This edition of our 3D printing news digest Sliced contains, UK distribution rights for 3D printers, expansion of FIT, a trade secrets war, Polygonica update, ANSYS VRXPERIENCE and full-color 3D printing services.
Desktop Metal partners with Trideus for distribution
Desktop Metal, a Boston based manufacturer of 3D printers, has partnered with Belgian AM solutions provider, Trideus, to distribute its Studio System+ 3D printer in Belgium.
Trideus’ CEO Jesse Buteneers said, “it is of the utmost importance for Trideus that we can offer our demanding industrial customers the very best of the best at all times. The Desktop Metal systems meet that requirement 100%. Global players such as Ford Motor Company and Lowe’s could already experience its wide application areas.”
3DGence announces UK distributor
3DGence (Przyszowice, Poland), a manufacturer of 3D printers, has partnered with GoPrint3D, a British reseller, and services provider, to distribute its 3D printers in the UK.
GoPrint3D is exhibiting the 3DGence Industry F340 3D printer at the on-going TCT Birmingham, stand G28.
GoPrint3D partnership with Admatec
GoPrint3D has also announced that it will be the distributor and reseller of Admatec 3D printers in the UK. Admatec is a Netherlands-based specializing in DLP ceramic 3D printers.
Ogle Models installs NEO800
Ogle Models (UK), a model and prototyping company, has acquired a NEO800 SLA 3D printer for its Letchworth facility. Built by the engineering group, RP Support (UK), the NEO800 has an 800 x 800 x 600mm build frame.
On the acquisition, Ogle Models’ Managing Director, Len Martin said: “The Neo 800 adds capacity and flexibility, so we can make larger parts without splitting them. It produces superior quality parts straight off, significantly reducing finishing times and still retaining the crisp accuracy and detail that our customers have come to expect from our prototypes.”
Online 3D platform Weerg relocates
Online 3D printing and CNC service provider Weerg has announced that it will be moving its headquarters from Marghera to Gardigiano, Italy.
As previously reported, on-demand 3D printing platforms continue to expand operations. Last month, Xometry, integrated HOOPS communicator in its instant quotation engine. Most recently, BMF Material Technology partnered with cloud-based CAD software OnShape, to provide its customers with real-time CAD support.
XJet signs distribution agreement with Carfulan Group
XJet, a specialist in metal and ceramic AM technologies, has announced that the Carfulan Group will distribute XJet Carmel AM systems in the UK. The agreement was signed at TCT Birmingham 2018.
Dror Danai, XJet’s Chief Brand Officer, said, “The Carfulan Group has a wealth of knowledge and experience in providing the UK market with leading additive manufacturing technologies and so they are the ideal partner for distributing our Carmel AM systems in the UK.”
Trade Secrets War Between 3D Printer Companies Goes to Trial
A trade secret dispute between two 3D printer manufacturers, Markforged and Desktop Metal, had a court hearing on the 24th of September. The two companies have accused each other of spying and technology hijacking.
This year in March, Desktop Metal accused Markforged of IP infringement. Markforged’s countersuit cleared the company of the charges in July.
FIT expands to Italy
FIT Additive Manufacturing Group, a German prototype and AM technology expert, has expanded its operation to Italy. The company sees a high demand for its Large Format Additive Manufacturing expertise.
The founder and CEO of FIT, Carl Fruth, said, “we are the ideal development partner for clients who have a great product idea, but require the know-how of an experienced manufacturer. We advise our clients on material and technology selection, design, data preparation, and finishing options – now also in Italy.”
Most recently, the company also acquired a supersonic 3D printer from the Australian 3D printer manufacturer, SPEE3D.
Additive Industries signs Laser Lines as distributor in UK
Additive Industries, a Netherlands-based metal 3D printing expert, has announced that 3D printer and scanners manufacture Laser Lines (UK) will be its distributor in UK and Ireland.
Mark Tyrtania, the Sales Director of Laser Lines, said, “with the recently announced expansion to the UK with a dedicated Process & Application Development Centre, we already acknowledge that the UK & Ireland is an important market that provides great opportunities for industrial companies to enter into industrial metal additive manufacturing.”
Calls for papers on additive manufacturing
The Metal Powder Industries Federation, a federation of six associations relating to manufacturing, is accepting papers for submission on POWDERMET2019, the International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials, and AMPM2019, Additive Manufacturing with Powder Metallurgy. The deadline for submission is November 9, 2018.
The topics will include among others, Powder injection molding (metals, ceramics), Pre-sintering, sintering, and refractory metals, carbides, ceramics.
The two conferences will be held at the Sheraton Grand in Phoenix, Arizona and will run from June 23 till June 26, 2019.
MachineWorks releases Polygonica update
MachineWorks, a UK-based CAM manufacturer has released v2.2 of modeling software Polygonica.
The new version includes significant upgrades to the point cloud and mesh processing, and Polygonica’s hole filling algorithms.
3D printed breast prosthetic for cancer patients
Two Plymouth University students, Rosie Brave, and Sam Jackman, have 3D printed a prosthetic breast for women who have undergone breast removal surgery due to cancer or other diseases. The prosthetic is called Boost.
The two students received a Design Council’s Spark programme award worth £15,000 for their project. They hope that their creation will replace NHS provided prosthetic breasts.
3D printed prosthetics are known to be cost and design-efficient solution to traditionally-made ones. Northwell Health, a New York healthcare NGO, 3D printed an amphibious prosthetic leg using carbon fiber nylon.
ColorFabb releases nylon filament
ColorFabb, an online 3D printing supply store, has announced the release of its first nylon filament, PA Neat. PA Neat has Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of 145°C.
The company will begin shipping the filament on the 1st October 2018. The price for 750g spool is €49.55 (VAT excluded).
Autonomous vehicles get boost from ANSYS update
ANSYS, a U.S developer of engineering simulation software, has released ANSYS 19.2, an update of the companies proprietary simulation software.
The new updates are especially important for engineers working on autonomous vehicles technology. The company has used the resources of its recent acquisition, Optis, a reality simulation specialist, to provide VR functionality, the ANSYS VRXPERIENCE.
New ACI committee to develop 3D printing industry
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has formed a committee to develop and report on 3D printing with cement-based materials. The Committee 564 will be responsible for publishing on the impacts and challenges of 3D printing with cementitious materials.
The Committee 564 Chair, Scott Jones, said, “3-D printing is a new and exciting frontier in the concrete industry. Committee 564 hopes to bring together all stakeholders to discuss the many challenges and opportunities with this new technology.”
Shapeways and Stratasys partner to 3D print in color
Shapeways, a New York-based 3D printing services provider, has teamed up with Stratasys to provide full color 3D printing services to its customers. The color 3D printing services will be fulfilled using Stratasys’ J750 system.
The CEO of Shapeways, Gref Kress, said, “the vivid colors of the Stratasys J750 3D Printer will enable the Shapeways community of designers, businesses, students, and artists to realize their brightest ideas and boldest ambitions in true physical form with full-color, texture mapping and color gradients.”
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Featured image shows a car’s aerodynamics simulation in ANSYS.
