You gotta love the enthusiasm of a start-up when it sells one of its industrial 3D printers these days. German 3D printer maker Aim3D, whose innovative printer can print with virtually any pellet-based material from plastics to metal to ceramic to recycled shreds, celebrated its first sale to the US last week in dramatic fashion.

Last week, we shared our thoughts on the state of open-source 3D printing and asked how many of you would be willing to purchase a high-quality closed-source 3D printer. We received over 600 responses. While closed-source printers are not a barrier for most, it was heartening to see the sizable percentage of readers who are devoted to supporting open-source projects and products. If taken as representative, the responses show that closed-source 3D printing doesn't necessarily mean the end of open-source principles, especially when a large minority of the community remains committed to them.

The profiles cover a few key Sunlu materials like PLAs (Matte, Marble, Wood, PLA+, PLA+ 2.0, and Silk PLA+) and PETG. More are expected in the future, Sunlu said in a press release.

but when I got the chance to hold it in my own hands last week at the Inhorgenta jewelry show, I was even more impressed. 3D printed in precious metals using laser powder bed fusion, the stones are meticulously dropped in midway through the print and then the build completes around them. The company has sold more than 6,000 directly 3D printed pieces.

The tools consist of already familiar parametric and AI-powered design tools like the PrintMon Maker and "experimental" AI scanner. The tools can definitely be neat, if you're looking for a quick print that's a little more original than another model pulled straight from MakerWorld.

With the integration, you can use MakerLab's tools straight from the slicer. Seamless.

True believers in the power of open-source tech, researchers from Canada’s Western University offer 3D printable water pipe fitting models modifiable (by 16 parameters) by anyone for free. Download from GitHub the OpenSCAD script for generating virtually any size and shape of pipe fitting, then send to your 3D printer. Done.

Of all the 3D printed surfboard projects I've followed over the years, this one from Funner Surf Craft is the first I'd actually consider buying — if I surfed. The 3D printed part (recycled plastic) is purposeful and highly functional while the board is eco-friendly forgoing the usual foam for Balsa wood. It's zero-waste and environmentally nontoxic, but also, the company says, enhances surfing performance. Check out this great write-up in Surfer magazine.