Electroimpact offers a continuous carbon fiber manufacturing solution that’s a bit different from other CCF 3D printers.
manufacturing
The Science Of 3D Printed Jigs & Fixtures
Jigs and fixtures are a staple application in 3D printing, but there’s much to know when using them.
Robot Bike Company Turns to solidThinking for Custom Mountain Bikes
As more manufacturers combine additive manufacturing (AM) processes with innovative design techniques using modern software, the products once thought of as “one-size-fits-all” are becoming increasingly personalized.
Additive Manufacturing: Steadily Becoming Mainstream in Manufacturing
In a world of digitally driven production, additive manufacturing (AM) has steadily solidified its place.
The UK’s Design For AM Network
There’s a meeting place for those working on methods for additive manufacturing design in the UK: the Design for AM Network.
Wikifactory Secures $4.5M to Democratize Innovation
The era of democratizing our labor and resources is well upon us.
The Additive Molding Process From Arris Composites
Arris Composites, a leader in composites manufacturing, uses a new process they call “Additive Molding”.
Ultimaker To Focus On 3D Printing Ecosystem And User Journey In 2021
I caught up with Gregory Elfering, President of Ultimaker Americas, for a discussion of Ultimaker’s 2020 reflections and 2021 trends and predictions.
Stratasys Takes A Big Step Into Manufacturing
Stratasys announced the GrabCAD SDK, which should allow far more extensive use of their equipment in industrial settings.
How Could Additive Manufacturing Replace Traditional Manufacturing?
I’m reading a piece on Shapeways’ blog entitled “Will Additive Manufacturing Replace Conventional Manufacturing?” and have some thoughts.
PrintSyst And DNA.AM Launch AI-Powered MES
PrintSyst announced they’ve successfully integrated their AI engine into DNA.AM’s manufacturing execution system.
Seven 3D Print Automation Concerns
I’ve been doing some thinking about automation lately and realized there are several things that should be covered by 3D print automation solutions.
Will MedAccred Certification Be Tied To The Future Of The Manufacturing Industry?
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider future impacts of MedAccred certification as all eyes turn to medical manufacturing.
Why Copper Could Be The Next Golden Material For Additive Manufacturing
Copper is a relatively rare material in additive manufacturing operations, but that could change in the next few years.
Dialing In 3D Printing Parameters With Machine Learning
The process of “dialing in” optimal 3D print parameters can be challenging, but how is this best done in a rapidly evolving industrial environment?
How Is 3D Printing Improving The Manufacturing Industry?
3D printing has become a staple in industries throughout the world.
3DPrinterOS’ New Platform: 3D Control Systems
A relatively quiet announcement from the folks at 3DPrinterOS reveals some very big changes for the company.
Meltio Announces Hybrid Manufacturing Option
Meltio announced the “Meltio Engine”, a hardware upgrade for CNC equipment to combine additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities.
What Happens To Those 3D Printing PPE Factories?
In the spring several 3D printer manufacturers set up “pop up” factories to rapidly produce PPE for the pandemic. But what happens afterwards?
Xact Metal Makes Copper 3D Printing Inexpensive
Xact Metal has adapted their inexpensive metal 3D printer technology to enable the use of copper material.
Smart International Shifting Gears
Smart International is now a long way from the days of their KODAK Portrait system.
Autodesk Adds Powerhouse Manufacturing Tools to Fusion 360
Autodesk announced during its recent Advanced Manufacturing Summit that some of its powerhouse manufacturing tools would be added to Fusion 360, including PowerMill, PowerShape and PowerInspect.
Additive Industries Lands An Important Partnership
Additive Industries announced a partnership with Makino, and this should enable the company to provide significant additional functionality.
Additive Assurance’s Revolutionary Quality Control System, AMiRIS
A startup company has developed a unique method of certifying the quality of 3D printed metal parts.
SLM Solution’s “Miracle Machine”: The NXG XII 600
SLM Solutions has released a breakthrough metal 3D printer, the massive NXG XII 600.
3D Printing And Solar Panels
Charles R. Goulding and Peter Favata look at how the solar panel industry could make use of 3D printing technology.
Smart International Joins The High-Temperature Club
Smart International announced a high-temperature 3D printing option: the Macro HT.
Essentium’s Unique Approach To Aerospace 3D Printing
Many 3D print companies service the aerospace industry, but it appears that Essentium is doing things in quite a different way.
Glimpsing The Future Of Mass Customization
In an interesting short video, 3D print service Qualified3D demonstrates a method for producing mass customized objects.
Siemens Pushes Digital Twins in CNC Manufacturing
Siemens recently announced its new SINUMERIK CNC control system. While Siemens has long been a hallmark of CNC controllers, this new system takes its cue from other parts of the company’s repertoire.
Round 2: The COVID Fight Scores With Help from 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine how 3D printing could make an even bigger splash during the second wave of COVID-19.
Implications of The Dyndrite – HP Partnership
There could be some profound implications coming for additive manufacturing, after a review of the newly announced HP Universal Build Manager, which is powered by Dyndrite.
