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The Atomic Layers: 00313

Mar 27, 2026

Atomic Layer of the Week:

I wrote this once, but I’ll say it again: Michael Molitch-Hou is the greatest AM writer alive.

And if you don’t even know who that is, please do yourself a favor - unsubscribe from this thing and stop the embarrassment already…

Anyway, just in case you simply forgot (this I can forgive):

Michael Molitch-Hou is one of the longest-serving journalists in the AM industry.
He started his career in 2012 when he joined the newly launched 3D Printing Industry website.
He first served as an editor, and later as editor-in-chief.
After the collapse of 3DPI, he wrote for Engineering.com and Forbes, among others, before joining 3DPrint.com as editor-in-chief in 2020.
He left 3DPrint.com last year to join ASTM as a content strategy & marketing manager.

So this is his resume (which is obviously astonishing), but what matters far more are his articles and the impact they’ve had on the development of the global 3D printing industry. Michael didn’t just report on achievements, breakthrough launches, or major events - above all, he wasn’t afraid to expose scandals, lies, or manipulation.

You could say he was a pioneer of investigative journalism in the AM sector.

His two most high-profile articles are:

“Hype Hangover: The Rise and Fall of Avi Reichental”, published in November 2015 on 3D Printing Industry, and

“Poland’s 3D Printing Scene Was Built Upon a Huge Deal That Never Happened”, published in August 2016 on 3DPrint.com (about the unrealized deal for Zortrax to supply 5,000 3D printers to Dell).

So yeah.

And now Michael is releasing a book! And not just any book - a true rarity. A collector’s item:

“Impossible Works: The Book of 3D Printed Art”

The book is available on Kickstarter. It is the first serious artistic publication documenting the aesthetic revolution sparked by additive manufacturing technology.

The publication will be released as a large-format hardcover volume. Its content spans approximately 300 pages and includes over 350 illustrations.

The book covers a wide range of fields - from sculpture, architecture, and fashion, to aerospace and medicine, all the way to food - showing how, over the past decade, additive technologies have moved beyond prototyping into museum collections, production lines, and clinical applications.

The digital edition is expected to reach readers in December 2026, while physical copies are scheduled for delivery in February 2027.

One of the project’s most distinctive features is the limited “Founders’ Edition,” restricted to 75 copies. Each will feature a cover produced using laser powder bed fusion technology.

The covers will be made from bio-based polyamide 12 supplied by Arkema, and the finishing will be carried out in collaboration with post-processing specialists. If these plans come to fruition, this will be the first book in history with a cover made using 3D printing technology.

Prices are not low: $25 for the digital version, $65 for the standard edition (early bird - then $75), several higher tiers, and finally the aforementioned Founders’ Edition at $195.

But we’re not buying this for the price. We’re buying it for two reasons:

because it’s a fantastic publication that is much more than “just another book about 3D printing”
because it’s the right thing to do

Yes, most of you wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for the hard work of Michael (and many other authors) in documenting and promoting 3D printing and the AM industry worldwide. It’s thanks to people like Michael that you heard about it in the first place. You didn’t pay for it then, nor later - you simply benefited from it.

Now is a good moment to give something back. To express appreciation.

I’m not urging you. I’m simply stating that it’s the right thing to do. I ordered my copy within two hours of the campaign launch.

Atomic Layer from the Past:

9 years ago, the Michał Sołowow Group (MSG) acquired full ownership of 3DGence, a Polish industrial FFF printer manufacturer founded in 2014. Initially focused on high-end desktop models, the company later shifted entirely to industrial systems.

Last year at Formnext 2025, it was revealed that 3DGence’s industrial 3D printers have become part of HP’s offering. The 3DGence brand is being gradually phased out, and its products will be offered under the HP brand.

Read all:

03-27-2017: Michał Sołowow – the richest man in Poland, took over 100% of the shares in 3DGence

Pawel Slusarczyk

March 27, 2025

Read full story

News & Gossip:

#1

Xiaomi’s €100 TC4 titanium watch strap for the Watch 5, released December 2025, was made with use of LPBF technology. The 43-gram band is 50% lighter than steel and enables complex internal structures impossible with conventional methods.

#2

At AMUG 2026, Würth Additive Group and B9Creations announced a strategic partnership integrating B9’s production-grade technology into Würth’s Digital Inventory Services (DIS) platform. B9 provides validated printers and QA/QC tools ensuring identical output across locations, while Würth contributes secure digital recipes and logistics.

#3

Sculpteo has introduced a new industrial-grade 3D scanning service at its Paris facility, enabling customers to digitize objects for reverse engineering, prototyping, and on-demand manufacturing. Parts are captured using automated or manual scanning depending on size and complexity, then converted into ready-to-use mesh files. Custom formats are available for seamless workflow integration.

#4

Polish filament manufacturer - ROSA3D, has introduced PLA LW AERO and TPU Flex LW, foaming filaments that reduce print weight by up to 2.5 times compared to standard materials while maintaining identical dimensions.

During printing, the material expands, creating a porous internal structure with a smooth, cast-like surface. PLA LW AERO offers rigidity for cosplay, props, and RC models, while TPU Flex LW provides softness and shock absorption for grips and gaskets. Optimal foaming occurs between 240–260°C with flow rates around 0.4. Users should calibrate per printer for best results.

#5

Flashforge has launched the Creator 5, an FFF printer featuring four independent, tool‑free swappable print heads. The “FlashSwap” system is basically a clone of the Snapmaker U1 (and, to some extent, the Prusa XL). Available via early‑bird reservation, the final price ranges from €699-€849. Shipping begins in May.

#6

Velo3D published it’s financial results, reporting 2025 revenue of $46 million with a $31 million backlog, driven by defense and aerospace adoption. The company is expanding its Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) business, targeting scale production over machine sales.

Despite a $71.4 million net loss, operating expenses dropped 38%, and a $30 million private placement strengthened its balance sheet. New contracts include a $32.6 million Project FORGE agreement.

#7

Bright Laser Technologies announced they have produced over 100,000 copper alloy parts on its BLT-S400 system. Copper’s reflectivity and thermal conductivity were addressed through eight‑laser configurations and support for red and green lasers. Automated production lines enable semi‑ and fully‑controlled workflows.

#8

Tethon 3D has acquired Fortify’s advanced materials IP, specializing in technical ceramics and dielectric materials for RF, microwave, and mmWave applications. The technology enables precision fabrication of components such as radar systems, satellite communications, and antennas.

The acquisition is strategically timed as defense priorities shift toward drone warfare and RF jamming resistance. With prior collaboration between the firms, Tethon aims to scale high-performance ceramics for real production environments in defense and telecommunications.

03-27-2017: Michał Sołowow – the richest man in Poland, took over 100% of the shares in 3DGence

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