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3D Factory Incubator Successfully Promoting 3D Printing Adoption in First Year

Last year, 3D Factory Incubator, the first high tech business incubator specializing in 3D printing in Europe, celebrated its inauguration in Barcelona. After reporting on a successful first 100 days this summer, we’re happy to say that the initiative has had an excellent first year in operation.

The project, which is led and promoted by technological institute Fundación LEITAT and public self-funded company El Consorci de Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), with financial support from the ERDF via Spain’s Fundación INCYDE, promotes 3D printing adoption by creating a space to incubate related startups, SMEs, and micro-enterprises. The initiative is part of a growing AM hub in Barcelona, and offers marketing services, co-working spaces, and access to a 3D printing lab.

3D Factory Incubator has a target of hosting the 100 best 3D printing-based business ideas in five years, and has been working hard to make this a reality over the last twelve months by encouraging the business take-off of incubated initiatives, by providing multiple services such as business consulting, parts testing, general incubation services, advice on internationalization and marketing, and 3D production technology services.

Its over 600 m2 of space features private offices, meeting rooms, a co-working and training area, and a comprehensive laboratory with eight 3D production units and a post-processing and metrology area. The lab features six different industrial and small-format 3D printing technologies, in addition to multiple design and post-processing equipment, such as a polisher, sandblaster, and systems for metrology and quality control of parts.

Over the past year, the 3DFactory has been encouraging its incubated initiatives to get going in the business world, by offering its more than 500 consulting and training services, marketing activities, parts certification, and post-processing production technologies. In 2019, the incubator hosted over 30 sessions on 3D printing-related topics for each aspect of the AM value chain, in addition to networking sessions, business development, financing and training for startups. 3D Factory Incubator also participated in multiple conferences and seminars that helped provide visibility to the initiative and its incubated projects, like the 4YFN and INDUSTRY From Needs to Solutions conferences.

As mentioned previously, the goal was to reach 100 incubated companies in five years, with 25 in the first year. In just this one year, 3D Factory Incubator has reached over 30, including 3D printing service provider Layertolayer; 3DBide, which provides 3D printing solutions and advice for equipment, development, training, implementation, and investment decision-making regarding new products related to 3D printing; and E4-3D Engineering for Additive Manufacturing, which offers spare parts for multiple vehicle brands.

According to Leitat’s Executive Vice President, Joan Parra, the incubator owes its success this first year to “…finding a need in the sector and being able to offer this emerging talent, through the 3D Factory Incubator, the support needed to boost your business, not only through access to spaces and professional advice, but also through access to the latest technology in 3D printing and post-processing on the market.”

It looks like things aren’t slowing down anytime soon: the production lab for incubated projects recently expanded by acquiring a DLP 3D printer for biocompatible and CE-certified materials. Soon, 3DFactory will likely incorporate a second processing station from HP for work with flexible TPU, in addition to several post-processing systems, such as an air-blasting parts cleaning system, a graffiti machine, and a dyeing machine.

“The forecast was that, in the first year, 20 companies would be installed and the reality is that we already have more than 30. This is a five-year project, but it has a second derivative which is the Dfactory 4.0, an industrial project that we are already building on the industrial estate; by June 2020 it will be a reality,” said Pere Navarro, Special State Delegate from the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona. He continued, noting that the DFactory 4.0 “will be a 21st century factory, where there will be 3D printing, robotics, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and blockchain; that is to say it will welcome the new economy via companies that have already shown interest in occupying these spaces, with the ambition of making Barcelona the European capital of Economy and Industry 4.0.”

Thanks to project promoters Leitat and CZFB spreading the word about the initiative’s success so far, of the over 80 applications received to 3D Factory Incubator, 79% have national headquarters and 21% are international. The organizations are both pleased with the success of 3DFactory’s first year, and many even take the model to other countries, like Colombia.

You can visit the website to see the current call to submit 3D printing-related projects to the initiative.

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The post 3D Factory Incubator Successfully Promoting 3D Printing Adoption in First Year appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Factory Incubator: The High Technology Business Incubator for 3D Printing

A unique initiative in Europe to boost innovative projects based on additive manufacturing

Innovation, technological development, and human value are the three pillars of Europe’s first high-tech 3D printing incubator. The 3DFactory Incubator is an initiative led by the Barcelona Consorci de la Zona Franca and the Fundación Leitat, whose goal is to promote the best initiatives related to 3D printing through the creation of a unique space and the provision of 3D production services, business consulting, marketing activities and testing services.

