Latest news with #3Dprinting
CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
Best 3D Printing Filament and Which to Buy in 2025
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. There are plenty of great reasons to pick up a 3D printer, but it's important to find a filament that works for you. Choosing the wrong filament will lead to clogs, a stringy printing process and ultimately having to start all over again. Filament is the material used for FDM 3D printing, and there's certainly no shortage of options. Choosing the right one means thinking about things like heat and chemical resistance if you want to be sure of achieving good print quality. So, which should you choose? CNET's experts have done the research so you can ensure you're using the best filament for the job. What is the best 3D printing filament? Almost everyone who uses a 3D printer uses PLA for most of their prints. You might use other materials for certain things, but day-to-day printing is likely done with PLA. The best PLA for most use cases is Build Series PLA from MatterHackers. I've used over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of it by now, and it's still my favorite. It sands very well and prints easily on just about any FDM printer. I've put together this primer on different types of filament, including the best PLA filament, as well as choices of the best filaments from my favorite brands. This will be updated regularly and has some great choices to help you start. I use around 8 kilograms (17.5 pounds) of filament each week -- and have for the last four years -- so I know I'm offering you the best options around. James Bricknell/CNET It's important to choose both the right type of material and the right brand of that type, be it PLA, ABS or something more exotic. Here are the best of each of the five main filament types. Read more: Best 3D Printers PLA is the easiest material to use to make awesome things. James Bricknell/CNET Polylactic acid, or PLA PLA Polylactic acid, or PLA, is the most common 3D printing filament, and it's the easiest to use. Unlike most plastics, it's made from corn starches so it's nontoxic and, in theory, compostable, though it takes an industrial composter to do it. PLA uses a fairly low heat -- between 190 and 215 degrees Celsius (374 and 419 degrees Fahrenheit) -- to melt the plastic for extrusion, so it is the safest of the filaments. Almost every FDM 3D printer in the world can print PLA. PLA pros No awful smell Easy to use for a beginner Almost universally available Nontoxic Usable on any FDM printer Cheap PLA cons Can require a lot of sanding May warp in the sun or high-temp environments Can be brittle ... Show more MatterHackers Photo Gallery 1/1 MatterHackers Best overall PLA filament MatterHackers Build PLA Pros Easier to sand than most PLA Prints well Cons Can be a little stringy Build PLA from MatterHackers is great for projects that require finishing (sanding, painting and so on). I have about 12 rolls of it in my workshop and use it for large projects, including my Mandalorian armor or cosplay swords. The dimensional accuracy -- how consistent the diameter is along the length of the roll -- is good, though nothing mind-blowing. It's well within the sweet zone. Post-processing is where Build Series PLA shines. It is simple to sand and holds paint well, as long as you use a good primer and filler first. Like all PLA, it holds together well using superglue and even takes putty and Bondo without complaint. ... Show more Get it now $28 at MatterHackers Flashforge Photo Gallery 1/1 Flashforge Best metallic-looking filament Flashforge Burnt Titanium PLA Pros Gorgeous color shifts Hides layer lines well Cons Doesn't hold paint The color of this PLA is hard to describe, but it is beautiful. It has a purple-blue-green hue and looks like metal that's been heated up. Right now, it's probably my favorite-looking filament. It's also easy to print with, and because of the shifting colors, it hides layer lines well. If you're looking for a dark filament that you aren't painting over, I'd pick up a few rolls of this today. ... Show more Get it now $26 at Amazon Photo Gallery 1/1 Best large roll PLA filament Overture multikilogram PLA Pros Reduces filament runout Dimensionally accurate Recyclable reel Cons Reel can bend under the weight The bigger your 3D printer gets, the more you need one continuous roll of filament to make parts. Sure, you can trust the filament runout sensor on your machine and hope that multiple rolls of filament look the same color, but often the machines fail, or the color changes. Overture is helping to solve that issue with large rolls of filament. The company has several of its most popular colors available in 2 and 3 kilogram rolls so you can stock up, ready for your huge, ambitious projects. ... Show more Get it now $24 at Amazon James Bricknell / CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 James Bricknell / CNET Best sparkly filament Inland Shimmer PLA Pros Gorgeous color Shimmer hides layer lines Cons The name is just incorrect I really enjoy the color of this PLA from Inland. It prints very well and the shimmer from the gold/red highlights hides any layer lines after it has printed. Beautiful colored filament always makes me happy, and this is one of my favorites. ... Show more Get it now 25 (Out of stock) at Microcenter Elegoo Photo