3D Printing Daily — Friday, 27 February 2026

🔧 Firmware & Software

• OrcaSlicer continues its rapid development with the latest beta bringing per-feature flow control and improved ironing settings. The community around this fork of Bambu Studio is growing steadily.
• BigTreeTech ViViD open-source AMS system is gaining traction in the Klipper community, offering an alternative to Bambu Labs AMS for users who prefer more control.

🖨️ New Hardware

• Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 brings enclosed CoreXY printing with a built-in 4-color system at just $449. The CANVAS system offers automatic multicolor printing.
• Sovol SH03 filament dryer offers an affordable solution for keeping filament moisture-free without breaking the bank.

🌟 Print of the Day

• Wigglitz won Toy of the Year using a 3D print farm powered by Bambu Lab printers, demonstrating how desktop 3D printing has matured into a viable manufacturing platform.

🤖 AI & Models

• TCT Asia 2026 showcased generative AI moving from design tools to actual factory floor manufacturing workflows. The complete AI-to-print pipeline is now practical.
• NVIDIA continues its push into manufacturing AI with a $67M investment in Freeform, a metal additive manufacturing startup. The funding accelerates development of AI-driven metal printing systems.
• MIT researchers developed a multi-material 3D printer capable of producing working electric motors in a single step.

🔥 Community Buzz

• Californias AB2047 continues to spark debate on Reddit — the proposed legislation would require 3D printers to include firearm-blocking technology.
• Speed vs. strength remains a hot topic as users push their printers to the limit. Recent testing shows extreme speed printing reduces part strength, but may be acceptable for non-critical uses.
• QinetiQ revealed more details about their milestone flight with a 3D-printed recycled titanium hinge. The component achieved 97% material efficiency.

📌 Quick Fixes

• Filament drying: Food dehydrators with airtight containers and silica gel remain the most cost-effective solution for drying hygroscopic filaments.
• Skip the ironing: A well-tuned first layer and proper cooling often eliminates the need for post-print ironing.