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5 Reasons You Should Continue Scaling Your 3D Printing Service During COVID-19, and How to Do So

Creating a scalable business is a phrase often heard in startups and new venture circles, but what does it mean? You could say growth, or perhaps, strong sales, and you would not be wrong, but scaling is much more than those two ideas.

Sell more. This is often touted as the complete solution for how to scale a business. Another is to simply add more machines or people to increase capacity.

The well-worn mantra of “selling more” does not always solve the problem, nor does adding more capacity. Scaling means you build efficient processes. If you have not built organized processes to handle and serve the customer, then you are not ready to scale your 3D printing service.

A scalable business includes the flexibility and versatility to expand your business in a cost-effective way. It involves expansion so increased workloads do not overwhelm your team or disappoint your customers. Scalability is delivering without destroying your company. Scaling your business is more than exponential growth.

You may be asking, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, why bother trying to scale during a potentially slower economy? Here are five reasons to consider:

Improved efficiency usually results in cost-savings.
By preparing for scalable growth, you can create more consistent plans for the ups and downs (and may discover new ways to weather this current “down”).
Scalability creates adaptability to roll with economic changes and pressure.
Businesses which carefully consider scalability are much more likely to survive
Streamlining internal processes, automating them as much as possible, will make you a much stronger competitor in the marketplace once the storm is over.

Realizing these benefits for your 3D printing business will not be easy if you are hacking together a variety of disconnected software tools to get the job done. All you’re doing at that point is creating separate instances of data with varied access within your team and increasing your software bloat.

You and I both know putting together a streamlined and in-sync workflow is not easy. There are a variety of platforms or desktop software that let you combine some of the processes that 3D printing companies need. You want to combine a customer-friendly front end (a quoting tool on your landing pages or home page), and then integrate some or all of your backend, internal processes so that you can track customer communications in a logical way (keeping them informed of job progress, for example), and keep the internal pipeline of work in one place so that everyone can get to it quickly and easily.

I learned these lessons early on in my career after founding multiple 3D printing services in Chicago and Detroit. I searched for a tool that solved for these problems, but none existed. That’s why I started MakerOS.

MakerOS is a web-based collaboration platform for 3D printing and digital fabrication companies to develop products faster, regardless of company size or stage. My team and I built this platform over the past few years, and already it’s been used in thousands of projects for 3D printing services with clients from around North America.

I sought out to create a business operating system for professional fabricators, engineers, designers, and makers, and together with my team that’s exactly what we’ve done.

If you feel like you need an operating system that’s specifically built for someone like you to help your 3D printing service scale, especially during this global pandemic, check us out. Or drop us a note and request a live demo to learn more about how we help you make more.

About the Author:

Mike Moceri has deep experience in manufacturing, design, and software. In 2013, he co-founded the world’s first 3D printing retail service bureau in Chicago. In 2014 he founded Manulith, a 3D printing and product design agency, where his clientele included Fortune 500 companies within the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. Mike is also a mentor at Stanley+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator, a mentor at WeWork Labs in NYC, and formerly a mentor at TechTown Detroit. He’s previously been featured on MSN, Make Magazine, NBC, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. D-Business Magazine called him the “Face of 3D printing.” Mike is currently the founder and CEO of MakerOS, an all-in-one collaboration platform for additive manufacturing services to efficiently work with clients throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.

The post 5 Reasons You Should Continue Scaling Your 3D Printing Service During COVID-19, and How to Do So appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing News Briefs: March 16, 2020

We’ve got news about 3D printers in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, as BigRrep has shipped its 500th large-format 3D printer. Peopoly is developing new 3D printers for its Phenom series, and startup Excelencia is offering a 3D printing service for large objects. Moving on, MPA, NAMIC, and SSA have launched a Joint Industry Program for 3D printed maritime parts.

BigRep Ships 500th Industrial Large-Format 3D Printer

Large-format 3D printing leader BigRep, founded in 2014, just announced that it has shipped its 500th industrial large-format AM system. The company’s managing director, Martin Beck, said that this delivery shows how much all of the company’s industrial customers value BigRep products, which are utilized in a wide variety of applications. The 500th delivery was a BigRep ONE 3D printer, which was shipped to e-mobility tech company JAMADE GERMANY, creator of the AMAZEA underwater scooter – the first water sports mobility device that will use serial produced 3D printed parts at the consumer level.

