3D Printing Daily — Sunday, March 29th, 2026

Firmware and Software

Prusa's firmware update for the MMU3 continues to dominate desktop printer conversations this weekend. The update slashes multi-material filament swap times by up to 20%, which on a large multi-color print can save hours of print time. If you're running an MMU3 and haven't updated yet, now's the moment. The update is live on the Prusa blog.

Meshy, the AI-powered image-to-3D platform, has been formally integrated into Bambu Lab's MakerWorld MakerLab hub. Users can now turn any photo into a print-ready model in minutes, no CAD experience required. It's a significant step in democratising model creation for the Bambu ecosystem.

New Hardware

The buzz from TCT Asia 2026 is still echoing. Reports describe the event as the largest 3D printing show ever seen - 550 exhibitors, 40,000+ visitors, and industrial metal systems packing dozens of lasers. LEAP 71 and HBD's 200 kN aerospike rocket engine stole some of the show's thunder, built with multi-metal 3D printing techniques that pushed the boundaries of what's possible in large-scale metal AM.

Meanwhile, Aconity3D launched a multi-material welding head for its AconityWIRE wire-arc platform, enabling users to deposit different metals in a single build - a capability that's increasingly in demand for aerospace and industrial tooling applications.

DEEP Manufacturing is expanding its US footprint with a new 50,000 sq ft Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing facility in Houston. The move signals growing confidence in large-scale metal deposition for domestic US production, particularly in sectors where supply chain resilience is driving adoption.

Print of the Day

The maker community continues to prove that the most impressive prints aren't always the most expensive. CNC Kitchen's deep dive on heat-set insert hole sizing - testing pull-out strength across a range of diameters - is exactly the kind of practical, validated research that the community needs. Meanwhile, Slant 3D's Oilstick tool for greasing 3D printer mechanisms has been getting traction as a simple way to maintain rails and lead screws without disassembling everything.

EDGE OF 3D's mechanical testing of TPU GF 95A (glass fibre-filled) is worth a look - it shows how reinforcement changes impact absorption and failure modes in ways that "feels strong" reviews simply can't capture.

AI and Generative Design

The Bambu Lab/Meshy integration (mentioned above) is the most consumer-facing AI development this week. But behind the scenes, the convergence of AI tools with AM workflows is accelerating. The Rutgers dual digital twin approach to AM cybersecurity and IBM's hollow-fill patent (mentioned earlier in the week) both point to AI being embedded deeper into both design and security layers of the 3D printing pipeline.

Community Buzz

The AMUG 2026 conference is the dominant topic in industry circles. First-time attendees are describing the experience as transformative - a combination of deep technical knowledge sharing and genuine community. The cross-industry keynotes (LEGO, General Atomics, Divergent) are drawing attention for how they highlight 3D printing's expanding role beyond manufacturing into entertainment and structural design.

Reddit has been active around Prusa's MMU3 speed boost, with users sharing before-and-after print time comparisons. There's also renewed discussion around resin safety following concerns raised about liability for consumer-level printing without adequate PPE protocols.

Consumer resin 3D printing safety is getting more scrutiny. Fabbaloo's coverage of growing concerns about liability in the consumer resin space reflects real frustration in the community - a lack of clear guidance on ventilation, PPE, and disposal is creating risk for home users who may not realise what they're breathing in.

Quick Fixes

Ghosting or ringing artifacts? Sovol's guide covers the classic fixes - reduce print speed, check belt tension, stiffen your frame. The underlying issue is almost always resonance being transferred through the frame, so adding mass to the bed or tightening loose components is usually the first step.

Heat-set inserts not holding? CNC Kitchen's latest video is essential. The optimal hole diameter is smaller than most people assume - going too large dramatically reduces pull-out force. Test on scrap before committing to your actual print.

Filament recycling not working? The Next Layer tackled this with a simple device fix for the biggest bottleneck - consistent filament diameter. If your recycled filament produces inconsistent extrusion, the issue is almost always diameter variation from the extruder. A cheap sensor can catch this before it ruins a print.

That's your roundup for Sunday, March 29th. More coverage throughout the week - keep those prints running.