Gallery 1/1 Elegoo Best filament for fast printers Elegoo Rapid PLA Plus Pros Prints extremely well at high speed Cost-effective Cons Dimensions can vary too much With the advent of ultra-fast 3D printers, companies including Elegoo have started to create materials that work better at high speeds. Rapid PLA Plus works extremely well at high speeds due to its high fluidity when melted. It printed very well on several of my fastest machines and sands very well if you are looking to finish your prints with paint. ... Show more Get it now $16 at Amazon Ataraxia Photo Gallery 1/1 Ataraxia Best color shift Ataraxia Art Tri-color PLA Pros Pretty colors Excellent dimensional accuracy Cons Could be a little cheaper Ataraxia Art already makes excellent PLA and flexible PLA, but its new range of tri-color filament is some of its best yet. Tri-color uses three colored filaments along its width to create a beautiful shimmering effect as you move the model, so it's perfect for projects you aren't going to be painting. This PLA comes in four different color combinations and is one of my favorite filaments to use. ... Show more Get it now $32 at Amazon Polymaker Photo Gallery 1/1 Polymaker Environmental thinking Polymaker PolyTerra Pros Helping the planet Beautifully matte Cons Needs glue to hold on the print bed For projects you can show off without paint, PolyTerra might be for you. The colors are vivid, and because they are matte, you don't lose details in the reflections like with shiny filament. PolyTerra also comes in recycled cardboard reels, and the creator, Polymaker, will plant a tree in the area where the roll was bought to help offset the cardboard used. This filament is still plastic, but it helps my conscience to use this one. ... Show more Get it now $21 at Amazon $23 at B&H Photo-Video Ataraxia Art Photo Gallery 1/1 Ataraxia Art Bouncy bouncy Ataraxia Art Pros Prints easier than TPU Great color choices Cons Gets stringy very quickly In an article about this flexible PLA, I explained how, although this isn't technically PLA, it does print much easier than TPU, a more common flexible filament. I used it to print an amazing Mandalorian Blacksmith helmet for my 4-year-old. She can't break it because it's so bouncy. This isn't for newbies, though. It took a lot of trial and error to get the setting for my 3D printer right, and because it is so soft, the accuracy can be pretty wonky. But for something that's different from normal PLA, it's worth checking out. ... Show more Get it now $30 at Amazon Cookiecad Photo Gallery 1/1 Cookiecad It's ice cream that won't melt CookieCad Mint Chip Pros Beautiful color Small family business Cons A little more pricey than others I've been meaning to buy some of this beautiful filament for some time now, and I'm really happy I did. The color is almost exactly the same as mint chocolate chip ice cream, and the tiny flecks of marble color enhance the look even more. It prints great, with a nice glossy finish, and I found printing it at a higher temperature brings out that gloss really well. Aside from the print quality, I love the way it makes me feel. The color just makes me happy and reminds me of days at the beach with my kids. It's gorgeous. ... Show more Get it now $23 at Amazon James Bricknell/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 James Bricknell/CNET So many colors! Creality short transition rainbow PLA (Update: Currently unavailable) Rainbow filament tends to transition between colors very slowly. This means you often get only one or two colors per model. Creality's latest rainbow filament has a much shorter transition, so you get a much nicer rainbow effect across your models. It looks great on this amazing dragon from Fotis Mint. ... Show more Get it now $27 at Amazon Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS ABS was one of the more common 3D printing filaments a few years back, and it still has some excellent uses. The biggest downside is toxicity. You don't want to breathe in ABS as it melts, so you'll need a well-ventilated area. That aside, it's sturdier and more heat-resistant than PLA. Most printers can print ABS, but you'll need a heated bed that can reach 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) for best results, and protecting your printing job in an enclosed printer is a good idea. ABS pros Can withstand a lot of heat Easy to sand Can be smoothed with acetone for a perfect shine ABS cons Fumes are toxic, so it requires ventilation Needs far more heat to print than PLA You will need an enclosure to get good results Inland Photo Gallery 1/1 Inland Cheap and cheerful Inland 1.75mm Black ABS Pros Inexpensive Super easy to sand Cons Spools can be loosely wound Inland makes good filament across the board, and its ABS is no different. I've never had issues with the dimensions, and the final product has consistent layer lines. Sanding Inland ABS is a joy as the material can be wet-sanded to a smooth finish. ... Show more Get it now $23 at Amazon MatterHackers Photo Gallery 1/1 MatterHackers Bright and beautiful Fillamentum ExtraFill ABS Pros Vibrant colors Excellent diameter accuracy Cons Pricey Fillamentum is one of my favorite ABS makers. The colors are always so vibrant, and while it costs a little more than the competition, it keeps that vibrancy even after the model is finished printing. If you're looking for ABS that