News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
We hope Creality won’t take it personally that we used their Ender 3 in the title of this article as the reference standard for the new generation low-cost desktop 3D printers. The LABISTS ET4 wants to position itself as a new leader in this segment.
HP senior exec Edward Ponomarev showed off a pair of HP-3D printed, HP-branded running shoes prototypes that he just used on a 5 Km run. The shoes are the latest example of 3D printing applied to custom midsole and insole production: they are the first functional running shoes with 3D printed parts from MJF. The shoe weight under 200grams, featuring lightweight uppers (similar to adidas’ Futurecraft), ensuring excellent energy return and cushioning.
Industry Supplies introduced the new Smart3D Macro platform, offering broad material capabilities, a large build volume and a print speed that makes it a real manufacturing engine.
British digital metal solutions company Alloyed and German materials manufacturer TANIOBIS have entered into a partnership through which they will identify, develop, manufacture and use high quality titanium and refractory alloy metal powders for additive and other advanced manufacturing applications. The companies will be presenting their new collaboration at the upcoming (and all virtual) Formnext Connect event.
Additive manufacturing is further penetrating the world of e-commerce, with Materialise announcing a partnership with Ditto, an eyewear personalization software developer. The move promises made-to-order glasses for Ditto’s customers.
At 3dpbm we’ve been reporting on newly proposed solutions for 3D printing custom casts. As an application, it makes total sense. However, neither the printing technology nor the data capturing, nor the 3D model editing, nor the possible adopters have been ready to actually implement it. Now Spanish-British firm Xkelet may have a real solution that integrates a mobile App, AI, and an ultra-fast 3D printer developed in collaboration with Photocentric, to make this – and numerous other medical applications – viable to be 3D printed, even in real-time and – when needed – on-location.
After working with Team Penske in five championship and over 70 race wins since 2017, Stratasys has announced an enhanced technical partnership with Penske. The parties have entered into a new multi-year partnership agreement, which allows Stratasys to maintain its technical support for the four systems currently deployed in Penske’s shop.
3DPrintUK has purchased two new selective laser sintering systems that promise enhanced capacity for a growing client base. The announcement follows on 3DPrintUK’s recent introduction of new SLS Flexible material, a new shot peening finishing service and new color options. The new machines are the fourth step in a five-step £1 million expansion plan.
Apart from a few exceptions – like SHINING 3D and Farsoon – Chinese 3D printing companies are not easy to reach from this side of the Great Wall. Likewise, it’s not easy for them to make their products known in the West. It’s usually a gradual process. The most successful companies are able to gain enough of a foothold in the – very large – domestic market that they can start to invest in global expansion with initiatives that go beyond the hiring of armies of business developers sending out messages on social media. Kings 3D may be one of the next companies to make the jump. And even if it’s not, the company has been able to stand out enough to be noticed, especially for its vibrant activity in the footwear AM segment, a business that is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.
In advance of the International Molded Fiber Association (IMFA) annual conference, the leading event for the molded fiber industry, HP unveiled an innovative and environmentally friendly tooling solution for molded fiber manufacturers. The solution includes the new HP Molded Fiber Advanced Tooling technology, which enables fast and enhanced design and fabrication of high-performance molded fiber tooling in as quickly as two weeks1 compared to four to six weeks experienced by customers using traditional methods2. Combined with HP’s new tooling production service, the end-to-end solution delivers greater production efficiencies via increased production uptime, reduced maintenance, and mass customization capabilities.