When it comes to FFF-based 3D printing methods, new machines may come out on a fairly regular basis but not a lot has fundamentally changed since the first machines debuted their extruding capabilities in the early 1980s. Materials development and innovations in nozzles have enhanced capabilities in some truly impressive manners, making layer-by-layer manufacturing relevant to an ever-widening buffet of possibilities, there's no denying that. But the physics behind such has remained a fairly well-understood process. Essentium Materials wants to change that. The company recently launched its FuseBox, bringing FlashFuse plasma-based technology to FFF-based 3D printing methods. 3DPrint.com had the opportunity to talk to Essentium at the recent RAPID + TCT event, as well as learning more directly from several of the company's partners, to see what might make this newly introduced technology an actually new and valuable solution in strengthening polymer 3D printed parts. Essentium's partners include BASF, AON3D, and STACKER 3D, all of whom had a presence at RAPID. Read more at 3DPrint.com: http://3dprint.com/174347/essentium-interview-rapid/