Tuesday, April 19, 2022

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April 19, 2022  No comments

3D Universe

MakerBot SKETCH Classroom Bundle Overview

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 10:24 AM PDT

Meet the all-new MakerBot SKETCH Classroom Bundle, the comprehensive 3D printer solution designed to accelerate learning and design thinking. If you’re a teacher working with students in K-12 and looking to bring 3D printing into [...]

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3D Printing Media Network – The Pulse of the AM Industry

April 19, 2022  No comments

3D Printing Media Network – The Pulse of the AM Industry

New RF additive manufacturing laboratory opened by CAES

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 03:00 AM PDT

CAES, a leading provider of mission-critical electronics, has opened its new state-of-the-art radio frequency (RF) additive manufacturing operations in Exeter, New Hampshire. The lab supports CAES' partnership with SWISSto12, a …

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3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

April 19, 2022  No comments

3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

Steel Giant Takes Home Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer from Eplus3D

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:30 AM PDT

Rapidly expanding metal powder bed fusion (PBF) manufacturer Eplus3D has found an important client in JINGYE Additive Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Hebei JINGYE Group. Best known for being the owners of British Steel, the $4 billion conglomerate is one of the world’s largest steel companies. JINGYE has acquired an EP-M650, a quad laser metal 3D printer with a sizable build volume of 655 x 655 x 800 mm (2.15′ x 2.15′ x 2.63′).

 

Eplus3D is a newly emerging maker of inexpensive metal PBF 3D printers that are more than a tad reminiscent of PBF systems made by certain other firms. Together with Farsoon, they exemplify a bold set of Chinese players who aim to conquer the additive manufacturing (AM) OEM market for metals. We’ve mentioned before that Eplus does not only have low-cost machines, but rather large ones, too. This includes the EP-M450H, which has a build volume of 455 by 455 by 1100 mm, as well as the EP-M650.

“The first EP-M650 3D Printer arrived a few months ago and we installed it immediately, which has been continuously printing metal parts. Often one part has to be printed for more than ten days. At present, the printing success rate of our large parts is 100%, and there is no waste product. Whether it is foreign or domestic 3D printers, it is very difficult to do this, as the requirement of the stability is very high. Continuous printing for up to 12 days without any problems in the process, requires high stability of the 3D printer. If the intermediate printing of such a large product fails, a lot of powder materials will be wasted , which may cost a lot , and seriously affect the delivery date,” an unnamed JINGYE representative was quoted as saying.

“JINGYE Additive Manufacturing attaches great importance to the development of 3D printing projects, and spare no effort to provide all-round support, promote the development of high-end manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing industry, and contribute to China’s entry into a powerful country in science and technology.”

Now a few things here that make this very interesting indeed. First off, this could mean that Chinese firms are able to produce cutting-edge systems in the very highest regions of our current market. Everyone expects Chinese OEMs to snip at the heels of established competitors on the accessible end of the product portfolio. However, this may mean that Chinese firms will try to sell their much more expensive wares internationally, as well.

JINGYE´s involvement also points to serious levels of Chinese commercial capital being available to develop 3D printing at an industrial scale. What’s more, with both firms touting this as a part of the “development of high-end manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing industry,” much more local, regional, or national funding could be in the offing.

It is a priority for China to develop high-end manufacturing nationally. In our, “China’s Belt and 3D Printed Road” series, we’ve explored China’s accelerated national development of additive manufacturing (AM). This is a key national priority. We’ve looked at how the country is using 3D printing technology to advance complex manufacturing skills, as well as how it will use AM to extend its technological capabilities.

We’ve also pointed out that the global 3D printing market is split in two, with Chinese firms turning almost exclusively to Chinese OEMs for 3D printers. 3D printing is also an integral part to China’s self-sustainment strategy and to its attempts to make aero engines and craft. What we are seeing here is validation of that thesis that the 3D printing market is actually bifurcated. China will serve as a home base to incubate Chinese 3D printing technology and give companies revenue for expansion. If you are a legacy OEM outside of China and this doesn’t scare you, it probably should.

The post Steel Giant Takes Home Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer from Eplus3D appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Bioprinted Wagyu Beef to Hit Automated Production by 2025

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT

Soaring demand for meat alternatives has prompted Japan-based Osaka University to team up with Kyoto biotechnology research corporation Shimadzu and Tokyo consulting firm Sigmaxyz to create a new food tech ecosystem, which includes the development of cultured meat via its bioprinting technology. Furthermore, the three parties have signed a collaboration deal to use bioprinting to solve environmental and food issues and improve healthcare, drug discovery, and medicine.

The collaboration's core foundation is a bioprinting technology that creates muscle tissue structures developed by Michiya Matsusaki, an Associate Professor at Osaka University's Graduate School of Engineering. At his lab, Matsusaki and his group of researchers have been exploring how to produce artificial steak-like meat, especially the highly marbled Wagyu steak.

Osaka University researchers created cultured steak with bioprinting.

Osaka University researchers created cultured steak with bioprinting. Osaka University/Nature Communications.

Many of the cultured meats reported so far have a minced structure consisting only of muscle cells, making it challenging to reproduce complex structures. However, Matsusaki and his co-researchers developed a bioprinting process that uses 3D printing to produce the different fibrous tissues (muscle, fat, and blood vessels) and then integrates them into a bundle.

By investigating how to culture stem cells taken from Wagyu cattle, Matsusaki's team has been assembling them using a 3D printer to make a meat alternative of muscle, fat, and blood vessels that mimic the arrangement of a conventional steak. In 2021, they succeeded in creating steak-like meat measuring five millimeters in diameter and ten millimeters long and consisting of muscles, fat tissue, and blood vessels. When sliced perpendicularly, the beef had a marbling structure resembling Wagyu beef.

Scientific and technological development based on 3D printing technology.

Scientific and technological development based on 3D printing technology. Image courtesy of Shimadzu.

Researchers can create “cultured meat with a controlled arrangement of muscle, fat, and blood vessels through this technology.” In addition, this bioprinting methodology has made it possible to reproduce the uniquely beautiful marble design called Sashi, characteristic of Wagyu beef, and "delicately adjusting the fat and muscle components," described Shimadzu in a recent statement.

An expert in biomaterial and biomedical engineering, Matsusaki has shown engineered marbled Wagyu meat by using a newly developed bioprinting technique. The work has attracted a great deal of attention both domestically and internationally. However, Matsusaki anticipates that “you can’t eat it yet, so you're going to have to wait. But everyone seems to be very interested in it.” Indeed, that interest led to this collaboration.

