There’s an interesting mainstream media video exploring the current state of 3D printing that poses some interesting opportunities.
manufacturing
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.
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.
Formlabs Client Demonstrates Immense Production Flexibility Using 3D Printing
One of Formlabs’ clients has been saved from catastrophe during the COVID-19 crisis in a way that demonstrates the incredible power of 3D printing.
Innovating Out Of Downturn
Pandemic-driven transitioning is leading to an interesting long-term reconfiguration of factory work.
The Largest 3D Printing Factory Is Coming
A company is in the midst of building what could be the largest 3D print farm in the world.
Roboze Launches Extreme Parts Network
Roboze launched their long-awaited distributed additive manufacturing service, composed of a network of experienced Roboze 3D printer operators.
Are TranPham’s 3D Printing Trends True?
Fabbaloo friend Tuan Tranpham issued a list of 3D printing trends he’s perceived — but are they really true?
Lean Manufacturing, Automation and Distancing
Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi examine the principles of Lean Manufacturing together with rising trends in automation and required social distancing.
MakerBot Announces Powerful Carbon Fiber Option
MakerBot announced a new version of their METHOD series that is specifically designed to 3D print strong carbon fiber parts.
The Unexpected Transformation of Photocentric
Photopolymer resin and 3D printer manufacturer Photocentric is undergoing a transformation, as many 3D printer manufacturers are doing these days.
GE Layoffs Suggest Problems Ahead For Metal 3D Printing
GE announced it is cutting loose another 13,000 jobs, and this may have big implications for the 3D printing industry.
Inside Arevo’s New-Style Manufacturing Approach
I spoke with AREVO’s Tuan Tranpham to find out the secrets of AREVO’s advanced manufacturing service.
3Diligent CEO: “It’s A Wild Time To Be Introducing Products”
3Diligent has announced updates to its Industry 4.0 software and services; the CEO fills us in on what these mean for procurement and manufacturing shops.
Haute Fabrication’s Virtual 3D Printing Factory
Haute Fabrication has a very interesting take on automating metal 3D printing using robotics and virtual reality.
The Very Good Reason 3D Printed Parts Were Found In The Tesla Model Y
3D printed parts have been found inside a brand-new Tesla Model Y, and there’s a very good reason for them to be there.
Converting The Boeing Supply Chain To Electric Boat Submarines
Charles Goulding examines the redistribution of aerospace suppliers to submarines, and how they can benefit from industrial 3D printing expertise.
COVID-19: A Tipping Point For Additive Manufacturing
A conversation in industrial 3D printing proved revealing as to the place of this advanced manufacturing technology in crisis and beyond.
Job Shop and 3D Printing Services vs Product Production
Charles Goulding of R&D Tax Savers takes a look at pandemic production.
3D Printing Short Circuits Supply Chain Woes?
Could 3D printing strategies overcome supply chain challenges? It seems that one company has done exactly that.
Traditional Ventilator Manufacturers Seek To Scale Up And Simplify Production
Charles Goulding of R&D Tax Savers examines ventilator manufacture picking up with 3D printing.
Kudos To Ford For Helping With 3D Printing During The Coronavirus Crisis
Charles Goulding of R&D Tax Savers discusses Ford’s historical and current manufacturing efforts to aid in necessary production.
A Further Look: 3D Printing In Italy During The Pandemic
Italy has been hard-hit in the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, and new ways of life are leading to new approaches to business for 3D printing.
The Secret Factory Hidden Amongst Us Has No Brain
One of the learnings from the crisis is the need for a distributed 3D printing coordination authority.
4 Things We’re Learning About 3D Printing From The Crisis
After seeing the flurry of activity in the 3D printing community to address the COVID-19 crisis, I had some thoughts about how things may change in the industry.
Incredible Update On Photocentric COVID-19 Production
Photocentric has increased their 3D printed valve production rate by 10X using some interesting methods.
Formlabs Gets It Right With Their COVID-19 Response
Formlabs is setting a great example for other 3D print companies to follow when addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
Comment of the Week: 3D Printing vs Global Production
A reader speculates on how the coronavirus crisis may provide an opportunity for additive manufacturing, and we have some additional thoughts on new opportunities.
Ultimaker Lands A Breakthrough Customer
3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker announced today what I believe could be a breakthrough sale to a major client, and this could mean a lot more sales.
BigRep Ships 500th 3D Printer
BigRep hit a huge milestone with the shipment of their 500th 3D printer. We look back on how they got there.