“We are very excited about this delivery because it represents a new dimension of industrial AM in end-consumer products, both for us as a company and the industry,” said JAMADE Managing Partner and Technical Director Detlef Klages. “The new BigRep ONE will enable us to launch the serial production of AMAZEA as planned, completing our existing fleet of four BigRep ONE printers. We greatly value the printers’ cost efficiency, accuracy and quality when compared to the extremely high investment for traditional tools.”

Peopoly Developed Two New Phenom Series 3D Printers

In October, Hong Kong company Peopoly launched its Phenom 3D printer series, which was well-received by industrial users due to a higher resolution print, shorter workflow, and reduced cost. So, using the same MSLA technology, the company, which was founded back in 2016, has developed two new systems for its third generation series: the extra-large Phenom L and the fast Phenom Noir.

The Phenom L has a build volume of 345.6 × 194.4 x 400 mm – over 50% larger than the original, which a 20% faster rate of print speed. It also features new build plate designs, which improves the post-processing experience and simplifies the workflow for larger prints. The Phenom Noir has a monochrome LCD panel, designed for enterprise 3D printing applications, that reduces UV light waste, which Peopoly says makes the system run five times faster than the Form 3. With its 293.76 × 165.24 x 400 mm build size, it’s also nearly 13% bigger than the original Phenom.

Excelencia’s Launches 3D Printing Service for Large Objects

MASSIVIT project

Spanish 3D and textile 3D printing distributor Excelencia Tech just launched earlier this month with two big projects. First, the startup is an official distributor for MASSIVIT 3D printers, so it’s focusing on selling these. Secondly, Excelencia is promoting its XL MEDIA Project, which is a service it offers for 3D printing very large objects on its MASSIVIT systems. The 3D printers the startup owns are pretty costly, which is why Excelencia is promoting the use of them to companies that need to print large objects, but can’t afford to purchase their own large-format printer.

“Nowadays, if one of our 3D printings have to be done by a “traditional” 3D printer, it will take couple of weeks and an enormous budget to succed. So we offer the chance to create your 3D products using our machine without buying it, to understand and check all advantatges that Massivit’s machines have,” Miguel Preda Lliso, the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Excelencia, told 3DPrint.com.

“With our technology we can do giant products (about 180 cm) in less tan 48 hours and without generating as much waste as traditional machines (our machines just use as much kilos of material as the product weight).”

Phase 2 of Joint Industry Program for 3D Printed Marine Parts

Singapore’s National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), along with SSA and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), has launched the second phase of a Joint Industry Programme (JIP) for the 3D printing of marine and maritime parts. Phase 1 was completed in October, and Phase 2 consists of the call for proposals from classification societies or AM technology suppliers that would like to participate in the JIP as an industry consortium leader. The objective of this JIP, which has the potential to spin off further developmental projects in the future, is to establish the technical feasibility, regulatory requirements, and commercial viability for creating 3D printed marine parts.

“Maritime assets are capital intensive, and downtime is costly,” the JIP Challenge Statement reads.

“Replacement of marine spare parts involves many actors in the supply chain, and can be costly in terms of inventory, logistics, and cost of spare parts (especially for obsolete parts).”

The JIP is also working to shine a light on some of the opportunities, and challenges, involved in deploying 3D printing for marine parts, such as approval and certification processes. The application deadline for this phase is 6 pm on April 6, 2020.

Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post 3D Printing News Briefs: March 16, 2020 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Interview with Fried Vancraen on 30 Years in 3D Printing

Being such a young industry, we have only a few giants. One of them is Friend Vancrean. The soft-spoken Fried started as a research scientist before starting Materialise over thirty years ago. Quiet, analytical, and wise Fried has guided Materialise through three decades of 3D printing development. Over that time, the Belgian firm has become a large 3D printing service that is also the de facto leader in 3D printing software. To disclose my biases, I should point out that I’ve worked for Fried, and I admire him. No one else in 3D printing has proven to be as gifted at identifying new business opportunities in 3D printing and avoiding perilous markets. With a long track record, Materialise has pioneered the production and software chain in hearing aids, dental guides, surgical guides, CMF implants, prototypes, car parts, aircraft parts, and functional prototypes. Magics is the default file preparation and planning tool for industrial 3D printing, while software such as 3Matic and Mimics let cutting edge researchers practice their craft. As one of the few publicly traded 3D printing companies, Materialise is closely watched. 3DPrint.com caught up with Fried at formnext to discuss the past three decades of 3D printing as well as the next ten years.

