News and Insights

Reducing Waste in Additive Manufacturing

Reducing Waste in Additive Manufacturing

A 10% print failure rate wastes roughly 50kg of filament a year for a typical desktop printer, and support structures alone account for 15% to 30% of a part's total...

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Recycled Filament Options in Canada: 2026 Guide

Recycled Filament Options in Canada

Genuinely recycled 3D printing filament is available in Canada only in limited supply, mostly GRS-certified post-industrial rPLA from a handful of online retailers, plus small-batch ocean-plastic filaments from specialist producers....

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Eco-Friendly 3D Printing: Complete Guide

Eco-Friendly 3D Printing: Complete Guide

The most eco-friendly 3D printing choice is bio-based PLA, made from renewable feedstock rather than petroleum, followed by recycled filaments and spoolless refill options like EL3D's High Speed Spoolless Refill...

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several neatly stacked spools of 3D printing filament are visible in vibrant orange, blue, grey, and green

Filament Mastery: The Ultimate 3D Printing Filament Guide

3D printing filament is the spooled thermoplastic an FDM printer melts and extrudes to build a part layer by layer. The right choice depends on the job: PLA for beginners...

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Specialty Filaments Explained: Wood, Carbon Fiber & Colour-Change

Specialty Filaments Explained: Wood, Carbon Fiber & Colour-Change

Quick Answer Specialty filaments add unique properties to 3D prints: wood-fill creates realistic wood texture and accepts staining, carbon fiber reinforces parts with 30-40% strength gains, colour-change filaments shift hue...

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Best PLA Filament Options in Canada 2026: Complete Testing Guide

Best PLA Filament Options in Canada 2026: Complete Testing Guide

Quick Answer The best PLA filament in Canada depends on your application: EL3D High Speed for fast printing, Bambu Lab PLA Basic for reliable everyday use, EL3D PLA+ for functional...

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EL3D High-Speed Filament: Performance Testing & Review

EL3D High-Speed Filament: Performance Testing & Review

Quick Answer EL3D High-Speed Filament delivers reliable prints at speeds up to 300mm/s with excellent layer adhesion and minimal stringing. Our testing shows 40% faster print times than standard PLA...

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PLA vs PETG vs ABS: Which Filament Is Right for Your Project?

PLA vs PETG vs ABS: Which Filament Is Right for Your Project?

Quick Answer PLA is best for beginners and decorative prints, PETG offers superior strength and moisture resistance for functional parts, and ABS provides the highest heat resistance for engineering applications....

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3D Printer Maintenance: The Essential Care Schedule

3D Printer Maintenance: The Essential Care Schedule

Regular 3D printer maintenance prevents print failures, extends machine lifespan, and maintains print quality. Clean the build plate before every print with isopropyl alcohol, lubricate linear rails monthly, replace nozzles...

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FDM vs Resin 3D Printers: Complete Comparison for Every Budget

FDM vs Resin 3D Printers: Complete Comparison for Every Budget

FDM melts plastic filament layer by layer, while resin printing cures liquid photopolymer with UV light. FDM wins on cost, part strength, and build size, best for prototypes, household items,...

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