Latest in 3D Printing Thread

[Mr. H.]

General Electric Turns to 3D Printers for Plane Parts - Businessweek

General Electric (GE), on the hunt for ways to build more than 85,000 fuel nozzles for its new Leap jet engines, is making a big investment in 3D printing. Usually the nozzles are assembled from 20 different parts. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing can create the units in one metal piece, through a successive layering of materials. The process is more efficient and can be used to create designs that can’t be made using traditional techniques, GE says. The finished product is stronger and lighter than those made on the assembly line and can withstand the extreme temperatures (up to 2,400F) inside an engine. There’s just one problem: Today’s industrial 3D printers don’t have enough capacity to handle GE’s production needs, which require faster, higher-quality output at a lower cost.

 

[ScienceRocks]

3-d printing is charging the world One day it will probably charge the economic system quite a bit.

Tailored 3D printed skin will fit right in with your own flesh

The ability to create a 3D printed organ and transplant it into a patient who needs it is something straight out of sci-fi. Someday, patients will be able to lie down on a massive 3D printer and have their new organs and tissues printed right into them. In order to complete a 3D printed surgery, however, each wound will have to be sealed with a new layer of 3D printed skin. Right now, that would mean a generic hue of flesh that doesn't really blend with anyone's natural skin.

Tailored 3D printed skin will fit right in with your own flesh | DVICE

 

[ScienceRocks]

3D-printed batteries could completely change 3D printing

We here at DVICE are huge fans of 3D printing. And why wouldn't we be? You can print guns, underwear and even human flesh. Still, even fans like us can admit to real-life plot holes. In the case of 3D printing, it was that electronics required non-printed parts to function. Namely, batteries couldn't be printed.

Harvard’s Jennifer Lewis is working toward fixing that plot hole by working toward a day when we can print electronic components, batteries included. The first step is making inks that can solidify into electronic components. This isn’t your traditional squid ink, no sir. Instead, lithium titanium oxide, deionized water, and ethylene glycol are mixed together with ceramic balls, then the whole thing is spun for 24 hours. The balls break up particle clumps and allow the mixture to blend evenly.

3D-printed batteries could completely change 3D printing | DVICE

 

[ScienceRocks]

All hail the DIY desktop 3D metal printer

All hail the DIY desktop 3D metal printer | DVICE

Sparks are flying at Michigan Technological University, but not the sort that you might find reported in the pages of a gossip mag. They're emanating from the printing surface of a new 3D printer, small enough to fit on your desktop. The printer is the invention of a team lead by Associate Professor Joshua Pearce, and they'll be the first to admit that those flying sparks just might be the least of our worries when it comes to 3D printing metal objects at home.

 

[ScienceRocks]

ProJet 4500 3D printer creates multi-colored plastic items

Although the things that can be done with 3D printers are certainly amazing, many 3D-printed plastic items still have a certain "look" to them. This is largely due to the fact that each item is all one uniform color. That apparently no longer has to be the case, however, as 3D Systems has unveiled its ProJet 4500. The company describes it as "the industry’s only continuous tone full-color plastic 3D printer."

The 4500 utilizes a plastic build material known as VisiJet C4 Spectrum, which is said to be flexible and strong. Items are built on a pixel-by-pixel basis, with each pixel potentially being any of "almost one million" colors. This means that the finished one-piece item can consists of multiple colors of plastic, those colors either sharply bordered or blending into one another.

Additionally, it is claimed to be two to five times faster than other plastic 3D printers, plus it incorporates an automatic recycling system for the waste plastic. It can be operated remotely using an app on a smartphone or tablet, and prints objects up to 8 x 10 x 8 in (203 x 254 x 203 mm) in size, at a resolution of 600 x 600 DPI.

ProJet 4500 3D printer creates multi-colored plastic items

 

[ScienceRocks]

Titanium powder used to 3D print automotive parts

(Phys.org) —To date, the 3D printing revolution has focused on the use of plastics – cheap printers' feedstock and high throughput. Until now 3D printing with metal has been prohibitively expensive because of the cost of titanium powders which currently sell for $200-$400 per kilogram.

Rotherham based company Metalysis have developed a new way of producing low-lost titanium powder, which heralds a new era in additive layer manufacture, and will see greater use of titanium in components across the automotive, aerospace and defence industries.

The Renishaw 3D printer, which is based at the Mercury Centre within the Department of Materials at the University of Sheffield, made the parts, demonstrating the feasibility of producing titanium components using additive layer manufacturing.

Read more at: Titanium powder used to 3D print automotive parts

 

[ScienceRocks]

3D printer creates working loudspeaker

A 3D printer capable of creating simple electronic components such as speakers in one operation paves the way for entire gadgets to be made cheaply and simply at home

Engineers at Cornell University have printed an entire working loudspeaker in one operation using a 3D printer.