The Economics Of Low-Volume Manufacturing With Belt 3D Printers
The world is about to see a deluge of belt 3D printers but can they be economically used for low-volume manufacturing?
Looking At Hurdles To Serial Additive Manufacturing Production
I’m reading a post by Markus Seibold about serial production using additive manufacturing and there is a great deal of wisdom in his thoughts.
3DQue’s Looping Kit For Continuous 3D Printing On Desktop Devices
3D print startup company 3DQue is offering a “looping kit” to allow for continuous 3D printing on common desktop 3D printers.
A Look At MakerOS V2
I had a chat with the friendly folks at MakerOS to learn about their new “V2” software.
Boom Supersonic Unveils The XB-1, And It’s Full Of 3D Printed Parts
Boom Supersonic’s new XB-1 prototype aircraft turns out to be using plenty of 3D printed parts.
Alloyed Tests Functional Nickel Superalloy For High-Temperature AM
Alloyed announced the results of a project they’ve undertaken with Honeywell Aviation to assess a new high-temperature metal powder for aerospace applications.
GE Aviation Receives Certification For Partly 3D Printed Jet Engine
GE Aviation has received official certification from the US FAA for its massive GE9X jet engine.
RPS Announces New Neo 450 Industrial 3D Printer Line
UK-based RPS announced a new series of industrial 3D printers, the Neo 450 line.
PodoPrinter Announces Revolutionary SOLE 3D Printer
At long last, PodoPrinter has released full details on their now-named device, the SOLE 3D production printer.
Essentium’s New DryBox Filament Storage Solution
Essentium announced a new solution for filament storage, the Essentium DryBox.
Book of the Week: Made in the USA
This week’s selection is “Made in the USA: The Rise and Retreat of American Manufacturing ” by Vaclav Smil.
3D Hubs Announces Logistics Centers
3D Hubs announced the creation of not one, but two new logistics centers located in the USA and Europe.
The Future of Additive Manufacturing
An interesting talk at the third episode of the ongoing 3DEXPERIENCE: A Virtual Journey revealed some hints about what may happen in additive manufacturing’s future.
A Deeper Look Into Smart3D’s Macro 3D Printing Software
This week Smart3D International announced an interesting new industrial 3D printer, the Macro. But it turns out the software for this system is even more interesting.
Book of the Week: Additive Manufacturing
This week’s selection is “Additive Manufacturing” by The Open University.
Smart3D Launches The Macro, A Manufacturing 3D Printer
Smart3D International has announced a new 3D printer, the Macro, and it’s intended for use in manufacturing.
Unique Spice Jar Cap Design to Measure Your Spices
Anyone who has spent any amount of time baking/cooking/experimenting will know the tedium of measuring ingredients but outside of pre-measured packets what could make it easier?
Nexa3D Makes Three Big Announcements
Nexa3D made multiple announcements this week, each strengthening their position in the market.
Additive Industries Partners With Sigma Labs On PrintRite3D
Additive Industries announced a partnership with Sigma Labs to allow use of PrintRite3D on their equipment.
Digitizing the Industrial Workforce with Innovapptive
Innovapptive Inc., a Houston-based digital transformation provider, strives to connect machines, methods and workflows seamlessly with industrial managers, supervisors and workers.
Entirely New Form Of 3D Design Developed: Computational Design Synthesis
Researchers have developed what appears to be a far more accessible method of developing highly complex 3D models for 3D printing.
Ultimaker Reports Significant Growth During The Pandemic
Ultimaker reported significant growth in the first half of 2020, a rare reveal of the private company’s financial state.
Fictiv Goes Transparent
Fictiv announced a comprehensive set of transparency features that should fit well into the current state of the world.
The Importance of Speed in the Manufacturing Process
Having a fast manufacturing process has many benefits to a business ranging from cost-effectiveness, innovation to increased customer satisfaction.
Is Magigoo Taking Over The World?
Magigoo seems to have expanded a great deal since we last took a look at them, and a new partnership shows where they are headed.
BMW’s New Additive Manufacturing Plant Won’t Be The Last
BMW has opened for operations a new additive manufacturing plant, but this is likely only the beginning.
Digital Manufacturing Powerhouse Powers Up More: FATHOM Acquires GPI
FATHOM has acquired GPI Prototype & Manufacturing Services, expanding with more DMLS 3D printing capabilities.
SLM Solutions Grows 90%? What Happened?
SLM Solutions announced their revenue grew an astonishing 90% in the first half of the year. How did they accomplish this during a pandemic?
Azoth’s Unique Digital Inventory Approach Using XYZprinting’s SLS System
XYZprinting’s MfgPro230 xS SLS 3D printer is enabling a company to provide an unusual digital inventory service.
Eight Ways 3D Printing Can Help Manufacturing
With the recent spotlight on 3D printing as a result of the pandemic’s bump on supply chains, I listed some ways the technology can help manufacturers.
Formlabs Announces “Factory Solutions” And Shifts Everyone’s Perception Of 3D Printing
Formlabs announced a new product offering they call “Factory Solutions”.
3D Printing For Generator Components
Charles R. Goulding and Alyssa Schneider delve into the use of 3D printing to produce components for generators.
