News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Computer graphics hardware and software giant NVIDIA revealed its intention to begin targeting real GVDB voxel-level 3D printing through both dedicated software and hardware. This strategy is meant to target the current limitations in 3D printing objects that are made of several different materials and parts. Identified challenges in 3D printing include multiple colors, differing densities and the use of a mix of materials.
The new TU Darmstadt racecar for the current Formula Student competition contains no fewer than five ultralight 3D printed components from Heraeus. A steering shaft made from a special aluminum alloy (AlSi10Mg) is nearly 50% lighter than the model that preceded it. The new steering shaft, designed and printed by Heraeus precisely to the specifications of the TU Darmstadt racing team, now weighs barely 300 grams while maintaining the same mechanical strength and stability.
Disney has filed a patent for a “3D printing method for printing three dimensional (3D) objects that are difficult to copy by use of a 3D scanner and 3D printer”. While the idea is not overly complex – it is mostly a matter of using materials which are difficult to be picked up by the 3D scanner’s cameras – it shows how far 3D printing has come in terms of a potential production method for consumer products – with all the issues, such as copyright, IP and 3D scanning protection, that follow.
Nano Dimension Ltd., a leader in the field of 3D printed electronics developed novel copper nanoparticles that are resistant to oxidation and fuse into a conductive line after sintering process at temperatures lower than 160 degrees Celsius.
Amsterdam-based software company Beamler has developed a plug & play cloud-based software solution that empowers every manufacturer to reap the full benefits of large-scale 3D printing. A growing number of large manufacturers are adopting 3D printing but the majority experience implementation barriers and operational issues. Beamler helps those manufacturers to make the transition to new production techniques like 3D printing much easier, faster and cheaper.
With the inauguration of Moon Jaein, the new president in South Korea, the government’s emphasis on the fourth industrial revolution, which includes 3D printers and its derivatives, is still going strong. In Korea, starting around 2011, the number of 3D printing companies have risen and fallen, but there is one 3D printer company that has been growing constantly. That is HyVISION SYSTEM, which presumably moves the most of such products in Korea.
Mazak Canada is now the latest addition to the Canada Makes network of company active in additive manufacturing as a leadership level partner. Mazak has been contributing to the development of the machine tool industry as a leading global company since 1919 and adding their expertise is a big plus to our network.
The railroad infrastructure is what really made America great. Today, much like other key infrastructures in the US, the US train network is having a hard time keeping up with the advancements made by other regions including Europe and Asia. While we wait for Elon Musk’s hyperloop, Union Pacific is applying 3D printing technology to make locomotive operations safer and more efficient, much like NASA is finding ways to use 3D printing to provide necessities for colonizing Mars.
The new products officially launched by Polish 3D printer manufacturer Zortrax include the Zortrax Inventure printer and DSS station, Z-PLA Pro and Z-ASA Pro materials, and Z-SUITE version 2.0. This is the biggest single launch event for Zortrax since its establishment.
As hospitals and surgeons continue to see the value and discover new applications for 3D printed models, more are bringing 3D printing operations to a point of care setting. To address the growing demand for 3D printing, Leuven, Belgium-based 3D printing solutions provider Materialise will host a course on implementing 3D Printing in Hospitals and in the medical field. The course will take place June 11-13, 2017 at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan.