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ETH Zurich demonstrates automated DfAM framework with custom nozzles Research & Education

There is no question about additive manufacturing’s ability to produce complex, highly integrated geometries: in fact, this capability is one of the technology’s main advantages. Despite this, one of the hurdles to the broad implementation of AM has been actually creating these complex designs in the first place. That is, many parts with complex 3D printed structures are realized thanks to the deep application-specific knowledge of engineers and entail a fairly time-consuming modeling process. In recent years, we’ve seen the emergence of topology optimization software, which generates structures based on the requirements input by the user. However, even this approach often requires some degree of manual interpretation.

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ExOne hardware installed base has reached 295 units worldwide 3D Printer Hardware

ExOne, one of the pioneers in the binder jetting AM segment, revealed that the ExOne hardware installed base has reached 295 systems worldwide. Of these, the majority – 160 units – are sand 3D printers, used for molds and casts (but also for some final parts) while the rest – 135 – units are metal 3D printers, also used mainly for prototypes but now moving increasingly into high-throughput production.