An in-hospital 3D printing lab at the University of Utrecht facilitated by Materialise

Fried says that he and the firm are proud of their financial results, and that “in all three segments..software, medical and manufacturing..the firm has shown growth” with “positive EBITA in all three segments.” Materialise must now “maintain growth and yield” while “3D printing value.” The main method that the firm has had in creating and maintaining value is to “invest in technology” and then to “develop technology that delivers enough value so that people will pay you for the service.” This seems rather simple, but the devil is in the details. “Materialise has proven to be able to deliver value for over thirty years.” In regards to BASF’s Sculpteo acquisition, he says that the firm was well informed ahead of time and “had decided to invest in certain materials and applications together with BASF,” “outside of these BASF wanted to do other market development on its own.”

Materialise’s three segments all require different levels of investment and product development. The firm is “active in many vertical markets as well” in such diverse areas as “eyewear, polymer aircraft interiors, and medical software.” In all of these segments, a common thread is to “adhere to the right quality systems for the right application and vertical” production of a highly regulated aircraft part is very different from a similar part as a medical implant or prototype. Each vertical “has completely different tolerances, needs different environments, and entirely different product lines.” “A CMF implant part is very different and has a very different quality system than an orthopedic implant.” Choice across its broad portfolio is, therefore, a defining characteristic for Materialise. “We don’t just say everything; we don’t just do everything.”
Currently, Fried sees the market as “evolving” with manufacturing taking over from prototypes and concept models. New applications such as “motor and power train components” are now existing next to a “concept and prototypes.” In some sense, many of Materialise’s technologies are complementary, but in others, new methods will have to be discovered. Materialise must, therefore, in a “conscious and determined way make choices in manufacturing.”

A patient specific model can be used to plan or understand surgeries

In some sense, this is what the firm has always done. Fried divides up the last thirty years into three distinct segments “in the first ten years it was a question of proving that it works,” then the “second period was about scaling up,” and the third is “manufacturing.” In 3D printing’s first decade, “we had to prove that prototyping was a viable business,” and it became essential to see to it that “CAD systems and print systems were combined.” “Proven software,“had to be able to produce the parts that customers needed. In the second period, a “scale up” was required, “we had to go from prototyping to manufacturing” and had to “organize manufacturing” in a traceable and documented way. The third period “meant that the firm has to upscale manufacturing” and “cost down.” That period was all about “productivity and connectivity,” and “advanced software was needed to optimize processes and results.” Now we enter the fourth period in the history of 3D printing where “next-generation tools” become part and parcel of the “industrial future.” In keeping with this Materialise is introducing New Product Introduction tools stemming from its own NPI focussed efforts in 3D printing.

A cross section of a lightweighted space craft part made by Materialise

“Now, tools will help us go from prototyping all the way to a sustainable product.” With “NPI tools, we’re looking for process optimization” that let you develop a “fine-tuned product” that is “production-ready.” In a case with a customer, the firm has found that it can reduce some extremely long product introductions from years down to a month. Fundamentally he believes that “new tools and new inventions are required.” He sees that “many of today’s OEMs in the market are simply cheaper copies of existing technology.” So far, he contends that “if you want to manufacture, people will stay with EOS.” It is rare to see things like “HP’s MJF that brings some parts into a new cost category.” When asked, he says that he “believes in clustered manufacturing” through smaller desktop 3D printers for certain parts, “but only once those printers have improved significantly” in their build quality. “Consistent data is required..from consistent machines to get..consistent parts.” Once “know-how and competency” leads to “consistent printers..that work in quality systems,” we will see genuinely new developments.

The firm is now an orthopedic implant manufacturer.

