Latest news with #3DPrinting
CNET
19 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Etsy Is Clamping Down on 3D Printed Products. Here's How It Could Affect You
It feels like everyone needs a side hustle these days. If your hobby can help make you some extra income, it seems like a no-brainer to at least try and do it. 3D printing, laser engraving and using vinyl cutters like the famous Cricut machine all give you a chance to make something beautiful, unique and sellable. Etsy has been the storefront of choice for almost 20 years, and despite other options being available, it still boasts 8.13 million active sellers in 2025, according to a recent Contimod report. Recently, the company has clarified its policies surrounding the "Made by a Seller" category, specifically relating to "items produced using computerized tools." The updates are subtle but could fundamentally change the way a lot of small businesses operate moving forward. Are all of these the same dragon, or are they different enough to be unique? Etsy/Screenshot: James Bricknell/CNET If you've ever searched for 3D-printed dragons on Etsy, you will likely have seen a screen like the one above. While each dragon looks very similar -- they are all articulated with little to no painting -- no two are the exact same. Almost all of the dragons you will see have been made by a small group of designers who license their digital models out to the Etsy seller, who use small print farms, or even single 3D printers, to print the physical model for sale. Etsy's latest update to its company policy around computerized tools has removed a key component that allowed for this type of licensing, leaving many sellers confused as to where they stand. Items produced using computerized tools: Physical items that a seller produced in their personal shop or home, using computerized tools such as a laser printer, 3D printer, CNC or Cricut machine. These items must be produced based on a seller's original design and are often personalized or customized to a buyer's specification. An Etsy spokesperson told me that the above policy has always been Etsy's standard position on products that are made by sellers. The area I have added emphasis to is the part that has been edited. Originally, the Etsy guidelines included the phrase "...or using a templated design or pattern..." which seemed to allow for the use of designs from 3D modelers. By removing this section and keeping the part about the original design, it seems to say that each seller must design the digital file themselves, as well as print it out, post-process it and ship it out. Etsy has said this update in policy is to clarify its position, rather than change it. According to the creative guidelines, an item that doesn't qualify is "A commercially available base item with only superficial alteration, such as addition of a simple, mass-produced stick-on adornment." The sticking point seems to be the "commercially available" part, as a lot of 3D print sellers on Etsy use a commercial license from 3D modelers as a source to create physical models. The business of 3D printing Patreon/Screenshot: James Bricknell/CNET 3D modelers that sell commercial licenses through sites like Patreon, Thangs, and Printables have sprung up over the last few years, to much success and accolades across the 3D printing space. Christian, or CraftyKid3D, as he is known on Patreon and social media, creates 3D models based on books and reading, including beautiful dragon bookends and small book holders to help you hold your paperbacks open. His Patreon has a commercial license tier that allows you to sell physical copies of his digital models online or at craft fairs and farmers' markets. He currently has 860 Patreon subscribers, whose $10 per month subscriptions make up a significant portion of his income. Etsy's updated policy is likely to significantly reduce Christians subscribers' ability to use the models he releases on that platform, causing both his and his subscribers' ability to sustain themselves. Worse, because the policy is vague, Etsy sellers could find themselves in violation by not knowing where the line is drawn. Even Etsy's own customer service seems to be confused, offering contradicting answers to questions asked by sellers. Two different responses to the same questions. CraftyKid3D/STLFlix/Screenshot: James Bricknell/CNET My colleague and fellow 3D printing enthusiast, Russell Holly, said the vagueness may be the point of the phrasing. "I suspect the current guidance is vague on purpose to discourage these mass production groups from making one small change and moving on, but that reality is inevitable." My question in answer to this is, where is the line for making small changes, and who else does it affect? James Bricknell/Russell Holly/CNET These two prints are clearly the same model, but each of us used a different color material and a different level of effort to paint the model in the slicing software. Digital files can be "painted" in the software to assign different colors to certain areas of the print. My copy (at left) is a fairly easy two-tone change to give me a brown front of the house surrounded by green, but Russell's (right) uses different colors and has had more time spent delineating which areas are which colors. This is a digital process to be sure, and not as manual as, say, weeding a Cricut vinyl and sticking it onto a Stanley tumbler, but it still takes time and effort and changes the look and feel in a material way. The question then becomes, what is enough of a change to constitute an original piece? That'll be up to Etsy to decide on a case-by-case basis, which itself offers a lot of issues. Policing a site as big as Etsy is incredibly difficult and relies heavily on IP infringements being reported by the holders of that IP. This isn't the same scenario as the creators of the 3D models actively approve of people using them to produce physical copies, so they wouldn't report the use to Etsy. This means Etsy will have to spend resources on policing these models themselves. It has been said that Etsy uses reports from other sellers to take down IP