News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Raise3D, a 3D printer manufacturer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has unveiled its latest 3D printer model, the E2. The new machine, described as a multi-purpose, user-friendly, industrial-grade 3D printer, is part of a new series of printers that are being developed by Raise3D for specific materials, applications and industries.
Additive manufacturing of end-use consumer products still has a long way to but every day more steps are made towards achieving that goal. For now, it remains more about highly customized and exclusive products, rather than mass-produced ones, and the first thing that pops up is that these products are becoming more and more appealing. While true appreciation of the futuristic, natural and complex forms made possible by 3D printing may still be confined to a niche of first adopters, products such as the generative 3D printed shoe collection introduced by studio Ica & Kostika are sure to draw a wider public’s awe.
This is not the first time we’ve seen 3D printing take cosplay to the next level, but it is easily one of the most impressive projects we’ve ever seen. Aaron Warbinek, a Vancouver-based teacher and Star Wars enthusiast, has painstakingly created a wearable, fully functional Darth Vader suit and helmet. The suit, which is now seeking funding on Kickstarter, will take you straight to the dark side.
Renishaw, a UK-based specialist in metal AM, is reportedly considering a potential reorganization and consolidation of its additive manufacturing business by co-locating its AM engineering, marketing and commercial activities at its New Mills headquarters in Gloucestershire, England. If the plan goes ahead, the production of AM systems will continue at Renishaw’s Miskin site near Cardiff, South Wales.
Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) is reportedly preparing to introduce 3D printed landscape furniture and architectural elements to new estates being built in Tengah and Bidadari. The announcement, reported by The Straits Times, suggests that Singapore’s Housing Board is interested in exploring the potential of 3D printing not just for design or furniture elements but also for construction applications.
Earlier this year, France-based custom motorbike manufacturer VIBA unveiled a contemporary reimagining of the classic 1970s Honda Monkey motorcycle. The bike, called “Jane,” draws inspiration from the original vehicle’s retro aesthetic but adds more modern touches, including a series of aluminum 3D printed parts.
3D printing service Shapeways and 3D software developer ZVerse, Inc. have entered into a partnership through which Shapeways will offer its customers access to ZVerse’s CAD as a Service (CADaaS) platform to improve 3D file design and optimization workflows.
Sports technology company GuardLab Inc. has teamed up with hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer Hockey to bring to market a new line of 3D printed mouthguards. The protective gear, produced using 3D scanning and printing, will become available this month under the Bauer APEX and APEX Lite Mouthguard product series.
3D Systems has received additional 510(k) clearance for its D2P (DICOM-to-PRINT) software for the medical industry. The software, which enables clinicians to easily 3D print patient-specific anatomical models, works in tandem with 3D Systems’ 3D printers to create models for a range of medical areas, including cardiovascular, craniofacial, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurological and musculoskeletal applications.
GE Additive is today inaugurating a new 40,000-square-meter campus in Lichtenfels, Germany, which will become the new official home for GE Additive Concept Laser. The new Bavarian facility, called GE Additive Lichtenfels, will help the additive manufacturing specialist to meet growing customer demands and transition into additive serial production.