If we look at the next ten years in 3D printing, Fried hopes that “Materialise will continue to create value while delivering” on the “next generation of tools” that focus on “bringing costs down and analysis.” At the same time, hopes that Materialise can continue to “strive for a better and healthier world” while remaining a “3D printing sector thought leader.” In the beginning, the company had no idea how to ” “in a systematic way have a positive impact.” Now with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals, there is a “global compact, in fact. a quality framework, a framework for a better world.” Helping the firm conduct itself according to this framework. “Every year, he hopes that Materialise is better not only as a business but also how to make products for a better world.” One of the ways the company is tackling this is “to create high value recycled products from waste products“, something it will showcase at the Materialise Summit in May.

The post Interview with Fried Vancraen on 30 Years in 3D Printing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

How 3D Printing Jigs and Fixtures Transforms Manufacturing

In the industrial world, 3D printed jigs and fixtures are truly unsung heroes. Both jigs and fixtures are types of tools that are used to control the operation of another instrument. However, a fixture sets itself apart in that it’s mainly used to hold another tool or device in place during the manufacturing process.

As a manufacturer, in any industry, you rely on essential components like jigs and fixtures to get the job done. The difference is that these days, more and more manufacturers are realizing massive productivity increases and lowered costs by 3D printing these essential manufacturing aids.

In this series of articles, we will layout the benefits of using additive manufacturing to produce Jigs & Fixtures. The first part will focus on Jigs. To find out more about how you can harness the potential of 3D printing jigs and fixtures to increase productivity and reduce costs, read on.

Jigs 101

Jigs are custom-made tools that hold in place and control the motion of other devices or parts in the manufacturing process. Unlike a fixture, a jig lets manufacturers expedite the assembly or construction of a product by allowing for greater interchangeability and repeatability.

It should come as no surprise, then, that jigs are a staple in virtually all mass-production systems in the developed world. However, small and medium-sized firms traditionally haven’t been able to create custom-made jigs until the arrival of 3D printing technologies.

Why 3D Print Jigs and Fixtures?

Most companies cannot afford to splurge on traditionally manufactured jigs and fixtures to add to their assembly lines or build processes. Thanks to the advent of additive manufacturing, productivity-enhancing tools such as jigs, fixtures, and grips can now be produced at a fraction of the cost of their traditionally made counterparts.

Producing jigs and fixtures via 3D printing is a highly cost-effective means of speeding up your assembly times and reducing labor costs. Plus, on-demand jig and fixture production eliminates upfront inventory requirements. Instead, digital inventory allows for seamless updates and revisions to keep your equipment working the way it should.

Other benefits of 3D printed jigs and fixtures include weight reduction (via high-strength plastic construction), ergonomic superiority (via customizable item contouring and shaping) and reducing overall complexity during the manufacturing process.

Here are examples of jigs that you can 3D print today:

Router Corner Jig

Built with black versatile plastic, a SLS nylon 12, this woodworking tool is designed to create precise cuts around angular corners during woodworking. A workshop essential, this 3D-printed tool allows users to make consistent cuts around edges when using a Router tool.

Cutting corners has never been easier thanks to this corner jig, which holds to the corner of your working piece to guide cuts at an exact and consistent radius.

Rotary Tool Drill Bit Sharpener Jig

Constructed with multi-jet fusion plastic, smooth black nylon 12, this rotary drill bit sharpener tool is the DIYers dream. This jig sharpens dull drill bits to their original condition by crafting a new cutting edge on the side of the tool. The process is simple: the jig attaches to a rotary tool and a grinding disc.
Then, the drill bit is inserted into the jig at the correct angle. The jig, in conjunction with the abrasive disc, proceeds to grind the drill bit to the user’s preferred degree of sharpness in seconds.

Center Point Finder Jig

This time-saving jig tool streamlines your assembly processes by allowing you to locate the midpoint of objects with varying levels of thickness. Made of durable red versatile plastic, a SLS nylon 12, the Center Point Finder Jig works according to a simple process: the jig is placed on top of an object that the user wants to measure, then the jig is twisted until the pegs cannot move any further. Then, the indicator in the center of the jig signifies where the midpoint of the object is.

Ready to Save Money for Your Company?

