News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
October is known for a few things: autumnal foliage, Halloween and—of course—the launch of Stratasys’ annual Extreme Redesign Challenge. The contest, which has been sponsored by Stratasys for the past 15 years, aims to promote the use of 3D printing for reinventing and radically redesigning existing objects.
GE is preparing to begin the mass production of 3D printed parts for the GEnx jet engine that powers Boeing 747s. The 3D printed GEnx part, a rib-sized bracket that holds the engine cover open during servicing, will mark the first program certified by GE for its Concept Laser metal AM system. GE Aviation will begin producing the parts this month at its factory in Auburn, Alabama.
Boeing and Thermwood are collaborating on employing additive manufacturing technology to produce a large, single-piece tool for the 777X program. The project is based on a new process going by the acronym VLP (vertical layer printing) and is demonstrating that additive manufacturing is able to generate production-quality tooling for the aerospace industry.
As we’ve so many times reported in the past – and in our dedicated Construction 3D Printing section – this unique segment of additive manufacturing is booming and represents one of the most significant revenue opportunities for AM on a global scale. In order to promote the use of additive manufacturing in the construction industry as well, Formnext and the Technical University (TU) Darmstadt have agreed on a joint venture. This means that in the next few years the construction industry will become a stronger theme of the leading international trade fair for additive manufacturing and the next generation of industrial production.
Construction 3D printing technology by AMT Spetsavia, one of the most prolific companies in this segment, was used to restore – almost from scratch – a gorgeous water fountain in the ancient Russian city of Palekh, in the Ivanovo region. This marks the first time 3D printing of cement materials was used to work on such a large landmark in Russia and the first largely 3D printed water fountain in the world.
Is 3D printing truly going to become a technology for mass production? And if so, when? What and how many final parts have been 3D printed? GE is helping us shed some light on this topic. After the company’s additive and medical divisions reported that 100,000 hip cups have been 3D printed to date, now GE Aviation is reporting that 30,000 fuel nozzles have been 3D printed for its LEAP engines.
For decades, Britain automotive brand MINI has kept its vehicles stylish, timeless and, of course, mini. But the continued popularity isn’t by mere chance, as MINI has diligently stayed the course, knowing what its customers want and delivering on those wants. The latest car model to be introduced by MINI is the Cooper S GT Edition. The limited edition car has just been launched in France.
Aleph Objects Inc., known for its LulzBot 3D printing products, has appointed Grant Flaharty, the former President and COO of 3D Systems, as its new President. Flaharty, who acted as President and COO of 3D Systems between 1998 and 2006, more recently served as the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of German extrusion machine company battenfeld-cincinnati.
Typically cracks or fissures in concrete are a sure sign that a structure is compromised or weakened. A team of researchers from Purdue University, however, are turning that idea on its head with the development of 3D printed cement structures that are actually made stronger by the material’s inherent weaknesses, especially during moments of extreme stress, like in a wildfire or earthquake.
Lumi Industries, an Italian manufacturer of resin-based 3D printers, will be unveiling its latest product, the New Lumifold, at the upcoming Maker Faire in Rome. At the event, held from October 12 to 14, Lumi Industries will showcase its new system, which it calls the “most compact 3D printer ever.”