News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Copper has been used in clinical settings to reduce the risk of bacterial and viral contamination, complementing traditional protocols, and one of the leading companies for 3D printing in this field is Copper3D, producing filaments for antimicrobial devices. In fact, copper is considered to be one of the most effective materials that exist for killing coronavirus.
As a result of 3dpbm’s call for help to AM companies providing resources to help fight COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Zahid Fedial, an ER Doctor at the Aljawda hospital in Sudan, reached out to ask for support with respirators. The crisis in the African nation seems to be already much worse than thought. Africa had so far appeared to be somewhat immune to the spread of the virus but it seems that statistics may have been dramatically affected by lack of testing.
Standards organization ASTM International and safety certification company Underwriters Laboratories (UL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of building a framework for developing an international, dual-logo ISO and ASTM standard for AM. The agreement marks a significant step in the standardization of additive manufacturing, as it is the first international collaboration of its kind.
Italian metal additive manufacturing services provider BEAMIT has announced a partnership with Praxair Surface Technologies, a specialist in advanced coating solutions. The partners are combining their respective offerings to provide customers in the aeronautics sector with a broader range of services, as well as 3D printed parts with improved performance and extended lifespans.
In order to push the boundaries of innovation for every toy that is designed, the Giochi Preziosi R&D team leverages several technologies – with Stratasys additive manufacturing at the forefront. Giochi Preziosi recently approached Stratasys’ local partner, Energy Group, to purchase a Stratasys J750 – the world’s only full color, multi-material 3D printer. With the ability to print over 500,000 color combinations, the J750 made an immediate impression on the new 3D printed Gormiti collection prototypes.
The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing all social venues – including museums and exhibits – to close their doors to slow down the virus’ diffusion. For the Raffello exhibit, which marks the 500-year anniversary of famous Italian painter’s death, Factum Arte created the spectacular starting point of the exhibition: a rematerialization of Raffaello’s tomb from the Pantheon, with its 19th-century additions removed.
To mark Women’s History month this March, 3D printing company HP is highlighting an ongoing collaboration with artist Amy Karle. Karle, who is known for her future-oriented projects, has adopted 3D printing as a medium, using the technology and its design capabilities to reimagine art and create boundary-pushing pieces. HP is supporting the artist’s work through its 3D Printing & Digital Manufacturing organization and HP Labs.
Increasing the accessibility and cost-efficiency of metal additive manufacturing has been a goal of the industry since its early days. Today, as broad industrialization looms on the horizon, there is one company that can be credited as helping to dramatically accelerate this journey: Desktop Metal.
One of the biggest dangers in the current Covid-19 pandemic is that the coronavirus that causes it can live for long periods of time on metal and plastic surfaces. This means that anything you touch with your hand – including handles – can bring the virus one step close to your eyes or mouth, and overcome your natural defenses. 3D printing technology may lend a hand: Materialise, a Belgium-based pioneer in 3D printing has designed a 3D printed door opener that makes it possible to open and close doors with your arm, removing the need for direct contact with door handles. The company is offering the printable design for free and calling upon the global 3D printing community to 3D print the door opener and make it available all around the world.
Amid the growing global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with schools, cultural spaces and businesses shuttering to slow the virus’ spread, the additive manufacturing industry is also finding ways to play its part. While some recently passed events, like AMForum in Berlin, went ahead, several upcoming industry events have been postponed or outright cancelled.