News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
One of the keys to taking additive manufacturing to the next level in terms of industrialization is software. AM software advancements will not only unlock new designs and geometries, but will enable more efficient, connected and, crucially, automated production workflows. Fortunately, there are many software developers in the industry which are committed to improving the AM workflow, from end to end.
After unveiling its QLS350 3D printer for the first time in May 2019, California-based AM company NXT Factory has announced the commercial release of its Quantum Laser Sintering (QLS) platform. In addition to the commercial launch, the company has also announced a strategic collaboration with materials company Evonik, through which it will expand the material offering and production applications for the QLS350 system.
BCN3D, a Barcelona-based 3D printer manufacturer, has launched its latest professional printer, the BCN3D Epsilon. The printer, which the company will showcase next week at Formnext, promises to “bring industrial power to your workbench.”
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire Atlas 3D, Inc., a Plymouth, Indiana-based developer of software that works with direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) printers to automatically provide design engineers with the optimal print orientation and requisite support structures for additive parts in near real-time. Atlas 3D will join Siemens Digital Industries Software, where its solutions will expand additive manufacturing capabilities in the Xcelerator portfolio of software.
Boston-based 3D printer manufacturer RIZE, Inc., has started commercial shipments for its new XRIZE industrial 3D printer. The 3D printer, which was first announced a year ago, offers full-color 3D printing capabilities in an office-friendly packaging.
GKN Additive has announced it will begin distributing gas- and water-atomized metal powders for the European additive manufacturing market. As part of the distribution, GKN Additive will be locally producing and warehousing its metal AM powders to reduce delivery and lead times for customers.
A team of influential players in the AM industry are coming together to develop a new high-strength and lightweight aluminum alloy for the aerospace and automotive industries. Materials expert Oerlikon will be working alongside industrial gases company Linde and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to pioneer the new 3D printing metal, supported by €1.7 million in funding (50% of which is from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs).
PostProcess Technologies a Buffalo, NY, based provider of automated post-printing solutions for industrial 3D printing, is expanding its European Channel Partner network with the addition of two distributors. CYLAOS, a French-based engineering company specialized in 3D printing industrial deployment, will cover the French market. In the Nordics region, KMC will serve PostProcess’ customer base as a specialist in surface treatment solutions.
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is offering the next generation of Low Free (LF) isocyanate urethane prepolymers that can be formulated into resins for 3D printing/additive manufacturing. In order to create such resins, LANXESS works together with 3D printing companies. Based on Adiprene LF pPDI (para-phenylene diisocyanate) prepolymers, these high-performance resins are easy to process and safe for industrial manufacturers as well as for the casual home, office or retail user.
Alexander Daniels Global, one of the very first firms to offer headhunting services specific for the additive manufacturing industry, has produced and now offers its first Additive Manufacturing Talent Market Whitepaper. The document provides market insight into the additive manufacturing / 3D printing talent market, which is not accessible elsewhere.