News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
As it is becoming a tradition, the Additive Industries breakfast meeting planned early in the morning on the first day of the exhibition represented the ideal kickoff for Formnext 2018.
3D printing giants are working together for the common goal of advancing AM for the production of medical models. Materialise—through its FDA-approved Materialise Mimics inPrint software—has validated Stratasys 3D printers and materials for the manufacturing of anatomical models. The validation marks the establishment of what the companies call the “most versatile 3D printing system for point-of-care across hospitals and physicians.” Materialise also certified the Ultimaker S5 3D printer.
Industrial additive manufacturing company EOS today announced a collaboration with Etihad Airways Engineering, the predominant maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East. Together, the companies will accelerate and expand applications for industrial 3D printing in the aviation sector.
Adidas launched the new ALPHAEDGE 4D, its unique sneaker engineered with the ADIDAS 4D midsole, for controlled energy return and breathable cushioning during intensive training runs. The popular German sports brand has been working with AM industry “unicorn” startup Carbon on mass production of generatively designed midsoles for its FUTURECRAFT brand.
With all the excitement of Formnext, we missed an important date this week: November 19th, otherwise known as World Toilet Day. No, World Toilet Day isn’t akin to World Pancake Day, it is a real event organized by the United Nations as a call to action to overcome the world’s sanitation crisis. To mark the observance day, SPARK Architects, a Singapore, Shanghai and London-based architecture firm introduced its Big Arse Toilet concept, an easily transportable 3D printed toilet.
We often talk about the potential of additive manufacturing to revolutionize the medical industry through implants, but there is one healthcare area where 3D printed implants are already having very real impacts: in the veterinary field.
The inside mirror base for the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé (W 198 model series), the spark plug holder from the tool kit of this iconic sports car as well as the sliding sunroof rollers for the W 110, W 111, W 112 and W 123 model series: these are important replacement parts for faithfully maintaining this classic of the brand with the star. They are once again available in genuine quality. Mercedes-Benz Classic has them newly produced in a 3D print. The process is particularly well-suited to smaller quantities and if the genuine tools are no longer available, for example. Mercedes 3D printed spare parts allow gaps in the replacement part supply of classic vehicles to be closed.
BMW Group has reached a big milestone in its use of additive manufacturing. According to the company, it has produced over a million parts with 3D printing over the past decade. By the end of this year alone it expects to reach more than 200,000 3D printed parts, marking a 42% increase over last year’s total.
The European Space Agency released details about a series of 3D printed ceramic objects it made using a simulated lunar regolith. The parts, consisting of small gears, screws and other components, demonstrate how 3D printing could one day be used on the moon’s surface, using local materials to print details parts to support a lunar base camp.
3D Systems revealed this week that it has been working closely with nonprofit organization OpHeart over the past four years to provide 3D printed tools and devices to pediatric heart surgeons to help with surgical preparation. OpHeart is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to improving treatments for children born with life-threatening heart defects.