News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Alan Amling, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at UPS, went on record on the UPS Longitudes blog saying that of all the ways 3D printing will change the world, the democratization of manufacturing is perhaps the most important. Think of it as the Uberization of manufacturing, where supply can be accessed anywhere in the world to produce goods at the click of button.
Solidscape, the leading manufacturer of high precision 3D wax printers for the jewelry industry, and a subsidiary of Stratasys, announced the winners of the seventh annual Baselworld Design Competition. As the focal point of the watch and jewelry industry, Baselworld inspires industry leaders and top designers to showcase their creations and innovations on a worldwide stage. Every year Solidscape provides designers the opportunity to receive international recognition for their work.
Leading orthopedic implant manufacturer Stryker presented its Spine division’s latest 3D printed Tritanium Posterior Lumbar (PL) Cage and introduced a variety of new cage sizes at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting that just took place in San Diego.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GE Additive (NYSE: GE) to collaborate on 3D printing, additive manufacturing and digital technologies for the forthcoming ‘Industrial Internet’. This is in line with DEWA’s vision to be a sustainable innovative world-class utility and strengthen the efficiency of electricity generation, distribution and transmission.
US and New Zealand based rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab has closed a $75m Series D financing round, led by Data Collective, with additional investors Promus Ventures and an undisclosed investor. The company has partnered with this group of investors because of their experience in the space industry. They have also renewed participation in this round from existing investors – Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and K1W1 – who have provided continued expertise and support in the company’s effort to make space accessible to everyone. The closure of the round brings the total funding Rocket Lab has received to date to $148 million, with the company value now in excess of $1 billion (USD). Currently, small satellite companies wait years to get on orbit, often at the mercy and schedules of larger payloads. With Electron, they will be provided a high-frequency, quality launch service that will take customers where they want to go, when they want to fly. The commercial and humanitarian applications this will open up are endless. The satellites Electron will launch are used to provide optimized crop monitoring, natural disaster prediction, Internet from space, improved weather reporting, up-to-date maritime data and search and rescue services.
US and New Zealand based rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab has closed a $75m Series D financing round, led by Data Collective, with additional investors Promus Ventures and an undisclosed investor. The company has partnered with this group of investors because of their experience in the space industry. They have also renewed participation in this round from existing investors – Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and K1W1 – who have provided continued expertise and support in the company’s effort to make space accessible to everyone. The closure of the round brings the total funding Rocket Lab has received to date to $148 million, with the company value now in excess of $1 billion (USD). Currently, small satellite companies wait years to get on orbit, often at the mercy and schedules of larger payloads. With Electron, they will be provided a high-frequency, quality launch service that will take customers where they want to go, when they want to fly. The commercial and humanitarian applications this will open up are endless. The satellites Electron will launch are used to provide optimized crop monitoring, natural disaster prediction, Internet from space, improved weather reporting, up-to-date maritime data and search and rescue services.
Kabuku Inc, the leading digital manufacturing service provider in Japan, is launching Kabuku MMS version 2.0 today. Previously marketed under the brand name “Rinkak” (Kabuku’s online B2C 3D printing marketplace), MMS is now officially part of the Kabuku family of products, solutions and services.
US West Coast (Oakland and Seattle) based FATHOM, an advanced manufacturer of prototypes and production parts with an expertise in 3D printing, expanded it offer of on-site managed services that enhance a company’s in-house 3D printer and additive manufacturing equipment operations. This comprehensive and customizable staffing approach allows machine owners to maximize investments with highly trained experts who accelerate implementation, streamline workflow, and decrease downtime.
As WearTesters.com first reported sports brand Under Armour showed off its new Architech Futurist sneakers, with fully 3D printed soles, at the brand’s fashion show for its FW17 collection. The shoes, still in limited edition, will be available to buy in select stores on March 30th for $300.
When 3Design first entered the New Zealand 3D printing market, they thought that this innovative technology would spark a surge in a range of consumers from business owners to hobbyists to integrate 3D printing into their lives. The team soon discovered that there was a high demand for 3D printing from businesses, but a lack of demand from the general public. People who wanted to try out 3D printing did not want to have to buy an expensive 3D printer or keep up with its maintenance. The idea of 3D printing seemed intimidating because of the knowledge needed to successfully operate a printer to get the outcome you are looking for.