The device emerged from the printer ready to use, requiring only to be connected to an amplifier and sound source. In a demonstration the researchers played a clip from President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech which mentioned 3D printing.

Although it is now possible to buy relatively cheap 3D printers which can make intricate parts from plastic, creating working electronic components remains a difficult problem.

3D printer creates working loudspeaker - Telegraph

Thank about printing t.vs, radios, tools, one day. The next 20 years the entire capitalist system could be turned on its fucking head.

 

[william the wie]

Just a lurk bump.

 

[ScienceRocks]

UK unveils 1.2m titanium wingspar 3D printed in one piece

One of the largest 3D printed metal parts has been made in the UK, demonstrating how 3D printing technology could revolutionise the way aircraft are produced in the future.
In a collaborative project, led by Cranfield University, researchers from BAE Systems at Samlesbury and Warton designed the part which is known in the industry as a spar section and sits longitudinally to form part of an aircraft wing structure. Cranfield University has a long history in Additive Manufacturing and in 1994 developed Shaped Metal Deposition (SMD) for Rolls Royce for engine casings and other processes.

The part, measuring 1.2m in length was produced in just 37 hours from digital model to a complete 3 dimensional part using a specific kind of 3D printing known as the Wire and Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM) process. The WAAM allows the production of large custom-made metal parts with high deposition rates, a major concern of the aircraft industry. In WAAM an increase in productivity can be achieved through the use of high weld travel speeds.

3ders.org - UK unveils 1.2m titanium wingspar 3D printed in one piece | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News



100 Limited edition 3D printed metal guns on sale for $11,900 each
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20131220-100-limited-edition-3d-printed-metal-guns-on-sale.html

Dec.20, 2013

Solid Concepts, the first company that produces a fully-functional metal semi-automatic pistol with a 3D printer, announced that they are putting 100 limited edition 1911 3D Printed metal guns on sale for $11,900 each.

Solid Concepts announced the successful completion of the world's first 3D Printed metal gun on November 7, 2013. The pistol is a replica of the storied .45-caliber, M1911 semi-automatic pistol that was developed by John Browning a century ago and served as the U.S. military's standard-issue sidearm for more than 70 years. Solid Concepts demonstrated the gun by initially firing 50 rounds through it. This week, the company announced their 1911 3D Printed metal gun had reached over 2,000 successful rounds of firing without failure.

 

[william the wie]

Material science is making a lot of advances in the refining of pure metal powder at ever lower costs per gram with Titanium and tantalum being among the big successes. This too is an Arthurian increasing returns virtuous cycle as is CAD/CAM foam-metal printing design. Prices should hit a peak of 64% annual price declines or more on additive manufacture by the end of the decade.

 

[ScienceRocks]

MakerBot launches smaller Replicator Mini and huge Z18 3D printers

In creating its fifth generation of 3D printers, MakerBot has gone for the gusto. No longer is there simply a single printer from the popular 3D printing company, but three. Those of you looking to upgrade your 3D printing workshop or who are looking to get into the 3D printing game for the first time will have some serious options to consider.

This year, alongside a re-tooled MakerBot Replicator, you'll find the compact MakerBot Replicator Mini and the hulking MakerBot Replicator Z18, named for its impressive build height. All three of this year's printers will be supported by Makerbot's brand new lineup of apps and an online store where you can purchase high quality models of other people's creations.

MakerBot launches smaller Replicator Mini and huge Z18 3D printers | DVICE

3-d printers will become something conservatives hate pretty soon. Much like solar allows too much freedom!

 

[ScienceRocks]

3D Systems cooks up ChefJet 3D printers to print sugary treats

Last year we reported that Liz and Kyle von Hasseln had modified a 3D printer to churn out custom sugary treats. The husband and wife team's efforts appear to have caught the eye of 3D Systems, with the company responsible for the no-assembly-required Cubify and sub-US$1,000 Cube 3 enlisting them to help develop a 3D printer aimed specifically at the kitchen. The result is the new ChefJet series unveiled at CES, which swaps plastic prints for custom culinary creations.

Joining the likes of the BurritoBot and Foodini in the culinary 3D printing arena, the ChefJet series consists of the standard ChefJet, which will squeeze onto countertop, and the ChefJet Pro, which probably won't. Both are targeted at pastry chefs, with the standard ChefJet producing black and white edible prints with a maximum build volume of 8 x 8 x 6 in (20 x 20 x 15 cm), while the ChefJet Pro pumps out full color prints in sizes up to 10 x 14 x 8 in (25 x 36 x 20 cm).

Instead of plastic filament, both printers use sugar and water as the base materials, with the ChefJet Pro also sporting an inkjet head that adds food coloring to the creations for custom standalone candies or cake toppers. These can be created in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, mint, sour apple, cherry and watermelon.

