Schlagwort: 3D Printing Industry

  • 3D Printing Software company Beamler Acquires Printr

    3D Printing Software company Beamler Acquires Printr

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    Beamler, the company that provides 3D printing software for the industry, has just announced the acquisition of Printr. It will be fully integrated into the buyer’s portfolio.

    Printr was founded in 2014 by students in the Netherlands. The company sought to make 3D printing more accessible. One of the major bottlenecks in 3D printing is the availability of software packages. Right now, designers require at least four software tools and the knowledge to use them.

    That is why Printr developed The Element, a box that connects to a 3D printer and contains all the necessary software to solve the issue. It was meant to be a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

    However, following a financing round of €750,000, Printr had to stop operation in October last year. The company cited unexpected industry developments as their reason.

    As part of the acquisition, Printr will be integrated with Beamler to boost its product line-up and innovation.

    Willem-Jan van Loon, Founder of Beamler explained that Printr’s ERP cloud system had been specifically developed for desktop 3D printers making it a pioneer in the market.

    “This allows engineers to access different 3D printers at the same time from any computer through the cloud,” van Loon said.

    “We see this technology as very promising and as a key solution for further development of our industry. The merger of our two businesses is great news for all our stakeholders and it accelerates the market. We intend to continue to invest and grow Printr technology. We will also incorporate different functions to our platform with the software version 1.1 at Q2 2018,“ he added.


    Beamler software dashboard. (Image: Beamler)

    Beamler provides 3D Printing Network

    Beamler was originally established back in 2016 in Amsterdam. The company specializes in minimizing operational constraints across the 3D printing industry. Although ever more manufacturers are now implementing 3D printing technologies, a whopping 68% of them are facing implementation and operational issues.

    Such inefficiencies are often due to a lack of information or capital requirements.

    That’s where Beamler comes in. The company provides engineers and designers with 3D printing data to put them in touch with a worldwide industrial 3D printing network.

    Therefore, engineers are able to develop and launch their products faster to market. In addition, companies are able to strategically assess decisions in regards to 3D printing.


    Beamler case study models. (Image: Beamler)

    Source: Beamler


    License: The text of „3D Printing Software company Beamler Acquires Printr“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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    Website: LINK

  • New Matter is Another 3D Printing Company Closing Down

    New Matter is Another 3D Printing Company Closing Down

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    For the second time this month, a 3D printer company is shuttering their doors. New Matter will cease operations at the end of Febuary; providing limited support to owners of the MOD-t 3D printer.

    Don’t Miss: Type A Machines Retire to that Great 3D Printer in the Sky

    Last week we reported on the demise of Type A Machines, a 3D printer hardware manufacturer in the prosumer segment. This week we’re covering the permanent — and premature — closure of 3D printer maker New Matter.

    With their $399 MOD-t 3D printer, New Matter were pitching for business in the education, budget, and education-on-a-budget markets. The MOD-t was the result of a successful Indiegogo campaign from July 2014, raising $683,804 from 3,550 backers.

    The 3D printer has an elegant and simple design, with an enclosed build space and wireless connectivity. The company claims they sold more than ten thousand units to enthusiasts, kids, parents, and schools around the world. But these promising beginnings were no guarantee of future success.

    “We regret to announce that New Matter will be winding down its operations and will close the company effective February 28, 2018,” says New Matter CEO Steve Schell in statement. “It has become clear that our aspirations to transform the industry simply don’t fit profitably into the current market dynamics in desktop 3D printing.”

    What are these current market dynamics Schell is referring to? It might have something to do with the abundance of cheap DIY 3D printer kits sold by retailers like Amazon. The difficulty curve is a lot steeper with these kits, and there’s a big question mark over quality assurance. But they offer more advanced features for the same price or less.

    One indication of this challenge is when a second generation MOD-t was launched on Kickstarter in 2017. It surpassed its $100,000 funding goal in 5 days, but New Matter cancelled the campaign on 15 November because “we received a significant amount of feedback indicating that our supporters had greater expectations for our second generation offering.”

    With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that New Matter is a company that puts principle before profit. To continue with their second Kickstarter campaign might have kept the company afloat for another year or two. But it would also have meant the release of a less than satisfactory product.


    New Matter

    Existing Customers will Still be Supported, says New Matter

    So where does the demise of New Matter leave existing users of the MOD-t?

    “Even though the company itself will no longer be around, we have taken steps to make this transition as smooth as possible for MOD-t users,” Schell continues.

    “In particular, we intend to keep the New Matter Store operational through mid-summer 2018, and we will make limited technical support available through mid-summer as well. After that time, your MOD-t will lose its Wi-Fi functionality but will still operate via the USB connection and the MOD-t desktop app.”

    It’s a complex and alarming scenario, with points of concern like warranty, support, and maintenance for existing customers, but New Matter has addressed most of them with an FAQ to accompany the statement of closure. In short — don’t panic, there is a transition path, refer to the FAQs.

