Want to make sure you’re up to date with all the most recent news in the 3D printing industry? Here’s our latest round-up and in this edition we have: new materials, new IP protection technology from IntraTrac, new software updates, a new 3D scanning map, 3D printing awards, bridge-making robots, and news of 3D printing from Tamriel.
MakerBot Tough PLA
MakerBot have announced details of their Tough PLA filament following its full release on their website. The filament promises to be as durable and strong as ABS while as easy to print as PLA, currently it is only sold as a bundle which includes three spools of filament and the Tough PLA Smart Extruder+.
Airwolf 3D Wolfbite
Elsewhere in the 3D printing materials market, Airwolf 3D announced the release of Wolfbite Ultra. The material is a, “premium adhesive solution designed to bond polypropylene parts to the 3D printer bed and allow their smooth release when completed.” Airwolf 3D are attempting to solve the difficulty associated with printing with Polypropylene, the material is known to cause issues with adhering to the printer bed and this product is hoped to solve that. Use is is as simple as spreading Wolfbite Ultra on to the printer bed before printing and then washing off with water upon print completion.
Infratrac’s new Intellectual Property Protection system
In other announcements, InfraTrac have introduced a IP protection system for metal 3D printing. The technology infuses 3D printing with a special chemical fingerprint which can effectively differentiate between authentic and fake certified 3D printed metals. Having previously made this technology for polymers, InfraTrac have introduced the Taggant for titanium alloy Ti64, a metal used in aerospace, defense and medical industries.
Magna CAD 2017 update
Magnacad have announced the release of their ‘Magna-Catalogs 2017’ software. The software will be rolled out to all new and existing customers. Features include the new Mag-ZYYX” catalog, new parametric and advanced variant shapes, and three new “Mag-STUDIOS”.
Sculpteo scanning map
In 3D scanning news, Sculpteo have created a scanning map in order to put potential customers in touch with the nearest 3D scanner to them. The map is an ongoing resource meaning it will continuously be updated with new verified locations of 3D scanners with each marker containing information on each company and how they can be contacted.
Drake scanner wins award in Russia and André-Luc Allanic announced as ‘Engineer of the Year’
Elsewhere in the scanning horizon, Thor 3D were awarded ‘Best Innovative Product of the Year’ at the 3D Print Expo in Moscow for their recently announced Drake 3D scanner. The handheld scanner began shipping last month and the independent panel of judges in Moscow seemed impressed with the device.
In other award news, André-Luc Allanic PhD the founder of Phidias Technologies SARL has been voted ‘Engineer of the Year’. Allianic’s company were bought by Prodways where he is now the director of R&D. The award was given as part of the Engineers of the Future Awards Ceremony in Paris on Tuesday December 6th.
Robot bridge making process and XYZ printers in Best Buy
The team at MX3D made waves last year when they announced plans to 3D print and build a bridge simultaneously, the project stalled but now looks set to be constructed next year following approval from engineers. Speaking at Autodesk Las Vegas MX3D Co-Founder and CMO Gijs van der Velden gave an update on the project. Unfortunately however, it seems the project is not going to quite operate how it was expected. The parts will be printed prior to on site assembly out of stainless steel and then welded together by robots at the site, rather than how the project was initially envisaged (below).
On a less industrial scale, XYZ have announced they have partnered with retailers Best Buy and Toys”R”Us to sell their Da Vinci Mini printers. American retailer BestBuy will sell the Da Vinci Mini in 95 stores nationwide as well as online. Simon Shen, CEO of XYZ printing said, “These retail programs reflect XYZ printing’s dedication to ensuring 3D printing technology is attainable on a national scale.”
Zmorph invite visitors to CES booth
Having just concluded one major conference in Europe, it is now the turn of the U.S. The huge CES event takes place in Las Vegas early next year and already news is starting filter through. 3D printer manufacturer Zmorph have just published a blog post on the five reasons why you should check them out at CES.
No more arrows to the knee….
Finally, if you’re in the market for a mace check out this 3D printed offering from Daniel Lilygreen. According to the designer ‘you won’t have to take an arrow to the knee if you have one of these by your side‘. You might have to keep scrolling as this is quite a large photo….
Featured image shows the Sliced logo over the Skyrim Steel Mace. Image via Daniel Lilygreen on MyMiniFactory.
Nathan Williams