Researchers from Spain are studying materials for more effective large-scale 3D printing, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Development of carbon fiber acrylonitrile styrene acrylate composite for large format additive manufacturing.’ While 3D printing on the micro- and nanoscale is extremely popular among researchers today, the authors point out that large format additive manufacturing … Read more
We’ve got news about 3D printers in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, as BigRrep has shipped its 500th large-format 3D printer. Peopoly is developing new 3D printers for its Phenom series, and startup Excelencia is offering a 3D printing service for large objects. Moving on, MPA, NAMIC, and SSA have launched a Joint Industry Program … Read more
Ming Gao has prepared a thesis, ‘Design and feasibility evaluation of low-cost 3D printing of Horn Antennas’, for the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. Focusing on more affordable microwave and RF devices, Gao explores the realities of using additive manufacturing and metallization techniques, including 3D printing and testing a sample … Read more
Researchers from Germany and China are working together to study the use of hydrogels in bioprinting further, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘3D printing of hydrogels: Rational design strategies and emerging biomedical applications.’ Because hydrogels are deeply linked to bioprinting, they are the focus of many different research projects around the world, from … Read more
Andrew Novillo, in writing his thesis for the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at MIT, explores topology optimized metal in the recently published ‘Experimentation of a topology-optimized metal structural connection under casting constraints’. While topology optimization is still new in construction and civil engineering, the aim of the study is to ‘bridge the gap … Read more
Just as a New Zealand-based surfer was inspired by the humpback whale and the microgrooves of shark skin when creating his surfboard fins, so too was a team of international researchers inspired by the natural world in their structure study of an on-water sports board. In their recently published paper, “3D Printing On-Water Sports Boards … Read more
With a growing directory of space companies gaining momentum, research and development in rocket science, aerospace engineering, and space travel are at an all-time high. After a continuous decrease in orbital launches since the early 1990s, companies began sending payloads into orbit in the mid-2000s, and whether successful or not (although usually successful), the sharp … Read more
Researchers from Slovakia are delving further into the uses of PLA in bioprinting, releasing their findings in the recently published, ‘3D printed Polylactid Acid based porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering: an in vitro study.’ The team created samples in the form of PLA scaffolds, assessing for both cytotoxicity and biocompatibility, with the ultimate goal … Read more
While our ecosystem is collapsing, we are at the very least fortunate to witness the rise of a potentially more sustainable form of manufacturing coinciding with the rise of potentially more sustainable materials. In the next few articles, we will cover both the new materials that are emerging for use with 3D printing, as well … Read more
I do love a good Star Wars 3D print, and I know many others do as well. A popular character in the Star Wars universe is obviously Jedi Master Yoda, and many people around the world were excited to see him in a new light when The Mandalorian live action series premiered on Disney+ this … Read more
In the recently published ‘Non-contact visual control of personalized hand prostheses/exoskeletons by tracking using augmented reality glasses,’ German researchers Simon Hazubski, Harald Hoppe, and Andreas Otte (all from Offenburg University) develop a unique system for activating motorized hand prostheses with easy commands. Created to assist amputees, the 3D printed flexible hands are integrated with motorized … Read more
We’re starting with a grand opening in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, as Lithoz is opening its Innovation Lab. The University of Delaware has chosen Roboze technology to support its collaborative research project with the US Army, and CRP Technology published a case study. Finally, Andaltec is developing polymeric 3D printing materials with antibacterial and … Read more
Mouse models of malignant tumors called sarcomas have provided a fundamental tool for researchers to understand the pathology behind human cancers. However, it was not until the 1980s when researchers began looking for ways to grow mouse sarcoma cells and develop genetically manipulable mouse models that they became fully capable of examining the direct causes … Read more
Dutch company Twente Additive Manufacturing B.V. (Twente AM, or TAM) is working to change the home building industry for the better, by challenging traditional construction methods through the use of automation and additive manufacturing. The company hasn’t been around that long, but had a big goal for its inaugural year in business – to create … Read more
Angelopoulos and E. Solomou have authored ‘The Shield of Achilles using 3D Technologies to Support Teaching Scenarios of Homeric Epics,’ describing a recent interdisciplinary school program centered around the Homer’s Iliad, and an Informatics class. This new method of teaching occurred at the 1st Junior High School of Vrilissia, Athens (2017-2018 school year) as students … Read more
Given the global shift to renewable energy, fossil fuel companies are looking for new ways to maintain their livelihoods. In a 2018 investor report, ExxonMobil admitted to a decline in demand for gas and aims to replace those profits with petrochemicals, expecting a 30 percent increase in demand by 2025. The International Energy Agency (IEA) … Read more
Hyeonjun Park and Donghan Kim of Kyung Hee University in Korea are innovating within the robotics realm, detailing their efforts in the recently published ‘An open-source anthropomorphic robot hand system: HRI hand.’ The HRI hand system is open source and affordable, allowing users to 3D print the system for around $500. Developed with a five-finger … Read more
After the consumer 3D printing bubble of 2014, the market for desktop 3D printers was completely shaken up as manufacturers looked for new ways their systems could be used for industrial applications. Ultimaker was successful in finding large customers, such as Volkswagen Autoeuropa and Airbus, who took on desktop extrusion technology to support their large … Read more
Authors Jesse K. Placone, Bhushan Mahadik, and John P. Fisher explore the benefits and challenges of tissue engineering. In the recently published ‘Addressing present pitfalls in 3D printing for tissue engineering to enhance future potential,’ the authors also address the future potential for 3D printing, and accompanying materials and techniques. Noting that bioprinting is intrinsically … Read more
Space is one of the most attractive frontiers for humans and 2020 has been one of the most exciting years for space exploration. For starters, companies are sending rockets to space, uncrewed rockets that is, at least for now, as they prepare for future missions to the Moon and later on, to Mars. March is … Read more
Quick Answer 3D printed tablets (printlets) with Braille and Moon patterns help visually impaired patients identify medications independently. Using SLS 3D printing technology, researchers from the UK and Spain created orally disintegrating tablets that feature tactile writing systems. The patterns are directly printed on the tablet surface, allowing patients to identify medication without reading labels. … Read more
The final keynote presentation at our recent Additive Manufacturing Strategies, held in Boston and co-hosted by SmarTech Analysis, was given by Craig Sungail, the Vice President of Global Research and Development for Global Advanced Metals, which just so happened to be one of the event sponsors. Sungail was part of our new 3D printing metals … Read more
Researchers are studying the use of new materials for greater strength in 3D printing, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘Zeolite-templated 3D printed carbon nanotube networks with enhanced mechanical properties.’ Greater knowledge in this area is especially critical for applications like aerospace and defense where high load-bearing architectures are often required, leading the authors … Read more
Directed energy deposition (DED) technology is increasingly demonstrating the potential for use in 3D printing large-scale metal parts, particularly for the aerospace sector. Now, Germany’s MT Aerospace wants to further standardize DED 3D printing through the establishment of a European competence center for 3D printing large structures. To accomplish this goal, the company has acquired … Read more
Specialty chemical and advanced materials developer Arkema announced an increased focus on 3D printing materials research back in 2015, and two years later began a major investment plan for its biosourced polyamide 11 chain in an effort to increase production capacities in Asia. Arkema was joined in this investment plan by its subsidiary Sartomer, which … Read more