violations, but in its handbook it states that it doesn't "...accept reports of infringement by just anybody — only from the intellectual property owner or the owner's authorized agent..." so it's unlikely it will go that route, but they will have to do something if they want anything to actually change. In conversation with me and other members of the CraftyKid3D Patreon community -- I am a member, and use his models to test the best 3D printers -- Christian expressed his concern that Etsy would have trouble enforcing this policy change. "Etsy has always been poor on moderation. It's the companies like Universal, Sony, Disney, that will contact Etsy to remove copyright products. But even Etsy can't keep that under control." He went on to say, "Unless they have new tech, I highly doubt they can enforce this...." What does this policy mean for you as a seller? The helmet on the left likely wouldn't be covered by Etsy's policy, but the one on the right would. James Bricknell/CNET If you use Etsy to sell your 3D-printed products, you're going to need to think about what products you make and how much you're willing to alter them. One of the biggest profit considerations is how long it takes to post-process a 3D-printed model. The most profit always comes from something that can be sold with some basic cleanup and not much else, so if you have to spend time and materials to alter a print significantly, your profit margin decreases. Holly said, "If you've printed a cosplay helmet designed by someone else but then gone through the work of sanding and painting and all of that, it's no longer the same thing it was when it came off the printer and would not be subject to this policy." I agree with him that this use case would almost certainly be allowed by Etsy, but we don't have a clear idea if that's true. In this picture, you can see two Mandalorian helmets that I've printed. The one on the left is the original file with no alterations except that I printed it in a soft PLA so my daughter could wear it without fear of breaking it if she dropped it. It took me a little time to remove the supports and clean it up, but I could have sold it for a good profit because it's a different way to print helmets. The one on the right took a lot of time. The steps I had to go through were: Remove the 3D printed supports Sand the whole helmet until smooth Fill any layer lines left over from the first sanding Sand the dried filler so that everything is smooth and even Spray filler/primer over the helmet to create a uniform layer Spray the helmet with a black gloss undercoat Spray the helmet with a silver paint Glue the separate ear pieces on Spray with a clear gloss to protect the silver paint Now, I can sell this second helmet on Etsy. I'm sure the policy would cover this kind of adjustment, and I could even turn a decent profit, but it would be far less than the profit from the first helmet, even though I could charge a lot more for it. I don't think the first helmet would qualify as my original design, though. If your business relies on the files of others, be it articulated dragons from Cinderwing or book nooks from CraftyKid3D, you likely already sell them in other storefronts like Facebook Marketplace or Amazon's handmade site, as well as at physical locations. If you don't, it may be worth diversifying where you sell. There are so many things that we don't know about how Etsy will police its amended policy, that having other revenue avenues is a good idea. It will be interesting to see how far this change will go. Will Cricut makers need to design their own decals instead of buying commercially available SVGs? Will laser-engraving makers need to do the same? The entire maker community uses these kinds of services, and it has empowered a huge business sector that turned hobbies into a legitimate way to make an income. According to Contimod, 34% of all sellers on Etsy cite it as their only source of income so the potential loss is considerable. Etsy isn't the only storefront out there, but it is one of the largest, and its decisions here could have a lasting impact across this sector.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why 3D Systems (DDD) Shares Are Sliding Today
Shares of 3D printing company 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) fell 20.5% in the morning session after the company announced plans to offer $92 million in Convertible Senior Notes to qualified institutional buyers. The stock was likely down due to concerns about the dilutive effect of the notes, which can be converted to the company's ordinary stock, raising the total share count. Also, the notes have a conversion price of approximately $2.24 per share, which represents a premium of roughly 20% over 3D Systems' last trading price of $1.87 per share on June 17, 2025. The shares closed the day at $1.47, down 21.6% from previous close. The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks. Is now the time to buy 3D Systems? Access our full analysis report here, it's free. 3D Systems's shares are extremely volatile and have had 77 moves greater than 5% over the last year. But moves this big are rare even for 3D Systems and indicate this news significantly impacted the market's perception of the business. The previous big move we wrote about was 28 days ago when the stock dropped 5.5% after the major indices fell further in the afternoon (Nasdaq -1.3%, S&P 500 - 1.4%) as Treasury yields rose, reflecting market anxiety over a draft federal budget that could worsen the already wide US fiscal deficit. A poor auction for 20-year U.S. Treasury bonds further raised concerns, as weak demand implies investors are becoming more cautious about holding long-dated U.S. debt. As a reminder, the driver of a stock's value is the sum of its future cash flows discounted back to today. With lower interest rates (yields), investors can apply higher valuations to their stocks; when yields rise, that math works in reverse. Adding to the cautious mood were earnings results from retail giants Target and Lowe's, both of which reported weak earnings that missed expectations, pointing to a potential slowdown in consumer spending and further weighing on sentiment. Lastly, some influential voices such as Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan) and Steve Cohen (Point72) made cautious comments about the market, which can sometimes become self-fulfilling prophecies as investors increase their cautiousness and skittishness. 3D Systems is down 53.4% since the beginning of the year, and at $1.49 per share, it is trading 68.4% below its 52-week high of $4.72 from February 2025. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of 3D Systems's shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $204.67. Today's young investors likely haven't read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