you don't need to paint, Fillamentum is a great place to start. ... Show more Get it now $45 at MatterHackers Polyethylene terephthalate glycol, or PETG PETG is chemically similar to the plastic that water and soft drink bottles are made of, and it's a great alternative to ABS. It has the heat-resistant properties of ABS without the toxic fumes and can be sanded much like PLA. Most FDM printers that can print PLA can print PETG, though it takes a little more effort to get right. PETG pros Easier to print than ABS Holds a finish well Easier to store than other filaments PETG cons Requires high temps, which can damage printer parts over time Overture Photo Gallery 1/1 Overture Stock up on your PETG Overture PETG Filament (2-pack) Pros Great bulk buy Cheap Reliable Cons Nothing really Overture PETG is a favorite because it comes in an economical two-pack, making it ideal for multiple or larger jobs. I've used a lot of Overture products, including PETG and PLA, and they always print well. I once printed an 11-foot-long Masamune sword using Overture and it came out looking awesome. ... Show more Get it now $39 at Amazon Matterhackers Photo Gallery 1/1 Matterhackers Glorious colors MatterHackers Pro series PETG Pros Excellent model accuracy Excellent diameter accuracy Cons Pricey The Pro series filament from MatterHackers is a much nicer product than a lot of standard PETG. Yes, it costs a little more, but it's designed to help reduce some of the issues that filament suffers from. It reduces shrinkage, so the part you make is as close to the part you designed as possible. This is a great material for those who make 3D-printed models for a living rather than a hobby. ... Show more Get it now $57 at MatterHackers Protomaker Photo Gallery 1/1 Protomaker Almost like glass Protomaker Translucent PETG (Update: Currently Unavaiilable) Pros Glassy appearance Prints with ease Cons Roll is too big This US-made PETG has an excellent glassy look that is hard to achieve in melted plastic. The aqua color is subtle and gives the appearance of a stained glass window when printed at the high end of its temperature scale. Printing with it was easy, though the roll is a little big for printers like the Bambu Lab X1, which has an enclosed filament system. ... Show more Get it now $33 at Protomaker 3D Thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU TPU is a flexible material that can make cool rubbery models. Most people use it to 3D print phone cases, but more serious modelers often use it to create connectors or flexible hinges to other materials. It can be a difficult material to work with and is best used on a direct-drive 3D printer such as the Prusa Mk4, and it's worth noting that TPU does not work with the AMS system from Bambu Lab. TPU pros Flexible Won't warp in the heat Available in fun colors TPU cons Terrible for making solid prints Hard to work with on budget printers MatterHackers Photo Gallery 1/1 MatterHackers For everyday use MatterHackers Build Series TPU Pros Models look great when printed Excellent bounciness Cons Takes some dialing in to get right MatterHackers Build Series Materials perfectly balance usability and cost. Yes, I've had failures with the Build Series, but once you get it dialed into your printer, you can make dozens of fun, springy models. I like to use it to make fun toys for my kid's preschool -- they can be thrown around without breaking into small, sharp pieces. ... Show more Get it now $39 at MatterHackers Inland Photo Gallery 1/1 Inland Best colorful flexible filament Inland rainbow TPU Pros Fast transition of color Excellent elasticity Cons Needs to be kept very dry There is so much to love about this TPU from Inland. It's colorful, and the rainbow transitions look beautiful. It's flexible and can be used as a phone case. And it's almost translucent, so it has a glassy look. It's great for projects that need to stand out. ... Show more Get it now $35 at Amazon Exotic filaments Amolen PLA Photo Gallery 1/1 Amolen PLA Get a good glow on Amolen PLA Filament Glow-in-the-Dark Multicolor PLA Pros Very pretty Glows in the dark! Cons Grinds up your nozzles Glow-in-the-dark filament normally comes in a standard "radioactive" green, but this beautiful roll transitions through multiple colors. It's simply gorgeous. It's also worthwhile to buy some replacement brass nozzles for your printer. Glow-in-the-dark filament can chew them up pretty quickly because the glowing material is more abrasive than standard colors. ... Show more Get it now $28 at Amazon Proto Pasta Photo Gallery 1/1 Proto Pasta Rusty filament Proto Pasta Iron PLA Pros Rusts naturally Easy to print Cons Will damage nozzle unless it's hardened steel This filament isn't the cheapest, but it is fascinating. This PLA has dense iron powder mixed into it so it is magnetic, and it can rust if you spray it with salt and vinegar. Being able to easily print any model as normal and then rust it allows you to create some brilliant effects. ... Show more Get it now $35 at Amazon Having the right diameter makes for a better print. Dan Ackerman/CNET How we test filament Testing focuses on a few details: Dimensional accuracy, winding precision, and printing quality. Winding precision is a visual test where I check to make sure the filament works well on the spool, without any crossovers that can cause snags while printing. Print quality is