News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
BeAM, a leading machine manufacturer in the field of DED (Directed Energy Deposition) technology for additive manufacturing, and the global technology company Siemens announced at EMO 2019 their plans to further intensify their collaboration. The partnership focuses on Sinumerik One, the new CNC generation from Siemens.
Vertico, a Dutch firm that has developed a concrete 3D printing technology, recently demonstrated its capabilities by 3D printing a concrete footbridge in collaboration with the University of Ghent. Not only a feat for its concrete AM technology, the bridge showcases Vertico’s ability to utilize optimized design to reduce material consumption without compromising strength or stress-resistance. According to the Amersfoort-based company, the bridge’s design allowed for a material reduction of 60%!
Lamborghini is an adopter of 3D printing – that is known. The company has been using the technology for prototyping for several years, although this was never officially confirmed beyond a Lamborghini placed inside the Energy Group (an Italian Stratasys distributor) booth at several AM shows. Lamborghini even went public with a production application using Carbon’s DLS technology for its Urus SUV. The latest Lamborghini model presented ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show (could the location suggest something, with Formnext on the way?), the Lamborghini Sián FKP37, packs all the latest automotive technologies and – for the first time – introduces a number of 3D printed final parts (likely produced with Carbon’s technology like the Urus). That makes sense since it is also the most customizable Lamborghini ever.
Though big industrial sectors like aerospace, automotive and medical are often the focus for additive manufacturing applications, the technology is finding its way into countless industries, sometimes radically transforming, sometimes slightly improving production workflows. The latest comes from the hosiery sector, where Italy-based hosiery equipment producer Lonati SPA has adopted 3D Systems’ AM solutions to streamline its workflow.
Additive manufacturing of end-use consumer products still has a long way to but every day more steps are made towards achieving that goal. For now, it remains more about highly customized and exclusive products, rather than mass-produced ones, and the first thing that pops up is that these products are becoming more and more appealing. While true appreciation of the futuristic, natural and complex forms made possible by 3D printing may still be confined to a niche of first adopters, products such as the generative 3D printed shoe collection introduced by studio Ica & Kostika are sure to draw a wider public’s awe.
This is not the first time we’ve seen 3D printing take cosplay to the next level, but it is easily one of the most impressive projects we’ve ever seen. Aaron Warbinek, a Vancouver-based teacher and Star Wars enthusiast, has painstakingly created a wearable, fully functional Darth Vader suit and helmet. The suit, which is now seeking funding on Kickstarter, will take you straight to the dark side.
Renishaw, a UK-based specialist in metal AM, is reportedly considering a potential reorganization and consolidation of its additive manufacturing business by co-locating its AM engineering, marketing and commercial activities at its New Mills headquarters in Gloucestershire, England. If the plan goes ahead, the production of AM systems will continue at Renishaw’s Miskin site near Cardiff, South Wales.
It’s clear when looking at the Zeus 8 motorcycle that it is not your run-of-the-mill chopper. With a dramatic elongated body and exposed battery cylinders, the electric motorcycle is a vehicle that even non-motorcycle-enthusiasts can gawk at. The impressive sickle, designed by Alabama-based Curtiss Motorcycles, has been in development for some time and is now finally approaching production—thanks in large part to hybrid manufacturing company Fast Radius.
Raise3D, a 3D printer manufacturer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has unveiled its latest 3D printer model, the E2. The new machine, described as a multi-purpose, user-friendly, industrial-grade 3D printer, is part of a new series of printers that are being developed by Raise3D for specific materials, applications and industries.
3D printing service Shapeways and 3D software developer ZVerse, Inc. have entered into a partnership through which Shapeways will offer its customers access to ZVerse’s CAD as a Service (CADaaS) platform to improve 3D file design and optimization workflows.