What Does A 3D Printing Company In A Virus Outbreak Do? We Found Out
What does a 3D printing company do in the midst of a major virus outbreak? We spoke with one company that’s at the heart of the crisis.
Sinterit Positions For Huge Growth With New Massive Factory
Sinterit has just opened a massive new facility that will dramatically increase their production capability. What will they do with it?
AREVO Puts All The 3D Pieces Together
A manufacturing-as-a-service company has developed a way to 3D print continuous carbon fiber in a production setting.
Book of the Week: Introduction to Manufacturing Processes
This week’s selection is “Introduction to Manufacturing Processes” by Mikell Groover.
Checking Out MiniFactory’s 3D Print Technical Sheets
MiniFactory’s new software produces a very useful report for each 3D print that may be important for clients. We had a close look at one.
New 5-Axis 3D Printer Seeks to Improve Additive Integrity
VSHAPER’s new 3D printer uses a 5-axis motion system to enable 3D printing without support structures.
Hirtenberger’s Automated Metal 3D Print Post Processing System
An Austrian company has developed an incredibly sophisticated end-to-end automation system for metal 3D print post processing.
MakerOS Announces “PAQ”
MakerOS announced a new feature for their integrated manufacturing management service: PAQ. We describe how it works.
Two Major Boeing Suppliers Working Together using 3D Printing
Charles Goulding and Peter Favata examine how two of Boeing’s suppliers could make increased use of 3D printing technology.
Electric Boat’s Largest New Attack Submarine Can Strike a Balance With 3D Printing
Charles Goulding looks at developments in the submarine construction industry where there may be a big opening for 3D printing.
Are Composites Disrupting 3D Printing?
Megan has some thoughts about the use of composite materials in 3D printing.
Will There Be Many Seismic Shifts Enabled By 3D Printing?
While there are breakthroughs occurring in several industries as a result of additive manufacturing, how many other industries could be affected?
3D Hubs Releases Latest Trends Report: Our Analysis
3D Hubs has released its now-annual report on manufacturing and 3D printing trends, and we take a look at their statistics.
Coronavirus Strikes 3D Printing
A significant outbreak of a coronavirus is affecting many things in China and beyond. But could this affect 3D printing?
Consolidated Aerospace Acquisition by Stanley Will Accelerate Aerospace 3D Printing
Stanley Black & Decker is set to acquire Boeing supplier Consolidated Aerospace, possibly increasing additive manufacturing activity.
3D Printed Midsole Manufacturing Coming?
A mysterious 3D printer is said to perform continuous manufacturing of footwear. We speculate on what this could be.
Question of the Week: 3D Printing Tree Branches In Metal
A reader inquires about the best method for 3D printing an artistic work in metal. We explore several options, some of which are quite expensive.
Exploring Ricoh’s3D Print Instant Quote System
We gave Ricoh’s new instant quote option for their 3D print services a test and were quite surprised with the result.
Sculpteo Opens Largest 3D Printing Annual Survey:
Sculpteo has opened up their annual survey for respondents, and it’s very important your viewpoint be registered.
Reviewing Xometry’s 3D Printing Trends
Xometry’s Greg Paulsen examines recent trends in additive manufacturing, and we provide some additional thoughts.
3YOURMIND’s Agile MES Automatically Builds Manufacturing Plans
3YOURMIND has found an interesting way to reduce a common way digital workflows are thwarted on the factory floor.
Big Changes Coming: Essentium Survey Reveals Significant Issues With Closed Material 3D Printing
A new survey of large-scale 3D printing operations from Essentium reveals what could be a fatal flaw in the strategies of most major 3D printer manufacturers who hope to move towards production additive manufacturing.
The Magic Behind Materialise
We had a chat with Materialise’s Stefaan Motte to find out what’s happening at the long-time 3D printing leader.
Launching New Products Has Never Been Easier, Thanks To 3D Printing
Protolabs assisted the development of an award-winning consumer product, demonstrating the power of today’s manufacturing services.
dp polar’s Unusual AMpolar i2 HSR 3D Printer
dp polar has developed a very unusual 3D printer that uses a large rotating platform to manufacture large quantities of parts in a single print job.
Space-Based Manufacturing Project Hints at Digital Manufacturing Constraints
Some thoughts about in-space manufacturing suggest a slightly different view of what digital inventory projects could or could not achieve on the ground.
3D Printing Innovation in America and the R&D Tax Credit
Charles Goulding and Greer Veon examine how 3D printing is affecting the progress of innovation.