done using a CNET calibration test that I use to test all of the 3D printers I review. When checking for filament quality, I'm looking for noticeable roughness and missing filament where moisture or other contaminants have interrupted the process of melting and cooling. James Bricknell/CNET Dimensional accuracy is perhaps the most important test as it measures the consistency of filament. As you move along, the filament changes in diameter and will cause the 3D printer to over- or under-extrude filament. This creates noticeable scarring in your model, or worse, complete failure. You want the material to have the same diameter the whole way through. To measure the accuracy, I take a 5-meter (16.4-foot) piece of filament from the beginning, middle and end of the roll and measure the diameter at four equally spaced points. I then add up all of those measurements and divide the total by 12 -- the total number of measurements taken -- to give me an average across the roll. Most modern printers use 1.75mm filament, so you want the filament to be as close to that as possible. Great filament has a variance of plus or minus 0.02mm, good filament is plus or minus 0.03mm and rough filament is anything plus or minus 0.05mm. All of the filaments we have recommended here are at least 0.03mm on average.
The Verge
6 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Anker is no longer selling 3D printers
In March, charging giant Anker announced it would spin out its 3D printer business into an 'independent sub-brand,' stating that the new EufyMake would 'continue to provide comprehensive customer service and support' for its original 3D printers the AnkerMake M5 and M5C. Now, the 3D printing community is wondering whether that was all a euphemism for exiting the 3D printer business. eufyMake is no longer selling any 3D printers and has stopped selling some of the parts it would need to provide anything close to 'comprehensive support.' Anker confirms to The Verge that it has stopped selling the M5 and M5C 3D printers indefinitely. Spokesperson Brett White could not confirm that the company will resume selling them or create any future models. He says that 'sales have been paused.' 'My understanding is that eufyMake has not ruled out creating new 3D printer models in the future. But the brand has ended sales of the M5 and M5C for the time being,' White tells The Verge. The 3D printing section of EufyMake's website is currently empty of printers. The only gadget EufyMake now sells is a UV printer that creates a 3D texture atop flat materials. To put it mildly, Anker had a rough start in the 3D printer business. It set out to fix big pain points with 3D printing with the original M5, but ran into many issues that I documented in my original review. The M5C was both more affordable and better appreciated by the community but sacrificed features like a dedicated screen. Makers ran into their share of issues with it too. Now, Redditors are also reporting they can no longer easily obtain the most critical parts for the M5C — the hotend that melts and deposits the plastic. 'Due to inventory reasons, the M5C hot end has been removed from the official website and is no longer available for purchase,' reads an alleged email from EufyMake support to one Redditor (hit the right arrow twice to see the screenshot): 'So my entire 3D printer is garbage because you stopped supporting it?' the Redditor replied. (Hotends are often one of the first components you replace if or typically when a 3D printer jams.) Anker also appears to have stopped selling the full extruder assembly for the M5C. I feel for you if you bought one of these printers. 'A portion of the AnkerMake accessories for 3D printers are no longer publicly listed for sale, but customers can always reach out to the customer support team directly by emailing support@ if they need any related accessories,' White tells The Verge. He says he'll look into the specifics of M5C hotend and extruder availability for us. Anker isn't the only company that's had difficulty moving into the next, more consumer-friendly and affordable phase of the 3D printing business. Creality also had a mess on its hands with the K1, a printer designed to compete with the AnkerMake M5, though it recovered from some of its issues by quickly moving to new and improved models. Today, the friendliest 3D printers I can recommend are the Bambu P1S and P1P, and the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, which doesn't offer all the same conveniences of Bambu, but meets the P1 series' print quality, adds a touchscreen, and starts at an incredibly low price of $300. I've been testing my own personally owned P1P against Bambu's flagship H2D and a Centauri Carbon. While using the Bambu is faster and easier, especially with an AMS attached, I would happily buy the Elegoo if I were more concerned about the Bambu update controversy. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Sean Hollister Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Report Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Fox News
21-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
America's lessons from world's largest 3D-printed schools