Ultimately, Osaka University and Shimadzu will jointly develop bioprinting equipment to automate cultured meat production, hoping to present it in time for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, held between April 13 and October 13 of that year. According to Sankei News, the team will initially target high-quality meat that exceeds 100 grams and ¥10,000 (roughly $80).

Thanks to bioprinting technology, we have seen companies devising new meat alternatives in the last few years. From Spanish startup Novameat's proprietary bioprinting technique to MeaTech 3D, a company dedicated to creating cultured meat, the broad spectrum of possibilities with the technology is taking the "fake meat" industry by force. However, at its core, bioprinters were developed to create living tissues from bioinks of cells, nutrients, and other biocompatible substances. Therefore, in promoting the creation of cultured meat, the Japanese partners will also develop healthcare models in regenerative medicine and drug discovery, such as internal organs using human cells.

Illustration of an automated tailor-made cultured meat production device by 3D bioprinting.

Illustration of an automated tailor-made cultured meat production device by 3D bioprinting. Image courtesy of Shimadzu.

Each of the three collaborators will play a crucial role in the partnership. Osaka University will continue its efforts to develop tissue engineering technologies, including the 3D bioprinting technique developed by Matsusaki. So far, his unique approach has been ideal for building muscle, fat, and blood vessel fibers, but reproducing more complex tissue and organ structures has been a challenge and will be one of the targets in the future.

Osaka University has indicated it will focus on developing the essential technologies to realize new “reconstruction of complex tissue and organ structures” and “long-term culture of organ models by the circulation of nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels.”

Shimadzu will leverage its know-how to automate cultured meat production and analyze the cultured meat’s taste, texture, flavor, chewiness, and nutritional content. With over 40 years of history, this company has a lot of expertise to draw from. Notably, in recent years, it has focused on developing equipment and technology to automate and streamline the cell culture process through artificial intelligence and robot technology and engaged in research with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization to analyze the functional components of agricultural products. Further, Sigmaxyz will serve as the program management office for the social implementation of 3D bioprinting technology.

The post Bioprinted Wagyu Beef to Hit Automated Production by 2025 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

A Trip to Nano Dimension HQ: Electronics 3D Printing Live and In-Person

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Earlier this month, I traveled to Israel for a 3D printing event and several site visits. The final company I had the opportunity to see while in the Tel Aviv area was printed circuit board (PCB) leader Nano Dimension.

When I first began writing for 3DPrint.com in 2016, Nano Dimension was a frequent topic. It announced customer after customer for its newly released DragonFly 2020, touted as the world’s first desktop electronics 3D printer. The company has been going strong ever since. It released its industrial DragonFly 2020 Pro 3D printer in 2017. It opened its first 3D printed electronics service bureau a year later. And it continued to announce advantageous partnerships. Most recently, Nano Dimension unveiled its DragonFly IV this fall, and I was excited to see it for myself at the company’s Israeli headquarters in Ness Ziona.

I was met in the reception area by Julien Lederman, Director of Corporate Development for Nano Dimension, who then took me on a quick tour of the space. We started with the area that houses Nano Dimension’s Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME) systems. These, as Lederman explained, have “effectively two materials in the same printer at the same time.” These include both Nano Dimensions’ proprietary conductive and nonconductive materials, developed in a materials area located on the first floor of the building.

The second floor is where the company’s Fabrica Group (formerly Nanofabrica) 3D printers are. Last year, Nano Dimension acquired and rebranded the microscale AM company, which specializes in precise, tiny 3D prints with features down to 1 micron in size. This was the company’s first acquisition in the AM sector, and as Lederman explained, there are plans for Nano Dimension to acquire more AM companies and “become a dominant player.”

Photo by Sarah Saunders for 3DPrint.com

Though it was the first in the AM space, Nanofabrica was certainly not the company’s first ever acquisition. In fact, the same week that Nano Dimension purchased Nanofabrica, it also acquired DeepCube, a real-time, deep machine learning, AI company. By integrating DeepCube’s software platform into its solutions, and those of its other acquired companies, Nano Dimension can close the loop in smart industrial solutions and “execute machine learning on the fly.”

“So, on top of the revenue we gain from these leading companies in the Western world, we have a complementary technology for our AME solutions,” Lederman told me.

I asked Lederman how micro 3D printing, and other acquisitions, fit into Nano Dimension’s larger tech strategy. He filled me in, starting with electronics company Essemtec, which develops technology for pick-and-place technology. Nano Dimension sells Essemtec’s electronic manufacturing services (EMS) to its assembly customers. Additionally, as Nano Dimension fabricates its PCBs layer by layer, Essemtec’s solutions make it possible to embed components inside and on top of the PCBs.

Photo by Sarah Saunders for 3DPrint.com

Nano Dimension also acquired UK-based company GIS (Global Inkjet Systems), which is focused on inkjet technology—the “primary tech in our AME solutions.” GIS has hundreds of global customers in the 3D printing and graphic arts sectors, and sells ink delivery systems, controller electronics for inkjet printheads, and the software that “orchestrates all these components together.” This acquired company has significant revenue, which makes it an ideal acquisition. However, its complementary technology was the real draw here, as Nano Dimension can maximize its own inkjet process used in its AME solutions.

Hanan Gino, CPO and Head of Strategic M&A at Nano Dimension, joined us then, and he and Lederman explained to me that the company’s portfolio offers a proof of concept for academia in regards to AME. According to the executive, the firm’s next-generation systems will be focused on prototyping first, with functional PCB manufacturing coming later. The end goal is to sell the solution to manufacturers producing PCBs. In regards to its strategic acquisitions, Nano Dimension looks for technology that complements its own AME solution, in addition to equipment vendors in the same domain, “which means horizontal integration.”

“We also look for companies who will give us the presence in the right market, and companies in material development, as everything we do is based around this. So, that’s the scope of what we’re looking for.”

Global Inkjet Systems showing Inkjet System Components in a laboratory environment. Image courtesy of Nano Dimesnion.

Gino explained that Nano Dimension has a “unique operation,” and that it’s growing fast. When he joined the team a year ago, there were 80 employees, but after four acquisitions, they’re close to 500.

“We built the company from the bottom up” he told me. “We have great technology, and a real challenge—we want to revolutionize the electronics industry.

“With the graphic arts domain, and 2D printing on paper…the eye is very sensitive. And then you have 3D printing, which is 3D but not really functional. When you go to AME, you add the functionality dimension. It should be 3D and also functional. So, it’s very, very complex.”

