News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
SQ4D has listed for sale the first 3D printed home in the United States. This residential property, printed on-site using SQ4D’s Autonomous Robotic Construction System (ARCS), is the first commercial 3D printed house slated to receive a certificate of occupancy and is listed on MLS for sale as new construction for $299,999.
ANM (Azienda Napoletana Mobilità S.p.A.), the traditional Neapolitan public transport company, is collaborating with local AM service provider 3DnA to restore and maintain the mobility of its lines in the city of Naples. The production of needed replacement parts was made possible by re-engineering and 3D printing mechanical components no longer available from their supply chain, where the original technical documentation and drawings could not be recovered.
3D Systems significantly expanded its focus on regenerative medicine and bioprinting solutions after reducing its workforce to concentrate on the healthcare AM sector. The expanded focus follows on great progress made in the development of 3D printing systems for solid-organ scaffolds. This progress is the product of collaboration between 3D Systems, United Therapeutics Corporation and UTC’s organ manufacturing and transplantation-focused subsidiary, Lung Biotechnology PBC. 3D Systems intends to leverage this work and accomplishments with other partners to invest, further develop and commercialize solutions for regenerative medicine. Applications of its R&D program include the development of non-solid organ applications requiring biologically sustainable vasculature.
Thrive Orthopedics, a distribution enterprise founded in 2017, debuted its very own product line with 3D-printed orthoses called the Balance 3D+ Brace, an ankle foot orthoses (AFO). The brace reduces postural sway and increases postural stability. This relative newcomer to the AM scene has created an orthotic that lines the sole of one’s foot while also bracing the heel and calf for additional support. The company prides itself on the elegance and aesthetically pleasing look of its product. It also projects product prices in line with industry standards.
Elisava Racing Team is creating a fully electric, intelligent motorcycle equipped for mountain rescue in hostile terrains. Collaborating with BCN3D, 19 end-use parts were printed using FFF technology in a variety of different technical materials and sizes.
As 3D printing evolves and matures, so to do the expectations surrounding it. In order to meet these growing expectations and to address an increasing number of use cases for 3D printing—in prototyping and end-use production—it is important to recognize that the 3D printer itself is just part of the equation. A key element is also material selection, in this case SLS powder materials.
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Oqton, a software company specializing in AI-powered solutions for the manufacturing industry, has raised over $40M in a Series A financing round, led by Fortino Capital, a leading B2B software investor, by PMV, the regional Flemish investment fund, and by Sandvik, a global engineering group. In particular, Sandvik—which manufactures AM powders and provides metal AM services— also acquired a minority stake in the company.
In 1827, The Book of English Trades summarized the cobbler’s profession: “There are few trades more useful than that of a shoe-maker, and, perhaps, not many that are more profitable, when it is carried on to a considerable extent.” We have largely forgotten this profession as, two hundred years on, the cobbler has been replaced by mass production. Additive manufacturing, however, promises a return in some ways to the personalized shoe of earlier extraction. Such a return, as with many things relating to AM, makes mechanisms and their operators artisans.