    Moreover, the company is having a clearance sale on filament and other accessories. Stocks are emptying fast, however. If you already have a MOD-t machine and want to keep it ticking over long-term, now is the time to do it.

    The last word goes to Schell and the team at New Matter:

    “We want to thank all of you who have supported us,” he says. “Despite our disappointment with this outcome, the whole New Matter team is nonetheless proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last four years, and we recognize that we simply could not have achieved what we have without your enthusiasm and encouragement.”


    new matter

    Website: LINK

  • 3-in-1 Snapmaker 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

    3-in-1 Snapmaker 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

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    The concept of the Snapmaker 3D printer is a modular machine with three distinct functions. The intended audience is the workshopper pushed for space.

    First and foremost, the Snapmaker is an all-metal 3D printer. The aluminum frame encases all wiring, with the exception of a few tidy ribbon cables.

    But the killer feature is that three interchangeable modules can be swapped onto the Snapmaker’s X-axis rail. In addition to 3D printing, it’s also capable of laser engraving and CNC milling.

    The fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing module accepts a standard 1.75mm filament spool. The bed can be heated up to 80 degrees Celsius. But with a build volume of only 125mm square, prints are going to be strictly limited in size.

    Ease of use is another core proposition with the Snapmaker 3D printer. It has an LCD touchscreen for operation, is simple to assemble, and comes bundled with the proprietary Snap3D software.

    The laser engraving module has a class 200 mW laser. This is capable of burning designs into wood, leather and similar materials. In addition, the CNC milling module has an adjustable spindle speed between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm.

    Website: LINK

  • Solidworks Add-In for DragonFly2020 Pro Makes Creating 3D Printed Electronics Easier

    Solidworks Add-In for DragonFly2020 Pro Makes Creating 3D Printed Electronics Easier

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    Nano Dimension, known for their circuit boards 3D printers, partnered up with software company Dassault Systèmes and implemented a Solidworks add-in for its DragonFly 2020 Pro 3D printer.

    The DragonFly 2020 Pro is a 3D printer from Nano Dimension which was unveiled last September. It is designed to manufacture embedded electronics and circuit boards. All3DP covered the printer’s release.

    However, Nano Dimension is always working on enhancing its 3D printers and for the latest improvement, it partnered up with French software company, Dassault Systèmes.

    Solidworks is the software published by the French company which is now being implemented into the DragonFly 2020 Pro as an add-in. The hope is that adding this software to the fully industrial machine will hugely benefit mechanical and electrical engineers.

    The reason being that this add-in makes 3D printing with embedded electronics accessible. In fact, it’s now possible for users to print complex shapes designed in Solidworks using metals and polymers. It takes just one build process to create designs with embedded electronics.

    “By 3D printing electronics, designers can obtain faster prototypes and work on PCBs in 3D, not just 2D… With Nano Dimension’s SOLIDWORKS add-in, for the first time ever users can design and 3D print electronics with a push of a button. We are proud to be partnering with an industry innovator like Nano Dimension,” explains Suchit Jain, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systemes.

    Solidworks Software Add-In Features

    Thanks to the new add-in, users can design objects in Solidworks and automatically transfer the files to slicing software. This will save time, enhance designs and hopefully create more reliable products.

    Essentially, it’s now possible to 3D print designs which contain conductors without leaving Solidworks. Unlike with most editing software, it’ll be possible for users to design using more than one material.

    It’s now simple to point and click in order to subdivide an object. Next, different object parts will automatically have either conductive or insulating materials. After this is complete, you’re ready to print.

    “We developed this add-in for SOLIDWORKS applications as a direct response to our customers’ needs for prototyping increasingly complex designs… The SOLIDWORKS add-in for the DragonFly 2020 Pro is the first tool to enable the combination of freeform objects and embedded 3D electronics. This capability offers our customers the ability to make what is currently unmakeable,” explains Simon Fried, President of Nano Dimension USA.

    Interested in finding out more? Nano Dimension’s technology will be on display at the Solidworks World 2018 showcase. This is happening between February 4th and 7th in Los Angeles, USA.

    Source: tct Magazine

    Website: LINK

  • New HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 Series With Full Color 3D Printing

    New HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 Series With Full Color 3D Printing

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    HP introduces new industrial 3D printers capable of full-color engineering-grade parts. Prices for the new HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series start from $50,000, making innovation accessible to small to medium-sized businesses and academic institutions.

    Don’t Miss: With Multi Jet Fusion, HP Challenges Injection Molding

    Today sees the launch of the HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series 3D printers. With the new range, the company promises engineering-grade, functional parts in either full color or black or white for a fraction of the cost of similar solutions.

    Depending on configuration and color preference, the cost of the Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series starts from $50,000. This price point should make Multi Jet Fusion technology more accessible to small to medium-sized businesses, universities and research institutions.

    “HP is committed to democratizing 3D design and manufacturing, unleashing new possibilities for millions of innovators around the world,” says Stephen Nigro, President of 3D Printing at HP.

