News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Behind the doors of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), there is always something innovative going on. From the development of a new volumetric 3D printing process to the creation of new metamaterials. Recently, a team from the lab revealed it had achieved a breakthrough in the development of the first research-grade, open-architecture multi-beam metal 3D printer.
Mark Beecroft, a researcher from the Manchester Metropolitan University, believes that the future of textiles will be closely intertwined with 3D printing. Not only does he believe it—he is actually paving the way for it in an innovative additive manufacturing-based project called Digital Interlooping.
UNYQ, a company specializing in custom 3D printed medical wearables, has launched its latest product: the UNYQ Socket, a 3D printed prosthetic leg socket. The new medical device can be paired with UNYQ’s custom 3D printed prosthetic covers and integrates sensors for monitoring the wearer’s activity.
Among the thousands of companies that make up the rapidly evolving global landscape for additive manufacturing, there are some that stand out for the uniqueness of their technology and applications. Companies that have driven their technological approach to AM in new directions, such as the production of houses, food, electronics and optics. One of these companies is certainly Luxexcel, the only company that is today able to digitally manufacture ophthalmic lenses for complex prescriptions.
Swedish furniture giant IKEA has recognized the benefits of 3D printing, launching limited 3D printed collections and exploring the technology with partners such as UNYQ. Most recently, the company released a series of DIY 3D printed add-ons to make its existing products more accessible to those with special needs.
Within the transport industry, German railway leader Deutsche Bahn was an early adopter of 3D printing technologies—five years ago, it even founded its own 3D printing division. As of 2018, the company reported having 3D printed nearly 15,000 spare parts and other products for its trains, including coat hooks, headrests, cable boxes and more. Now, the company is aiming to ramp up its additive efforts by extending its partnership with software provider 3YOURMIND.
3D Systems has announced the appointment of Malissia Clinton to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Clinton currently serves as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Los Angeles-based The Aerospace Corporation.
Copenhagen-based MONOQOOL brings the effortlessly sleek and functional elements of Danish design into the eyewear field with its stylish 3D printed frames. Founded in 2008, the company has been working with 3D printing for roughly eight years, initially using the technology to prototype new eyewear designs and eventually transitioning into full-scale production.
A team from the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia has successfully demonstrated the ability to 3D print a replacement lug directly on an automotive headlight assembly. The achievement was carried out through the university’s Repairbot project.
It’s been a tough week for the Energica Motor Company and the rest of the MotoE community, after a fire at a paddock at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain on March 14th destroyed the majority of the motorcycles and equipment inside.