Stratasys Deep Inside GM
Stratasys issued an interesting press release where they describe their activities inside of GM.
Book of the Week: Faster, Better, Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing
This week’s selection is “Faster, Better, Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing: From the Stone Age to Lean Manufacturing and Beyond” by Christoph Roser.
3D Printing: Helping Boats Take Flight
Charles R. Goulding sets sail with the idea of 3D printing for technologically advanced boat manufacture.
Strong Winds And 3D Printing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the coming together of 3D printing and wind power.
3D Printing And Supply Chain Preparedness
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that supply chains can be disrupted suddenly and without any indication of how long the interruption will last.
Thoughts On Using The Prusa MINI In 3D Printer Farms
After working with the Prusa MINI 3D printer, I have some thoughts on the use of this device in a potential 3D printer farm setup.
Book of the Week: A Practical Guide to Design for Additive Manufacturing
This week’s selection is “A Practical Guide to Design for Additive Manufacturing” by Olaf Diegel , Axel Nordin and Damien Motte.
When 3D Printing Makes Sense For Serial Production
Many companies requiring thousands of components use 3D printing to perfect their design before moving to injection molding for production, but sometimes it makes sense to stick with additive manufacturing.
A Walk Through Fictiv’s Manufacturing Survey Shows Significant Change Underway
Fictiv released their annual “State of Manufacturing” report, and there are some notable changes from previous years’ reports.
Mass Customization Is Coming
With the arrival of the new Superstrata 3D printed bikes, I’m wondering whether we’re now at the moment when mass customization begins to grow in the minds of consumers.
Arevo’s 3D Printed Continuous Carbon Fiber Manufacturing Process Just Got Real
California startup Superstrata just launched a new e-bike made with 3D printed continuous carbon fiber.
Four New Pandemic-Generated 3D Printing Business Models
The pandemic is far from over, but its effect on 3D printing business is becoming clear; we list 4 new business models for 3D printing.
Fictiv’s New Collaboration With Jabil
Fictiv and Jabil announced an unusual collaboration that should allow for far faster 3D printed production.
Now Is The Time To Push 3D Printing Into Manufacturing
The emergence of 3D printing as a manufacturing solution during the COVID-19 crisis now implies bold actions be taken.
Relativity Space Scores Another 3D Printed Rocket Client
Big news: rocket startup Relativity Space has signed a deal with their fifth launch client, Iridium.
New Mainstream Media Documentary Suggests 3D Printing Is For Manufacturing
There’s an interesting mainstream media video exploring the current state of 3D printing that poses some interesting opportunities.
COBOD 3D Printing 200m Turbine Tower!
News from COBOD indicates they are to assist in the production of massive wind turbines by 3D printing large tower bases.
Book of the Week: Job Shop Lean
This week’s selection is “Job Shop Lean: An Industrial Engineering Approach to Implementing Lean in High-Mix Low-Volume Production Systems” by Shahrukh A. Irani.
INTAMSYS’ New High-Speed Flexible 3D Printer
INTAMSYS announced a radically new 3D printer, the FLEX 510, which is able to 3D print flexible objects at very high speeds.
IMTS 2020 Cancelled In The Face Of COVID-19
The massive biannual International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) has been cancelled for 2020.
2020 Update: Carbon Fiber 3D Printing
Why is composite 3D printing so important, and what role does Carbon Fiber play?
Is It Time To Shut Down Smaller 3D Printed PPE Operations?
Over the past few months most regions have self-organized informal 3D printed PPE networks, but perhaps it’s time to consider shutting them down.
3DEO Hits A Production 3D Print Milestone
Metal manufacturing service 3DEO announced they’ve produced 150,000 metal parts using their unique process.
ExOne’s #MakeMetalGreen Campaign Highlights Industry’s Lack of Knowledge
ExOne launched a new social media campaign a few weeks ago focusing on the green aspects of 3D printing, but why do they need to do that at all?
SpaceX Triggers Increased Use Of 3D Printing?
I’m seeing another reason companies will increase their adoption of 3D printing, and this time it’s at the top end of a rocket.
Could The Pandemic Cause 3D Printer Company Tranformations?
After seeing 3D printer companies make fundamental transformations in their business models, I’m wondering if this is a trend.
The Consolidation Trend in 3D Print and Manufacturing Services
I recently spoke with Rich Stump of FATHOM and learned how the manufacturing service industry is consolidating.
Xaar Announcement Hints At Future Stratasys Involvement
An announcement by Xaar leads to some interesting speculation about Stratasys’ future strategy, which could be a different style of involvement with additive manufacturing.
A Xometry Update With Thoughts On Manufacturing Flexibility
Recently I spoke with Xometry’s Aaron Lichtig to find out how the 3D printing manufacturing network is faring during the crisis.
Falcontech To Take FIFTY Farsoon Metal 3D Printers
Farsoon announced a monstrously huge deal with Falcontech to provide the AM service with no fewer than 50 advanced metal 3D printers.
CASTOR Assists The Transition To Additive Manufacturing
A startup company has developed services to assist the transition to additive manufacturing technologies by performing a sophisticated analysis of target parts.