    “No matter your industry, no matter your design complexity, no matter what colors fit your business needs – black, white, or the full color spectrum – the new HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series gives you the freedom to create brilliant new parts liberated from the constraints of traditional production methods.”

    The new Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series complements HP’s existing industrial-grade Jet Fusion 3200 / 4200 / 4210 3D solutions, which deliver a low cost/part ratio and are designed for manufacturing environments.

    HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 Series Offers Voxel Level Control

    The new HP Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series offerings include:

    • HP Jet Fusion 340 (Black and White) / 380 (Color): for customers who have smaller part-size needs or who commonly print fewer parts per build.
    • HP Jet Fusion 540 (Black and White) / 580 (Color): with a bigger build size than the 300 series for customers who have larger part-size needs or heavier production demands.

    The company is keen to emphasize how Multi Jet Fusion technology can control part properties at the individual voxel level; this means the design and production of previously inconceivable parts is now possible in full color.

    Industries that could benefit from these advances ranges from automotive and medicine, to aerospace and consumer goods. HP is already engaging in the co-development of new color applications with universities and businesses around the world. These include Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Yazaki Corp., and Youngstown State University.

    “At Phoenix Children’s Hospital, we strive to create personalized experiences benefitting the long-term well-being of our patients,” says Dr. Justin Ryan, Cardiac 3D Print Lab, Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

    “From visually-appealing casts and corrective devices, to custom surgical guides, to interactive and personalized anatomical models, we see tremendous value in the design possibilities and highly-accurate and durable parts from HP’s new 3D printers.”

    Source: HP


    HP Jet Fusion 300/500 series

    Website: LINK

  • Raise3D N2 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

    Raise3D N2 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

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    The Raise3D N2 Plus has a huge build volume of 12″ x 12″ x 12″. Additionally, the entire printer is fully enclosed with a sturdy aluminum metal frame and ABS, acrylic, and poly-carbonate casing.

    The fully enclosed design not only improves print quality when printing with materials such as ABS, but also greatly enhances the safety of the printer, making the N2 Plus a great fit for schools and businesses.

    Printing with a Raise3D N2 3D printer is especially user-friendly due to a 7 inch full color touchscreen which allows for complete device control as well as print monitoring and fine tuning during a print. The functionality of this screen can also be accessed via wifi over a LAN setup, meaning you can control your Raise3D printer from anywhere in your home or office.

    The touchscreen is also integrated with the N2’s print resuming feature, allowing you to immediately resume a print that was interrupted due to a power outage or accidental shut-off.

    The Raise 3D N2 comes stock with a heated bed and their V2 Hot End capable of temperatures up to 300 C. This makes the N2 compatible with almost any material currently available, including PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber, TPU/TPE (Flexibles), and Metal Composites (with the upgrade to a wear resistant nozzle).

    Important to note is that the Raise3D N2 does not come with dual extrusion as standard. For those folks who need dual extrusion, the Raise3D N2 Dual is your best bet. With dual extrusion, you can print with two different colors at the same time, or pair one material with a dissolvable support material like PVA and HIPS. With soluble support, you can print complex models with ease.

    Website: LINK

  • Type A Machines Retire to that Great 3D Printer in the Sky

    Type A Machines Retire to that Great 3D Printer in the Sky

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    Despite their multiple innovations in the desktop 3D printer market, California-based manufacturer Type A Machines has gone out of business.

    The past year has seen a dramatic change to the desktop 3D printer industry; the market is flooded with cheap DIY 3D printer kits, and established hardware manufacturers are struggling to compete.

    Perhaps the first major casualty of these difficult conditions are Type A Machines in California. In a statement on their website, the company has announced they have ceased operations with immediate effect.

    “It is with a heavy heart we announce that, after 6 years serving the maker community, Type A Machines is closing its doors,” says Founder and CEO Andrew Rutter.

    “I’m deeply appreciative and proud of the many customers, partners, and individuals who helped make Type A Machines a unique and innovative company, who pushed the boundaries of what was possible, and dedicated themselves to an ideal. Our future will be a bit better thanks to them.”

    For existing customers, a downloads page is still active on the site, with links to resources and software for the continued operation of their Type A Machines 3D printers.


    type a machines

    A Brief History of Type A Machines

    Alongside the likes of MakerBot, LulzBot and Printrbot, Type A Machines sprang from the grassroots maker movement in the United States.

    Founded in 2012, the first iterations of the machine were developed at the NoiseBridge hackerspace and Tech Shop. Later, the company moved to the East Bay to expand their manufacturing efforts.

    The company’s flagship machine was the Series 1 3D printer. Remarkably, Type A Machines held true to their open source roots while still pushing the boundaries for innovation.

    For example, the Series 1 was one of the first desktop 3D printers to include on-board Wi-Fi connectivity. It was also one of the first to include material profiles in its software, to minimize printing errors when loading up new materials. It also had a very capable extruder, one of the first to tackle bleeding edge materials like Nylon composite filaments.

