3D Printing Daily — Wednesday, March 25

🔧 Firmware & Software

Prusa MMU3 Gets 20% Faster: Prusa Research just dropped a major firmware update for the MMU3 multi-material upgrade, slashing filament change times from 52 seconds down to ~42 seconds per swap. That's 9 seconds saved per color change, which adds up fast — on a complex 5-color model with 2,200 changes, you could save over 5 hours on a single print. The update also enables experimental speeds up to 200mm/s for loading. If you're running multi-material prints, update ASAP.

🖨️ New Hardware

Adidas 3D Prints Basketball Shoe: Adidas has debuted a new 3D-printed basketball shoe at their Pro Day event, worn by Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson. The shoe comes from Project R.A.C. (Radical Athlete Perception) — Adidas' platform for creating next-generation sports products through additive manufacturing. Expect a bespoke fit tuned to individual athlete specs, with a public release planned before end of 2026.

AtomForm Palette 300 Launching: MOVA's AtomForm Palette 300 — the 12-nozzle desktop 3D printer that can handle up to 36 colors and 12 materials in a single print — is now officially launching. First unveiled at CES 2026, the printer promises 50% faster swaps and 90% less waste than previous generations.

Polymaker Goes European: Polymaker has expanded its direct-to-consumer webshop to six new European markets: UK, France, Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Spain. European customers can now access the full range of Polymaker filaments directly.

🤖 AI & Generative Design

PiGRAND Brings Physics to AM: A new research model called PiGRAND merges physics guidance with graph neural diffusion to predict and control additive manufacturing processes. This could help optimize prints before they start, reducing material waste and failed prints.

DreamPartGen Updates Text-to-3D: Researchers have released DreamPartGen, a new model that makes text-generated 3D models far more usable for printing and assembly. The system understands part semantics, making it better at generating print-ready designs.

🔥 Community Buzz

Reddit — Which Printer to Buy in 2026? The r/3dprinter community is debating the best buys for 2026. Prusa MK3S+ owners are eyeing the Core One with INDX when it launches. There's also discussion around Bambu H2 for exotic materials, with some users reporting warping issues with Carbon ASA on X1C.

Reddit — Purchase Advice Megathread: The March 2026 purchase advice megathread is live, with ongoing debates about enclosed vs. open-frame printers. One interesting note: users are speculating about supportless 3D printers that print suspended in gel.

🌟 Print of the Day

Cyber Brick City Returns: Bambu Lab and meland have opened China's first 3D Printing Creativity Center for children, featuring a reimagined Cyber Brick City — an interactive miniature playground city built entirely from 3D-printed parts. It's designed to engage children through storytelling, immersive design, and hands-on 3D printing.

📌 Quick Fixes

Hotend Replacement Guide: If you're experiencing clogs, leaks, or degraded print quality, Sovol has published a step-by-step beginner's guide to replacing your hotend. Covers tools needed, common pitfalls, and how to recalibrate after installation.

Printing Full-Size Helmets in Parts: New to printing large objects? Learn how to print full-size helmet parts in sections and join them seamlessly with Sovol's detailed guide — includes tips on orientation, supports, and finishing.

Print Stronger Parts: Looking to beef up your prints? Key tips: choose the right material for your application, orient parts optimally on the build plate, use proper infill patterns, and consider layer adhesion when designing.