News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
This year, Formnext will see the participation of some of the world’s leading chemical and materials companies. Read on to see what some of them will be bringing to the international trade show.
After nearly 80 years with minimal innovation, the foam industry is now employing 3D printing to produce products that are more comfortable, safer, lighter, and can be customized for each individual. Now EOS North America and its Additive Minds applied engineering team launched their Digital Foam program – a hub orchestrated by EOS connecting CAD, materials, part qualification, and additive manufacturing.
GE Additive has signed a five-year cooperative R&D agreement (CRADA) with the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) aimed at establishing AM process, materials and software that accelerate the industrialization and adoption of the manufacturing technology.
Spanish footwear brand Camper, recognized for its stylish yet casual and comfy shoes for men and women, has found its own way to benefit from 3D printing technologies. At its headquarters in Inca, on the island of Mallorca, Camper has installed a number of desktop 3D printers from Barcelona’s BCN3D Technologies, which are helping to streamline its shoe design process.
Electronics 3D printing company Nano Dimension has signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Chungbuk Technopark (CBTP), a non-profit research institute focused on the smart IT, consumer goods, transportation, energy and bio-health sectors. The collaboration will see the partners working together to advance electronics 3D printing and applications.
Swedish company Sandvik inaugurated a new titanium powder plant in Sandviken last week by hosting an on-theme grand opening celebration. Over 150 people attended the event—including customers and key stakeholders—which marked a significant step ahead for the company in addressing the metal powder market for additive manufacturing.
One of the most production-capable photopolymerization technologies, digital light synthesis (DSL) from Carbon, had not yet gotten involved in the eyewear business. Until now, that is, as J of JINS, a luxury eyewear brand from Japan, just launched its Neuron4D brand, with two models integrating a lattice cushion made using Carbon technology.
SAE International released the first Additive Manufacturing (AM) Polymer specifications for the aerospace industry. AMS7100: Fuse Filament Fabrication Process and AMS7101: Material for Fused Filament Fabrication represent the first specifications released under the AMS-AM Additive Manufacturing Non-Metallic (AMS-AM-P) committee. These standards were created following a request from airlines through the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s EMG to be able to realize additively manufactured plastic cabin parts.
Despite major developments in technology, 3D printing still intimidates many newer users. Many of the assumptions regarding 3D printing are steeped in confusion about its uses, popularity, and price. Consumers often view 3D printers as million-dollar devices when, in reality, consumer-grade tech costs $700 on average, with professional quality printers rivaling industrial machines at the mid-4-figure price range.
Texas-based bourbon brand Bulleit is taking its recent 3D theme in stride. In April, the company unveiled an elaborate 3D printed bar (as well as 3D printed cocktails) as part of a marketing campaign. Now, it is taking things a step further with a pair of 3D printed sneakers. The limited-edition shoes were unveiled last night at the Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier Experience in Dallas.