    For achievements like these — and more — we’d like to raise a glass to the memory of Type A Machines. The 3D printing industry will be poorer without them.


    Type A Machines

    Website: LINK

  • Researchers use X-rays to Understand and Avoid Metal 3D Print Defects

    Researchers use X-rays to Understand and Avoid Metal 3D Print Defects

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    Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory researchers used X-rays to learn more about 3D printing defects and understand how to print 3D metal parts without defects.

    Using 3D printing to create metal parts for cars, ships or planes has many advantages such as enabling manufacturers to create complex parts on-the-spot. However, there is still the problem and common occurrence of defects like micro-fractions during printing. Even parts, that were 3D printed on one machine, are running into different problems.

    To understand this better, Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory researchers have been using X-ray light to monitor and learn more about what causes defects.

    “With 3D printing, you can make parts with very complex geometries that are not accessible for casting like regular metal parts. Theoretically, it can be a quick turnaround – simply design, send, print from a remote location. But we’re not there yet. We still need to figure out all of the parameters involved in making solid, strong parts,” Johanna Nelson Weker, the SLAC Staff Scientist leading the research, explains.

    Although 3D printed metal parts are already being used by many companies, such as General Electric, they need to undergo extensive testing before use.

    The researchers argue that if they learn more about defects, they would be able to reduce the amount of required testing time. As a result, this could save a lot of time and money during manufacturing.

    Learning and Understanding Defects to Save Time and Money

    Often with 3D printing metal, the researchers found that pits or weak spots form due to uneven cooling and hardening. To understand this further and get rid of pits, the researchers are investigating every aspect of the 3D printing process from the metal used to the heating and cooling speed.

    They hope this research could result in a “recipe” for 3D printer laser settings that manufacturers can use. “We are providing the fundamental physics research that will help us identify which aspects of metal 3D printing are important,” says Chris Tassone, a staff scientist in SSRL’s Materials Science Division.

    Before deciding to use X-rays, the researchers observed prints from above and by using thermal radiation. However, two different X-rays techniques provided the best way to understand what is happening inside the part.

    This way, the researchers collect micron-resolution images of events as well as bounce X-rays off the atoms and investigate the structure further when the metal changes from solid to liquid and back.

    The team has further plans to also investigate directed energy deposition processes — usually used to repair parts — and also to integrate a high-speed camera into its experimental framework too so they can compare these images to X-rays.

    The researchers are carrying out the study at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) along with others from the DOE’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Ames Laboratory. Find out more on the SLAC website.

    Source: Standford SLAC


    Website: LINK

  • 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Conferences 2018

    3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Conferences 2018

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    Location: São Paulo, Brazil

    What is it?: Participants will see 3D printing business applications and demonstrations of the latest developments in printers and services, including programs for designers, artists, and manufacturers. 

    Strength:  At the Inside 3D Printing show you will see how 3D printing is revolutionizing the manufacturing, jewelry, medicine, architecture, the aerospace industry and many more.

    Price: Free

    Registration: The registration site is coming soon.

    Website: LINK

  • Two Big Strategic Changes from 3D Hubs

    Two Big Strategic Changes from 3D Hubs

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    The open peer-to-peer marketplace pioneered by 3D Hubs has been relegated, say the company founders, to make room for a broader manufacturing platform driven by CAD-CAM technologies.

    Don’t Miss: 3D Hubs CEO Responds to Criticism Over Recent Platform Changes

    Once upon a time, 3D Hubs could be simply described as an online 3D printing service platform. The initial model matched owners of desktop 3D printers with people in their local area who needed something printed.

    3D printing marketplace 3D Hubs shifts focus towards CNC milling and injection molding.

    The concept was innovative, to be sure. But in the drive to become a sustainable business, 3D Hubs has shifted strategies a few times since they launched in 2013. And those shifts have occasionally given rise to friction with their user-base, as ALL3DP has reported in the past.

    Company founders Bram de Zwart and Brian Garret today release a statement which further codifies their transition from a peer-to-peer marketplace for 3D printing into a broader manufacturing platform.

    “We started out with 3D printing because it was the most accessible technology with machine costs rapidly decreasing and a minimum order quantity of 1,” they say in a company blog post.

    “The exponential growth of our recently added CNC machining service has revealed that the opportunity for custom, on-demand manufacturing is much larger than 3D printing alone and our platform can potentially be used for the production of more than 1 billion parts in the next five years.”

    Some insight into this market came from the most recent 3D Hubs Trend Report, which contained data on the most used materials and finishes in their new service.


    3D Hubs

    3D Hubs Places Broader Emphasis on Manufacturing

    There are two big changes outlined in the statement.

    The first is the decision to offer more comprehensive CNC machining and injection molding services alongside 3D printing. This will provide their customers with a single manufacturing platform they can use throughout the entire product development process (albeit still centered on technologies that are CAD-CAM driven).

    This move is based on the observation that “our 280,000 customers typically use 3D printing in the early stages of their product development and then switch to other manufacturing technologies … further down the development cycle.”