Nano Dimension also invests a lot in different feedstocks for different applications, because the company believes each application will require a unique material. Gino said that Nano Dimension works with 20 external material companies to develop additional feedstocks, and that the company also develops two main families of inks—conductive and electric—in-house.

A 3D printed circuit board made with Nano Dimension technology. Image courtesy of Nano Dimension.

I asked how many PCBs the DragonFly can make in a single print process. Gino said it depended on how many materials were needed, as well as the complexity of the product and the number of layers required. But he was able to give me a ballpark figure and said it can take “tens of hours to fabricate this kind of product.”

“That's the current solution we have, but we are in the advanced stages of developing our next-generation product. So, we’re hoping to reduce that number,” he said. “The target is to make a very large PCB in a very few hours.”

Gino explained that for one of their customers, which he wasn’t allowed to name but assured me had plenty of available revenue, Nano Dimension replaced its entire PCB lines—which used to consist of 70-100 stages—with a single solution. This was helped by the fact that the company has several R&D centers, with the main one in Israel, another in Boston, and one in Munich. This helps shorten the time to market.

“In the last year, we've become a totally different company,” Gino said. “We're not young, but since our CEO raised the money, we have the capital and we can use it to acquire companies.”

He said that Nano Dimension also has enough revenue to be disruptive, and has recruited people from some other big-name companies, like Amazon, 3D Systems, and PCB manufacturing company TTM.

“We are equipped with the right people and the right technology,” Gino said.

Speaking of TTM, it’s the leading PCB manufacturer in the western world, according to Gino. It is also one of Nano Dimension’s partners, having purchased three of its DragonFly systems. He also mentioned Jetted Additively Manufactured Electronics Sources (JAMES). JAMES is a joint venture with Hensoldt AG, a market leader in civilian and military sensor solutions and defense and security electronics. The goal behind this is to develop a crowdsourcing platform in order to get more people involved in 3D design. Nano Dimension also offers the AME Academy, which is a platform that offers different types of webinars that champion new types of electronics design.

Before I left, Gino relayed some crucial specifics of Nano Dimension’s technology, first noting that strength and weight ratios, and internal architectures, are talked about a lot with AME.

“AME is different from the conventional PCB manufacturing in multiple aspects: it is eco-friendly without any toxic material, it simplifies and digitizes manufacturing processes, and it allows for previously unprecedented geometries and complex devices,” he explained. “With AME, it’s effectively about a multi-material, multi-layer 3D, end-to-end solution that generates the entire circuits in one step, including substrate, conductive traces, and passive components.”

He explained that you are “bound by right angles of connections in the Z dimension and by physical limitations of a PCB” with traditional printed circuit boards, but that you don’t have this limitation with AME.

“Traditional PCB manufacturing isn’t really a 3D structure, it is 2.5D,” Gino explained. “Multiple 2D layers are manufactured separately and then connected through the plated holes (vias) to each other.”

Gino told me that the biggest pain points in traditional PCB manufacturing are holes drilling, holes plating, and the registration between layers. These issues can be overcome with AME because Nano Dimension doesn’t drill holes.

“We print just the pattern itself, we plate the holes using additive manufacturing technology and we print all layers on the same printer, thus we do not face registration problems.

“With our AME tech, we enable electronic designers to utilize and maximize the power of the 3D.”

Gino said with Nano Dimension’s solution, “the pads on a PCB can be connected from any point to another directly,” instead of only through the vias, which are holes drilled to connect conductors on different layers.

“It’s like drawing an electronic picture in free space,” he concluded.

To see Nano Dimension’s PCB technology for yourself, come visit the company at Rapid.Tech 3D in Erfurt, Germany, and at RAPID + TCT in Detroit, Michigan, May 17-19.

The post A Trip to Nano Dimension HQ: Electronics 3D Printing Live and In-Person appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Swarm 3D Printing Heralds Future of Lights-Out Manufacturing

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 05:00 AM PDT

A number of firms have advocated for—and even carried out experiments in—collaborative 3D printing robots. However, few have brought a suite of 3D printing robots to market. Arkansas-based AMBOTS is one of the few exceptions.

Established in 2015, the firm is dedicated to swarm 3D printing, with AMBOTS as an acronym for "Autonomous Mobile roBOTS and Advanced Manufacturing roBOTS." The company is led by Dr. Wenchao Zhou, founder and director of the AM3 Lab  at the University of Arkansas.

So far, AMBOTS has developed a very unique technology, in which multiple thermoplastic extrusion robots work together to 3D print the same object. This isn't just a dual extruder slapped onto a RepRap. These are multiple separate extruders that can be picked up and moved by mobile robots around a miniature factory floor to print the object. More than that, the robots can perform pick-and-place assembly to create fully functional objects.

The company describes its methodology in this way:

"To ensure the speed of the 3D printing process is not limited by the size of the object, we developed a new chunk-based 3D printing method, which divides an object into smaller chunks to be printed individually. The chunk-based printing method keeps the 3D printing process localized and solves many issues that arise when the size of the object increases (e.g., warping issue, accuracy control, wait times). The chunk-based printing method has been validated in a tensile strength study, which showed the chunk-bond to be stronger than a regularly 3D printed part."

To coordinate all of this activity, the company has created software that can take a 3D model, split it into smaller tasks and assign them to the various bots. They are then scheduled to finish their objectives sequentially and in parallel. The robots are powered by an electrified floor, enabling wireless energy generation. Other features in development include robots that perform tape-laying, screw driving, adhesive printing, and inkjetting.

AMBOTS' technology is remarkable, to say the least. As we have seen by companies like Ocado, warehouse robots can now perform unprecedented sorting and retrieval tasks at blinding speeds. The grocery and robotics firm also 3D prints some 300 parts for its warehouse fleet using HP's Multi Jet Fusion technology.

Divergent 3D has also developed an industrial robotic production platform, in which a collection of robotic arms collaborates to assemble 3D printed metal parts into a complete vehicle. Divergent CEO Kevin Czinger says that this fixtureless system can theoretically go from building a hypercar to building a drone with zero hardware modifications necessary.

It's not hard to imagine that AMBOTS could scale its technology to create machines with a similar size to those used by Ocado or Divergent. Because AMBOTS also features 3D printed parts on its systems, we might envision them even duplicating themselves, finally fulfilling the RepRap dream of self-replicating 3D printers. Combined with Czinger's technology and/or Ocado's, the "lights-out factory" could finally be achieved.

