News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
GKN Aerospace is improving production times and removing design constraints for multiple tooling applications since integrating Stratasys additive manufacturing at its Filton manufacturing site in the UK.
Despite the fear mongering surrounding 3D printed guns that has dominated most 3D printing-related discourse in the mainstream media lately, there are certain, much more real and immediate safety concerns within additive manufacturing. As the Internet Storm Center (ISC) recently reported, one of those concerns comes from users of 3D printer monitoring software OctoPrint.
Optomec, a leading global supplier of production-grade additive manufacturing systems for 3D printed metals, is introducing the new Optomec LENS 860 Hybrid Controlled Atmosphere (CA) System. This latest addition to the Optomec LENS Machine Tool Series has a larger build volume and supports higher laser power, providing more capabilities for affordable, high-quality metal hybrid manufacturing. The system will be on display at upcoming IMTS in Chicago.
Barcelona-based 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies has introduced two new 3D printers: the Sigma R19 and the Sigmax R19. Both 3D printers integrate new dual extrusion systems and a slew of other features for better quality, more reliable desktop 3D printing.
Solidscape is one of the most focused and consolidated companies in the world of 3D printing, one which has remained more focused on its end products rather than the process. The company, specializing in wax 3D printing technologies, has found a significant niche in the AM sector, appealing to industries such as jewelry for its rapid manufacturing (rather than rapid prototyping) solutions.
Volkswagen, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, is inviting designers and innovators to come up with 3D printable designs to take its I.D. Buzz vehicle to the next level. The crowdsourcing initiative, called Print your Buzz, is hosted via the open innovation platform jovoto and aims to generate original and innovative ideas for “customizable and/or functional” elements for the VW van.
Roboze, the Italian leading manufacturer of industrial-grade thermal extrusion 3D printers for advanced polymers named Emanuele D’Addario new EMEA sales & business development manager. D’Addario is one of the leading experts in the additive manufacturing market. His career in this segment spans 10 years and has been dedicated to problem-solving, in pursuit of the best solutions to meet the needs of manufacturing enterprises, in Italy and Europe.
Dimension Inx, a developer of 3D printing and especially bioprinting materials, has announced a new distribution partnership with Advanced BioMatrix, a manufacturer and distributor of bioink and cell culture products. Through the agreement, Advanced BioMatrix will become the first company to distribute ready-to-use 3D printed scaffolds made using Dimension Inx’s 3D-Paint materials.
There is no question that additive manufacturing has been a dream technology for restorers of vintage or rare cars. Our latest example of how the two fields have overlapped beautifully is coming from the Goodwood Revival automotive festival, where an ultra-rare, fully restored Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 sports car will be on show.
Regardless of the enormous challenges it still needs to overcome, and the investments it will still require, the next generation of additive manufacturing technologies for automated, optimized, high scale production is coming. Within this scenario, the first NextGenAM facility in this collaborative project has been put into operation at Premium AEROTEC’s technology center in Varel. Aerostructures supplier Premium AEROTEC, automotive manufacturer Daimler, and 3D printing system manufacturer EOS have joined forces to fundamentally develop the next generation of additive manufacturing. The goal of the project is to develop a complete production cell capable of manufacturing aluminum components for the automotive and aerospace industries.