News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
The Wistar Institute, a biomedical research center focused on studying cancer, immunology and infectious diseases, is collaborating with biofabrication company Allevi to explore the use of bioprinting technologies to fight COVID-19. Specifically, Allevi’s bioprinting platform will be used to 3D print lung models to study the effects of SARS-CoV-2.
SLA 3D printing company Formlabs has announced the launch of six new resins for its Form 3, Form 3B and Form 2 3D printers. The resins expand the scope of applications for the company’s AM technology in several industries, including healthcare, dental and engineering.
French 3D printing service Sculpteo has announced the addition of new Forward AM materials to its customer offering. Forward AM is a brand launched by BASF 3D Printing Solutions in 2019 that is geared towards additive manufacturing solutions. Going forward, Sculpteo clients can choose from a broader array of high-performance 3D printing materials, including Ultrasint TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane powder), Ultrasint PA6 FR (flame retardant polymer powder) and PP (polypropylene powder).
Relativity Space has announced a strategic alliance with 6K, a developer of microwave plasma technology for powder production, to 3D print rocket components made from sustainable materials. The partnership will establish a closed loop supply chain through which scrap materials produced by Relativity will be transformed into premium AM powders by 6K and redeployed to Relativity for production. The companies will also work together to develop new materials for rocket manufacturing and space applications.
When some hear about 3D printing, they think of a cutting-edge production technique that has little to do with art and creativity, but that is not at all the case. To illustrate this side of the technology, we recently spoke with Serena Fanara, an architect and designer with a strong and versatile portfolio. She designs and produces many product lines, including furnishing accessories, jewelry and gadgets, as ell as lighting systems and arrangements for events. At the core of all her work is the mission of environmental sustainability. To exemplify this ethos, she launched the SeFa Design by Nature brand in 2015.
A New Zealand veteran who was in a helicopter crash 10 years ago and has suffered from long-term injuries is now preparing to participate in the next Invictus Games thanks in part to 3D printing technologies. The New Zealand Defence Force has leveraged additive manufacturing to develop a customized cycling solution for the veteran, Stevin Creeggan.
Are you space and 3D printing enthusiast? Or a STEM educator, or an engineer with some free time, or an Elon Musk fan? Either way, you may want to 3D print your own replica of the Crew Dragon space capsule, the one that SpaceX successfully launched into orbit, with two humans abroad, making history just a few weeks ago. If so, two studios that specialize in 3D printable designs have something for you: a Crew Dragon replica.
Thermwood, one of the three companies providing very large format 3D printing hardware and services with composite chopped FRP pellet materials, has designed, fabricated and put into operation the M400, the largest machine it has ever built, to meet the rapidly increasing demand of its LSAM (large size additive manufacturing) machines.
Since it became accessible to hobbyists, 3D printing has been an essential tool for cosplayers, enabling them to create authentic replicas of even the most complex props from across fantasy and sci-fi worlds. Just take a scroll through Thingiverse to see some very creative and truly impressive cosplay projects. In fact, 3D printing has even helped pave the way for the creation of a cosplay-making industry, with skilled makers designing and creating custom projects for others. This is the case with Lightning Cosplay, a German company that creates tailored costumes for its customers using a range of processes, including 3D printing.
The first orbital spaceflight from the United Kingdom is getting closer following the Highland Council’s decision to give the go-ahead for the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport. Orbex, the UK-based space launch company known for its large single-piece 3D printed rocket engine, has confirmed that Orbex Prime will be the first vertical launch vehicle to fly into orbit from the Space Hub, which will be constructed near Melness on the northern coast of Scotland. Orbex today confirmed the company has already signed six launch contracts.