News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia have developed a custom 3D bioprinter dedicated specifically to treating microtia, a congenital deformity that results in an underdeveloped external ear. The bespoke bioprinter, named 3D Alek, was recently installed at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Sydney.
Though not broadly adopted yet, 3D printed spinal implants have the potential to change the landscape for spine-related surgeries, as they can be customized to fit the patient’s anatomy perfectly—unlike more commonly used off-the-shelf implants. However, a number of challenges still stand in the way of the broad implementation of the bespoke 3D printed implants, largely related to cost, complexity of process and standards.
Imagine you are a large 2D printer manufacturer and you wish to get into the 3D printing game. You will probably think that if you create a great machine, 20% of your revenue will come from the machine sales and the rest will come from the materials. When we are talking about ink for 2D printers, whether you print a Mona Lisa or your shopping list on a piece of paper, the value and cost of the application is the same. In that case, it doesn’t really seem to matter what your customers print.
South by Southwest (SXSW) kicks off next week in Austin, Texas, and there seems to be something interesting for just about everyone. Though the event might be most popular for its huge music festival, SXSW also consists of a range of conferences, covering topics from cryptocurrency to design to health and medtech. This year, 3D printing will be making an appearance at the global event, with a focus on its medical applications.
3D printing service provider Shapeways has announced a new collaboration with digital manufacturing company Carbon. As of today, select Shapeways customers will be able to order prints made using Carbon’s innovative Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology. The partnership broadens Shapeways 3D printing services portfolio.
Boston-based AM company Fortify is teaming up with multinational science company DSM to develop high performance composite resin materials for 3D printing structural parts. The partnership will combine Fortify’s innovative Digital Composite Manufacturing (DCM) technology and DSM’s expertise in resin development to bring new, higher performing 3D printing composites to market.
A team of students from Northern Illinois University are leveraging design and 3D printing technologies to help product development company RadMax consolidate and improve its proprietary axial vane rotary devices.
SmarTech Analysis, the leading industry analysis firm specializing in additive manufacturing (AM) markets, has published a new report on AM adoption in the eyewear industry titled, “Markets for 3D-Printed Eyewear 2019-2028”. The report forecasts that the 3D printed eyewear market will grow significatopntly over the next decade, driven by the demand of AM for final parts production.
AMFG, a UK-based developer of workflow software for additive manufacturing, has announced the opening of a new international office in Munich, Germany. The new location marks the company’s first office in Germany and signals its intentions to continue its global growth.
Digital Metal has received notice of completion of product testing and authorization to apply the UL Mark to its metal binder jetting system DM P2500. The company is also presenting two new supported meta alloys: Inconel 625 and the very interesting MAR 247.