There has never been a better time to invest in jigs, fixtures, grips, and other tools that can save your company time and money when manufacturing. Typically, a jig or fixture would be sent away to be produced by a trained machinist for days at a time.

Today, 3D printing has cut down production times and created a more affordable alternative for manufacturers in need of custom-made assembly tools.

Interested in learning more about how 3D printing can impact your business by increasing productivity and lowering production costs? Get in touch today to learn how Shapeways, the leading end-to-end 3D printing fulfillment platform, is helping millions of companies leverage 3D printing to scale their businesses.

The post How 3D Printing Jigs and Fixtures Transforms Manufacturing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing News Briefs: October 14, 2019

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, everything is new, new, new! Carbon is announcing a new RPU 130 material, and STERNE Elastomere introduces its antimicrobial silicone 3D printing. Protolabs launches a new polypropylene 3D printing service in Europe, and Hydra Research has officially released its flagship Nautilus 3D printer.

Carbon Introduces RPU 130 Material

At this week’s International K Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, Carbon will debut its new RPU 130 resin, a rigid polyurethane that’s rigid, tough, impact resistant, and stands up under high temperatures, making it a perfect choice for the automotive industry in applications such as brake caliper covers. Made exclusively for Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis, the dual-cure engineering resin is comparable to unfilled thermoplastics, and Carbon also partnered with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products to make RPU 130 out of sustainable Susterra propanediol, a 100% bio-based material that uses 46% less nonrenewable energy from cradle-to-gate and produces 48% less greenhouse gas emissions as well.

“We are focused on ways to incorporate more sustainable approaches to developing materials, and our partnership with DuPont Tate & Lyle emphasizes that commitment,” stated Jason Rolland, SVP of Materials at Carbon. “We believe that sustainability can go hand-in-hand with improved performance. In the case of RPU 130, we believe it will make the material even more appealing for our customers, as it makes it possible to create better quality products that are also ultimately better for the environment.”

You can learn more about Carbon’s new RPU 130 at its K-Show booth, H7.2, F12 from October 16-23.

Antimicrobial Silicone 3D Printing by STERNE

French silicone 3D printing specialist STERNE will also be attending K 2019 this month. Three years ago, the company unveiled its silicone 3D printer at K 2016, and its SiO-shaping 3D silicone printing technology makes it possible to fabricate very small pieces, according to standard ISO 3302-01 :2014 (M2) tolerances, at hardness from 30 to 60 Shores A. The printer also offers a full panel of colors in opaque, phosphorescent, and translucent.

The company is now combining 3D printing with antimicrobial silicone, in order to keep the silicone odor-free, avoid bacteria developing, improve the hygiene of a 3D printed object, and strengthen its immune barrier as well. You can learn more about this antimicrobial silicone 3D printing at STERNE’s Stand E23, Hall 8A, at K 2019.

Protolabs Offering Polypropylene 3D Printing in Europe

For the first time, digital manufacturing company Protolabs is offering polypropylene 3D printing, with the launch of a new service in Europe. The company has invested a lot in developing the material to be used with selective laser sintering (SLS) technology, on an SPro 60 system. SLS 3D printing with polypropylene plastic allows design engineers to rapidly develop and test prototypes, and fabricate complex designs as well, like internal channels and honeycomb structures.

“Polypropylene is one of the most used plastics available to modern manufacturers and is widely used for a number of applications. Polypropylene is one of the most used plastics available to modern manufacturers and is widely used for a number of applications. Now that we can produce a prototype in polypropylene, design engineers can develop and test it in an application using the same material that it will be manufactured from. The product design can then be quickly reiterated and retested until they have the perfect solution, before committing to tooling. This breakthrough takes product development to the next level using the most versatile of plastics, ” said Andrea Landoni, 3D printing product manager for Protolabs.

“Before, if you wanted to use polypropylene then you were limited in what you could design by the manufacturing technology available to you. Now the only limitation is your imagination.”