The call is open to all types of innovative projects that include 3D printing as one of the basic types of technology for the development of the product or business concept. These initiatives will be pursued for either six months or a year, both of which may be extended.

“Thanks to the 3D Factory Incubator, we have the chance to make use of its 3D printing services with the most advanced technology and specialised technical support,” says Monica Debat from Mondenel, one of the first companies to develop their project at the 3D Factory Incubator.

The aim is to incubate around 100 initiatives throughout the life of the project, approximately 25 per year. To date, after only three months of operations, there are already some twenty incubated initiatives. This incubator, the only one in Europe, offers incubated projects a unique and modern space with a large coworking area, meeting rooms, private offices, a rest and dining area, a terrace and an open-plan training area.

Josep Mateo, CEO of Liq Eyewear, describes the experience of these first few months: “Coming to the 3D Factory has been a boost; an incredible opportunity to have access to technology, to machines that it would otherwise take much longer to access. We have it all in one building: machines, incredible technology, advice… The treatment we’ve received has been excellent! We believe that it will be a great opportunity and a great boost that we want to make the most of.”

The facilities, located at the headquarters of the ‘Consorci de la Zona Franca, with a total area of 600m², have laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art 3D printing machinery: 6 different types of technology (4 industrial 3D printers – MJ, FDM and MJF – and 3 mini printers – FDM, SLA and SLS); post processing and quality control equipment; design software; and the advice of technical staff, experienced not only in the field of printing, but also in internationalisation, marketing and innovation, among others.

All these resources have a clear objective: to grow an innovative project from its earliest stages.

Alan Alves, Director of 3D Digital Factory, explains that, “For me, the most attractive thing about the incubator is the human value and the ecosystem that has been created. To have within my reach the services provided by all the professionals and to be able to move my office to its facilities in the industrial heart of Barcelona with the latest 3D printing technology.” He stresses: “I can’t think of a more favourable environment for implementing my business project.”

The opening of the 3D Factory Incubator is the first step towards establishing Barcelona as a hub for innovation in southern Europe’s Industry 4.0. After more than 10 years of development, 3D printing technology has acquired a point of maturity that allows the technology to be scaled for introduction into different sectors of industry, such as prototyping and industrial engineering, as well as for the manufacture of the final product. Additive manufacturing offers multiple advantages that new generations of entrepreneurs and start-ups have recognised and, with this in mind, have incorporated it into their business concept.

Both the incubator, which has received ERDF funds through the INCYDE Foundation, and initiatives such as the IAM 3D HUB, encourage the adoption of additive manufacturing and are helping to broaden its use in Europe’s business sector.

The boost from this technology will bring about a genuine industrial revolution and will not only change the concept of production, but will also extend the limits of innovation and technological development in industry and society as we know it.

The post 3D Factory Incubator: The High Technology Business Incubator for 3D Printing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing News Briefs: June 25, 2019

Recently, HP released its sustainable impact report for 2018, which is the first item we’ll tell you about in our 3D Printing News Briefs. Then it’s on to more good news – the 3D Factory Incubator in Barcelona is reporting a very positive first 100 days in business, while AMUG has named the winners from its Technical Competition. We’ll close with some metal 3D printing – Nanoscribe published a fly-over video that illustrates the design freedom of nano- and microscale 3D printing, and Laser Lines is now a UK reseller for Xact Metal.

HP Releases 2018 Sustainable Impact Report

HP recycling bottle shred: Through its recycling programs, HP is transforming how we design, deliver, recover, repair, and reuse our products and solutions for a circular future.

HP has released its Sustainable Impact Report for 2018, which talks about the company’s latest advancements in achieving more sustainable impact across its business, as well as the communities it serves, in order to create a better green future. Its sustainability programs drove over $900 million in new revenue last year, and the report shows how HP is using 3D printing to drive a sustainable industrial revolution, such as reducing the amount of materials it uses and expanding its recycling program. The report also states new commitments the company set for itself in order to drive a low-carbon, circular economy.

“Companies have critically important roles to play in solving societal challenges, and we continue to reinvent HP to meet the needs of our changing world. This isn’t a nice to do, it’s a business imperative,” explained Dion Weisler, the President and CEO of HP Inc. “Brands that lead with purpose and stand for more than the products they sell will create the most value for customers, shareholders and society as a whole. Together with our partners, we will build on our progress and find innovative new ways to turn the challenges of today into the opportunities of tomorrow.”

