News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
IAAC, the Institute for Advanced Architecture, continues its research towards 3D printing architecture with local earthen materials by completing a housing prototype in the natural park of Collseolla, in the outskirts of Barcelona, this winter. The result is a small constructed prototype with 100% natural and locally sourced material recipes that will be inaugurated with a live event on February 28th [register here].
The importance of data in metal additive manufacturing cannot be overstated. It is data—derived from materials, hardware, process and more—that enables additive manufacturing companies and users to improve the technology and its output, to streamline workflows and achieve greater efficiency. But data can be notoriously difficult to navigate and visualize, which makes it challenging to transform it into actionable insights. AddUp, a global metal additive manufacturing company that was formed out of Fives and Michelin, aims to make 3D printing data more accessible for its metal AM systems through its new AddUp Dashboards software, released in February 2022.
3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) entered into an agreement to acquire Kumovis, a Munich, Germany-based additive manufacturing solutions provider for personalized healthcare applications. Kumovis’ solutions are built upon their unique extrusion technology specifically developed for precision printing of medical-grade, high-performance polymers such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone).
Researchers have used volumetric 3D printing to fabricate drug-loaded tablets within a matter of seconds, reportedly for the first time.
Earlier this year, BCN3D Technologies announced that its strive for innovation had led its 3D printing experts to never-before-seen 3D printing technology, using high viscosity resins. Developed over the last three years, the patented Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) provoked mass interest worldwide, with more than 500 companies registering to become early adopters of the development of this ecosystem. BCN3D, in a response to the demand, has partnered with Arkema, and Henkel, to obtain material properties and applications otherwise unreachable with other resin-based technologies, and has committed to delivering 20 VLM printers to 20 of the companies currently enlisted in its Technology Adoption Program, during Spring 2023.
Materialise, a global leader in 3D printing solutions, paves the way toward a sustainable eyewear industry by expanding its range of materials to include Polyamide 11 (PA11). The 100% bio-based polymer is made from sustainably farmed castor beans and offers excellent properties for eyewear. By addressing overproduction, the fashion industry’s biggest environmental challenge, 3D printing helps brands meet the expectations of environmentally conscious eyewear consumers.
Sauber Technologies has extended its technology partnership with metal additive manufacturing leader, Additive Industries for a further three years. Sauber Technologies has been using Additive Industries’ MetalFAB platform for metal additive manufacturing (AM) since 2017, with a current count of four systems in-house as the company embarks on new, ambitious projects for third-party customers. Sauber Technologies is also part of the same group as Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN.
Spanish start-up ATHOS, is looking to change the sports footwear industry with a first-of-its-kind 3D printed climbing shoe, made to fit the feet and needs of each climber using HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing.
During a virtual event titled “The Xometry Marketplace: Powering Tomorrow’s Supply Chain”, Xometry launched a suite of new digital products, including – The Industrial Buying Engine on Thomasnet.com, and Workcenter (an all-in-one “manufacturing execution system”). The company has also opened the new Workcenter to third-party developers.
Czinger Vehicles is expanding its global reach, with H.R. Owen as its first international retail partner and exclusive Czinger dealer in the U.K. The alignment opens up the European market to the Los Angeles-based automotive brand as sales begin for its first production car, the pathbreaking 21C, a marvel of modern engineering which integrated dozens of 3D printed parts in its body structure.