https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/3D printing is everywhere. Join our new group and keep up on all the latest trends around this burgeoning new movement.en-USTelligent Community 12https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/b/blog/posts/ai-finds-a-more-efficient-way-to-3d-print-rocket-engine-componentsWed, 07 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:3f16690c-1f6d-4c51-b754-1e5bcdac359cCatwell(Image credit: Washington State University via ResearchGate) Researchers from Washington State University and the University of Minnesota tasked AI with finding a better, more efficient way to 3D print a copper alloy component that’s used in NASA’s rocket engines. The alloy in question is known as GRCop-42, a copper-chromium-niobium alloy that was developed by NASA to handle the high temperatures in combustion chambers. While the part is traditionally 3D printed using the directed energy deposition (DED) method, it requires a 2-kilowatt or higher laser just to melt the alloy powder. AI helped bring that wattage down to as low as 500 watts. The researchers wanted to test whether AI could find a smarter way to melt the alloy using a search space of roughly 100 million possible settings using the DED method, a task that would be almost impossible for human calculations by hand. To that end, the researchers developed a platform known as BEAM (Bayesian Experimental design for Additive Manufacturing) to find the best way to 3D print parts using GRCop-42, and rather than trying to test every possible setting, the AI uses the previous results to decide which settings to test next. The BEAM process began with experimental data that contains both successful and failed prints. It uses that information to create what the researchers call a probabilistic surrogate model, which estimates what untested combinations of settings have a better chance of producing a successful print. It then selects new configurations for the researchers to test on the actual 3D printer. The results of those physical tests are then fed back into the model. BEAM updates its understanding of which settings work, then selects another group of configurations to test. This creates a continuous loop of AI prediction, physical testing, results, and another AI prediction. It’s important to note that the AI did not operate the entire process on its own. The researchers defined the physical limits and meaningful regions of the search space, while BEAM helped determine which experiments were worth conducting. The actual printing and quality analysis were still performed in the laboratory by humans. The researchers then used BEAM to test lower laser powers of 950, 700, 600, and 500 watts. The AI found workable printing configurations at each of these power levels, including a successful configuration for GRCop-42 at just 500 watts. The results also showed that lowering the laser power required finding different combinations of printing settings. For example, an initial 550-watt test failed because BEAM didn’t explore enough of the possible settings, but the researchers used those results as a guide for the next experiments. This eventually led BEAM to a combination of settings that successfully printed the alloy at 500 watts. The researchers also demonstrated the process using two different alloys, using the 500-watt GRCop-42 process to build one section of a bimetallic tube while using Inconel 718 for another section. GRCop-42 has already been 3D printed for rocket components, including combustion chambers with complex internal cooling channels, so the research isn't about printing the alloy for the first time. Instead, it demonstrates a different way to process the material and use BEAM to find workable printing settings. The researchers state the BEAM approach could also be used with other alloys and manufacturing processes where large numbers of possible settings and physical experiments are expensive or time-consuming. The 500-watt result also shows that an AI-assistive platform can help find workable settings without manually testing millions of combinations. While the research didn’t produce an AI-designed rocket engine or a flight-ready component, it did show how AI can help solve difficult problems, including figuring out how to successfully 3D print components using challenging material. Have a story tip? Message me here at element14.researchmanufacturingartificial intelligenceon_campus3D PrintingaiuniversityWashington State Universityinnovationhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238061Tue, 08 Sep 2026 05:20:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:f670f612-7172-4535-b878-5a686fa56629arvindsaAliexpress wont open in India without extra workhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238060Tue, 08 Sep 2026 05:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:51cef042-a148-44f2-99ae-46083e0b7f37arvindsaTranparent too. Clear case to show the electronics is all the ragehttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238056Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:50:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:6865cfea-dd62-4d1f-ab59-617070bf7298colporteurI'm a bit pragmatic on topic such as this. What the limits in your lexicon of cheap? DIY projects have both intrinsic and extrinsic value. How much of both do you have to invest to see the end?https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238055Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:24:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:94f98cb5-a390-488b-8881-8cb2e2024971obonesYeah, me neither. Thing is, when AliExpress tells me that the product is not available in my country, it sends a strong message that it's either a counterfeit or a product that blatantly doesn't respect EUs regulations. This, in turn, leads me to believe that this "cheap" 3D printer won't be up to any task...https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238054Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:12:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:c4bfd2c3-0fef-43b2-a5d7-74c5e5d569b2embeddedguyThe