    The second — perhaps more controversial — decision is to de-empathise the peer-to-peer open marketplace model upon which the company was launched.

    “We’re in a unique position to change the manufacturing industry.”

    “Since last year, our offering is fully focused on professional engineers and designers as they have the strongest need for on-demand parts, but we’ve learned that part of this group is hesitant to use our original peer-to-peer open marketplace as there’s no guarantee on the quality and timeliness of parts.”

    To address this, 3D Hubs are inviting a group of their top-performing B2B suppliers to become “manufacturing partners”. Following stricter quality standards, their completed jobs are branded as “Fulfilled by 3D Hubs”.

    The goal is to combine the quality guarantee of a centralized supplier with the cost and lead-time benefits of their distributed manufacturing network. In doing so, say the founders, “we’re in a unique position to change the manufacturing industry.”

    There’s no doubt that 3D Hubs have taken some bold steps today to shore up their future. Ironically, these steps distance the company further from the desktop 3D printing revolution they sprang from.

    Source: 3D Hubs


    3D hubs

    Website: LINK

  • Grohe Introduces 3D Printing to Streamline Design, Development, Production

    Grohe Introduces 3D Printing to Streamline Design, Development, Production

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    Grohe, the world leader in supplying sanitary and water fittings, is planning to expand its production of fittings and incorporate 3D printing technology into its prototyping processes.

    Looks like Grohe Water Technology AG has big plans for 2018 including expanding its production of fittings by using 3D printing in a new pilot project.

    The German company revealed they will be using the technology at this year’s ISH trade show in Frankfurt am Main — an event for the combined topic of water and energy.

    Grohe has the goal of accelerating product innovation by 20 percent. As well as this, it intends on improving efficiency at the new design center in Hemer, Germany. Therefore, new technologies are an important factor in design, development, and production.

    The company’s plans for the next few months, as well as using 3D printing to expand the production of fittings, are to launch its latest ceramic line in March and work on new product innovations for 2019 ISH.

    Creating Prototypes at Grohe with 3D Printing

    The Grohe team have been using a Dimension 3D Printer from Stratasys. With 3D printing, they’ve already noticed a huge reduction in time and cost when creating prototypes.

    According to a Stratasys application story, previously the company would rely on the company toolmakers or external suppliers. However, in the first four months of use, the 3D printer ran for over 380 hours.

    Friedrich Imhoff, a Grohe product development manager explains some of the benefits of 3D printing. He says: “We reduced the time to develop a flushing system by 50 percent. Product samples could be produced at an early stage of the development process… The product can be presented within a short amount of time and our product managers are able to identify themselves with the product at a very early stage.”


    Thanks to its use of technology, the company has received over 300 awards for design and innovation. Grohe is especially praised for its sustainability.

    Interested in finding out more? Grohe CEO, Michael Rauterkus, is speaking about “Water as a resource in times of digitalization” at the World Market Leaders Summit today.

    Source: Hotel Designs


    Website: LINK

  • Formlabs Fuse 1 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

    Formlabs Fuse 1 3D Printer: Review the Facts Here!

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    In June 2017, 3D printer manufacturer Formlabs announced the launch of Fuse 1, the company’s first selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer.

    “When we launched the world’s first desktop stereolithography 3D printer in 2012, Formlabs created new possibilities for designers and engineers to create physical products by giving them access to professional 3D printing technology that had historically been unavailable,” says Max Lobovsky, CEO of Formlabs.

    “With Fuse 1, we are taking the same approach to making powerful SLS technology available to a huge range of customers.”

    Numerous companies, including global brands like New Balance and Google, are already testing the new systems.

    “SLS technology enables designers and engineers to accelerate their prototyping process by combining realistic material properties with the minimization of 3D printing design constraints,” says David Beardsley, manager of Google ATAP Skunkworks.

    “With the Fuse 1, a combination of high precision parts, reduced cycle time and robust materials allow teams to easily iterate throughout the design process and accelerate from whiteboard to final parts.”

    With this new hardware, Formlabs hopes to make next-generation digital manufacturing more accessible, and enable mass customization through industrial-grade 3D printing.

    Don’t Miss: Formlabs Lead Engineer Discusses Development of the Fuse 1 SLS 3D Printer

    Website: LINK

  • 20 Best Resin (SLA/DLP) 3D Printers 2017 / 2018

    20 Best Resin (SLA/DLP) 3D Printers 2017 / 2018

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    When it comes to 3D printer sales, stereolithography (SLA) definitely trails behind fused deposition modeling (FDM). But in terms of quality, you’ll find that an SLA 3D printer is usually the way to go. If you choose an SLA 3D printer, you usually don‘t go for big builds, but for quality and highly detailed objects – which makes an SLA / DLP 3D printer a favorite for labs and jewelers.

    Don’t Miss: 20 Cool Resin/SLA Models to Make on your SLA 3D Printer

    On the small-scale end of the industry, both 3D printing technologies are still in their infancy, having only recently entered the home and small business markets. FDM was the natural to take the lead, with fewer cost and patent restrictions. Yet as SLA 3D printer technologies advance and patents expire, the sales gap between the technologies has begun to narrow.