UCC starts work on giant 3D printed construction project in Qatar
UCC Holding, in partnership with Qatar's public works authority Ashghal, has officially started work on the printing phase of the 3D Printed Schools Project, thus marking the launch of the world's largest construction development using 3D printing technology. The project involves the construction of 14 public schools, including two built using 3D printing technology, each with a built-up area of 20,000 sqm - totaling 40,000 sq m. This is 40 times larger than the largest 3D-printed building constructed anywhere in the world to date, said UCC Holding in its statement. The two schools are designed as two-storey buildings on 100 by 100 m plots each, making this project an unprecedented model for future-ready educational infrastructure in Qatar and across the region, it stated. For this mega project, UCC Holding commissioned Cobod, the world leader in 3D construction printing based in Denmark, to supply two customised BODXL printers, each measuring 50m long, 30m wide, and 15m high -roughly the size of a Boeing 737 hangar - making them the largest construction printers in the world. Following extensive preparation - including site development, equipment assembly, and operational simulations- printing operations have officially begun, said the statement. UCC Holding said it has assembled a dedicated 3D construction team consisting of architects, civil engineers, material scientists, and printer technicians. Over the past eight months, this team conducted over 100 full-scale test prints using a BOD2 printer at a dedicated trial site in Doha, developing concrete mix designs, validating performance under local climate conditions, and engineering a custom print nozzle to ensure precision and smooth extrusion. In May 2025, the team completed intensive training alongside Cobod engineers, covering printer operation, print sequencing, structural layering strategies, and live quality control, said UCC Holding in the statement. This milestone marks a major leap in Qatar's local capacity for advanced construction technology, solidifying its role as a regional hub for innovation and engineering. Compared to conventional construction methods, 3D printing offers multiple environmental, social, and economic advantages. It significantly reduces raw material waste and minimizes concrete usage, cutting carbon emissions, it stated. On-site printing also reduces transport needs, mitigates supply chain risks, and accelerates project delivery. With operations scheduled at night to avoid high temperatures, the process also ensures better concrete performance while reducing dust and noise, it added. "Architecturally, the schools are inspired by the natural desert formations of Qatar, with curved, flowing walls resembling sand dunes," said the company spokesman. This design is only made possible by the geometric freedom that 3D printing offers - enabling organic, parametric forms that would be difficult or cost-prohibitive using traditional construction methods, he stated. The schools are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, reinforcing Qatar's global leadership in sustainable development, innovation, and next-generation public infrastructure, he added.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wind Blade Composites Market worth $21.87 billion by 2030 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Wind Blade Composites Market by Fiber Type (Glass Fiber, Carbon Fiber, Other Fiber Types), Resin Type (Epoxy, Polyurethane, Other Resin Types), Blade Size (Up to 50 Meters, Over 50 Meters), Application (Onshore, Offshore), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030", wind blade composites market is expected to reach USD 21.87 billion by 2030 from USD 13.28 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2025 to 2030. The wind blade composites market is driven by several key factors, including the increasing global demand for renewable energy, supportive government policies advancing sustainable energy solutions, and significant advancements in material technology. The primary materials used in wind blade composites are glass fiber reinforced polymers and carbon fiber composites, which exhibit outstanding properties such as high strength-to-weight ratios, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, thermal stability, and low maintenance requirements, making them the preferred choice for wind blade manufacturing. Furthermore, innovations in manufacturing technologies—such as the implementation of 3D printing, advanced molding techniques, and robotic layup processes—have streamlined production, enhanced quality, and reduced costs. These advancements enable the creation of more complex and aerodynamic blade shapes, leading to improved energy capture and overall efficiency. Browse in-depth TOC on "Wind Blade Composites Market"207 – Tables72 – Figures250 – Pages Download PDF Brochure: Glass fiber segment dominated wind blade composites market, in terms of value, in 2024 Glass fiber is a predominant material in the wind blade composites market, largely due to its optimal combination of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This material exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, notably a high strength-to-weight ratio, which is critical for the production of large, lightweight, and resilient wind turbine blades. These blades are designed to endure operational