Hydra Research Releases Flagship 3D Printer

Oregon company Hydra Research, which began in a closet three years ago as a peer-to-peer print service, has announced the release of it flagship 3D printer, the Nautilus. The fully enclosed, industrial-grade desktop system – assembled in Portland – features a quick-change Tool Cartridge system that integrates E3D’s V6 hotend for fast nozzle switching, in addition to an integrated software solution. It also supports a variety of materials, provides Cura profiles for easy slicing, has a small footprint in a sleek frame, and offers customizable HydraCare support and consulting packages

“As a company, our primary goal is producing world-class hardware on an open source platform,” explained John Kray, the Founder and CEO of Hydra Research. “Manufacturers like E3D, Duet3D, and Fillamentum combine these values perfectly.”

You can now purchase Hydra’s Nautilus 3D printer on the company’s website, in addition to spare parts, accessories, and filament.

Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

The post 3D Printing News Briefs: October 14, 2019 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Interview with Edi Weigh of 3D Printing Service FacFox

In terms of 3D printing, China is still a big unknown. Yes, we’re all familiar with printers from firms such as Flashforge that can be found all over the world. Beyond those global players however, China is a bit of a mystery for us. As you may have noticed, we’re doing many articles on women in 3D printing, 3D printing in Africa, 3D printing resellers, and 3D printing in South America. We hope to reach underexposed 3D printing areas and stories in order to give you a better picture of the entire industry, as it is not as the media imagines it to be. Now, we’ll also take more of a closer look at what is going on in China.

Beyond desktop printers, there is a growing and vibrant Chinese 3D printing industry emerging and they may yet challenge established European and American companies. One such emerging firm is FacFox, a 3D printing service that started with humble desktop 3D printers and in a few years grew to a large and diversified service working with clients all over the globe. We talked to Edi Weigh at FacFox to find out more.

Weigh sees, “FacFox as a one-stop manufacturing platform to realize creation, we make the ideal into real products.”

“It all started with a tiny spark of inspiration when we were college students, after hearing about the 3D printer’s capability and it’s potential in creative and manufacturing industry, so we came across the idea to start a workshop that provides customized 3D printing service. We bought our first Prusa Mendel at 2013, then MakerBot 2X and Rostock Delta Printer in 2015.”

FacFox’s workshop in 2014

Beginning with entry level systems was always going to be a challenge. Given the state of systems in 2014, this would have been almost impossible unless one was armed with extreme perseverance. Interestingly, India’s largest service bureau Objectify also started with desktop machines. In Europe and the US services commonly start with much larger entry-level industrial systems. Whereas Objectify stuck to a centralized service however, FacFox took a much more distributed path.

“a while after the establishment of our workshop, a serious issue started to bother us. With only a few FDM 3D printers we were not able to meet the diversified requirements of clients’ projects. That was when we realized that we needed to embrace the power of a collaborative network. So we created a first primitive website to display the 3D printers connected to us.”

Weigh says, “yes, we got inspiration from 3Dhubs and we really appreciate it.” Rather than focus on consumer 3D printers however, FacFox became a network connecting industrial 3D printing companies in China.

“By 2015, we had gathered over 200 printing companies in China, and started to provide informational services to connect those companies with customers. It didn’t work as expected since there is no added value by only sharing information with 3D printing services, what’s more, the biggest issue remained unsolved: versatility.”

The company clearly had to experiment more with their business model and offering but importantly it was acquiring knowledge.

“If you ask me, what was very beneficial to us in this period, I’d say we learned the limits of 3D printing(especially FDM 3D Printing). Clients want a turnkey solution to realize their creations, the method to achieve this goal is not their top concern. So we started to collect information of both additive and substractive manufacturing methods, and opened our own consulting business to provide a one-stop production plan.”

Pivoting from an in house desktop service towards a 3DHubs for industrial and then yet again towards a one-stop design and fulfillment service may seem dizzying but it shows a company that evolves to meet the market.

“In 2016, we were funded by venture capital and grew rapidly by partnering with the largest 3D printer manufacturers and service providers, we started to step outside our country and target the global market. Now we have full-stack solution for different industries. This is what keeps us growing.”

