3D Printing

Up-Close Look at the Fully Mechanical 3D-Printed Pinball Machine Anyone Can Build

By Bill Smith April 27, 2026

Steven from 3D Printer Academy spent months transforming one of his trusted old desktop 3D printers into Galactic Odyssey, a full-fledged pinball machine built entirely from pieces that came directly off his print bed. There’s no hum from the electronics, no snap from metal springs, just clever plastic pieces and a few basic connections. Throw in a steel ball, pull the launcher, and watch the action unfold right next to your keyboard on a small table that begs to be placed just in front of your computer.

Alexander 3D-Printed a Real Engine That Runs

By Jackson Chung April 25, 2026

Alexander worked in his workshop for years on a simple goal: to turn spools of everyday filament into a workable internal combustion engine. That is, anything with a few hundred horsepower to get the aging bones going. His third generation of this made-from-scratch engine, known as the AP3 Carbon D125, has recently met that target. The new design surrounds a 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, which is commonly found in scooters.

How One Builder 3D Printed a Complete Algae Production System

By Jackson Chung April 17, 2026

One builder showcases custom-built photobioreactor from start to finish, having printed the majority of its components on a conventional 3D printer sitting on a work surface. The final machine simply sits there silently day after day, converting water and light into useable biomass without the need for anyone to pay attention to it.

How Four Filaments Produce Every Shade in 3D Printing

By Jackson Chung April 16, 2026

One developer modified a popular 3D slicing tool, allowing conventional 3D printers to spew out items in a variety of colors from just four spools. To do this, the software divides the item into extremely thin layers and then determines the exact pattern to mix and match these layers to achieve the required hue. Users select a color, and the software performs the rest, determining the optimal sequence and layer ratio to ensure the color is visible throughout the print.

3D Printing Pushed This Massive RC Submarine to the Edge of Disaster

By Jackson Chung April 13, 2026

James from ProjectAir set out to build the world’s largest remote-controlled submarine. His finished machine was an impressive 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) long and made extensive use of 3D printing, with the body, fins, propeller, and structural pieces all created using it. You don’t have to be an expert in underwater boat construction to understand how much is at stake: one failure and that pricey toy is resting at the bottom of a lake, with no easy means to retrieve it. James was well aware of the risk, so he began with a much smaller prototype to test every single mechanism before going on to the final product.

Air Powers a Clock That Remembers Its Digits

By Jackson Chung April 11, 2026

Soiboi Soft set out to build a four-digit display out of nothing but air pressure. The finished product is an impressive design, with 3D printed pieces and ultra thin silicone sheets, without cables running directly to the section. Instead, vacuum lines pull on flexible membranes to create luminous bars, which remain in place long after the signal is turned off.

Massive 41-inch Blades Deliver Clear Efficiency Wins on This Custom-Built Quadcopter Drone

By Bill Smith April 8, 2026

Daniel Riley set out to tackle an issue that had been plaguing him: what if you built a drone with propeller blades a mile longer than regular models? His design features 41-inch blades that reach from tip to tip and spin at a steady 350 to 500 revolutions per minute, a far cry from the tiny, high-speed propellers seen on nearly every commercial drone on the market.

Matty Benedetto 3D Prints a Carry On Suitcase Loaded With Every Airport Convenience

By Bill Smith April 8, 2026

Product designer Matty Benedetto discovered some clips of passengers stranded in airport security lines and clogged airport terminals. He determined that his next trip needed to be less of a nightmare, so he set out to design a carry-on suitcase that would make the entire experience a little less stressful. More specifically, he decided to create one from scratch using his 3D printers.

This is the ABB Robot Behind Japan’s First 3D-Printed Railway Station

By Jackson Chung April 5, 2026

Years of steady usage and exposure to the elements have taken a toll on Japanese railway stations, making replacement a headache. Finding competent contractors is difficult, and construction wages are high. Serendix collaborated with ABB to help JR West restore a historic wooden shelter from 1948 at a station in Wakayama Prefecture. This site, a true relic, was only frequented by around 270 visitors every day in a tiny coastal village near Arida that few people had ever heard of.

Maker 3D-Prints Shoes Layer by Layer, Successfully Goes from Printer to Pavement

By Bill Smith April 3, 2026

People are constantly pushing the boundaries of 3D printing, but shoes have long been the holy grail, or rather the holy nightmare, of the technology. They must be able to bend with each step, provide traction on a variety of surfaces, and withstand regular use without falling apart at the seams. DaveRig Design took on this exact task in a recent project, resulting in a pair of casual shoes that look and feel right at home on the street.