Before we get to that point, of course, there are countless questions to ask. Is a self-replicating, lights-out factory something any rational, empathetic human actually wants? Not only are there the considerations about displacing workers and the possibility of an all-powerful artificial intelligence. We also have to think of the ecological consequences of an endless factory.

Global society already operates on a basis of 24/7 production-consumption, such that countries like China manufacture nearly everything for nations like the U.S. to the detriment of our planetary ecosystem and its interdependent inhabitants. And it does so in a nearly automated fashion, except that the inputs are human and ideological rather than robotic and code based. Even under the existing system, it has become almost impossible for the public to intervene in any meaningful way. The Paris Agreement is a case in point

The only difference between the existing system and a lights-out factory would be that it could potentially produce more stuff more quickly. This would, in turn, result in destroying the planet at an even faster pace, perhaps with even less opportunity for human intervention.

The post Swarm 3D Printing Heralds Future of Lights-Out Manufacturing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

The BioElectroCathode Project: The Future of Biofuels, Thanks to an Industrial 3D Printer

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 04:30 AM PDT

BioElectroCathode is an innovative project which aims to develop bioelectrosynthesis processes that can be used to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into methane (CH4) or ethanol. The two main pillars of the project are the application of 3D printing technology for the production of electrochemical bioreactors and the development of methods to produce the cathodes necessary for the bioelectrosynthesis process. The entire process enables the conversion of CO2 into a biogas-like gas that can be used as fuel. Can 3D printing technology from Omni3D help produce the fuels of the future?

An international, Poland-Cyprus team of scientists in collaboration with Omni3D is working on a technology that in the future may help solve three major problems of today’s energy systems, related to energy storage, grid stability and CO2 emissions.

The BioElectroCathode project aims to innovate the biocatalysis of bioelectrosynthesis processes by:

  • fabricating new cathodes,
  • using 3D printing technology to create a MEBR reactor (3D-Microbial Electrosynthesis Baffle Reactor) capable of converting CO2 into methane (CH4) or ethanol.

What is the BioElectroCathode project about?

In the 3D printed bioreactor, optimal conditions are created for the growth of bacteria, which, stimulated by a small electrical charge flowing through the cathode, convert CO2 into methane or into ethanol.

The 3D print was prepared to provide the best possible fluid flow for the bioelectrosynthesis process with simultaneous separation of the resulting gases:

Cross-sectional view of 3D printed MEBR (3D-Microbial Electrosynthesis Baffle Reactor)

The energy carrier produced in this way can be stored, distributed and used, for example, as fuel in gaseous fuel vehicles or in industrial production processes.

The principle of the microbial electrosynthesis system is shown in the diagram below:

Schematic of the microbial electrosynthesis system in the BioElectroCathode project. [S. Bajracharya, Microbial electrosynthesis of biochemicals: innovations on biocatalysts, electrodes and ion-exchange for CO2 supply, chemicals production and separation, dissertation 2016.]

What techniques were used to print the bioreactors?

One of the biggest challenges during the project was preparing a fully tight 3D print to meet the requirements of the BioElectroCathode project. The goal was also to use tested and readily available thermoplastic materials, which in the future will serve for mass, energy-efficient and stable production of bioreactors by incremental technology.

After many tests, ABS and CF-PA filaments were used for the models, and the printouts are created on a Factory 2.0 NET industrial 3D printer. The shape of the reactor evolved during the project to fully optimize the fluid flow inside the reactor:

3D printing: 5 liter MEBR reactor (3D-Microbial Electrosynthesis Baffle Reactor)

Factory 2.0 NET 3D printer equipped with Omni3D Web Control system allows for remote viewing of the 3D printout via camera and thanks to Omni3D AirCirculation function provides temperature control of the printout on its entire surface. Thanks to these features, work on the BioElectroCathode project was not only much easier, but also more efficient.

“The bioelectrocathode science project has enabled Omni3D to identify a new application that is still unknown under standard industrial conditions. On the one hand, we have expanded our knowledge in the area of joining different polymer materials, tested the effects of pressure and temperature on the degree of bonding of model layers. On the other hand, we were able to provide a solution that I hope will contribute in the future to the improvement of living conditions on Earth.” – comments Pawel Robak, CEO of Omni3D

Bioreactors are designed in such a way that their printing takes place without the use of supports. Thanks to this, as well as using a higher printing layer of 0.3 mm, the production time of bioreactor is significantly shortened. 3D printing allowed for multiple changes and improvements to the design. By changing the design parameters of individual reactor elements such as shape or thickness and degree of filling, the structure of the printed device can be easily manipulated and, consequently, the bioreactor’s operation can be improved.

You can read more about the technology and the project on: www.omni3d.com

The BioElectroCathode project is carried out in the following partnership:

  1. Pro-Academy Research and Innovation Center (Poland)
  2. OMNI3D Sp. z o.o. (Poland)
  3. Cyprus University of Technology (Cyprus)
  4. ENERES CPM Ltd (Cyprus).

The post The BioElectroCathode Project: The Future of Biofuels, Thanks to an Industrial 3D Printer appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

TCT Magazine | Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing Intelligence | News, Interviews, Features | Additive Manufacturing | Product Development Technology

April 19, 2022  No comments

TCT Magazine | Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing Intelligence | News, Interviews, Features | Additive Manufacturing | Product Development Technology

Robotic 3D printing levels up

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:10 AM PDT

ExOne, now part of Desktop Metal, brings Single-Pass Jetting additive manufacturing to larger format.

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Designing a More Eco-Friendly Desktop 3D Printer

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 05:33 AM PDT

3D printing is a technology that is often highlighted as being more sustainable than other manufacturing methods. It frequently allows parts to be manufactured with less material and lighter weight, for example, and it enables the localization of manufacturing, reducing shipping emissions. While this may generally hold true for the industry and its future, manufacturers and service providers need to play their part today to make it a reality. If enough businesses in the industry take measures to reduce waste and carbon footprints, 3D printing can be a genuine example of sustainability in manufacturing.

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The LITHOZ Way of Big: Thick walls, big parts, fast production

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 04:53 AM PDT

Lithoz teases an innovative ceramic 3D printing breakthrough which enables the manufacture of large parts with thick walls from oxide ceramics for the first time.

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Sandvik enables 3D printed cemented carbide parts with patented process

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 03:17 AM PDT

Sandvik has announced the introduction of 3D printed cemented carbide components, as it continues to expand its additive manufacturing offering.

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Spare Parts 3D to create 3D model from 2D drawing in French Defense Innovation Agency R&D project

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 02:48 AM PDT

Spare Parts 3D is to lead a three-year R&D programme that will see the company reconstruct a 3D model from a 2D drawing for the French Defense Innovation Agency.