Is A Robotic Assembly System Really A 3D Printer?
New research from the University of Stuttgart demonstrates the possibility of using an assembly technique for 3D printing.
Five Unending Myths About 3D Printing
There are five myths about 3D printing that just won’t go away. We list and explain all of them.
Could 3D Printing Save The Automotive Industry?
HP’s metal 3D printing work with Volkswagen portends a 3D printed future for automakers seeking to catch up in the race to produce electric vehicles.
3D Printing and the $35 Billion Sales Industry
What happens if the 3D printing industry actually grows to the extent predicted by forecasters? What kind of additive manufacturing opportunities exist?
Prusa Leaks New Firmware Features; Suggests Future Model Features
Prusa Research issued some news about their new Original Prusa MINI desktop 3D printer, and it leads to some interesting speculation.
Why We Cover Large and Small 3D Printers
Some may wonder why this publication covers both small-scale DIY 3D printing and at the same time large-scale industrial production additive manufacturing. We explain our thinking.
An Update on The Progress of Additive industries
Additive Industries announced a series of interesting technical and corporate moves that should power their expansion. We speculate on what they could mean for the 3D printing industry.
3D Printing and Commercial Refrigeration
Charles Goulding and Peter Favata of R&D Tax Savers take a look at how the commercial refrigeration industry is beginning to make production use of 3D printing technology.
The Transformation of Loop 3D
Loop 3D has completely switched gears and after two years has released a powerful industrial 3D printer. We found out all about it and its numerous features.
An Update On Lynxter’s 3D Printers
Lynxter’s S600D industrial 3D printer just got a lot better with a new liquid extrusion system. We found out which materials it can print.
Dassault Systèmes Deepens Partnership With RIZE
Dassault Systèmes has integrated RIZE 3D printing technology directly into their CAD software products to aid manufacturers. We know why they did so.
Printsyst Partners With DNA.me For Additive Manufacturing Process Automation
Printsyst and DNA.me have partnered to combine their respective expertise on additive manufacturing automation. We speculate on what may happen in the long term.
The Secret To A Successful Manufacturing Network
DiManEx has developed a comprehensive service providing an end-to-end approach to 3D printing and other manufacturing services.
Additive Manufacturing: Bridging The Gap From Craft To Automation
What happens when your skilled craft workers retire? You switch to additive manufacturing. See the details in this interesting case study.
Oqton Does It All In Additive Manufacturing
Oqton has finally revealed the scope of their massive AI-powered database and its ability to provide a wide variety of services to optimize all types of additive manufacturing workflows. We saw examples of their capabilities.
Tritone’s MoldJet Technology Well Suited For Production Use
Tritone announced a revolutionary 3D printing process called “MoldJet” that 3D prints molds and casts objects during the 3D printing process.
Signify To 3D Print Massive Quantities of Light Shades And Fixtures
Signify announced a plan to mass customize lighting products using 3D printing technology, potentially requiring as many as 500 3D printers.
3D Printed Parts with 60% Continuous Carbon Fiber?
Is it possible to 3D print parts made from 60% continuous carbon fiber? There is, and we learned how it is done.
AMT’s Automated Post Processing System
AMT’s new automated post processing system for 3D printing could enable massive scalability. We found out how it works.
Why Did BASF Acquire Sculpteo?
3D print service Sculpteo is to be acquired by BASF, but why is a chemical company buying a service company, something they’ve never done before? We found out why.
Book of the Week: Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry
This week’s selection is “Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry” by Francis Froes and Rodney Boyer.
Trends and Impressions of Formnext 2019
Formnext 2019 was the largest 3D printing event ever held in history. We list the top trends seen at the growing trade show.
Survey Indicates Massive Growth in Industrial 3D Printing
Essentium commissioned an extensive survey of manufacturers to determine additive manufacturing usage and intentions. The results were very surprising.
Attention Metal Workshops: Desktop Metal’s New Shop System Announced
Desktop Metal announced a new low-cost binder jet metal 3D printer for metal workshops, including high resolution capability and integrated end-to-end part production.
Is It Possible To 3D Print Spacecraft?
It has now been demonstrated it’s possible to 3D print spacecraft parts in thermoplastic thanks to an experiment by CRP Technology.
Farsoon’s Powder-Eating CAMS System
Farsoon completed customer beta-testing of their powerful HT1001P CAMS nylon 3D printing production system, which can 3D print continuously.