link is not opening for mehttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238052Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:13:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:52fbfb72-e178-4094-87d7-afc229385e60michaelkellettI found it any way - I don't think you'll get a decent 3D printer for £55 ! MKhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238051Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:11:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e513fff8-99f5-4a30-be5f-dbae62600fffmichaelkellettThe link doesn't work in the UK, how much does the printer cost ? MKhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238050Mon, 07 Sep 2026 07:50:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:127a888e-9c6d-46af-a5b7-4b54af56d836HKPhysicistYes, also many colours choices.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238048Mon, 07 Sep 2026 01:20:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:efffffeb-d3eb-4f3d-99fb-a4d0842ccc22arvindsaThese type of 3d printers aren't big on accuracy out of the box. And and others suggested , end panel can be a pcb. Cheaper and accurate and you'll have silk screen also. you can get many panel mount components also which will work well the pcb.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238047Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:06:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:d4310a86-200d-45f7-be59-d556f46cc4b0HKPhysicistBig issue of reliability.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238046Sun, 06 Sep 2026 22:24:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:1b07ab53-6a2a-46dd-91df-56c52771a786HKPhysicistYour suggestion is a COOL option! I can order PCBs with silk screen for no extra cost! I am also able to design simple PCB with Kicad v10!https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238045Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:59:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:d206786f-3c78-4def-bbc3-87532f503682shabazYes (I often specifically choose those types of enclosures with removable panels, so that I can replace with PCBs).https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238044Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:38:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:62104534-2b6c-4d65-9017-8165eb63830ddougwThe two concerns I would have are bed leveling (this seems to require manual bed leveling) and It doesn't mention a heated bed which may make bed adhesion an issue. 3D printing loses its appeal if you have to print 3 times to get one good print.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238043Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:38:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:04d1464c-3fe2-4a77-a476-4115bffb84eeralphjyInexpensive 3D printers can be extremely useful tools, but I would pass on this particular one. It is clear that the vendor does not know what he is selling and could not provide support if you needed it. I don't like the way the filament feeds and in this picture, the holder on the left is shown mounted incorrectly. And the speed is extremely slow. I guess you could make it work, but I don't think it is worth it.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238042Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:10:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:462caa07-862a-40f5-b5a8-2b41a44bbf4bHKPhysicistDid you suggest the front and read panels to be made by the PCB factory instead of a 3D printer?https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printer/238041Sun, 06 Sep 2026 19:42:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:869bf17d-d6ef-48ae-a84d-694c74a14c6eshabazThe best thing about those types of enclosures is that the end panel can be a PCB.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57232/please-assess-this-cheap-3d-printerSun, 06 Sep 2026 19:04:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:077baba1-a1d6-492b-8755-d59d70513aceHKPhysicistHello 3D Printer Experts, Do you think that this mini 3D Printer machine is capable of printing rear and front panels of a plastic enclosure? Can it print thin panel with small hole, narrow slot such as USB-C 9mm slot, microSD card slot, etc. Are the printed panels strong enough against standard human handling and shipping? This is my chosen enclosure. The size of the panel is about 9cm x 4cm x 2mm. The red-lined area is the target panel which is detachable. The factory quoted me US70 for customising a batch of 50 items of this enclosure. I am considering a 3D Printer for this extra money. Thanks for your opinions. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010359574353.html3d printerhttps://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57179/open-source-3d-printing-and-its-ecosystem-now-at-risk/237944Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:27:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:e5f2bc8c-2b26-4e57-8cb5-6010888a049dstanto[quote userid="104335" url="~/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57179/open-source-3d-printing-and-its-ecosystem-now-at-risk/237901"]very few people are deterred[/quote] Ah, that's different from no people are deterred. I'm sure it's greater than zero and more often than never. Sadly many things can be true at once with regards to this.https://community.element14.com/technologies/3d-printing/f/forum/57179/open-source-3d-printing-and-its-ecosystem-now-at-risk/237901Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:19:00 GMT93d5dcb4-84c2-446f-b2cb-99731719e767:ed0d4c86-9326-4dce-bfc2-abca37c5a254DABLaws are passed and crime still occurs. Clearly there is no correlation between a law and its ability to stop crime. From my observation, very few people are deterred by the thought of breaking a law. Some people fear the results of breaking the law and getting caught, but evil people just do not care.