News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
3D Systems has today introduced a new material for its Figure 4 digital production system. The material, Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10, is the first photopolymer released by 3D Systems with thermoplastic characteristics that meets the speed, precision, strength and durability of injection molded components. 3D Systems has also announced four addition Figure 4 materials.
Dutch 3D printing company Ultimaker has made a series of product announcements today. First, it has launched its latest 3D printer, the Ultimaker S3. The new machine, the second release in the company’s S-line 3D printer series, is described as a compact and affordable system with “composite-ready performance.” Second, Ultimaker has unveiled the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, which comprises its S5 3D printer as well as the new Air Manager and Material Station systems.
Stratasys-owned 3D printer manufacturer MakerBot has announced the release of a new material for its METHOD 3D printer, ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). The filament is the latest addition to MakerBot’s Precision Materials series for METHOD and is well suited for outdoor applications that require resistance to harsh environments—such as those in the automotive, power and gas, agriculture, oil and gas and transit industries.
Cincinnati Incorporated, an Ohio-based machine equipment manufacturer, has signed a 10-year partnership agreement with NASCAR racing team Hendrick Motorsports. The agreement will see Cincinnatti Inc. become the 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s official Metal Fabrication and Additive Equipment provider.
Following the success of the first 3D printed sneaker produced using the TripleCell platform—the 990 Sport—partners New Balance and Formlabs have debuted a second sneaker model, the FuelCell Echo Triple. The new running was produced using the innovative footwear 3D printing platform, which combines Formlabs’ stereolithography (SLA) technology with the custom Rebound Resin.
Underwater aquatic research seems to be taking up a new motto: do as the fish do! There is an undeniable trend in the field to explore the development of new research tools that not only blend into the aquatic environment more easily but also mimic deep sea residents. For example, MIT created a robotic fish called SoFi, and even more recently a student at TU Delft utilized 3D printing to create a robotic fish that swims through water like a tuna.
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.
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.
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%!