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Roboze appoints former EOS CEO Dr Adrian Keppler to Advisory Board

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 02:22 AM PDT

Roboze has announced the addition of former EOS CEO Dr Adrian Keppler to its Advisory Board as it continues its global expansion efforts.

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'If you go to some of our medical trade shows, if you don't have an additive manufactured product, you're behind.'

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 05:25 AM PDT

For the latest episode of TCT Magazine's Innovator on Innovator series of Additive Insight podcasts, John Bohenick [JB] and Steve Zambrano [SZ] were the first pair of innovators to have their discussion in person since the series launched during the pandemic.

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3D Printing Media Network – The Pulse of the AM Industry

April 19, 2022  No comments

3D Printing Media Network – The Pulse of the AM Industry

Expectation grows for the piùAdditive event in October

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 01:00 AM PDT

PiùAdditive, the new exhibition area dedicated specifically to additive technologies, is all set to take place October 12th to the 15th in Milan, as part of 33.BI-MU. The event will …

The post Expectation grows for the piùAdditive event in October appeared first on 3D Printing Media Network - The Pulse of the AM Industry.

JINGYE Additive Manufacturing acquires multiple Eplus3D systems

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 12:13 AM PDT

Chinese AM service provider JINGYE Additive Manufacturing, has acquired a batch of large Eplus3D EP-M650 metal 3D printers from Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Eplus3D to be used in production of …

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Korean AM Service GLUCK mass produces realistic humanoids

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 12:00 AM PDT

They are coming. The realistic humanoid robots from popular movies and TV series may be close than you think thanks to 3D printing. GLUCK, a South Korean 3D printing and …

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Monday, April 18, 2022

3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

April 18, 2022  No comments

3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

3D Printed Lab-On-Chip Breakthrough Achieved by USC Researchers

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 06:30 AM PDT

The 3D printing sector has obviously gone through a drastic evolution in the past several years. Nevertheless, there's still ample reason to believe that neither the technology nor the industry will start to reach their full potential until additional, similarly significant progress is made in automation. One of the best examples bearing this out is the shift in strategic focus from hardware to software, which some of the industry's most important companies are currently making. More and better automation is the main underlying goal of improving the software platforms used for operating 3D printers.

The size of the object produced is probably the key factor determining how urgent of a priority it is, to automate the processes involved in 3D printing that object. As is also true of conventional manufacturing, this is simply because the most expensive and time-consuming items to produce tend to be those that are extremely large — or extremely small. One area in which 3D printing may inherently have the edge over conventional manufacturing, both in general as well as specifically in terms of automation, is in 3D nanoprinting.

In the field of microfluidics — especially concerning any object referred to as a "lab on a chip" (LOC) — manufacturing the end-product requires a precision that should make 3D printing the ideal solution. Yet, at least with regards to vat polymerization, low-cost versions of the technology aren’t precise enough at this point to build layers of liquid resin at the 10-micron level required for microfluidic medical testing devices. A recent article published in the journal Nature Communications, however, documents a potential solution to this problem, developed by a research team at the University of Southern California's (USC's) Viterbi School of Engineering.

LOC devices depend on tiny networks of internal channels, designed for the minuscule amounts of liquid that they collect to flow through. During the production process, while the surrounding surfaces harden into solids, the center — the internal channels — need to be left in the liquid state, so they can be flushed and left hollow during the post-processing phase. The primary issue with using vat polymerization for these devices is that the resin used in printing them is usually transparent, since the devices and their contents (blood or some other human bodily fluid) are generally meant to be looked at through microscopes. Although some opaque resins can be kept liquid at this scale, the clear liquids used for LOCs allow more light to pass through, leading to narrower than desired channels, which would become clogged if used.

The solution developed by the research team at USC, led by Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering Yong Chen, is ingenious in its simplicity. At the stage of the printing process in which the layers have to remain liquid, an auxiliary platform moves to momentarily block the light from solidifying the channels. The standard commercially available vat polymerization 3D printer, according to Professor Chen, can, at best, print at the 100-micron level with poor accuracy.

Professor Chen said that the solution his team developed allowed them to print their end-product within 10-micron ranges, "…and we can control it really accurately, to an error of plus or minus one micron. This is something that has never been done before, so this is a breakthrough in the 3D printing of small channels." Professor Chen said the team is currently filing a patent application for the method written about in Nature Communications, in addition to its seeking partners for commercializing the technique.

If this technique leads to automated 3D-printing of LOCs, it's easy to imagine that the market it creates would almost certainly lead to the development of entire end-to-end platforms designed for the process. The most noteworthy thing about the USC team's solution, though, is that it wasn't created by developing an entirely new 3D printer, but rather by coming up with a slight modification that could work for many different printers. In this sense, it illustrates how much the potential for automating 3D printing processes — and thereby, contemporary industrial processes in general — will be opened up, simply by an increasing number of users adopting the technology.

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$23M Funding Round to Expand 3D Printed Surgical Solutions from restor3d

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT

A Research Triangle Park-based medical device company that is looking to reconstruct and repair the human body with 3D printing technology has raised $23 million in its fifth venture round. restor3d, a Duke University spinoff that designs and manufactures biomedical implants using its 3D printing technology platform, has now raised a total of $42 million in funding from over 100 investors.

Known for giving surgeons the tools to reconstruct and repair portions of the human body with patient-specific 3D printed implants, restor3d merges 3D printing, biomaterials, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence. It specializes in custom implants used for trauma and oncology cases, as well as off-the-shelf, 3D-printed implants that have been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for foot and ankle, as well as spinal applications.

Although the identity of the backers for this investment round was not revealed, restor3d did say it would use the funds to expand the delivery of 3D printed personalized surgical solutions across multiple musculoskeletal specialties, including the upper and lower extremity joints, spine, and trauma from musculoskeletal injuries. Additionally, the startup will develop machine learning software tools to assist engineers with patient-specific implant design; engage in fundamental research for preclinical and clinical studies and expand the commercial team to sustain its market traction.

3D printed subtalar wedge system

Subtalar wedge system. Image courtesy of restor3d.

To support the company's growth, in early 2023, restor3d will move into a new facility less than an hour away from its current Durham, North Carolina location. The new site at the top high technology Research Triangle Park will expand its capabilities for patient-specific digital design, in-house manufacturing of implants and instruments, as well as surgeon training and education labs. Sharing the location with other 3D printing companies in the area, restor3d will be immersed in a unique community, with the potential for upcoming collaborations and partnerships. Other up-and-coming startups at the park include 3D software company Geomagic – now part of 3D Systems –, and 3D printing service provider Plastibot.

