News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
When exploring the new developments, opportunities and challenges of additive manufacturing, mass production and especially manufacturing dimensions represent a significant obstacle. During Formnext 2018, we had the opportunity to discuss such challenges with Dr. Ricardo Osiroff, VP Industrial Solutions of Massivit 3D.
Plastic consumption and plastic pollution are key contributors to the globe’s climate crisis. A non-renewable material, plastic has become a ubiquitous part of our day-to-day lives, as we buy products made of it and too frequently throw it away. As plastic continues to take its toll on our environment, it is at least a little bit heartening to see how certain people and organizations are facing the problem head on, often in creative and innovative ways.
The U.S. Air Force has revealed that it installed a titanium 3D printed component on an operational F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft this past December. The 3D printed part, a secondary bracket component, enabled Air Force technicians speed up the replacement of a damaged part on the aircraft.
Evonik has acquired Structured Polymers Inc., a US-based technology startup for 3D printing materials headquartered in Austin, Texas. A corresponding agreement and plan of merger were executed and the transaction has been closed recently. The acquisition will provide Evonik access to a new patented technology that will allow the company to expand its portfolio of specialty polymer powders in the additive manufacturing market.
Though we often write about how 3D printing is impacting automotive design, we don’t often see the technology being used to augment the display of a vehicle. As BMW recently demonstrated, however, 3D printing can be used to take an automotive unveiling to a whole new level.
Prodways, a French 3D printing company owned by Groupe Gorgé, has launched a new DLP 3D printer through its own subsidiary Solidscape Inc. The machine, the SolidscapeDL, marks the first 3D printer launch for Solidscape since it was acquired by Prodways six months ago.
Additive Orthopaedics, a New Jersey-based producer of next-gen orthopaedic devices for the foot and ankle, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Patient Specific 3D Printed Locking Lattice Plates. The recently approved 3D printed device is designated for the alignment, stabilization and fusion of fractures, osteotomies and arthrodesis of the foot, ankle or other small bones.
Optomec, a leader in industrial metal additive manufacturing solutions, has announced a partnership with Phillips Federal, the largest supplier of manufacturing equipment to the U.S. government. The partnership will enable Phillips Federal to resell Optomec Laser Engineering Net Shaping (LENS) systems to government agencies.
Copper3D Inc. a Chilean/US based company that developed and commercialized a range of antibacterial filaments for 3D printing has signed a distribution agreement for the European market with UK-based 3D GBIRE, which, incidentally, says a lot about the current status of the “Brexit” process.
Shanghai has officially unveiled its latest piece of innovative architecture: a 15-meter-long 3D printed footbridge. The pedestrian bridge, 3D printed in partnership with Polymaker, a Chinese developer of 3D printing materials, is the first of its kind in China.