Qatar is taking bold steps to transform its educational infrastructure. To lead this change, the country has launched one of the world's largest 3D-printed construction projects. UCC Holding and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) are heading the effort. As part of the plan, Qatar will build 14 public schools. Notably, two of them will use advanced 3D printing technology. This initiative directly supports Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritizes both innovation and sustainable growth. By using cutting-edge construction methods and forward-thinking design, Qatar is positioning itself as a global leader in scalable, eco-friendly architecture. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my To tackle a project of this scale, UCC Holding brought in the experts. The company partnered with Danish firm COBOD, a global leader in 3D construction printing. As a result, COBOD supplied two massive, custom-built BOD2 printers. Each machine measures approximately 164 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 49 feet high, about the size of a Boeing 737 hangar. These industrial printers can build structures up to five stories tall. They enable fast, accurate and cost-effective construction that traditional methods can't match. Before launching the project, UCC's team of architects, engineers and technicians carried out extensive tests. At a trial site in Doha, they completed more than 100 full-scale component prints using a BOD2 printer. To further prepare for Qatar's desert climate, the team engineered a custom concrete mix designed to cure properly in high heat. Additionally, they developed a special extrusion nozzle to ensure smooth, precise printing. Each 3D-printed school is a two-story structure that will cover an area of 215,000 square feet. This is a total of 430,000 square feet. When compared to the biggest 3D-printed building we know of, these schools are 40 times bigger. They will be built on 328-by-328-foot plots. Therefore, making this project one of unprecedented scale for the region. Qatar's desert formations were the inspiration behind the architectural design of the schools. They have wavy walls that look like dunes, something that can only be made possible through 3D printing. Building these unique curved shapes would be too expensive and difficult with traditional construction methods. Qatar's 3D-printed school project goes beyond architectural innovation; it also marks a major step toward sustainable construction. 3D printing technology reduces material waste by up to 60% compared to traditional building methods. It also minimizes labor requirements and shortens construction timelines, leading to lower overall emissions and energy use. Moreover, the ability to print complex, curved designs, like the dune-inspired walls of these schools, proves how digital construction methods can unlock new levels of creativity while staying cost-efficient. This approach not only supports Qatar's environmental goals but also sets a new global standard for eco-friendly building design. Qatar's 3D-printed schools will be complete by the end of 2025 and demonstrate just how far construction technology has come. By combining both imaginative design and cutting-edge engineering, this project sets the standard for sustainable, scalable, and future-ready educational infrastructure. Furthermore, it's an impressive milestone for the region, and a blueprint for how nations worldwide can rethink how buildings are made using the latest technologies. Do you think 3D printing construction is a good alternative to traditional construction methods? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Open Sauce's Eye-catching Creations? Meet Elegoo's AI Robots, Glowing Cosplay Wings, and More, All 3D Printed
SAN FRANCESCO, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elegoo, a rapidly developing brand in global smart manufacturing, joins Open Sauce today, one of the world's biggest gatherings of makers, creators, and tech innovators - at Booth A15 and A16, the San Mateo County Event Center. During the 3-day event from July 18 to July 20 in San Francisco, Elegoo is unveiling a lineup of 3D printed creations built around STEM ideas and co-created with creators worldwide. "We're here at Open Sauce because it celebrates the maker spirit we believe in," said Coco Lee, Brand Director at Elegoo. "This isn't just a place to show off tech - it's where people come to make it their own. We're here to co-create, spark ideas, explore collaborations, and most of all, deliver the fun and wonder of 3D printing." Elegoo for the first time presents some of the coolest creations including: Open-source AI robot fleet of nine: 3D printed by Elegoo's passionate engineers, these robots run on the ESP32-S3 chip and draw inspiration from the Otto robot and the open-source XiaoZhi AI project. Elegoo expanded on this idea by 3D printing custom shells, while redesigning the control board and rewriting the firmware to create their own version. The robots can listen, speak, display expressions, take photos, perform movements as instructed, and interpret user intent through AI with the help of sensors. This open-source foundation blends 3D printing, AI, and robotics into one accessible platform, inspiring developers around the world. Animatronic Wings: Co-created with Willow Creative in just four weeks, this project turns heads and shows the power of 3D printing. Most parts, including feathers, hinges, connectors, and backpack frame, are 3D printed with the OrangeStorm Giga