Engineering professor at Duke University Pratt School of Engineering and restor3d Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Ken Gall said he is "looking forward to entering our next phase of development" and appreciates the investors for "supporting our growth and the hard work of all our employees, surgeons, and distributors in helping to advance patient care."

Implants for the future of surgery

Founded in 2017, restor3d came out of stealth mode after 2018, and its products and technology are based on Gall's scientific research and development in 3D metal printing at Duke. restor3d has since used laser powder bed fusion of medical-grade polymers and metals to create proprietary implants, like its osteotomy wedges and cervical fusion cages. It also aims to update the implant industry by luring surgeons to deliver 3D printed personalized surgical solutions across multiple musculoskeletal specialties.

During a recent presentation, Gall said orthopedic reconstructions have been done through a "brute force solution," even though it has always been a patient-specific need. Instead, restor3d hopes pre-surgical planning and 3D printed patient-specific instruments and implants become part of all orthopedic surgeries in the future.

Thinking primarily about the patient, Gall is a firm believer in leveraging 3D printing technology for surgical procedures, even to avoid amputation. A few years ago, Gall was charged with designing and printing a custom titanium implant for a young patient who had suffered critical damage to a bone in her lower leg during a vehicle accident.

"There was a lot of bone loss, but it was definitely worth salvaging her leg even though many centers would have probably amputated," explained Duke orthopedic surgeon Samuel Adams. "I immediately thought of implanting a 3D printed cage to replace the lost bone."

Working with Adams, Gall’s group used the patient’s CT scans to inform the fabrication and design of a scaffold to support the patient’s weight while healing and growing new bone around the titanium structure. The result was a large, four-inch piece of porous and solid titanium that would replace the patient's damaged distal tibia.

The challenge with leg or ankle implants, says Gall, is that they must be designed to be weight-bearing during the healing process, but must also promote bone growth; other complex factors include focusing careful attention not only on designing the anatomical external shape of the implant but considering how each patient's bones might grow based on their anatomy. Hopefully, what Gall is suggesting will become the bread and butter of the implant industry in the future.

restor3d’s 3D printed implant replaces distal tibia bone after a serious accident. Image courtesy of DukeHealth.

Nearing 100 employees, restor3d has actively patented six products, including custom surgical devices and implants that promote osseointegration (that is, bone ingrowth into a metal implant).  The startup has been 3D printing implants with biomaterials such as titanium and cobalt chrome as well as biocompatible polymers and has worked closely with surgeons in the US to aid patients with severe orthopedic needs.

For example, with Dr. Amiethab Aiyer, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Miami (UM) in Florida, restor3d helped create a total talus replacement using a prosthetic metal bone 3D printed out of cobalt chrome, for a patient that suffers from a debilitating sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that blocks blood flow and, in her case, caused avascular necrosis in her talus bones. Described by the institution as a "Terminator-style, 21st Century approach," the procedure, which took place in 2019, was successful and enough to put the Miller School of Medicine at the forefront of using 3D printing technology to create orthopedic solutions.

3D printed metallic ankle bone implants

3D printed metallic ankle bone implants. Image courtesy of the University of Miami.

In one of its most recent moves, restor3d announced a merger with Kinos Medical, a leading total ankle replacement company, which helped accelerate restor3d's expansion into the high-growth extremity arthroplasty markets in the U.S. One of its most well-known products is the proprietary Kinos Axiom Total Ankle System, which is described by the company as the first biomechanically accurate ankle system that mimics a patient's healthy range of motion while walking.

restor3d has multiple FDA product clearances as well as collaborations and partnerships that make the company one of the most innovative in the sector. With the new funding and its 3D printed implant and disposable instrument model, restor3d will enable simultaneous expansion across these diverse markets to provide innovative solutions for pressing clinical needs.

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House 3D Printing Startup COBOD Builds Distribution Partnership PERI Group

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Towards the end of 2021, the Danish additive construction (AC) company, COBOD International, made headlines thanks to a handful of projects that were completed by multiple COBOD customers in the U.S. Notably, on two of the projects — one in Tempe, Arizona, another in Williamsburg, Virginia — COBOD's customers partnered with the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity. On the Arizona project, the COBOD customer was in fact also one of COBOD's minority investors, PERI Group.

PERI Group, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of formwork and scaffolding materials, was founded in Germany in 1969. In 2018, the company acquired its stake in COBOD. The next year, PERI began distributing COBOD's BOD2 printer to a small number of customers in Europe and the United States. Now, COBOD and PERI have announced that they will be building on their existing partnership.

PERI will be the official distributor of COBOD printers in eight U.S. states: Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Texas. In addition, PERI, which already distributes COBOD printers in Germany, will expand its European distribution, entering the markets of Poland, the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), and France. Possessing a longstanding, far-flung network of clients in the construction sector, PERI represents an ideal partner to find a foothold for a company with a technology that has proven its value, but which has also still largely not been adopted by relevant potential customers.

In a press release, the head of 3D printing at PERI, Fabian Meyer-Brötz, said, "Our cooperation with COBOD has been highly successful and the development since our first involvement has gone much faster than expected. …[COBOD has quickly] become the globally leading provider of 3D construction printing technology." The founder and general manager of COBOD, Henrik Lund-Nielsen, added, "We are thrilled that PERI is now investing further in securing the rollout of our technology to more markets. PERI has proven to be a perfect partner for us, and we would not be where we are today without PERI."

This news is yet another reminder that the AC sector has entered a new phase in its history, one in which it's being treated less as a novelty, and more as a serious possibility for helping to solve the multi-pronged global housing crisis that continues to worsen at a faster rate. Moreover, PERI's investment in COBOD, and the strategic partnership between the two companies, are useful examples to follow for both additive manufacturing (AM) startups, as well as legacy companies looking to adopt AM. It feels increasingly likely, the further that AM technologies advance, in general, that strategic partnerships between AM startups and legacy companies will be the key to the mainstreaming of the former, and, for the latter, the answer to staying relevant in an evermore-rapidly transforming global business environment.

Images courtesy of PERI Group and COBOD International

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BMW Buys Wire Arc Metal 3D Printer from MX3D

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 05:00 AM PDT

Dutch wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) developer MX3D is perhaps most known for its 3D printing of a metal bridge spanning a canal in the Netherlands. However, the company is in the process of growing into an established 3D printer manufacturer. MX3D announced the sale of an M1 DED 3D printer to the BMW Group.

