News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Branch Technology, the Chattanooga, Tennessee company behind the C-FAB construction 3D printing technique, recently presented what it is calling the world’s largest 3D printed structure. The structure, unveiled as part of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures last week, is located at Nashville’s OneC1TY business center.
Italy-based print provider Colorzenith 3D printed a life-size replica of a classic Italian car, the Lancia B24 for the Don Pasquale opera, performed in Europe’s largest opera house, La Scala in Milan, Italy. The set designers, Davide Livermore together with Giò Forma Studio, required a lightweight car for an iconic scene where soprano, Rosa Feola, descends from the ceiling to the stage while sitting in the car.
Chinese company Jinshi3D also operates as Kings3D and specializes in researching, producing and selling industrial SLA 3D printers (and providing relative 3D printing services using its technology). China’s widespread adoption of SLA technology offers yet another demonstration of how fast the Chinese AM market is growing by making technologies and materials more affordable. The impressive set of castles that Kings3D built for a client offers some insight into the company’s SLA production capabilities.
Printrbot, a desktop 3D printer manufacturer that came onto the scene in 2011, has regrettably announced it is shutting its doors. The company’s website indicates that low sales were the reason for it closing down.
Russian company AMT-SPECAVIA recently introduced a new line of construction 3D printers in Yekaterinburg for the INNOPROM international trade show. Among the new machines is the AMT S-500, marketed as being the largest construction printer in the world, and the AMT S-300.
From GE Additive’s many announcements to Norsk TItanium’s updates, the Farnborough Airshow in the UK has been a hotbed for aerospace AM news this week. One of the latest stories to come out of the international event is a collaboration between metal powder producer LPW Technology and metal AM company Additive Industries. Through the partnership, the companies say they will work together to further integrate industrial additive manufacturing of metal parts for the aerospace industry and other high-end applications.
German chemical giant BASF and Belgian 3D printing company Materialise will be expanding an existing partnership to advance materials and software for the additive manufacturing market. BASF has also announced it will be investing $25 million into Materialise.
As part of an initiative to develop next-generation advanced materials and manufacturing processes, Lockheed Martin and Arconic, signed a two-year Joint Development Agreement (JDA). Together, the companies will develop customized lightweight material systems and advanced manufacturing processes, such as metal 3D printing, to advance current and next-generation aerospace and defense solutions—including new structures and systems not currently in existence.
As part of an initiative to develop next-generation advanced materials and manufacturing processes, Lockheed Martin and Arconic, signed a two-year Joint Development Agreement (JDA). Together, the companies will develop customized lightweight material systems and advanced manufacturing processes, such as metal 3D printing, to advance current and next-generation aerospace and defense solutions—including new structures and systems not currently in existence.
On one hand, the acknowledgment by the EU Parliament of the growing impact that 3D printing is having on just about every segment of manufacturing can be welcomed as a positive evolution. On the other hand CECIMO – the European Machine Tool Industry Association – is warning against the risk that EU 3D printing regulations may hold if not properly thought out.