News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Aerospace startup Relativity Space has been granted a new patent for its autonomous 3D printing technology. The patent covers the company’s innovative machine-learning metal additive manufacturing platform which it leverages to produce rockets and launch vehicles for space.
Dutch 3D printer manufacturer FELIXprinters has introduced two new large-format 3D printers for industrial applications: the FELIX Pro L and Pro XL. The announcement further reinforces the company’s commitment to meeting the FDM-related demands of the industrial 3D printing market.
Airbus will stop production of its giant Airbus A380 models due to low demand for the huge and hugely expensive aircraft. This is not something directly related to 3D printing but it does affect the AM industry indirectly as Airbus is Europe’s largest user of AM technologies and the A380 did feature a number of 3D printed parts.
In time for the New York Toy Fair next week, 3Doodler has announced the addition of a range of new products to its 3D pen portfolio. The new products—which include 3Doodler’s first mobile app as well as its 2019 3Doodler EDU, Create+ and Start product lines—signal the company’s continued dedication to education through play.
Typically, when one thinks of additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry, it is of cutting edge metal AM technologies, used to fabricate complex parts. However, the vast number of applications within the aerospace field also calls for other AM processes, including FDM polymer capabilities. To fulfill this need, leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus has partnered with desktop 3D printing company Ultimaker.
Bringing the latest 3D Printing Media Network AM Focus on Orthopedic Implants to its climax, 3dpbm hosted a new webinar focusing on the market opportunities for 3D printed implants. Market leader GE Additive and pioneering company Oxford Performance Materials presented their technological approach and business models within the context presented with a preview of data from the upcoming SmarTech Publishing report on Opportunities in 3D Orthopedics.
California-based medical manufacturing (or “Medifacturing”) company PrinterPrezz has signed a customer agreement with medical device company SI-BONE, Inc. to develop services for advanced 3D printed orthopedic devices and implants. The companies will leverage PrinterPrezz’s expertise in metal 3D printing, nanotechnologies and surgery to come up with next-gen medical devices.
British aerospace company Orbex has flown slightly under the radar when it comes to additive manufacturing. Until now, that is. The company has revealed that it manufactured the world’s largest metal rocket engine 3D printed in a single piece. The Orbex launcher was 3D printed using the SLM800 metal 3D printer from German AM company SLM Solutions.
Stratasys has announced a new partnership with Andretti Autosport, a top racing team in IndyCar, Indy Lights, Rallycross and Formula E. The collaboration consists of a multi-year agreement through which Andretti will utilize Stratasys’ FDM 3D printing technology and materials to accelerate the design and development of its racing platforms.
NASA astronauts have reportedly installed the first combination 3D printer and plastic recycling system aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The device, called the Refabricator, was developed by Tethers Unlimited and will enable astronauts to not only 3D print in space but also recycle and reuse plastic materials.