Factory Signal Briefing — April 21, 2026
Advanced Manufacturing · 3D Printing · CNC · Robotics · AI Vision
News
A 3D printer that can brew coffee? Snapmaker’s done it
As part of its RAPID + TCT presentation last week in Boston, Shenzhen-based 3D printer manufacturer Snapmaker invited visitors to come grab a cup of coffee—a cup of coffee made … The…
Researchers Automate Calibration For 3D Printer Swarms
A new research paper describes an automatic calibration method that lets multiple robotic 3D printers work together on the same build with less setup and better alignment. The post…
AI robotics: Moving from the lab to the real-world factory floor
Learn the real-world infrastructure and effort required to deploy AI robotics from leaders at Universal Robots, PickNik, and Path Robotics. The post AI robotics: Moving from the lab to the…
The dangers of California’s legislation to censor 3D printing
The EFF lays out the case against California’s legislation to restrict 3D printing: California’s bill, A.B. 2047, will not only mandate censorware — software which exists to bluntly…
German court rules in favor of Teradyne Robotics, issues injunction against Elite Robots
Teradyne has obtained an injunction from a German court as it pursues a claim against Elite Robots for copying its UR cobot software. The post German court rules in favor of Teradyne…
Brady to acquire productivity solutions unit from Honeywell for $1.4B
The segment makes barcode scanners, mobile computers and printing products for the warehouse and logistics industries. Honeywell told Manufacturing Dive it’s not yet disclosing the…
Lattice Collaborates with TI to Accelerate Edge AI for Robotics and Industrial Applications
HILLSBORO, Ore. – Apr. 20, 2026 – Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC), the low power programmable leader, today announced that the company is collaborating with Texas Instruments (TI) to…
Corporate America's favorite ChatGPT phrase doubled twice since 2024
A new language analysis reveals how one telltale sentence pattern exposes companies that are letting ChatGPT handle their communications. Usage has quadrupled since 2024. The article…
OpenAI’s updated image generator can now pull information from the web
OpenAI is rolling out the latest version of its AI-powered image generator with new "thinking capabilities," allowing it to search the web to help it create multiple images from a single…
The Electromechanical Computer of the B-52’s Star Tracker
In the ages before convenient global positioning satellites to query for one’s current location military aircraft required dedicated navigators in order to not get lost. This changed…
Roundtables: Unveiling The 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now
Listen to the session or watch below Watch a special edition of Roundtables simulcast live from EmTech AI, MIT Technology Review’s signature conference for AI leadership. Subscribers got an…
Meta will record employees’ keystrokes and use it to train its AI models
Meta says that it has a new internal tool that is converting mouse movements and button clicks into data that can train its AI models.
Process improvement
Score 2 · 5 comments
Hi all, I’m a CNC machinist (3-axis milling mostly but some 4 and 5 axis too with some turning thrown, nearly 20 years experience, mostly aerospace background). I’m looking to test an idea…
Under Water Leak Detection
Score 1 · 0 comments
I am working on a University project to detect leaks during a hydro test. Components (2x2x2m) are submerged in a tank and pressurised. I need some way of automatically detecting when there…
Help building logic for the following tasks involving warehouse risks.
Score 2 · 4 comments
Hi all. I am working on an industrial project that involves a series of tasks. As the title suggests, I need help in building logic for the following tasks. **Note:** I will not be using…
five iterations of a 3D-printed coin-flipping mechanism -> from cardboard to 60cm across PETG print
Score 605 · 72 comments
v0 was cardboard and a solenoid. v1 was a basic printed housing. By v3 I'd designed an iris-blade mechanism (inspired by camera aperture blades) to recenter the coin after each flip…
Teaser for the Auto Job Scheduler in the new ERP system im Developing.
Score 0 · 19 comments
Takes into account Machine Capacity, Machine Capability (Can this Operation run on a Lathe or a Mill?), and If there are Qualified Trained Employees Available to run the machine on that day…
Filming CNC — how do you deal with focus + coolant on the lens?
Score 1 · 0 comments
I’ve been trying to film some CNC machining (mostly aluminum, some stainless), but I keep struggling with keeping the tool in focus and also dealing with coolant getting on the lens…
Negative parts don't translate to other slicers (Bambu / MW)
Score 195 · 39 comments
I was today years old when I figured this out. If you create a file with negative parts in Bambu Studio and upload it onto MW, when others download it and add it in their own not Bambu…
Genmitsu 3020 Pro Ultra
Score 1 · 0 comments
Lol what have I done lol, just ordered the Autospin T1 for my 3020 Pro Ultra. Ordered for few reasons... #1 and biggest reason was for the fact of the auto setting for on and off as well as…
Apprentice needs advice on milling strategy & workholding (DMU 50, steel 1.2085)
Score 2 · 4 comments
Hi everyone, I’m an apprentice (mechatronics / automation) and I’d really appreciate some advice from more experienced machinists. I need to machine a part from steel 1.2085 on a DMU 50, but…
My attempt to Convince r/CNC That Im not Building AI Slop and Actually want to help Small Shops like my own.
Score 0 · 11 comments
We have 0 funding, There are only 3 of us. We run out of my Garage. I use this for my Own shop. Its hard enough finding work to keep Spindles turning, and paying the bills. Heres a 1 Min…
YouTube
The MOST VIOLENT Tool Test
15775 · 6:01