News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
After nearly 80 years with minimal innovation, the foam industry is now employing 3D printing to produce products that are more comfortable, safer, lighter, and can be customized for each individual. Now EOS North America and its Additive Minds applied engineering team launched their Digital Foam program – a hub orchestrated by EOS connecting CAD, materials, part qualification, and additive manufacturing.
Spanish footwear brand Camper, recognized for its stylish yet casual and comfy shoes for men and women, has found its own way to benefit from 3D printing technologies. At its headquarters in Inca, on the island of Mallorca, Camper has installed a number of desktop 3D printers from Barcelona’s BCN3D Technologies, which are helping to streamline its shoe design process.
One of the most production-capable photopolymerization technologies, digital light synthesis (DSL) from Carbon, had not yet gotten involved in the eyewear business. Until now, that is, as J of JINS, a luxury eyewear brand from Japan, just launched its Neuron4D brand, with two models integrating a lattice cushion made using Carbon technology.
Despite major developments in technology, 3D printing still intimidates many newer users. Many of the assumptions regarding 3D printing are steeped in confusion about its uses, popularity, and price. Consumers often view 3D printers as million-dollar devices when, in reality, consumer-grade tech costs $700 on average, with professional quality printers rivaling industrial machines at the mid-4-figure price range.
Texas-based bourbon brand Bulleit is taking its recent 3D theme in stride. In April, the company unveiled an elaborate 3D printed bar (as well as 3D printed cocktails) as part of a marketing campaign. Now, it is taking things a step further with a pair of 3D printed sneakers. The limited-edition shoes were unveiled last night at the Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier Experience in Dallas.
Digital manufacturing company Voxel8 has completed a Series B funding round led by the investment arm of DSM, DSM Venturing. The investment round also saw funding from HP Tech Ventures and existing backers Bræmar Energy Ventures and ARCH Venture Partners. The funding—though unspecified in its amount—will enable Voxel8 to ramp up the adoption of its footwear/textile 3D printing technology.
One Piece manga fans had a chance to get interactive with their favorite One Piece characters 3D printed in huge sizes for the publication’s 20th Anniversary celebrations. Fans used the event app’s augmented reality videos to film themselves together with the 24 giant 3D printed props and to customize the videos to share on social media.
In the cycling world, Australia-based company Bastion Cycles has been something of a beacon for additive manufacturing. Though not the first to 3D print bicycle parts, the company was one of the first to demonstrate how metal additive manufacturing could be used to produce functional components for commercial and customizable bike frames. Recently, the company took its AM production to the next level by bringing metal 3D printing in house.
German chemical company Covestro has revealed the first details about a new application for its TPU material for additive manufacturing: 3D printed orthopedic insoles for shoes. The company will be showcasing a prototype of the customizable insoles at the upcoming K 2019 plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Stratasys-owned 3D printer manufacturer MakerBot has announced the release of a new material for its METHOD 3D printer, ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). The filament is the latest addition to MakerBot’s Precision Materials series for METHOD and is well suited for outdoor applications that require resistance to harsh environments—such as those in the automotive, power and gas, agriculture, oil and gas and transit industries.