    Of course, quality is what we generally strive for when it comes to our 3D printing endeavors. For most, an FDM printer is sufficient. But compare an FDM print to one made by any SLA printer and you’ll quickly see the difference. Overall quality and finish goes to the SLA printer. Especially when it comes to detailed 3D prints, even a mediocre SLA 3D printer beats most FDM printers.

    Of course, as is usually the case, there’s a trade-off. Compared to most FDM printers, a typical SLA 3D printer is relatively expensive, slow, and a bit messy.

    But things are changing. Looking at the latest generation of desktop SLA printers, both the price and complexity are quickly falling. Case in point, many models are now available for less than $5,000.

    With many more affordable SLA printer models on the market, those requiring high-quality prints should consider taking the plunge. Here we take a look at some of the best resin 3D printers on the market today.

    This list takes a look at both SLA and DLP printer models falling below $9,000. Not present here are large industrial resin 3D printers, such as those manufactured by EnvisionTEC and Prodways. These machines often cost more than $50.000 and are aiming at professional use cases.

    The aim is to offer you consumer resin 3D printers that teeter between affordability and quality.

    How Do Resin (SLA/DLP) 3D Printers Work?


    Stereolithography (SLA), also known as stereolithography apparatus or resin printing, produces 3D models out of photopolymers. Taking the form of a resin, these are polymers whose molecules link together when exposed to light, a process called photopolymerization.

    SLA comes in two forms, depending on how the reaction is activated. The first is laser SLA — referred to here simply as SLA — where a laser selectively “draws” an object’s layers. The second is digital light processing (DLP), where entire layers are digitally projected onto the resin.

    Website: LINK

  • Olli, 3D Printed Bus from Local Motors, Receives $1 Billion in Financing

    Olli, 3D Printed Bus from Local Motors, Receives $1 Billion in Financing

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    Local Motors secured over $1 billion in financing from Elite Transportation Services (ETS) and Xcelerate for its autonomous Olli bus customers.

    Whatever you think about driverless cars, taking a trip in an autonomous 3D printed bus would be an experience to remember. Don’t worry too much either, this bus, called the Olli, has a max speed of just 40km per hour.

    Unveiled in 2016 and covered by All3DP, the Olli bus has since been undergoing testing and has now secured up to $1 billion of operational support.

    Local Motors, the company behind the 3D printed bus, is now joining forces with Elite Transportation Services (ETS), subsidiary of Elite Parking Services, and Xcelerate, the automotive financing firm based in Texas. By teaming up, Local Motors secures “third party operational support and vehicle financing” for Olli.

    ETS will be providing warranty service, insurance, routine maintenance, monitoring, management and operations as part of their all-inclusive operational solution. Any customers who engage in these services will benefit from ETS offering up to $1 billion in financing.

    Meanwhile, Xcelerate is also providing up to $20 million in Olli Vehicle financing. They will be enabling customers who already have a relationship with transit companies to finance Olli for 84 months while continuing to work with their existing partners.

    What’s so Special About Olli?

    Wondering what’s so special about Olli? Aside from not using fossil fuels and being driven by IBM’s artificial intelligence “Watson”, it also has a 3D printed body. This body was 3D printed using a Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) system.

    Eight passengers can fit in the Olli. The driverless bus can reach up to just 40km per hour. Although it’s unlikely to be the most thrilling ride of your life, it would spice up shuttles and be a futuristic addition to airports and hospitals.

    “Olli is ready to change the way we view transportation. From neighborhoods to campuses to urban city centers, learn how Olli is the smart, safe, sustainable option for getting around,” the company explains on their website. Local Motors also believes “Olli is the answer to a sustainable, accessible transportation solution for all.”

    Olli was on display at CES in Las Vegas this week. If you want to find out more or are interested in financing an Olli, Local Motors suggest that you visit their website.

    Source: Press Release


    Local Motors

    Website: LINK

  • 3D Printing Industry Shares Their Predictions for 2018

    3D Printing Industry Shares Their Predictions for 2018

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    2017 had a lot of interesting developments, going from metal 3D printing, to industry specialization, and the move towards mass manufacturing.

    A lot of new players entered the metal 3D printing market, but my feeling is that we’re still missing a practical innovation and compelling price point to be truly competitive.

    Regarding vertical industries, 2017 was also the year of the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, where for the first time the market saw the arrival of sub-€25K, professional dental 3D printers and materials. On the SLA product line, I think we can say that SLA is here to stay and a lot of new, interesting applications in the dental market have shown that. Think about biocompatibility, nightguards, splints.

    Lastly, 2017 showed a significant interest into mass production. Due to the amazonification trend of consumers, whereby we all want things on demand, as quickly as possible, and customized to our needs, more and more companies are pushing the limit to innovate faster. Solutions like the Form Cell, which we presented last June as an automated manufacturing system, and Fuse 1, Formlabs’ SLS solution, are the response to these trends.

