News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland has entered into a new partnership with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) and TWI Ltd to bring the production of space propellant tanks back to the UK. The agreement marks the AFRC’s first foray into the space industry.
California-based 3D printing company Airwolf 3D has released the latest 3D printer in its EVO series, the EVO R. Made in the United States, the new 3D printer was developed with dependability, safety and efficiency in mind and is being marketed to the engineering, design and primarily education segments.
Western Sydney is gearing up to become a central hub for additive manufacturing in Australia thanks in large part to a new partnership between the New South Wales (NSW) Government and GE Additive. The parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of developing industrial scale 3D printing solutions at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Independent footwear brand Oliver Cabell has entered the blossoming market of 3D printed shoes with the release of its new “Phoenix” sneaker. Priced at $95, the simple but stylish shoe is 3D printed from recycled water bottles and can be machine washed.
Winsun Yingchuang Building Techniques (Shanghai) Co. Ltd is working closely with the Chinese Shanghai Academy of Building Research (SRIBS) on standardization of construction 3D printing materials (Ink) and 3D product standards. Professor-level Senior Engineer Ms. Ye Beihong of SRIBS presented the technical results of the research conducted on the additive manufacturing (3D printing) materials (Ink) and other 3D products produced by Winsun (Yingchuang Building Techniques) in Shanghai.
Composites One, a specialist in composite materials, and Tru-Design LLC, an expert in coatings for large-area 3D printed polymer-based products, recently signed a distribution agreement. The partnership will focus on the sale of Tru-Design’s material coatings and finishes, which impart professionally smooth surfaces and vacuum integrity for large-format 3D printed tools and cosmetic parts.
As readers of this website know well, we focus on providing key market insights on additive manufacturing industry operators, working and collaborating with many of the top global companies in this effort. However we can also appreciate DIY 3D printing projects, especially when they are truly impressive, such as the recent Lamborghini replica and any life-size 3D printing project. This latest one brought to our attention by 3D printing celeb Anouk Wipprecht is pretty damn awesome, especially in light of this writer’s past experience as a gaming industry journalist: a functional, life-size, fully 3D printed Portal turret, created by Dutch engineer Yvo de Hass and posted on his YTEC initiative website.
Industrial computed tomography (CT) analysis software developer Volume Graphics is participating in a joint project with the Kunststoff-Institut in Germany and a number of industrial players. The project will focus on rapid tooling and specifically on improving the use of additive manufacturing for the rapid prototyping of plastic mold inserts. Volume Graphics’ role in the collaborative project will leverage its knowledge of quality assurance and process optimization.
An interdisciplinary team at Penn State University was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the College of Engineering’s Engineering for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ENGINE) program, along with additional $25,000 from the College of Arts and Architecture, to pursue a concrete 3D printing project.
GoPrint3D, a UK-based supplier of 3D printing technologies, is the newest addition to HP’s UK channel partner program and will begin supplying HP’s Jet Fusion 3D printing systems to its network of customers.