In this edition of our 3D printing news digest – Sliced, we have news about 3D printed constructions, 2D printed electronic circuits, large-format metal 3D printer and more. Read on to learn more about DOW, Volvo, COBOD, and ANSYS.
Bridging the gaps
U.S Marines from the 1st Marine Logistics Group has 3D printed a concrete bridge at Camp Pendleton, California. The Marines were helped by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Marine Corps Systems Command’s (MCSC) Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell (AMOC).
Capt. Matthew Friedell, AMOC project officer, said, “One of our goals was for Marines to learn to operate the equipment on their own, which they did and it was great, […] Another goal is that each time we do one of these tests, we use [fewer] people. Ultimately, we want one person standing there who hits ‘print,’ and the machine does all the work. We’re getting there.”
COBOD, a manufacturer of construction 3D printers has signed a distribution agreement with 3DVinci Creations, a Dubai-based 3D printing service bureau. 3DVinci Creations will sell Cobod’s construction systems in the UAE. The country has set the target that by 2030 twenty-five percent of the new buildings in the UAE will be 3D printed.
COBOD’s CEO and co-founder, Henrik Lund-Nielsen, said, “At COBOD we are working towards full automation in the construction industry by designing 3D concrete printers and automated processes for the building site. In cooperation with our local distributor, 3DVinci Creations, we decided to install a gantry 3D concrete printer so that the local market can explore and experience first hand the potential of this disruptive technology.”
From 2D printing to 3D
A researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is using nano ink with 2D printers to make brain-inspired electronic circuits. Mohammed Haider, an associate professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, published his research called A Paper-Based Inkjet-Printed Graphene Sensor for Breathing-Flow Monitoring. In the paper, Haider showed how circuits made with a normal inkjet 2D printers can be used to monitor breathing rates. Haider believes one day applications of these electronic circuits will be countless.
Sustainable additive future
Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), a service company in the oil & gas sector, has set up a global additive manufacturing technology network. The goal is to bring production closer to the customers in order to reduce transportation costs and CO2 emissions related thereof. By 2030, BHGE’s hopes to reduce CO2 emission by 50%.
Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of BHGE said, “Oil and gas will continue to be an important part of the global energy mix, and BHGE is committed to investing in smarter technologies to advance the energy industry for the long-term […] Managing carbon emissions is an important strategic focus for our business. […] BHGE has a long legacy of pushing the boundaries of technology and operating efficiency. Today we take this to the next level by committing to ambitious new goals for ourselves, and to provide lower carbon solutions expected by customers and society.”
Volvo, the Swedish car manufacturer, collaborated with Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Reef Design Lab, to build a dam wall of structures that absorbs and filters pollutants. The wall consists of fifty tiles which mimic the root structure of mangrove trees. The tiles were made using a 3D printed mold and recyclable plastic.
Three industry leaders have come together to introduce an experimental footwear customization project called QUANT-U. Dow, a materials manufacturer and research corporation, the French software Dassault Systèmes, and Danish shoe manufacturer ECCO will cooperate on the project. The collaborative venture is made possible by the development of an innovative silicone-based elastic 3D printing material by DOW, the SILASTIC 3D 3335 Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR). Products made with the SILASTIC 3D are water-resistant, breathable and machine washable.
Large-scale metal 3D printing
Prodways, a French 3D printer manufacturer, has announced that it has made a second sale of its large-format metal 3D printer, the Promaker RAF 50. Rapid Additive Forging technology. The Promaker RAF 50 can 3D print metal parts as long as two meters in size.
Increased innovation with AM
Dansk AM hub, Denmark’s technology cluster, has released a report that shows that companies which use 3D printing technologies in Denmark are the most innovative. It was reported that about 25% of companies use additive manufacturing for prototyping and other applications. According to the study, 44% of the companies using AM have shown that 3D printing technology has had a direct influence on their business model.
The Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) is holding an event to promote additive manufacturing. The ‘Mastering AM: Sharing User Experience’ workshop will take place in Coventry, on March 27.
MTC’s National Centre Chief Technologist, David Wimpenny, said, “This event will bring together experts and practitioners from across the UK’s manufacturing sector to share knowledge and experience which will help us take AM technology forward and help others with adoption and development […] It is vitally important that we learn from each other and this event provides a unique and long overdue platform for sharing information between new and established AM users.”
Improved simulation
ANSYS, an engineering simulation software company, has released the ANSYS 2019 R1 version for enhanced simulation in engineering applications.
ANSYS Vice President and General Manager Mechanical, Fluids and Electronic business units of the company, Shane Emswiler, said, “ANSYS’ multiphysics solutions enable engineers to keep pace with increasing demands despite decreasing budgets, training and timeline […] With the unparalleled improvements in ANSYS 2019 R1, ANSYS ushers in the next generation of Pervasive Engineering Simulation and enables engineers at every level to adopt simulation more seamlessly across the entire product lifecycle.”
The latest updates include metal additive manufacturing solutions and enhanced capabilities for 3D design.
Aerotech, a Pittsburgh-based motion control devices manufacturer, has released a Galvo Scanner, the AGV-SPO. The latest laser scanner has a better field of vision than 2D scanner and has a wider range of laser wavelengths. This makes the AGV-SPO suitable for 3D printing machines and medical devices. 
The Aerotech Galvo Scanner. Image via Aerotech.3D Printing Awards 2019 are near. Please make your nominations.
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Featured image shows Sliced logo over the living sea wall by Volvo Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Reef Design Lab. Image via Volvo.