    2018 will be the year where promises must be met. Metal 3D printing innovation will be a hot topic, and I expect more players to enter the market. Mass customization and industry 4.0 will continue to be topics to explore, and we’re excited to see what our Form Cell customers will work on. Lastly, I expect more innovation coming from the material side: an expanding range of applications is what the customers are looking for.

    Michael Sorkin is the Head of Europe at Formlabs, the company behind the most advanced high resolution desktop 3D printers.

    Website: LINK

  • 6 Safe Ways How To Remove 3D Prints From The Bed

    6 Safe Ways How To Remove 3D Prints From The Bed

    Reading Time: < 1 minute

    This method works more subtle than the previous ones. Especially heated beds form a seemingly indestructible bond with the printed material sometimes.

    So the first step after a print has finished is to let the printer and the heated bed cool down completely. If you’re lucky, the print pops right off afterwards. Otherwise, you can utilize the fact that the material properties of the plastic and the print platform – glass, aluminium or also plastic – are different. When the material gets colder, it contracts, and the different amounts of contraction cause the bond to break.

    You can take advantage of this behaviour and use more extreme temperatures. Dropping a cool pack on the 3D print (try to cool down only one element- platform OR object) will increase the difference. It also works with canned CO2 or the “air duster” cans you can get at the hardware store. If you hold them upside down, the liquid leaks out. When it changes its aggregate state from liquid and evaporates, it absorbs energy, cooling down the area rapidly. Putting the build plate with the object in the fridge or freezer for half an hour works in many cases, too.

    Website: LINK

  • Kwambio Reveals Brand-New Ceramic 3D Printer at CES

    Kwambio Reveals Brand-New Ceramic 3D Printer at CES

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    There aren’t many machines capable of 3D printing ceramics (find an in-depth overview here). Not only are there just a handful of machines commercially available, also the process hasn‘t changed much in years.

    Kwambio, an NYC-based startup, wants to offer a new angle. They built their high-precision 3D printer, Ceramo One, specifically for 3D printing of ceramic objects. The company will reveal the Ceramo One at CES in Las Vegas (Booth #51545, January 8-12, 2018).

    Backed by venture capital, Kwambio launched its factory in Ukraine – the “first specialized in ceramics 3D printing factory in Europe”. The company partnered with designers to produce unique products on-demand, mainly jewelry, homewares, pieces of decor, custom technical parts, and even bone substitute implants.

    In 2017, Kwambio 3D printed over 10,000 different objects.


    Ceramo One Uses Binder Jetting to 3D Print Ceramic Objects

    From the very beginning, Kwambio’s engineers faced a problem, as existing 3D printers couldn’t print a ceramic object with the high precision and speed they wanted.

    Most 3D printing companies print a mold, then pour a ceramic mixture into it to create a traditional cast. Before firing, part of the mold has to be removed. The rest will be disintegrated in the fire. With glazing, it takes around 10 days to make a cup. As Kwambio puts it: This “barely can be called a 3D printing process”.

    Kwambio radically shortened the production time by creating a new way of binder jetting ceramic powders, which allows to 3D print objects layer by layer without compromising precision. Kwambio’s “Ceramo One” prototype is used daily at their factory in Ukraine.


    Ceramo One prints with 160 mm per second at a height of 20 micrometers. A ceramic cup can be manufactured in just some hours. The price per square centimeter is 8 cents instead of the usual 12 to 15 cents. The build volume is 350 x 350 x 380 cm.

    Kwambio offers a palette of 100 colors of ceramic powder; also there are materials that are usable for industrial and even aerospace needs.

    There’s no price tag or release date yet – we’ll keep you posted.

    (Source: Press Release)


    Website: LINK

  • Building the Original Prusa i3 MK3: Review the Facts Here!

    Building the Original Prusa i3 MK3: Review the Facts Here!

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    So what’s the big deal about the Original Prusa i3 MK3? It’s pitched as a refinement of everything Prusa Research have achieved to date; more than a reliability upgrade, but a new and improved desktop 3D printer with some awesome new features.

    Where the previous model offered astonishing print quality for the money, the Original Prusa i3 MK3 seeks to make the discipline of fused deposition modeling (FDM) more intuitive and easier than ever before, with a plethora of sensors to alert users to potential problems and prevent failed prints.

    There’s a lot to cover, but to summarize those new features:

    • Filament sensor
    • Power Panic
    • RPM sensing fans and Noctua
    • Ambient thermistor and P.I.N.D.A 2 with thermistor
    • EINSY RAMBo motherboard
    • Trinamic2130 drivers with layer shift detection, faster and silent printing
    • New Y axis
    • Bondtech extruder
    • Magnetic MK52 Heatbed
    • Powder coated PEI spring steel print sheet
    • Ready for OctoPrint

    The Filament Sensor uses an optical filament encoder to detect the presence and movement of a filament. This provides early warning for when the filament is about to run out, and the machine can pause the print and prompt the user to insert a new spool. It can also detect stuck filament and recommend a “cold pull” to clean the nozzle and continue the print.

