3D Software

3D Printing News Sliced Microsoft, Siemens, Norsk Titanium, Renishaw

This is Sliced, the 3D printing news roundup with a finger on the pulse of all things new in additive business, applications, hardware, software, materials and medical breakthroughs.

Today’s stories feature Spain’s 3D Printer Party, Microsoft, Siemens, AMUG, 3DZ, EOS, Nano Dimension, Norsk Titanium, SABIC, Rize, ACEO, Renishaw and many more.

Read on to learn about record breaking applications, 3D printing in Vatican City, secure cloud software solutions, improved exoskeletons, and help in design for additive manufacturing.

R&MM’s MIRAD, a powered assistive exoskeleton. Photo via Artec
R&MM’s MIRAD, a powered assistive exoskeleton. Photo via Artec

Intelligent, secure and reliable 3D printer software solutions

MIT spin-out Tulip has launched a solution to enable IoT functions in factories. The Factory Kit, including a barcode scanner, temperature and humidity sensors, is tailored to work with Tulip’s Manufacturing App Platform, as a build-your-own intelligent machine-monitoring platform.

In another enterprise solution, 3DPrinterOS and Microsoft have released a software bundle to help protect 3D printer operation in Azure private and public clouds. The new package enables real-time user and machine management and secure file sharing.

Europac 3D has become a channel partner and reseller or Siemens PLM software.

Simplify3D 3D print preparation software will now be integrated into FlashForge machines.

Swords, monsters, the Swiss Guard and temple roofs

This year’s 3D Printer Party in Spain unofficially broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for number of amateur 3D printers all operating at the same time (toward the same goal). Over two days, 161 3D printers, owned by 210 people, 3D printed a 4.8 meter long sword at the University of Burgos.

3D printing YouTuber James Bruton, aka XRobots, currently holds the record for the tallest 3D printed sculpture of human at 3.62m tall. 3D Printer Party Spain suggested they might send the sword to James to give it another level of awesome.

Following April’s Monsterpalooza convention, celebrating all the weird, wonderful and truly terrifying creatures of videogames, TV and cinema, Oculus VR has released a mini-docutmentary titled Making the Monster. The clip shows how VR sculpting and 3D printing combine to make some chilling, spider-like beings.

The Vatican’s Swiss Guard has switched out its traditional steel helmets, for lighter one made from 3D printed plastic. According to German Catholic news website Kathpress, “In the case of the black-painted metal helmets, guardsmen had sometimes complained of burns on sun-intensive days.” Now, in addition to being a lot cooler and more lightweight, the new 3D printed helmet “offers protection against gunshot wounds as well as its predecessor made of sheet steel.”

The new, black 3D printed helmet of the Swiss Guards is introduced at a press conference. Photo via the Swiss Guard

And, in India, Temple roofs are reportedly being repaired with 3D printed copper cladding. In reports from The Hindu, copper plates “engraved with the help of 3D printing” have been mentioned as the new plates.

Additive strategies

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) awarded Thomas Sorovetz its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award for his 25 years of service, hard work and dedication to the AMUG conference.

Italian 3D Systems, HP, Markforged, Formlabs, Artec, Materialise reseller 3DZ has now expanded its services into France.

Electronics 3D printing provider Nano Dimension has expanded into the U.S. with the sale of DragonFly 2020 Pro systems to three new customers in the region. The company has also recently appointed Dr. Jaim Nulman as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

EOS has become a member of the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Norsk Titanium, the company behind Boeing’s landmark 3D printed structural titanium parts, is to appoint a new CEO in June 2018. Micahel Canario is currently president of aerospace, Americas & corporate business development at adhesive manufacturing company Hexcel, and will take over form interim CEO and Chairman John Andersen Jr. In a statement on the announcement, Andersen comments, “While our current focus is structural titanium components for aerospace, RPD is truly a platform technology,”

“Over time, we will pursue different business models across markets and industries. In this, we will benefit from Mike’s track record for developing strong relationships with strategic business partners.”

The first 3D printed, structurally supportive, titanium part to be used on Boeing 787 Dreamliner reached FAA Approval in February 2017 after year in development. Photo via Norsk Titanium
The first 3D printed, structurally supportive, titanium part to be used on Boeing 787 Dreamliner reached FAA Approval in February 2017 after year in development. Photo via Norsk Titanium

Medical 3D printing with spine

Global medical technology company Medtronic has launched the TiONIC platform for 3D printed spinal implants.

Stratasys recently took part in a 72-hour “Makers for Heroes Make-a-Thon” to develop devices and find solutions for injuries sustained by veterans. Backing Team Noam, Stratasys volunteers helped create a new wheelchair for improved balance when playing tennis.

And, in a new Artec case study, the Free University of Brussels’ Robotics & Multibody Mechanics (R&MM) has demonstrated how 3D scanning can be used to make better exoskeletons to help rehabilitate patients who find it hard to walk. R&MM PhD student Kevin Langlois explains, “Research in this area is currently rare. So far, most research has focused on the foundations of these machines, actuation and control. Now is the time to integrate the human into these systems,”

“That’s why, in the R & MM laboratory, we decided to use 3D scanning technology to develop innovative solutions.”

A material world

New 3D printer materials have been released by SABIC, Rize and ACEO.

SABIC is now offering high temperature filaments for FDM – ULTEM AM1010F, and medical specific ULTEM AMHU1010F and LEXAN AMHC620F.

Noting a demad from its customers, Rize has departed from its traditional white materials, and now offers Rizium One Black for Augmented Polymer Deposition (APD).

ACEO, a brand of German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG, has launched 3D printable fluorosilicones that combine the resistance of fluorocarbons with the temperature properties of silicones.

A sample of ACEO multimaterial 3D printed silicone. Photo via ACEO
A sample of ACEO multimaterial 3D printed silicone. Photo via ACEO

Plus 10 skills

The Québec Industrial Research Centre (CRIQ), part of a $2.874 million medical 3D printing center in Québec City, is teaming up with Wohlers Associates Inc. to provide three days of training in Design for Additive Manufacturing. The DfAM training will take place at the CRIQ’s Montreal research facility June 12-14, 2018. Find details at www.criq.qc.ca.

UK-based technology company Renishaw has launched an online guide to additive manufacturing. You can check out the AM Guide here.

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Featured image shows Sliced logo over presentation of the Swiss Guard’s 3D printed helmet. Original photo via Guardia Svizzera Pontificia