The ChefJet printers will come with a "Digital Cookbook" containing a variety of ready-to-print edible designs, and run software that 3D Systems says is easy for non-CAD users to handle.

3D Systems cooks up ChefJet 3D printers to print sugary treats

 

[ScienceRocks]

Hands-on with the 3Doodler

It's been almost a year since the 3Doodler debuted on Kickstarter, raising a whopping US$2.3 million in the process, and since then we've been curious to see just exactly what a "3D drawing pen" can do. Luckily, WobbleWorks was more than happy to show off its new sketching tool and let us try it out for ourselves at IFA's Showstoppers event during CES. In short, it's fun and easy to pick up, but don't expect to craft anything too elaborate on your first try.

Hands-on with the 3Doodler

 

[Mr. H.]

RIGZONE - Oil Industry Joins World Of 3D Printing

 

[ScienceRocks]

When plastic alone won’t cut it, the Mark One 3D printer lets you use carbon fiber

Summary:
The printer, revealed by Mark Forged at the SolidWorks conference in San Diego this week, can also print in fiberglass, nylon and PLA plastic filament.

Most desktop 3D printers print in plastic, but plastic is weak. The new Mark One by Mark Forged is the first 3D printer capable of printing carbon fiber, which can be added to printed materials to increase strength.

The Mark One is also capable of printing in fiberglass, nylon and PLA plastic filament. It has two print heads, which means you can print two materials side-by-side in one print job.

When plastic alone won?t cut it, the Mark One 3D printer lets you use carbon fiber ? Tech News and Analysis

 

[ScienceRocks]

World's first multi-material, full-colour 3D printer

Stratasys Ltd. has announced the launch of its ground-breaking Objet500 Connex3, the first and only machine to combine colours with multi-material 3D printing.


A game-changer for product design, engineering and manufacturing processes, the Objet500 Connex3 features a unique triple-jetting technology. This combines droplets of three base materials to produce parts with virtually unlimited combinations of rigid, flexible, and transparent colour materials as well as colour digital materials – all in a single print run.

This ability to achieve the characteristics of an assembled part without assembly or painting is a significant time-saver, helping manufacturers to validate designs and make decisions earlier before committing to manufacturing, and bringing products to market 50% faster.

"Stratasys' goal is to help our customers revolutionise their design and manufacturing processes," says Stratasys CEO, David Reis. "I believe our new Objet500 Connex3 Colour Multi-material 3D Printer will transform the way our customers design, engineer and manufacture new products. In general and with Connex technology in particular, we will continue to push the envelope of what's possible in a 3D world."

World's first multi-material, full-colour 3D printer

 

[ScienceRocks]

3D-printing robot creates freestanding metal structures



3D-printing robot creates freestanding metal structures

Although the world of 3D printing is hurtling through milestones at the moment, to a large extent the technology still remains in its infancy. If you thought it was all Etsy jewellery and plastic toys, though, think again. Joris Laarman has created a free-standing 3D printing robot that creates beautiful metal sculptures with the graceful brush strokes of an artist.

 

[rdean]

 

[william the wie]

3D-printing robot creates freestanding metal structures



3D-printing robot creates freestanding metal structures

Although the world of 3D printing is hurtling through milestones at the moment, to a large extent the technology still remains in its infancy. If you thought it was all Etsy jewellery and plastic toys, though, think again. Joris Laarman has created a free-standing 3D printing robot that creates beautiful metal sculptures with the graceful brush strokes of an artist.

Any particular reason for the rebar like structure? My own background is in electronics and financial engineering.

 

[ScienceRocks]

not sure

3D printing takes on metal at Amsterdam lab (w/ video)
3 hours ago by Nancy Owano weblog

(Phys.org) —To say that the Joris Laarman Lab is an innovative type of group is putting it mildly. The Amsterdam place is described as "an experimental playground set up to study and shape the future. It tinkers with craftsmen, scientists and engineers on the many new possibilities of upcoming technology." One such possibility that has captured their attention has been coming up with a technique for large-scale 3D printing without the need for support material. They have been exploring ways to allow the creation of 3D objects on any work surface, and not requiring additional support structures. "By using innovative extrusion technology," they said, "we are now able to neutralize the effect of gravity during the course of the printing process." Welcome to the MX3D-Metal 3D printing initiative from the Lab, creating metal structures in mid-air.

As reported in Dezeen, the method combines a robotic arm typically used in car manufacturing with a welding machine to melt and deposit metal, to create lines that can be printed horizontally, vertically, or in curves, without the need for support structures. Adding small amounts of molten metal at a time, lines are printed in mid-air. The team vision is an affordable, multiaxis MX3D tool for workshops around the world.

3D printing takes on metal at Amsterdam lab (w/ video)