News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Titomic Limited, an Australian metal 3D printing company, has appointed Nathanael Miller, a former Aerospace Technologist for NASA, as its new Chief Technology Officer. Miller will bring his many years of experience in the aerospace sector to develop commercial opportunities for Titomic with industry, government, academic and research partners with a particular focus on the emerging commercial space industry.
Automotive manufacturing company Continental has opened a new 3D printing competence center at its electronics facility in Karben, Germany. The additive manufacturing center will be run by the company’s experienced Continental Engineering Services team and will serve all of the company’s divisions, producing 3D printed components both internally and for external customers.
It is inspiring to see the leaps and bounds that additive manufacturing has made in recent years. In the automotive industry especially, the evolution of additive manufacturing is apparent, transitioning from an experimental early prototyping process to a full prototyping and even production technology. 3D printing giant 3D Systems has been along for the ride—often behind the proverbial wheel—showing us the full automotive potential of its AM systems.
Following a spate of horrific vehicle-related terror incidents around the world in recent years, there has been a growing effort to find effective yet subtle ways to protect pedestrians in busy areas. In London, following the London Bridge attack in 2017, conspicuous metal and concrete barriers were installed on the city’s main bridges. Though effective, they are not the most elegant solution and have drawn their fair share of criticism. In New York City’s Times Square, designer Joe Doucet recently introduced an alternative protective barrier, that blends into the urban setting.
Last year, Nano Dimension and technology company Harris Corporation achieved a breakthrough in 3D printed electronics with the production of a radio frequency (RF) amplifier. Now, the companies will further their cooperation by jointly developing hardware destined for the International Space Station. The recent partnership, supported by a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority, aims to establish a systemic ground analysis of 3D printed materials for RF space systems, such as Nano-satellites.
Northern Italy-based Aidro Hydraulics & 3D Printing is part of a Joint Innovation Programs (JIPs) focused on 3D printing of functional production parts for the Oil, Gas and Maritime industries. Participating companies in the project include giants such as Equinor, BP, Total, Rolls Royce Marine, TechnipFMC, Vallourec. Members include companies specialized in additive manufacturing such as Aidro, SLM Solutions, Additive Industries, Voestalpine, OCAS, Ivaldi Group, Quintus, HIPtec, University of Strathclyde and Siemens.
Amastan Technologies, a manufacturer of advanced ceramic, metal and composites materials, has made a couple of big announcements that move it more into the additive sphere. First, the company has successfully raised $11 million in funding through a Series B-2 round led by VC firm Anzu Partners. And second, the Massachusetts-based company has acquired Pennsylvania-based titanium producer AL Solutions, Inc. The new funding will enable Amastan to expand operations in Pittsburgh, combining its own technology with AL Solutions’ titanium process, by building a new facility for manufacturing additive manufacturing metal powders.
Jewelry designer Christian Tse has been in the business since 1996, when he launched his signature collection of platinum and gold mesh jewelry. Since then, his pieces have gone on to be worn by many notable people, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Manufacturing services company Jabil has entered into an agreement with Renault F1 Team to accelerate the development and delivery of 3D printed parts for the Renault R.S. 19 race car. The vehicle now competing in the 2019 Formula One World Championship, and, despite a fairly disappointing result in Monaco (9th place), it could get the competitive edge it needs thanks to 3D printed parts.
For the 5th year running, 3D printing service bureau Sculpteo has released its State of 3D Printing report, providing insights into the industry’s users, adoption, application areas and more. This year, for the first time, the broad study is also accompanied by the first edition of The State of Women in 3D Printing report, compiled in collaboration with Women in 3D Printing.