Researchers from Sichuan University in China are exploring improved methods in bioprinting, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘3D printing of calcium phosphate scaffolds with controlled release of antibacterial functions for jaw bone repair.’ 3D printing—and more specifically, bioprinting—have been associated with both bone regeneration efforts for patients dealing with a wide range of … Read more
Additive manufacturing (AM) is already making strong inroads into the injection molding industry due to its ability to reduce the cost and improve the performance of molds used in the process. What we are now starting to see is an increasing number of companies and services aimed specifically at leveraging AM and computer aided engineering … Read more
Amber K. Willett has submitted a thesis to the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University, exploring the potential for 3D printers as a tool for occupational therapists in ‘3D Printing and Occupational Therapy: The Process of 3D Printing Adaptive Devices.’ As 3D printing becomes widely embraced in the medical field, … Read more
In ‘The Weave – An Investigation into the Intersection of Craft and 3D-printing,’ Albin Karlsson and Johanna Jonsson of Sweden’s Lund University have written a master’s thesis centered around a new type of 3D printed ceramic brick and their unique desire to reconnect humanity with matter and the material world. While many contemporary 3D printing … Read more
Electron beam melting (EBM) has a unique place in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry in that there is only one EBM hardware manufacturer (GE Additive subsidiary Arcam) and the technology is targeted primarily toward two industry segments: aerospace and orthopedics. By targeting the orthopedics space, Arcam has won over a number of companies that use … Read more
For Lab Day 2020, a number of 3D printing companies are rolling out their dental 3D printing product lines. This year, there’s the sense that there is a change taking place within the dental additive manufacturing (AM) space as systems manufacturers move beyond simply presenting their latest wares and, instead, present integrated product suites that … Read more
3D printing will soon be assisting members of the military in Australia, as a 12-month pilot training program has begun in a $1.5 million partnership with SPEE3D and Charles Darwin University (CDU). The Australian Minister of Defense Industry, the Hon. Melissa Price MP, has announced that soldiers mostly from 1st Combat Service Support Battalion (1 … Read more
The global trends of ‘digitization’, ‘convergence’ and ‘democratization’ have had a profound impact on every industry sector. These trends have caused new industries to spring up while disrupting established industries. In physical goods these trends are being driven by 3D printing technologies, also called additive manufacturing. 3D printing creates unprecedented added value for industries such … Read more
International researchers are taking advantage of the next level beyond 3D printing to produce novel materials and structures, as outlined in the recently published ‘Reversible energy absorbing meta-sandwiches by FDM 4D printing.’ With a focus on reversible energy absorption applications, the authors fabricate ‘meta-sandwiches,’ developed from hyper-elastic polymers and elasto-plastic shape memory polymers. Harkening to … Read more
In just a couple of short months, it will be time for RAPID + TCT 2020, taking place in sunny Anaheim, California from April 20-23. The globally renowned conference, held every year in the spring, is the largest, longest-running, and by far most important additive-manufacturing event in North America. RAPID + TCT is co-hosted by … Read more
In the first part in our series on the possible role of 3D printing in a degrowth society, we explored some of the more sustainable aspects of the technology and its potential use for more sustainable production. Here we take a more realistic look at AM. Less Material Waste Though 3D printing uses less material … Read more
Even if you’re an optimist, Earth is currently on track for an uncertain fate. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that global greenhouse gasses (GHG) need to be cut by 45 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050 in order to avoid “catastrophic warming” of 2°C above preindustrial levels. Many … Read more
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
Any lingering questions related to the future of 3D printing in construction should be answered this year for visitors at the international Bautec construction exhibit in Berlin. Germany’s PERI Group will not only be in attendance showing off the COBOD BOD2 3D construction printer, but they will be doing something very new and unusual for … 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
While 3D printing, 4D printing, bioprinting, and additive manufacturing processes abound in the US and around the globe, some programs are not previously as well-known but are also real powerhouses of digital fabrication. Offering two main campuses and four centers, the Kentucky-based Somerset Community College has just announced that their additive manufacturing program has completed … Read more
In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re talking about new products and materials, an industry event, 3D printed electronics, and education. 3Doodler announced a new product, and Essentium will be showcasing two new materials at RAPID + TCT. The 4th annual AM Cluster of Ohio conference is coming up in July, and nScrypt is microdispensing … 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
US scientists are learning more about power, temperature, and the effects on metal 3D printing processes, with their findings outlined in the recently published ‘Subsurface Cooling Rates and Microstructural Response during Laser Based Metal Additive Manufacturing.’ LPBF is being used more commonly in additive manufacturing processes today due to a list of benefits offered to … Read more
US researchers continue ongoing research into 3D printed pharmaceuticals, presenting their unique findings in ‘Polymers for Extrusion-Based 3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals: A Holistic Materials-Process Perspective.’ While many have predicted that the pharmaceutical industry was perched on the edge of a massive transformation due to the advantages offered by 3D printing, there are still many ongoing … Read more
Given its unique ability to produce small numbers of specialty components quickly and cost-effectively, it’s no surprise that 3D printing is being increasingly applied to the world of motorsports. The latest user is CUPRA Racing, the motorsports division of Volkswagen Group’s Spanish subsidiary, SEAT. To design, test and produce parts for its new Leon Competición, … Read more
At Lab Day 2020 in Chicago, Prodways has announced the development of its Clear Aligners Manufacturing Ecosystem, meant to cover all aspects of the design and production of clear aligners. Developed in partnership with prevalent companies in the digital dentistry space—3Shape, Full Contour, Imes-Icore and Dreve—the product ecosystem can deliver up to 1200 aligners daily, … Read more
Among the first fused filament fabrication (FFF) startups to industrialize its technology, German RepRap has held a unique position in the additive manufacturing (AM) space. Now, the company may see that position grow even larger, as German RepRap has been sold to the owners of Arburg, a substantial machine manufacturer specializing in injection molding. Born … Read more