While MX3D has delivered several projects, including some for high-profile customers like the Takenaka Corporation, it only began commercializing its WAAM technology in earnest in 2021. The first system on the market was the M1. This includes an 8-axis ABB robot with Fronius GMAW/CMT welding machine and MX3D's MetalXL WAAM workflow with MX3D Control System. Among the M1's most unique features is the use of an industrial robotic arm to perform WAAM 3D printing. This allows for a great deal of flexibility in deposition area, enabling the deposition of low-cost metal feedstock as high speed almost in mid-air.

Now, the company has begun to move out of the service and demonstration phase and is making printers for clients. After selling an M1 to Shimoda Iron Works Co Ltd, BMW Group is now going to be installing one at its Additive Manufacturing Campus in Munich, Germany. The deal is the result of "a series of successful R&D projects" between BMW and MX3D.

"The BMW Group's M1 acquisition shows that the founding mission of MX3D – to scale up and industrialize 3D metal printing, in order to make it available to high impact industries – is becoming a reality. Exciting!" said Gijs Van Der Velden, CEO of MX3D.

This is the latest 3D printing technology invested in by BMW, which has been a pioneer in automotive AM. After using AM in-house for years for prototyping and other applications, the company was the first to produce metal end parts for its racing car series Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters in 2010. The auto giant went on to manufacture custom name plates for MINIs, roof brackets for the i8, and more than 10,000 components for the Rolls Royce Phantom—ultimately 3D printing over one million parts by 2018.

The M1 metal 3D printer from MX3D. Image courtesy of MX3D.

This bullish attitude toward AM drove the company to establish its AM Campus and explore a variety of emerging technologies, from HP's MultiJet Fusion and Metal Jet to a novel liquid 3D printing technology from Rapid Liquid Print. So, it's no surprise, then, that BMW is exploring the use of WAAM as it attempts to industrialize 3D printing.

It's possible that it could be a useful tool for prototyping large metal parts or it could serve some exotic application at the moment. BMW could even see the possibility of developing some sort of Divergent-style cell for robotic printing and assembly of WAAM metal parts. Whatever it is, we may not see the results of its M1 usage for years to come.

Images courtesy of MX3D.

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3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: April 17, 2022

Posted: 17 Apr 2022 05:30 AM PDT

Stratasys and Velo3D are both continuing their 3D printing tours for this week’s webinar and event roundup. There will also be a Space Showcase, a course on metal powder bed fusion, an overview of end-to-end AM solutions, a medical 3D printing course, and more.

The Experience Stratasys Tour Continues

Stratasys continues its Experience Tour this week in Arizona, starting with a stop in Flagstaff on Monday, April 18th. PADT is hosting this stop at Northern Arizona University, along with the stop on Wednesday the 20th at Arizona State University. There will be an additional stop at Arizona State University on the 20th, but this second one will be hosted by Purple Platypus.

“Our mobile showroom offers a local, convenient way for you to talk with 3D printing experts and see the latest 3D printers, materials and solutions from Stratasys. Learn about additive manufacturing services from Stratasys Direct and discover how your organization can benefit from 3D printing applications.”

You can register for the Stratasys Experience Tour here. Stay tuned for more dates and locations in the future!

Velo3D Continues "Seeing is Believing" Roadshow

On Tuesday, April 19th, Velo3D will continue its "Seeing is Believing" AM roadshow in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 9 am until 3 pm EST at The Westin Pittsburgh, attendees will get the chance to see examples of parts printed by the company’s customers, and learn how Velo3D can help them create complex designs, achieve a more flexible supply chain and greater part performance, and help provide greater part repeatability. The Velo3D experts at this event will be Zach Murphfree, VP, Global Sales & Business Development; Matt Karesh, Technical Business Development Manager; and Will Hasting, PE, Director of Solutions Engineering.

“Whether you're new to metal additive manufacturing (AM) or have some experience with conventional AM technologies, our upcoming "Seeing is Believing" roadshow in Pittsburgh, PA is the perfect opportunity to learn how Velo3D's end-to-end solution is pushing the boundaries of what AM can achieve.”

You can register for the Pittsburgh roadshow event here, or email info@velo3d.com to request a ticket.

TriMech on 3D Printing Production-Grade End-Use Parts

To learn about P3 and SAF 3D printing technologies by Stratasys, tune in at 10 am EST on the 20th for TriMech’s webinar, “The Future Is Now: Production Grade 3D Printed End-Use Parts.” The company’s AM Solutions Consultant Rich Annino will discuss these two leading AM processes for production-grade parts. He will cover the types of parts that are good candidates for transitioning to AM, how 3D printing is reducing reliance on injection mold tooling, which of these two production 3D printing processes are right for your product, and more.

“Not familiar with SAF and P3 technology? No worries, Rich will guide everyone through what makes these technologies unique to the field and more importantly, how they are being used to manufacture end-use parts and how that is positively impacting manufacturers and consumers alike.”

You can register for the webinar here.

MakerBot’s Virtual Summit on 3D Printing in Education

On Wednesday, April 20th, MakerBot is holding its third annual virtual summit, “Igniting Student Innovation,” on 3D printing in education. There will be eight speakers during the summit, including educators and professionals across various industries, who will discuss the career paths they’re currently on because of 3D printing. Everything kicks off at 11 am EST with welcome remarks from MakerBot’s Education Manager Andrea Zermeño, and then there will be a few sessions, along with workshops for attendees interested in a deeper understanding of designing for and prototyping with 3D printing. The summit will conclude at 2:30 pm EST.

“This year we're taking a different approach and focusing not just on career paths with 3D printing but how students and teachers can really take advantage of 3D printing – from 3D design for beginners and advanced users to live prototyping and problem-solving with 3D printing.”

You can register for the free summit here.

3D Systems Space Showcase

At the Long Beach Marriott hotel in California, 3D Systems is holding a Space Showcase on the 20th from 1 to 10 pm EST. A team of industry experts will demonstrate the company’s solutions, discuss applications, and show large and small sample parts, such as heat exchangers, a hypersonic nacelle, an investment casting pattern, and more. There will be food and drinks available all day, along with brief presentations on topics like generative design, material allowables, and more.

“Stop in anytime during the day to see 3D Systems' Additive Manufacturing solutions that optimize performance and manufacturing of components for the Space Industry.”

You can register for the event here.