Right now FacFox offers 3D printing in metal and polymers, CNC, urethane casting, blow molding, injection molding, sheet fabrication, die casting and other processes through one portal. In other places, 3D printing services may be more focused on polymers for example or perhaps even on one technology. Weigh believes that having lots of options helps customers to do what they need. The firm has EOS M280, EOS M400, ConceptLaser M2 and Farsoon and Zrapid metal printers, and offers SST 316L, Aluminium, Bronze, Titanium, Co-Cr, IN625 and IN718.

“It is crucial that 3D printing and CNC machining are both provided, both methods have their own Pros and Cons, 3D printing is fast and cost-efficient for objects with small size and complex geometry, however CNC machining is more accurate and stable in dimensional accuracy, which also costs a lot less in large objects and bulk production. We need to provide an optimal solution to produce a client’s project irrespective of the technology.”

The company considers its key to success is “to think thoroughly about the value you can offer to the client, don’t recommend 3D printing just because it’s lucrative, only by selecting the method with the best quality versus cost can you gain trust and satisfaction from your clients.”

The company really believes in its turnkey solutions approach and thinks that this will save clients time, money and worry.

Weigh sees FacFox’s “core value is to minimize the expense and maximize the quality and efficiency, which is exactly what we pursue. If you are seeking to realize your creation in the best method, then we are the right one you are looking for.”

The post Interview with Edi Weigh of 3D Printing Service FacFox appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing News Briefs: July 6, 2019

In this installment of 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re sharing some business news with you, along with a case study about a 3D printer farm. First up, AMUG just installed its new board for 2019-2020. Then, Print Parts Inc. has launched its new additive manufacturing website. Finally, BCN3D is showing the world how it produces parts assembled on its 3D printers at the company’s Print Farm.

AMUG Installs New Board Members

The 2019-2020 AMUG Board. Front row (L to R): Leslie Frost, Gary Rabinovitz, Jamie Cone, and Todd Grimm. Back row (L to R): Andrew Allshorn, Vince Anewenter, Tom Sorovetz, Carl Dekker, and Paul Bates.

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has installed its nine-member board for 2019-2020. The new board, made up of appointed and elected positions, will build and oversee the next AMUG Conference, as well as develop an organizational structure to support the continued growth of the annual 5-day event, which will next be held in Chicago from March 22-26, 2020. Each member of the board serves as an AMUG officer, and the industry professionals were elected during this year’s AMUG Conference. Carl Dekker of Met-L-Flo has replaced Paul Bates of UL as the new AMUG President; Bates has now taken on the role of Past President.

“I am excited to be AMUG’s 2020 president,” said Dekker. “We have an excellent and experienced team leading us on the path to the next event. The recent growth of AMUG has been astounding! This brings many challenges, which I am pleased to say the new AMUG Board is being very proactive in addressing.

Additional board members are:

Vice President: Jamie Cone, BD
Vice President: Andrew Allshorn, At 3D-Squared
Event Manager: Tom Sorovetz, FCA
Secretary: Leslie Frost, GE Additive
Chairman: Gary Rabinovitz, Reebok
Treasurer: Vince Anewenter, Milwaukee School of Engineering
AM Industry Advisor: Todd Grimm, T. A. Grimm & Associates

New Additive Service Website Launched

There’s a new additive manufacturing service in town for when you need on-demand, 3D printed performance and production-grade parts: New York-based Print Parts Inc. recently launched its new PrintParts.com website. The company’s mission is to help its customers achieve on-demand printed parts at an affordable costs, and it is also one of the first AM services that offers composite parts made on Markforged 3D printers. Clients can order flexible quantities – from 1 to 1 million – at competitive prices, 3D printed out of materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar, Nylon, and Onyx. The company helps its customers navigate the entire process from start to finish, including consulting, industrial design services, and even technology-specific feedback. PrintParts.com is celebrating its launch by offering a 25% discount on part orders during its first month of operation. In addition, the first 100 customers will receive a special gift package, including stickers, a branded operator’s apron, and a PrintParts t-shirt.

“Print Parts. That’s what we do,” explained company founder Robert Haleluk. “Our team creates functional prototypes, high quality concepts, and performance parts to help customers take on mission critical projects with confidence. We love what we do and put passion into every part we print.”

