Today in Sliced – what to 3D print for Christmas; UK hospitals call for more 3D printing in healthcare; a bioprinter is launched into space; and all the latest business deals from APWORKS, Sigma Labs, XJet, Sculpteo and more.
Sigma Labs partners with Fraunhofer, CERN integrates AM automation
3D printing quality assurance software provider Sigma Labs has confirmed an R&D agreement with the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT). Dating back to Formnext 2018, this collaboration will, according to Sigma Labs CEO John Rice, “[…] test and validate the use of the [Sigma Labs] PrintRite3D system to identify and quantify machine and process inconsistencies as well as flag defect thermal signatures during the laser melting process, and correlate them to CT scan results.”
Elsewhere in R&D, automated depowdering units from post processing specialist Solukon Maschinenbau GmbH are now in use at CERN on selectively melted parts.
What should I 3D print?
Electronics magazine and marketplace Elektor has announced the 2018 Anet Global 3D Printing Competition, giving two lucky winners the opportunity to win a trip to Shenzhen, China. To enter Anet 3D printer owners have been asked to share the “most impressive,” “largest,” “smallest,” and “funniest” 3D printing applications in videos online. Entries remain open until 5:00 pm GMT+8 on January 15, 2019, with 580 prizes across first, second, third and fourth places up for grabs.
Considering a homemade Christmas this year? Potent Printables designer Ali has posted a design to beat them all: the Cell Phone Etch-a-Sketch.
The .stl files for this super stocking filler are available to download for free via Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory.
New 3D printing opportunities open in Africa
Through its HP LIFE program, the HP Foundation has agreed to provide training to 100,000 students across Africa over the next three years. As of January 2018, the program now includes a 3D printing course that will help participants realize entrepreneurial opportunities with the technology.
And Rhodes University, South Africa, has helped acquire a 3D printer for local DD Siwisa Primary School through the GE Additive Education Program. Though based at the school, the 3D printer will remain an open resource for others to use.
Stefan Ritt joins 3YOURMIND, APWORKS partners with Barnes Group
In 3D printing business, Badr Al Olama, head of Abu Dhabi investor and industrial network Mubadala Aerospace, has pointed to 3D printing as one of its primary areas of investment as it focuses on Industry 4.0.
3D printed orthosis and prosthesis company Mecuris is considering expansion in the U.S. through new offices in Pittsburgh.
Additive manufacturing system distributor AB Universal has become an official reseller of XJet’s Carmel 3D printer in Russia.
Engineering consultancy firm Barnes Group Advisors has entered into a strategic partnership with APWORKS. A subsidiary of Airbus, APWORKS is the developer of Scalmalloy material. This partnership, according to Joachim Zettler, Managing Director at APWORKS will help to “rapidly implement our North American expansion strategy.”
Stefan Ritt, former VP of Global Marketing and Communications at SLM Solutions, has joined PLM software company 3YOURMIND as the Head of Global Marketing.
3D printing and prototyping service bureau GoProto, Inc. is expanding into the Asia Pacific region with the launch of a new facility in Melbourne Australia.
3D printing service bureau Sculpteo has confirmed a partnership with aerospace and transportation company Bombardier.
And Singapore based R&D company Bralco Advanced Materials has signed an agreement with AK Steel International B.V. Together the companies plan to develop specialty metal components for key industries.
3D printed healthcare on land and now in space
As of December 3 2018, Russia’s 3D Bioprinting Solutions has now reportedly installed its FABION 3D bioprinter aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The machine was sent to replace a 3D bioprinter of the same name which was incinerated in the failure of the Soyuz MS-10 spaceflight in October 2018.
And NHS Wales is seeking funding to increase adoption of 3D printing across its hospitals. The move takes example from Morriston Hospital in Swansea that has been implementing the technology since 1999, and recently worked with Renishaw to produce 3D printed rib implants for a patient who suffered from cancer. Andrew Goodall , chief executive of NHS Wales, commented, “It’s imperative to our NHS’s continuing success that it moves with the times to improve the health and prosperity of the people of Wales.”
nTopology Element update and new DLP crowdfunder
nTopology has updated its Element generative design software offering its usage on a three tier access basis. The company states “As a part of our ongoing strategy and growth, we will be revamping the Element product offering […] Element Free will no longer be supported or upgraded. The different tiers available will be Element Basic, Advanced, and Pro. Element will still be available and free to education users.”
And finally, a new LCD DLP 3D printer is available on Kickstarter. Named the Phrozen Transform, the machine is made by Taiwanese 3D printer manufacturer Phrozen, “frozen” + “photon,” and has already gained 168 backers with 46 days still to go.
Make your nominations for the 2019 3D Printing Industry Awards now.
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Featured image shows Sliced logo over Potent Printables’ 3D printed Cell Phone Etch-a-Sketch. Original photo via Potent Printables