and Centauri Carbon. Each feather is made of transparent PETG to work with addressable 3mm LED strips, allowing for dynamic light effects. Tipsy: Totally Intelligent Pouring System (Tipsy) is an AI-powered drink pouring machine created by Concept Bytes, with support from Elegoo for 3D printers and materials. Its entire outer casing is 3D printed. The machine connects up to 12 drink sources via tubing and uses small pumps to precisely dispense single or double shots. A digital control panel displays ChatGPT-generated drink images, adding a fun and customizable touch. Tipsy is fully open-source and was made using the Centauri Carbon. GlowGear: A futuristic cosplay sword created in collaboration with Little Jem. It features smoke effects and sound, and was printed on the Centauri Carbon with 120 hours of print time. Besides exciting projects, visitors can experience Elegoo's latest 3D printers, including the Centauri Carbon and Jupiter 2, and enjoy interactive games and giveaways at the booth. For more information, please follow Elegoo's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, Discord, and Reddit. Event Details: Date: July 18-20, 2025Location: San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr, San Mateo, CA, USBooth: A15, 16 About Elegoo Founded in 2015, Elegoo is a rapidly developing brand in the global smart manufacturing industry, specializing in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of consumer-grade 3D printers, laser engravers, STEM kits, and other smart technology products. Located in Shenzhen, the Silicon Valley of China, the company has sold millions of products across more than 100 countries and regions. In 2024, the company's total sales revenue surpassed 220 million USD, with more than 1000 employees and nearly 30,000 square meters of office and manufacturing area. With a focus on programming and 3D printing technology, Elegoo provides unique and smart creation spaces for diverse consumers to enhance personalized experiences. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ELEGOO
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Newly unveiled public housing made with 3D printing gets mixed response
A NSW government rollout of an ambitious plan to build more social housing with 3D printing technology has garnered mixed reactions after the first home in the program was unveiled on social media. Facebook lit up when a government department this week posted pictures of the duplex in Dubbo, the first property built in a program aimed at constructing public housing using 3D printable concrete. Comments in recent days have ranged from criticisms of the appearance as 'cheap and nasty' to concerns about safety and the weatherproof qualities. The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) reported the use of 3D printed concrete in its duplexes would cut down typical construction times from 40 weeks to 20 weeks. The office heralded the plan as a 'landmark moment' back in May, with the newly unveiled Dubbo duplexes set to be part of AHO aims to deliver more new homes. Government's release of images of the first home printed with the 3D technology stirred both criticism and praise online. Some of these comments alluded to the designs as cut and copy, with one user saying 'quick build – quick fall down and fall apart'. Another user labelled the look of the duplexes as 'cheap and nasty'. A common theme for many users online was confusion about one particular factor in design, with a slew of comments directed at the windows of the newly released Dubbo duplex. 'The windows are kicking my OCD into overdrive', one social media user said. Another user questioned: 'what the heck is with the right side windows??' and 'Amazing job, but think they may have put those windows in sidewards by accident.' Some comments were positive. Many said the homes looked 'awesome' and 'fantastic', labelling the plan 'forward thinking and innovative'. Others pointed to the need for the project to be expanded: 'everyone deserves the right to a roof over their head – one that is safe and affordable'. Acting AHO chief executive Loshana Karthikeya stated in May in a government release that 'the completion of the Dubbo duplexes is a landmark moment for social housing in NSW'. 'The AHO is very excited to be trying new ways to provide high-quality homes for families,' she said. AHO's acting director of property Naef Qassis said 3D printing offered many benefits – including a shorter construction program, superior thermal qualities and less onsite waste. These features would help drive cost savings, Mr Qassis said. A Homes NSW Spokesperson said the AHO is exploring the potential to expand the use of 3D printing for social housing following the delivery of the pilot project. 'We're currently evaluating how the technology performed and identifying other locations where it cud help deliver more homes, faster,' they said. 'We are exploring all modern methods of construction (MMC) to try and tackle the housing crisis. We have just announced the completion and insulation of the first modular social homes in Wollongong with another 90 MMC homes to be delivered in the next 12 months. 'Homes built as part of the MMC rollout will utilise a range of construction innovations, such as modular, kit-of-parts and adopting pattern principles and will be delivered across both metropolitan and regional NSW.'
