News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
If you’re at Formnext this week, then you may have already caught a glimpse of the world’s first 3D printed chassis. The automobile chassis, developed by Divergent3D, is on display at the Frankfurt event at the SLM Solutions booth. SLM Solutions has been a close partner of Divergent3D in the development of its next-generation vehicles.
Additive manufacturing is used to make all sorts of automotive components, from lightweight bodywork to metal engine components. However, one part of a car that doesn’t seem especially suited to 3D printing is the wheel.
Ford has been using additively manufactured production and assembly tools for several years. Up to 50% of the respective costs are related to the creation of design data. In order to scale the applications of Additive Manufacturing (AM), Ford is partnering with software company trinckle to automate the design process.
One of the highlights at the SLM Solutions trade fair booth at formnext will be the world’s first 3D printed chassis from Divergent3D. After receiving extensive coverage worldwide, the chassis is finally going to be shown to an audience of AM experts. SLM Solutions is a strategic long-term partner of the company with comprehensive collaboration and consulting in focus: from the co-development of an additive manufacturing facility to individual parameter development.
In the summer of 2015, Edwin and Liesbeth were making dinner. When they tossed away another packaging, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Why is it now ‘worthless’? They emptied their trashcan and were confronted with their personal habits and widespread plastic consumption and waste. One thing lead to another and the Clean2Antartica dream was born: using that recycled plastic to 3D print a solar-powered vehicle that could take them to the cleanest place on Earth: the South Pole.
Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and sports car manufacturer KTM is a major adopter of AM technologies. Today many of the company’s R&D activities with additive manufacturing take place through its KTM Technologies division, which in turn includes several different companies and AM service bureaus. KTM was among the first clients of HP’s 3D printing technology and has carried out some fascinating experimental development on the X-Bow sportscar. The latest case study is more closely related to the company’s core business: motorcycles. Specifically, on a brake lever for its top of the line Duke 1290. The lever was generatively redesigned for topology optimization, 3D printed by powder bed fusion in different materials and “hybridized” with continuous fiber reinforced plastics(CFRP) composites in a truly unique application case.
During the Additive Industries partnership event at the Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas, 3rd Dimension Industrial 3D Printing, one of the leading metal additive manufacturing companies from North America, confirmed the first order of a MetalFAB1 system to produce large and high-quality parts at the highest productivity.
Fira de Barcelona is one of the premier show organizers in Europe and in the World. Now in its third year, the In3Dustry show represents its bet on AM as the future of manufacturing and a window for companies to address local markets and the larger Southern European industrial area. In3Dustry 2019 offered quite a few interesting AM scenarios, products and ideas, originating from both the local Catalunya area and other European regions. These are ten reasons that made it definitely worth it to attend.
With the Formula 1 race event in Austin, Texas in full swing and drivers preparing for the actual races to begin this weekend, we were hoping for some exciting 3D printing-related news. This morning, it was the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team that delivered by announcing it was extending its partnership with Dutch 3D printing company Additive Industries.
For decades, Britain automotive brand MINI has kept its vehicles stylish, timeless and, of course, mini. But the continued popularity isn’t by mere chance, as MINI has diligently stayed the course, knowing what its customers want and delivering on those wants. The latest car model to be introduced by MINI is the Cooper S GT Edition. The limited edition car has just been launched in France.