Today in 3D printers & materials

2026-07-17 · PrintNative

The contact lens story is the only one that matters here. Custom-fit 3D-printed lenses in 20 minutes addresses a real problem (prescription variability, accessibility) where additive manufacturing actually has a competitive advantage over injection molding—this is application-first thinking, not solution-looking-for-a-problem. Everything else is either maintenance releases (Prusa/Marlin firmware updates that users should grab but aren't newsworthy), niche hobbyist content (DIY printer covers, Steam Machine gear), or open-source projects that need actual adoption metrics before they're worth tracking. Watch the contact lens development for manufacturing scale; ignore the rest.