    Other upgrades are Power Panic, where the MK3 can recover and resume a print-job after a power loss, and a new EINSY RAMBo motherboard which is pitched as the most advanced 3D printer board currently available. How advanced is it? It can monitor power, for one, which allows for the detection of blown fuses. For another, it features Trinamic drivers which are super fast, quiet, and can detect (and correct) layer shift while printing.

    Elsewhere, the Original Prusa i3 MK3 has a reworked Y axis for improved frame rigidity and an extra 10mm build volume on the Z-height. And there’s an upgraded Bondtech drive gear extruder, which grips filament from both sides to increase the push force of the filament and making it more reliable (especially for flexible filaments).

    But perhaps the biggest highlight of the MK3 is the new MK52 Magnetic HeatBed, which holds detachable alloy spring steel sheets powder coated with PEI. As the sheet cools down, parts can be popped off by simply flexing the sheet.

    So! Without further ado, let’s move onto the unboxing and build, shall we?

    Website: LINK

  • Best 3D Printer Awards 2017 / 2018 – The 12 Best 3D Printers

    Best 3D Printer Awards 2017 / 2018 – The 12 Best 3D Printers

    Reading Time: 4 minutes


    How to buy the best 3D printer

    Selecting the best 3D printer for your needs is not an easy task. We want to make the process it a little bit easier with All3DP’s Best 3D Printer Awards.

    Finding the Best 3D Printer for Beginners

    If you are a newcomer to 3D printing, things can get overwhelming. Specifications and terminology may sound gibberish and intimidating. So you best resort to a dedicated 3D printer for beginners, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. There are four traps you can fall into.

    1. There are some 3D printers on the market that claim to be “best 3D printers for beginners”. While they come prebuilt, you will pay extra by paying for overpriced filament, get frustrated with poor build quality, and get dubious printing results. To avoid this, better check some independent reviews the chosen model.

    2. Don’t buy too cheap. When looking for the best 3D printer for your money, the worst thing you can do is to waste it on a cheap, untested no-name 3D printer. Don’t get us wrong, we don‘t want to talk you into spending more of your hard earned money – but there’s a huge difference between a „best cheap 3D printer“ and the best cheap 3D printer. Again, reviews matter to get the best 3D printer available.

    3. Also, there’s a legion of the Prusa i3 clones. They come in different brands, variations, and fittings. While some are actually really good, others offer inferior quality and are way too complicated to handle. Most of the Prusa clones come as a kit, which complicates things. If you want to go for one, make sure the machine has a good, readable documentation and an active community, so you have someone to ask if you are running into trouble.

    4. So why not buy a 3D printer on Kickstarter? In our opinion, Kickstarter and Indiegogo are not the best places to buy 3D printers. You can get ripped off intentionally (like with the $99 “Peachy Printer“), leave empty-handed (like with the “Tiko 3D“) or get your printer much later than promised (which happens to most Kickstarter projects).

    After so much advice, we recommend you to take a look at the categories “Best 3D Printer under $250“, “Best 3D Printer under $500“, and — of course — “Best 3D Printer for Beginners” of All3DP’s Best 3D Printer Awards. Surely, you’ll find the best 3D printer for you in these categories.

    Finding the Best 3D Printer for Makers

    If you consider yourself a tinkerer or maker who wants to tap into 3D printing, you won’t need the most expensive and flashy model available on the market. 
The good part is that you can save a significant sum by buying a 3D printer kit. You’ll also learn a lot by assembling the machine yourself.

    The market for the 3D printing hobbyist is heavily populated, so you have a great choice of machines to choose from. The most difficult part is finding the best 3D printer for your needs.

    If you want to make sure to get the best 3D printer, we recommend you take a look at the categories „Best 3D Printer for Beginners“, „Best 3D Printer Under $250“ and „Best 3D Printer Under $500“. These will give you the best bang for the buck.

    Finding the Best 3D Printer for Enthusiasts

    If you are already experienced in 3D printing and consider yourself a 3D printing enthusiast, you already have an opinion on the best 3D printer brands and their machines. You need some alternatives, not general advice.

    The categories „Best 3D Printer“, „Best 3D Printer Under $500“, „Best 3D Printer Under $1000“, „Best 3D Printer Kit“, „Best Workhorse 3D Printer“ and „Editor’s Choice“ are most likely to meet your needs.

    The Best 3D Printers for Professional Use

    If you are a professional that just wants to get the job done by 3D printing, you don’t care too much about brands. You need your prototype without having to tweak dubious settings. You need a 3D printer something that works out of the box, that gives you hassle-free and reliable results. Also, the materials you can print on matter to you.

    If you feel you belong in this category, please check the „Best 3D Printer“ and „Best Workhorse 3D Printer“. If you need high-quality details, you should also check our award for „Best SLA 3D Printer“.

    Website: LINK