stresses and harsh environmental conditions. The cost-effectiveness of glass fiber is particularly significant in the wind energy sector, where large-scale production and economic viability are paramount. Additionally, glass fiber offers excellent chemical resistance, stiffness, and fatigue resistance, contributing to extended service life and minimizing maintenance requirements for wind blades. Its compatibility with various resin systems and well-established manufacturing processes facilitates the fabrication of complex aerodynamic shapes, optimizing blade performance and maximizing energy output. Epoxy segment accounted for largest share of wind blade composites market, in terms of value, in 2024 Epoxy resin dominates the market within the resin type category due to its exceptional mechanical strength and adhesive properties. As the integral matrix material, it effectively binds reinforcing fibers—commonly glass or carbon fibers—thereby ensuring structural integrity and efficient load transfer throughout the blade. The high strength, stiffness, and resilient nature of epoxy resins provide crucial protection against environmental factors such as moisture, UV radiation, and temperature fluctuations, all vital for the durability of wind blades subjected to demanding outdoor conditions. Furthermore, the chemical versatility of epoxy resins facilitates customized curing processes and enhanced toughness, significantly improving the blades' fatigue resistance and overall performance. Request Sample Pages: Blade size over 50 meters to register highest CAGR in wind blade composites market during forecast period The segment of wind blades exceeding 50 meters in length is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the wind blade composites market. This growth is driven by the industry's emphasis on enhancing energy efficiency and the imperative to optimize power output from wind turbines. Longer blades are capable of sweeping a larger surface area, enabling them to capture a greater volume of wind, which directly translates to increased electricity generation. This ultimately enhances the overall efficiency and economic viability of wind energy projects. Moreover, advancements in composite technology, particularly incorporating carbon fiber in critical structural components and developing advanced resin systems, have facilitated the manufacturing of ultra-long blades. These innovations contribute to elevated energy yields and lower the cost associated with wind power generation. Offshore wind turbines segment to register highest CAGR in wind blade composites market during forecast period The offshore wind turbine sector is poised to experience the highest growth rate within the wind blade composites market. This sector is undergoing rapid expansion, with global capacity additions projected to escalate from 16 GW in 2025 to 34 GW by 2030, capturing a larger share of new wind installations globally. Consequently, there is a heightened demand for efficient and visually appealing offshore wind turbines aimed at large-scale renewable energy production. Significant investments in offshore wind energy projects in nations such as Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium necessitate the development of larger and more resilient wind turbine blades. These blades must incorporate advanced composite materials to endure the demanding marine conditions prevalent in saltwater environments, including corrosion, high humidity, and severe weather phenomena. Request Customization: Asia Pacific accounted for largest share of wind blade composites market in terms of value and volume in 2024 In 2024, the Asia Pacific region represented the largest market share, primarily driven by rapid advancements in its renewable energy sector, particularly in wind power. Significant investments in wind energy infrastructure by countries such as China, India, and Japan aim to address increasing energy demands and meet sustainability objectives. Leading manufacturers, including Teijin Limited, China National Building Material Group Corporation, China Jushi Co., Ltd., and Toray Industries, Inc., are establishing production facilities in developing nations to leverage cost advantages, access to skilled labor, and proximity to local and international markets. This region also enjoys the benefit of abundant raw materials, efficient manufacturing processes, and supportive government policies and incentives, which collectively enhance the production and integration of composite materials for wind blades. Furthermore, recent innovations in China have led to the development of a method for recycling decommissioned wind turbine blades into asphalt mixtures for road construction. Key Players Prominent companies in this market include China Jushi Co., Ltd. (China), DowAksa (Turkey), Teijin Limited (Japan), SGL Carbon (Germany), Hexcel Corporation (US), Gurit Services AG (Switzerland), China National Building Material Group Corporation (China), Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), Röchling (Germany), Exel Composites (Finland), Evonik (Germany), Arkema (France), Owens Corning (US), Exxon Mobil (US), and Huntsman (US). Get access to the latest updates on Wind Blade Composites Companies and Wind Blade Composites Market Size Browse Adjacent Market: Fibers and Composites Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Wind Turbine Composites Material Market Green Hydrogen for CEOs About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. 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Contact:Mr. Rohan SalgarkarMarketsandMarkets™ INC.1615 South Congress 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@ Our Website: Logo: View original content: SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
Global genetic testing company fined millions for data breach
world politics 20 minutes ago United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Lisa Owen about global genetic testing company, 23andMe being fined millions by a UK watchdog over a massive data breach, as well a cyclist who suffered devestating facial injuries now being the owner of a 3D-printed face.