Smart Manufacturing Experience April Webinar

The last webinar on Wednesday, April 20th, from 3 to 4 pm EST, is by SME, focused on “Workforce Development Support for Smart Manufacturing.” It’s one of the nonprofit’s monthly webinar offerings leading up to the Smart Manufacturing Experience event in Pittsburgh this June. Moderated by Dan Sloan, Strategic Partnerships Director for Tooling U-SME, panelists Conrad Leiva, Director of Ecosystem and Workforce Development for CESMII, and Lisa Masciantonio Chief, Workforce Officer at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, will have a live discussion on some of the unique workforce challenges for the Smart Manufacturing workforce transformation, the tools and programs available to help upskill the incumbent workforce, and more.

“As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve, employers will need to recruit, hire, and develop a smart manufacturing workforce capable of working with modern cyber-physical systems and embrace data-driven business models. Previous workforce investments with community partners and internal incumbent employee programs will now need to address a new spectrum of emerging Smart and Cyber job roles. Understanding the important advantages of a Smart Manufacturing business model and the emerging skills and competencies that will be valued by the Smart Manufacturing industry will help employers build the necessary programs and produce the skills for their organization.”

You can register for this free webinar here.

ASTM: Build Orientation & Supports for PBF-LB

At 10 am EST on Thursday, April 21st, ASTM’s AM Center of Excellence (AMCOE) is holding a webinar on “Metal PBF-LB Build Orientation and Supports Considerations.” Instructor Mark Kirby, with the University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) lab, will teach attendees about the importance of supports, evaluating build layouts, and decision-making workflows, all in terms of metal PBF-LB technology. Topics will include support strategies for medical devices, the interaction between supports and orientation, support removal, neglected parameters, and more.

“Love them or loathe them, supports are literally the foundation of most LPBF builds. Getting this part of the process right is critical to success.  Unfortunately it seems that recipes for good supports are often learnt the hard way, and may not be formally documented. This is the definition of art vs science.  The webinar will attempt to shed light on the science of supports, by exploring many practical examples of both success and failure.”

You can register for the webinar for $49 here.

Stratasys on the Holistic Approach to AM

Continuing its webinar series, Stratasys will present “A Holistic Approach to Additive Manufacturing” on Thursday at 12 pm EST. During this brief webinar, attendees will hear live customer testimonials of the company’s products from James Page, CTO of Riven; Oqton Application Engineer Robin Huizing; and Mark McGarry, Oqton Senior Sales Director. These speakers will explain what value they’re bringing to the Stratasys platform.

“As the rise in additive manufacturing and its uses become more apparent, the need for a trusted, end-to-end solution becomes increasingly necessary for early adopters. The GRABCAD additive manufacturing platform and its software partners offer just that.”

You can register for the webinar here.

Improving Engineering Efficiency with ASME & Onshape

ASME is holding a webinar on “Improving Engineering Efficiency: Top 5 Improvements Teams are Making Now” at 1 pm EST on the 21st. Mike LaFleche, Principal Technical Services Engineer for Onshape, will present the “top five” critical steps that product teams are taking to improve their performance in the future. Attendees will learn how to maximize their productivity by getting rid of CAD crashes and file corruption, version control confusion, and more.

“In today's competitive environment, small process improvements in product development processes can improve productivity and drive innovation. Whether a small startup or a multi-national, process optimization can often yield long term benefits in efficiency, time to market and profitability.

“So, how do you begin to review your current tools, workflows and data management capabilities?”

You can register for the webinar here.

3D Printing in Prosthetics with 3DHEALS

3DHEALS will focus on “3D Printed Prosthetics” in its latest webinar, at 2 pm EST this Thursday the 21st. Sponsored by HP, the webinar will be moderated by Dr. Jenny Chen, the Founder and CEO of 3DHEALS, and panelists will be Founder of PPprint GmbH Professor Hans-Werner Schmidt, with the Universität Bayreuth; Samer Moussa, MS, CPO, Product Manager – Strategy & Incubation, 3D Printing, for HP; CEO of the Victoria Hand Project Michael Peirone; Albert Shih, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Michigan; and Bryan Craft, Application Specialist with Spentys.

“Over the years, the images of disabled children with colorful prosthetic limbs inspired impactful movements like the ENABLE community and Victoria Hand Project, as well as enumerable passionate innovators who have pushed the boundaries to increase accessibility and lower the cost of orthotics and prosthetics. However, the field of 3D printed prosthetics has advanced significantly since the days of ENABLE hands. These advancements include not just hardware, materials, but also software, designs, 3D scanning, and lately completely digitalized workflow at the point of care, often leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence. More importantly, technologists are now working more closely with clinicians to create a more efficient and more evidence-based patient-centered clinical solution. In this highly anticipated webinar, we invited experts with decades of technical, business, and clinical experiences and diverse perspectives to give the attendees a 360-degree view of the current and future status of the industry.”

You can register for the webinar here.

End-to-End AM Solutions by NAMIC & SMF

At 2 am EST, which is 2 pm SGT, “An Overview of the End-to-End Additive Manufacturing Solutions” will be presented in a webinar co-organized by NAMIC and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF). Spare Parts 3D will share how manufacturers can digitize their parts inventory and identify parts for 3D printing, while AM service bureau ELH Tech will present successful case studies to show the feasibility of adopting technology like AM. Attendees will also learn what kinds of support are offered to lower the barriers to AM adoption, including funding from NAMIC and training programs from Singapore Polytechnic.

“The adoption of additive manufacturing is seeing continuous growth in Singapore and the government has invested significantly into public additive manufacturing (AM) infrastructure in the recent years.

“Discover with AM experts the end-to-end solutions that AM can provide, from design to fabrication and post-processing, and how the technology can be utilised to improve your business workflow.”

You can register for the webinar here.

RSNA Medical 3D Printing Course

The final event in this week’s roundup is the “RSNA Medical 3D Printing in Practice” course, sponsored by 3D Systems and held at the Westin on Michigan Avenue in Chicago from April 22-24. The three-day course will feature lectures covering the clinical applications of 3D printing in several subspecialties, as well as panel discussions, abstract presentations, and software demonstrations. Attendees will also have the chance to network with exhibitors, including 3D Systems, who will showcase the latest 3D printing technology.

“Take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn more about the value of 3D printing at RSNA Medical 3D Printing in Practice. Collaborate with leading group physicians, technologists and engineers and engage with 3D printing technology to learn how it can advance medical care at your institution.”

You can register for the course here, and schedule a meeting with 3D Systems here.

Do you have news to share about any future webinars or virtual and live events? Please let us know!

The post 3D Printing Webinar and Event Roundup: April 17, 2022 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.
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