Remember the clunky, frustrating early days of 3D printing? Well, don’t blink now. The future is already here. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising every industry wherever you turn, but it’s not the sentient, all-knowing computer we expected from TV. This pseudo intelligence is really a highly complex learning tool that helps us automate tasks that would otherwise take hours. There are many uses for AI integration that go beyond ChatGPT. AI is quietly changing the hobbyist scene, making 3D printing more accessible, more efficient, and frankly, way more fun.
In this post, we are diving into how AI is simplifying modern 3D printers for hobbyists. And how you can even use AI to create custom 3D models ready for printing in seconds.
Your 3D Printer’s AI Powers Hidden in Plain Sight
It comes as no surprise that 3D printing so easily adopts artificial intelligence. More and more 3D printers offer automated features that make user experience easier than it’s ever been. As Makers, we are naturally curious about new technologies and how they’ll better our lives. While AI and 3D technology haven’t yet progressed to needing no human input, manufacturers have integrated AI elements into the very core of our printers to enhance processing power, accuracy, and automate the mundane. So, we can focus on creating.
AI-powered 3D printers are constantly unleashing new features. The best ingenious use of AI in 3D printing is its optimisation of the motherboard. Automatically, your printer can use all its sensor data to adjust your 3D prints in real time, reducing the likelihood of errors and increasing print quality a thousand-fold. The result has bloomed a generation of high-speed printers that are so simple to use. Even your cat might accidentally print something if they run across your keyboard.
Ways Your 3D Printer Uses AI Today:
(Left: Bambu Lab A1 camera, Right: MakerWorld AI Scanner)
- AI Detection – Using a camera to monitor your prints, some 3D printers use AI image processing. They detect when something goes wrong, alert you, and even stop the printer before significant damage occurs. Octoprint, Creality’s AI camera, and other DIY print monitoring setups often use elements of AI learning to capture and interpret what is happening to your precious print. Just in case the print comes off the bed or a bad clog begins to pool filament around the nozzle. This fault detection is not perfect, but it has come a long way. Often, these 3D printers accurately predict a print fail before it becomes catastrophic. Other than preventing a mess of spaghetti, AI detection saves you from wasting filament or damaging your printer and gives back the time you would’ve lost printing a failed model.
- AI Optimisation – Newer 3D printers are beginning to incorporate AI optimisation into their features. For example, Bambu Lab’s X1 series has integrated AI to make real-time auto-corrections and predictions while printing. AI becomes a personal expert overseeing each print, using sensors as its eyes and ears. Existing features like automatic bed levelling and accelerometer vibration control have the benefit of AI-driven processing. Some Klipper printers use an accelerometer upgrade to compensate for printer vibration. A slight shake can ruin a day-long 3D print. This sensor and AI’s predictive processing can detect wobbles and cancel them out with counteracting resonance before they have a chance to ruin your print. This is just the beginning of automated advancements supercharged by AI integration for hobbyists.
- AI Scanners – Currently in their experimental stages, AI scanners promise a mind-blowing opportunity. You could scan any physical object into a 3D printable model. Bambu Labs is one of the first to offer this with their printers for hobbyists to experiment. But there are many other phone and tablet software available to try out. Combining these scans with AI image generation may be the key to finally getting this technology right. Once an object is scanned, you might be able to tell AI to enact some changes. Further customise the thing you want to print. The possibilities are promising indeed with this rising technology as more Makers begin to experiment with it.
Using AI to Generate 3D Models
(AI models generated by Cara using Rodin and and Meshy AI)
Speaking of experimental AI, did you know you can generate whole 3D models just like how AI generates images? The steep learning curve for CAD and other 3D modelling has shortened to a gentle incline with this startling development. Of course, this by no means replaces the skill of 3D modellers, but it could change how we approach prototyping new projects. Some CAD software, like Fusion 360, has released new AI generative features to kickstart your 3D modelling. You might generate a simplistic model to test out your ideas, then tweak it to your unique design. Hobbyists have also experimented with tools like Rodin and Meshy AI to mixed results, generating 3D printable objects from a single idea or reference picture. These tools are not completely free, but they are certainly interesting on either a hobbyist or professional level.
Students at MIT have already put generative AI in 3D printing to practice in a project they called Style2Fab. Their developments allowed customisation of the colour, texture, and shape for open-source 3D models from online sources like Thingiverse. Keeping the original 3D model’s functionality intact, the AI algorithms can change features to the user’s liking at will. By isolating parts of the model to change with AI, this technology has multiple applications, even ranging to customising 3D medical devices for unique fits to every person.
(Image by MIT Researchers – Source MIT News)
Professional prototyping of new products and designs takes a long time for Makers wanting to create their test models from scratch. With AI generation of 3D models, that time is cut in half, allowing engineers to print and test simple concepts before developing further with working ideas. This AI 3D model generation is still in its infancy, although already very impressive. Another eye blink might see the Makerverse completely changed after another few years with 3D printers able to generate and print something with just a text command.
Right now, enthusiasts have the opportunity to play with this rising technology and create new 3D models without needing high skills in CAD or Blender. The example screenshots here are taken from Rodin and Meshy AI as we had some fun with AI generation ourselves.
Conclusion
AI might be overhyped these days, but it most certainly has already made an impact, even if you haven’t realised it. We have a feeling this is only the beginning of a partnership between AI machine learning and 3D printing. The potential could see AI used in suggesting the correct materials to print for the best results, running virtual functionality tests before wasting filament, and more automated tasks to eliminate Maker headaches that 3D printers sometimes cause.
We hope you found our musings on AI in 3D printing interesting. If you enjoyed this post, then check out our other blog posts. We have a growing collection of guides and project posts up right now. To keep up to date on everything DIYElectronics related such as new products, projects, and Maker news, check out our social media, Facebook, and Instagram. Have a look at our website or browse our promotions category to see this month’s specials.
Copywriter | Digital Artist | Dungeon Master
My greatest passion lies in storytelling, be it through writing, art or playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends and family. I dove into 3D printing a few years ago and earned a lifetime obsession of experimenting, learning, and making new things!
