3D Printing

Sliced 3D Printing Digest: Creaform, Robox, Microsoft, Kickstarter, Formnext

3D printing News to be Sliced this week features: Creaform, Airbus, Robox, Formfutura, SOLS, Youngtown State University, Solidscape, Additive Industries, Sigma Labs, Kickstarter, DyeMansion, Microsoft, Formnext, Proto Labs and Stratasys.

HandySCAN certified by Airbus

Canadian 3D scanning company Creaform has announced HandySCAN has gained certification by global aviation company Airbus. According to Product Manager Jérôme-Alexandre Lavoie, the 3D scanner will now be used, “to carry out accurate assessments of aircraft mechanical damage. Creaform aim to, “provide user-friendly and highly advanced solutions to get airplanes back in the skies faster and enable airlines to slash the high costs associated with grounded aircraft.”

The HandySCAN 700. Image via Creaform.
The HandySCAN 700. Image via Creaform.

Youngtown State University receives hybrid machine

Ohio university, Youngtown State (YSU), has announced it has acquired a HAAS VF-3 hybrid machine through funding from the US Office of Naval Research. The machine combines additive manufacturing functionality with CNC milling. The VF-3 machine is capable of 3D printing metal and students and staff at YSU will be attempting to repair aircraft with the device. Similarly, the University of Akron has recently announced it has been exploring a new additive technology with the aim of repairing metal aircraft parts.

Baselworld winners

Stratasys subsidiary, Solidscape, has announced the winners of its annual Baselworld Design Competition. The competition celebrates CAD design and the possibilities of wax 3D printing to create jewelry.

In related news, 3D Printing Industry is also inviting for designers to create a trophy for our 3D Printing Industry Awards.

Anna Popovych’s “Drop of Freedom” ring, joint winning entry for the Platinum Award for jewelry. Image via Solidscape.
Anna Popovych’s “Drop of Freedom” ring, joint winning entry for the Platinum Award for jewelry. Image via Solidscape.

SOLS 3D printed insoles closes down

3D printed insole company SOLS, has reportedly shut down its operations. The company was acquired by footwear company Aertrex in March and according to Crunchbase has received $23.7 million in funding since the startup’s founding in 2013.

SOL’s technology has parallels to Wiivv who recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for 3D printed sandals.

Additive Industries enters agreement with Sigma Labs

Dutch 3D printing company Additive Industries has entered a second long term commercial agreement with software providers Sigma Labs. The software company will provide its PrintRite quality assurance software to Additive Industries. Additive Industries are the manufacturers of the MetalFAB1 which we recently visited at their base in Eindhoven.

Sigma Labs has worked with the Dutch company for several years and Mark Cola, President and CEO of Sigma Labs said this about the announcement,

We are very pleased that Additive Industries has taken the next step in strengthening our long-term relationship by officially joining our OEM Partner Program,

The MetalFAB1 machine at Additive Industries HQ. Photo by Corey Clarke.
The MetalFAB1 machine at Additive Industries HQ. Photo by Corey Clarke.

SLA Kickstarter roundup

There are currently a number of SLA printers currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, so here is a quick roundup of the offerings. The price of SLA printers seems to have plummeted recently, and we’ve seen this with Milkshake3D and G3D both launching affordable devices.

MONO1

Boston-based MonoPrinter, has launched the MONO1, a resin printer that can be paired with user’s DLP projector. Resolutions of 24 microns can be achieved with larger parts generally achieving 33 or 46 microns. The 3D printer has a build volume of 96 x 56 x 130 mm and launched at the lowest price of $749. The MONO1 is intended for those who already own a projector to save costs.

Test prints from the MONO1. Photo via MonoPrinter.
Test prints from the MONO1. Photo via MonoPrinter.

D2K Plus

Hong Kong based SH IP launched their D2K Plus, having successfully funded their last printer, the D2K on Kickstarter in 2016. Unsurprisingly the D2K has a larger build volume than its predecessor with 198 x 120 x 150mm. The lowest backing for the printer is at $1,625.

D2K Plus with a printed part. Photo via SH IP on Kickstarter.
D2K Plus with a printed part. Photo via SH IP on Kickstarter.

Moai

Lastly, Hong Kong startup Peopoly has launched their Moai 3D printer. The Moai launched at $800 for the earliest backers and has currently far surpassed their goal of $30,000. The SLA printer uses a 150mW UV laser and has a 130 x 130 x 180 mm build volume.

The Moai SLA printer. Image via Peopoly on Kickstarter.
The Moai SLA printer. Image via Peopoly on Kickstarter.

DyeMansion has released DM60 add-on

German company, DyeMansion has released an add-on for their DM60 dyeing machine, that will enable “more efficient black dyeing.” The company is addressing high-demand for the most popular color, black.

The DM60 machine. Image via DyeMansion.
The DM60 machine. Image via DyeMansion.

Formnext 2017 call for papers

Annual manufacturing technologies conference, Formnext has announced a call for papers for this year’s event during 14 – 17 November. The focus of the papers are: Healthcare (medical & dental), Automotive, Aerospace, Tooling and moulding, Consumer products, Heavy industry/industrial products.

Messe Frankfurt hosts Formnext 2016. Photo by Michael Petch
Messe Frankfurt hosted Formnext 2016. Photo by Michael Petch

Microsoft’s mobile 3D scanning app

Microsoft’s 3D scanning app for mobile will not be released as part of the Windows 10 Creator Update as it was expected. It is currently unclear when the mobile application will be available. However, the Microsoft Creators Update does include Paint3D.

Proto Labs announces Polyjet technology

Global manufacturing solutions provider Proto Labs has announced the addition of Polyjet technology from Stratasys. Rich Baker, CTO at Proto Labs said,

The addition of PolyJet is a testament to our effort to further expand our capabilities in a technology-agnostic manner. We firmly believe in providing a variety of manufacturing options so that our customers can choose the best process for their particular application.

Robox partners with Formfutura

CEL, the British company that created the Robox 3D printer, has announced a new partnership with filament manufacturers Formfutura. As a result of the partnership, Robox can now print with Formfutura’s advanced ABS TitanX filament. The TitanX will now be available as a Robox SmartReel.

The OpenRC tractor 3D printed with TitanX, PLA and nGen_FLEX from colorFabb. Photo via Robox.
The OpenRC tractor 3D printed with TitanX, PLA and nGen_FLEX from colorFabb. Photo via Robox.

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Featured image shows Sliced logo over image of gears 3D printed in Formfutura’s TitanX filament. Image via CEL Robox.