Filament types, resin, material properties, and printing materials
3D printing startup Copper3D, based in Chile and the US, uses nano-copper additives, and adds antimicrobial properties to polymers like PLA and TPU to create antibacterial 3D printed objects. Last year, Copper3D partnered with NASA to study microbial risks in outer space, but now the startup is working on an important project that’s a little … Read more
Korean researchers are looking for ways to improve the materials used in total knee arthroplasty procedures. Design and technique have improved considerably in the past 30 years, but here the authors investigate the use of new materials for implants, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Titanium Porous Coating Using 3D Direct Energy Deposition (DED) … Read more
Brazilian researchers seek an environmentally friendly method not only for 3D printing but to put discarded plastic to use in dosimetry, a method for measuring radiation therapy. Outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Reuse of 3D printed materials for dosimetry purposes,’ the authors focus on ABS and PLA. Material (PLA) prepared for the application … Read more
BEGO, headquartered in Germany, has been a leader in the dental field for 130 years—and as pioneers in 3D printing for the last two decades, they now specialize in all types of dental fabrication techniques for prosthodontics and implant dentistry. Today, they have announced a partnership with Formlabs, the US-based designer and manufacturer of 3D … Read more
German researchers focus in on 3D printing materials for the medical field, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Parameters Influencing the Outcome of Additive Manufacturing of Tiny Medical Devices Based on PEEK.’ As thermoplastics continue to rise in popularity for a variety of applications, PEEK is at the top of the list for many … Read more
International researchers continue in the quest to use new materials for modern applications, outlining how porosity affects macroporous diatomite-based foams in the recently published ‘Process strategy to fabricate a hierarchical porosity gradient in diatomite-based foams by 3D printing.’ In this study, the researchers wanted to design porous ceramics that could ultimately serve as a ‘bioinspired’ … Read more
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh explore the ever-expanding world of benefits via 3D printing, detailing their work in the recently published ‘Additive Manufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges for Functional Magnetic Materials.’ While the manufacturing realm is undoubtedly undergoing a transformation, there are still numerous challenges to be overcome regarding 3D printers, 3D printing software, and … Read more
I’m here in Boston, with the rest of the 3DPrint.com and SmarTech Analysis team, for our third annual Additive Manufacturing Strategies summit, titled “The Business of 3D Printing: Medicine, Dentistry and Metals.” A favorite part of the event is our Startup Competition, where seed-stage 3D printing startups focused on bioprinting, hardware, materials, or software can … Read more
Researchers Ei Cho and Thanh Tran, of Vietnamese-German University, explore the continually expanding science of 3D printing materials and how they are affected by material properties. In this study, the authors experiment with poly-lactic acid (PLA), outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Investigation on Influence of Infill Pattern and Layer Thickness on Mechanical Strength … Read more
At 3DEXPERIENCE World 2020, CAD giant Dassault Systèmes made a number of announcements related to its 3DEXPERIENCE suite and SOLIDWORKS CAD software. One piece of news in particular has particular relevance for the 3D printing industry: Xometry’s manufacturing platform will be tied into Dassault’s SOLIDWORKS and CATIA applications. Within the design environments of SOLIDWORKS and … Read more
Formlabs is expanding its portfolio of 3D printing resins. The latest is Tough 1500, a stiff and pliable polymer that can bend and return to its former shape. Formlabs is targeting the material at engineers, product designers and manufacturers who need pliable parts. In response to customer feedback, Formlabs developed Tough 1500 Resin as a … Read more
“A lot of fun and a permanent smile on your face are definitely preprogrammed here!” – Urwahn Engineering Urwahn Engineering (previously known as Urwahn Bikes) has just announced their latest innovation for bicyclists—and it could prove to be pretty exciting for those athletes who are tech-savvy too. With the e-printed and 3D printed Platzhirsch, the … Read more
CRP Technology has introduced the latest in its line of specialty polymers for selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing. Windform FR2 is the most recent material from the company’s TOP-LINE series of composites for SLS. FR2 is a flame-retardant (hence the “FR”), halogen-free nylon powder reinforced with glass fiber, giving it electrically insulating properties. Demonstrating … Read more
Medical scientists from several different universities and hospitals in China continue in the fight against cancer, along with working to create better and more comfortable treatment plans for patients in the early stages of prostate cancer. With their findings outlined in the recently published ‘Expert consensus on computed tomography-assisted three-dimensional-printed coplanar template guidance for interstitial … Read more
Metal powder bed processes hold enormous benefits, making highly personalised medical devices that were not feasible through machining possible, but there are pitfalls when printing parts using selective laser melting (SLM) due to the unpredictable distortions that occur during and after the part. Virtual validation is helping to stabilize the process for certain parts to … Read more
In the recently published ‘An Ultrasensitive 3D Printed Tactile Sensor for Soft Robotics,’ Australian researchers Saeb Mousavi, David Howard, Chun Wang, and Shuying Wu create a new method for production of piezo-resistive tactile sensors for soft robotics, using FDM 3D printing with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a polylactic acid-graphene (PLA-G) composite. Fabrication of tactile sensors … Read more