News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
British Airways today announced it is interested in using 3D printing technologies to manufacture aircraft parts. The concept being explored by the British airline will involve installing 3D printers at airports around the globe for easy and on-demand spare part production. British Airways will begin trialling 3D printing as part of its ongoing initiative to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Stratasys is eyeing the Australia and New Zealand’s 3D printing markets and expanding its reseller network in the region. Stratasys AP, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd., has enlisted TCL Hofmann and TCL Hunt as authorized channel partners in an effort to expand its reach into the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Following in the – very successful – footsteps of its sister companies GE Additive, GE Aerospace, and GE Oil and Gas, now GE Healthcare is starting to seriously look at 3D printing. After signing with Formlabs to streamline 3D printing of anatomical models, the giant is now partnering with Advanced Solutions Life Sciences (ASLS) to advance the field of 3D biofabrication.
In June 2019, global sciences company Royal DSM launched the I AM Tomorrow Challenge, a collaborative effort aimed at addressing and filling gaps in the AM value chain. At the time, DSM and its partners Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence and Ultimaker invited startups from around the world to apply for an accelerator program. Six startups, selected from a pool of 74, have recently teamed up to co-develop a digital additive manufacturing workflow.
The packaging industry has been a keen adopter of 3D printing technologies. Especially in the luxury market, additive manufacturing has created new possibilities for bespoke or limited series products. Last week, for instance, Formula 1 launched a 3D printed F1 fragrance collection designed by Ross Lovegrove, which exemplifies how AM can be used for original (and frankly stunning) product packaging.
Nano Dimension appointed veteran turnaround executive, Yoav Stern as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2, 2020. He will be succeeding the co-founder and current CEO Amit Dror, who is taking the executive role of Customer Success Officer reporting directly to Mr. Stern. Mr. Dror will also continue to serve as a director on the company’s Board of Directors.
In a big effort to increase reliance on renewable energy sources in the Swedish city of Göteborg, Göteborg Energi and Siemens are partnering to test state-of-the-art gas turbine technology and renewable fuels. The partnership will be based at the Rya combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Göteborg’s energy port and will begin with the validation of innovative 3D printed burners.
Netherlands-based 3D Hubs is continuing its global expansion. After announcing a new American headquarters in May 2019, the company has revealed it will be emerging into the French market with backing from iPod inventor Tony Fadell, who now heads the Future Shape investment firm. As part of the expansion, 3D Hubs will open new offices in France’s capital, Paris.
Carpenter Technology has announced the opening of its new Emerging Technology Center (ETC) in Athens, Alabama. The facility, which spans 500,000 square feet, will focus on additive manufacturing processes and will produce parts for a range of cross-industry applications in aerospace, transportation, energy and oil and gas.
GE Healthcare and Formlabs have entered into a partnership to increase the accessibility of 3D printed, patient-specific anatomical models. In the medical sector, patient-specific models based on medical imaging data have multiple uses, from practitioner training to surgical preparation to patient communications.