flexible.Traditionally, strong aluminum alloys were difficult to 3D print because they cracked during the process. This new method uses tiny particles within the alloy to prevent cracking and creates an aluminum alloy that is much stronger than previous 3D printed versions, while also being surprisingly bendable.

Azul3D Launches Large Format OCEAN Printer, Based on HARP Tech - Link

Azul 3D launched a new large resin 3D printer, OCEAN. Compared to their previous model, OCEAN boasts a much bigger build area (812 x 812 mm) for larger objects. It also maintains high printing speeds (over 300 mm/hour) and detailed prints (72 microns) thanks to its innovative HARP technology. With a wide range of resins and potential for functional coatings, OCEAN positions Azul 3D for large-scale 3D printing across various industries.

🔦 3D Printing Model Spotlight

Airless Basketball - PartyLime on MakerWorld.com - Link

If you didn’t get in on the trend a while back, here is your shot. This is PartyLime’s 12th Version of the airless basketball and it seems they’ve nailed it. The comments have people who have printed it in TPC and PEBA and it seems that while expensive, the PEBA can achieve nearly the same bounce as a normal basketball. Now it’s probably not quite as economical (PEBA is around $60-$100 per KG), it is a fun print to try out!

🔗 Quick Links

🤩 Recent Slicer Updates

• OrcaSlicer - 2.1.0 RC - 6/17/2024 -(GitHub)

• Cura - 5.7.2 - 6/03/2024 (GitHub)

• PrusaSlicer - 2.8.0-alpha5 - 6/14/2024 (GitHub)

• Bambu Studio - 1.9.2 Public Official- 6/11/24 (GitHub)

📢We love your feedback!

Just reply to this email and tell us what you like or didn’t like. Let us know what sections you are enjoying and what sections just aren’t interesting or sections to add. We want this newsletter to be for the people, and news important to our audience is news important to us.

You can always send an email to me, Alex, at [email protected]

Until tomorrow!