To learn more about HP’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, such as investing in an initiative to keep post-consumer plastic from entering our waterways and the recycling program it started with new partner SmileDirectClub, visit the company’s dedicated Sustainable Impact website.

Successful First 100 Days at 3D Factory Incubator

On February 11th, 2019, 3D Factory Incubator – the first European incubator of 3D printing – was officially inaugurated in Barcelona. It’s now been over 100 days since the launch, and things are going very well. In that time period, the incubator is reporting a total of 15,000 3D printed pieces, and 20 incubated companies, and still has room for more interested projects, though all its private spaces are now occupied. The original goal is to incubate 100 companies in 5 years, and it seems as if 3D Factory Incubator is well on its way.

Located in the Zona Franca Industrial Estate, the unique initiative is led by El Consorci de Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) and the Fundación LEITAT, and has received an investment of €3 million. The goal of the incubator is promote the growth of 3D printing initiatives, and there are a wide variety of companies hosted there, including consumer goods, a logistics company, healthcare companies, design initiatives, and mobility.

AMUG Technical Competition Winners Announced

(top) Erika Berg’s digitally printed helmet liner components and Riddell’s SpeedFlex Precision Diamond Helmet; (left) Maddie Frank’s cello, and (right) Bill Braune’s Master Chief reproduction.

At the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference in April, 17 entries were on display to compete for the gold in the annual Technical Competition of excellence in additive manufacturing. The winners have finally been announced, and it seems like the panel of judges had a hard time deciding – they were unable to break the tie in the Advanced Finishing category. Maddie Frank of the University of Wisconsin, with her 3D printed electric cello, and Bill Braune of Met-L-Flo, with his 30 inch-tall model of “The Master Chief” Halo video game character, are co-winners in this category for their attention to detail and “exceptional execution,” while Erika Berg of Carbon won the Advanced Applications category with her digitally printed helmet liner for Riddell’s SpeedFlex Precision Diamond Helmet.

“The 17 entries in the Technical Competition were amazing in their beauty, innovation, and practicality,” said Mark Barfoot, AMUG past president and coordinator of the Technical Competition. “Our panel of judges deliberated at length to make the final decision.”

The winners each received a commemorative award, as well as complimentary admission to next year’s AMUG Conference.

Nanoscribe Shows off Design Freedom in Fly-Over Video

The versatility sample impressively illustrates the capabilities of Photonic Professional systems in 3D Microfabrication.

German company Nanoscribe, which manufactures and supplies high-resolution 3D printers for the nanoscale and microscale, is showing the world how its systems can up many opportunities in 3D microfabrication, with a new fly-over video, which truly highlights the design freedom it can offer when making 3D microparts with submicron features. The video shows actual scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of extreme filigree structures that were 3D printed on its Photonic Professional GT2.

From a variety of angles, you can see diverse geometries, which show off just how versatile Nanoscribe’s high-resolution 3D printing can be – all 18 of the objects and structures were printed in just over an hour. The company’s microfabrication technology makes it possible to create designs, like undercuts and curved shapes, and customizable topographies that would have been extremely difficult to do otherwise. To streamline the microfabrication process for its customers, Nanoscribe offers ready-to-use Solution Sets for its Photonic Professional GT2 printers, which, according to the company, “are based on the most suitable combination of precision optics, a broad range of materials and sophisticated software recipes for specific applications and scales.”

Xact Metal Names Laser Lines New UK Reseller

Pennsylvaniastartup Xact Metal welcomes Laser Lines – a total solutions provider of 3D printers and laser equipment – as a UK reseller for its metal 3D printers. These machines, which offer extremely compact footprints, are meant for customers in high-performance industries that require high-throughput and print speed, such as medical and aerospace. Laser Lines will immediately begin distributing the Xact Metal XM200C and XM200S systems, as well as the XM300C model once it becomes available next year.

“We are delighted to be the chosen UK supplier for Xact Metal, whose metal printing systems are establishing new levels of price and performance. Making quality metal printing accessible requires innovation. Xact Metal’s printing technology is built on the patent-pending Xact Core – a high speed gantry system platform where light, simple mirrors move quickly and consistently above the powder-bed on an X-Y axis. It’s another step change for our industry and opens a whole range of exciting opportunities,” stated Mark Tyrtania, the Sales Director at Laser Lines.

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