Factory Signal Briefing — May 12, 2026
Advanced Manufacturing · 3D Printing · CNC · Robotics · AI Vision
News
On Schaeffler’s Factory Floor, Robots and 3D Printers Are Rewriting the Rules
Charles R. Goulding and Andressa Bonafe break down how Schaeffler is blending automation and additive manufacturing to tackle labor shortages and redefine production flexibility.
Addliance launches AMin4Y four-year Strategic European AM Roadmap
Addliance–The European AM Hubs Alliance is developing AMin4Y European Additive Manufacturing Roadmap, a four-year initiative to create a common industrial framework for additive…
Comau and OMRON Robotics partner to offer robotics for more industries
Comau and OMRON Robotics are combining robotics, control, and software capabilities in flexible automation for global customers.
Ford and Sharrow Engineering cut propeller production time from months to weeks with 3D printed sand-casting
Ford Motor Company‘s Advanced Industrial Technology & Platforms (ATP) team and Sharrow Engineering’s partnership has led to significant cuts in lead time on a propeller being produced by the…
Robot Assembled Voxels Could Challenge Concrete 3D Printing
A new MIT study suggests robot assembled voxels may be better than 3DCP for sustainability.
2026 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards
We unveil the 2026 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards, including the Robot of the Year, Startup of the Year, Application of the Year, and Robots for Good honorees.
Axtra3D names Dynamism as North American reseller in channel push
Axtra3D has added Dynamism as an authorized North American reseller, extending its regional distribution network for the Lumia X1 production 3D printer, Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS)…
Bambu Lab Patent Describes Smarter 3D Printer Heating
Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology has filed a patent application for a 3D printer control system that manages heating loads more intelligently.
Hello Robot’s latest Stretch 4 is bigger, faster, and stronger than previous versions
Hello Robot's latest Stretch 4 is more capable than previous assistive robots, while still maintaining flexibility and safety.
Jay Leno takes Czinger 21C 3D printed hypercar for a spin
On the latest episode of Jay Leno’s web series Jay Leno’s Garage, the comedian and car collector reviewed and test drove Czinger’s 3D printed hypercar, the Czinger 21C. The vehicle, …
Researchers Map Speed To Resonance In Desktop FFF Printers
A new open-access paper proposes a verifiable mapping between toolhead speed and vibration frequency on desktop FFF machines, aiming to make input shaping easier and improve high-speed print…
Shy Society – a monumental kinetic light installation in Venice #ArtTuesday
Shy Society is a kinetic installation by Studio Drift that transforms Venice’s Palazzo Balbi into a “breathing” building. The Concept: It mimics nyctinasty—the natural process where flowers…
All of our new mannequins at work are 3D printed
Score 2804 · 292 comments
Is this even cost efficient?
It's 4am... do you know what your printer is doing?
Score 2543 · 62 comments
https://v.redd.it/z4fkpj57bo0h1
Bambu Lab 3D printers: Never again
Score 899 · 426 comments
Jeff Geerling summarizes the current Bambu Labs - OrcaSlicer situation and gives his take. TL:DW: see title.
We need more Makers!
Score 1381 · 163 comments
We have over 550 open requests for the 3D printed Toddler Mobility Trainer. Sign up as a maker today and be a hero in your community…
Is this possible on a 3D printer?
Score 88 · 53 comments
I am trying to make a low cost miniature golf course as a surprise for my son’s 6th birthday. He loves McQueen (and mini golf) and wanted to see if something like this would be possible to…
I got laid off, so I started making these Topoarts based on my hikes :p
Score 133 · 18 comments
I take the gpx file, and make it into an art. And you can make wall collage with pictures and botanical art. Hope this works for me, just wanted to show it off. Please follow…
Are we overusing AI in robotics where simpler solutions would work?
Score 81 · 27 comments
Ok so I was debugging someone's code last week. They replaced PID loop with neural network. Why?? It was slower, harder to debug, and not even better. I think just looked cool in the…
Friend sent me metal part supplier quotes and now I understand why sourcing people lose their minds
Score 60 · 32 comments
Friend of mine is trying to get some stamped metal parts made in Germany for a furniture project. Nothing super exotic either, mostly brackets, plates, corner pieces etc. He thought the hard…