News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Raise3D is introducing in late 2021 its Pro3 Series, ta new 3D printer of its segment, with improvements to address the needs of agile or small-batch production of end parts, tools, spare parts, or other similar products. The Pro3 Series includes two dual-extruder 3D printers: the Pro3, with a build volume of 300x300x300mm, and the Pro3 Plus, with a build volume of 300x300x605mm.
The US Navy issued Stratasys a $20 million contract to purchase up to 25 Stratasys F900 3D printers over the next five years, with the delivery of the first eight expected before the end of 2021. In addition to the printers, the contract includes initial support and sustainment, materials, and development of initial training for the supplied systems.
Even as the transition to metal and ceramic binder jetting for production has only but begun, it is clear that simply implementing fast binder jetting processes will not be enough to truly cater to production demands. Binder jetting materials and processes still present several challenges and bottlenecks that need to be addressed, from the limited number of available materials to the elevated number of highly complex post-processing steps, including infiltration and of course sintering. That’s exactly what UK-based Meta Additive intends to address with its uniquely advanced technology.
Orbital Composites has shipped its robotic 3D printer to the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). Orbital Composites’ commercially available Orbital S AM platform, will assist UMD in their polymer and composite additive manufacturing research, under the guidance of Dr. Gireesh Menta, professor of Mechanical Engineering at UMD. This marks a milestone for both parties as education about robotic 3D printing is gaining prominence in advanced manufacturing. UMD is expanding its teaching and research capabilities in large-scale, out-of-plane robotic 3D printing of thermoplastic polymers, by receiving its first robotic 3D printer. For Orbital, this is also their first commercial shipment of a turnkey robotic 3D printer.
BCN3D, a Spanish leading 3D printing solutions manufacturer, launched the new Smart Cabinet to complete the Epsilon ecosystem, which boosts the entire printing process with BCN3D workbench 3D printers Epsilon W27 and Epsilon W50.
Massivit 3D’s in-depth knowledge of large-scale additive manufacturing has evolved over the years. Many, for instance, will know of how its 3D printers are used to produce large-scale objects—including the DB Project full-scale concept car—for marketing and entertainment purposes. But its technology is also capable of much more. Its newest machine, the Massivit 10000, is built for tooling applications in the automotive, railway, marine, energy and other industries. More specifically, the Massivit 10000 seeks to reinvent how large-scale fiber-reinforced composite parts are fabricated.
Recently, Stratasys has introduced three new 3D printers that together address a large portion of the multibillion-dollar market opportunity in additive manufacturing of end-use parts. The systems collectively are aimed at accelerating the shift from traditional to additive manufacturing for low-to-mid-volume production applications underserved by traditional manufacturing methods.
The INDEX Group in Esslingen, Germany, a specialist in industrial CNC systems, is extending its business by introducing new additive manufacturing solutions. INDEX acquired a majority interest in TRUMPF’s One Click Metal GmbH. This participation provides One Click Metal with additional know-how and capital to continue its growth trajectory in the very promising entry-level segment for 3D printers. TRUMPF remains involved as an active and strategic partner and will support the company’s future development in collaboration with INDEX.
Optomec, an established company in additive manufacturing solutions for 3D metal printing and 3D printed electronics, has recently received more than $7 million worth of new orders from its installed base. The orders include more than 10 new systems being added to increase capacity for existing users, together with a range of enabling software products and digital process recipes.
Increasing requests from customers looking for an Aquila 3D printer upgrade have driven Voxelab to introduce the Voxelab Aquila X2, an ambitious ~$200 3D printer that enhances some core functions of its Aquila predecessor while improving user operation and experience.