Video & Case Study: Producing Parts at the BCN3D Print Farm

Desktop 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies, based in Barcelona, uses its breakthrough IDEX (Independent Dual Extruder) technology at the BCN3D Print Farm to double its 3D printer production capacity. At the Farm, 63 printers are working 24/7 to manufacture 10,000 pieces per month. In a recent case study, the company explains how it produces 47 plastic Sigma and Sigmax pieces, which are assembled by its printers at the Print Farm.

“We think it will have a huge impact for those companies and users wanting to produce small series,” Marc Felis, the BCN3D Marketing Manager, told 3DPrint.com about the video the company produced about its Print Farm and IDEX technology.

IDEX allows BCN3D printers to control both toolheads independently, which makes it possible to double the production capacity for pieces like the Vertical Bowden, which holds the 3D printer’s Teflon tube in place and made with PET-G material at the BCN3D Print Farm. Customers who use IDEX technology can also cut labor, machinery, and maintenance costs in half, as well as decreasing printer downtime. Additionally, the technology is very clean, because it prevents molten plastic from dripping into printed pieces. To see how your company could speed up the production workflow while keeping costs reasonable, check out the video below:

Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

The post 3D Printing News Briefs: July 6, 2019 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Interview with Ken Burns of Forecast3D on Manufacturing as a Service

I was very impressed with Ken Burns’ presentation at Additive Manufacturing Strategies in Boston. Ken is the technical sales director of the 3D printing services and manufacturing company Forecast3D. Originally set up to do urethane casting, the company now deploys HP MJF, FDM, DMLS, SLA, and Polyjet 3D printing technologies as well as casting. Focusing on bridge manufacturing and short-run production the company recently has bet big on MJF as a manufacturing technology. Many bureaus are continually under threat and expanding because of renewed interest in 3D printing. On the one hand, 3D printing news brings in new customers but some of these then switch to desktop and in house 3D printing. Can service bureaus cross the chasm and play a role in manufacturing millions of products with 3D printing? Or will they succumb to pressures from much larger firms? In different verticals we see that companies are taking very different approaches to adopt 3D Printing while in some industries there is a sharp division between the outsourcers and companies that do in house 3D printing. In medical device, for example, some companies are making huge investments in doing in house production while others immediately outsource. Millions of hearing aids are made in house while only car companies have significantly invested in taking prototyping in house. It is a very exciting time to be a pioneering 3D printing service so we asked Ken to tell us more.

How did Forecast3D get started?

Forecast 3D started with two brothers: Corey & Donovan Weber when they were in their early 20’s. They started in their garage and eventually purchased a single SLA machine (with the help of a loan from their grandfather). Corey developed an innovative method for urethane casting, which helped establish them and differentiate them from other service providers.

How did you go from a regional player to a national one?

Having a strong, reliable, and passionate team that gave our early customer base a unique customer experience and dedicated customer service – this helped us to grow our technology offerings and be able to afford to adopt the latest equipment. It sounds cliché but we listened to what customers needed and answered by creating a national team. Whether it is a phone call or a face-to-face meeting we were committed to the resources to engage with our customers however the needed us. We have also never been complacent with our technology, processes and business systems.

You seem to have always been at the forefront of adopting new technologies. In hindsight, it all looks beautiful but surely you’ve also gotten bitten by adopting new technologies?

We wouldn’t say any of the technologies “bit us” but we have certainly had more success with some over others. The technologies all promise something “ground-breaking”; which is true to an extent, but it doesn’t mean they are the right fit for our business model. We have target customers and industries so we focus on technologies that can help us be successful with that lens. So if we miss the mark, it is usually a small miss.

Do you still do a lot of casting?

Absolutely. Like most traditional processes, they are not going away. In fact, 3D printing has helped improve some of these services like casting. We can do hybrid processes with casting and 3D printing. Casting is and remains a long term focus for us.

What do your customers use Polyjet for?

Fast prototypes – attractive show models. When they want full color parts, or parts with multiple materials and durometers in a single piece. Often used in the entertainment industry.

And FDM?

Robust parts – used in aerospace and automotive mostly, often when demanding environments (high heat resistance, chemical resistance, UV stability) are present. When part strength (and not so much aesthetics) is a priority.

What do you use DMLS for?

Prototype and end-use parts. Often times when a smaller quantity of metal parts is needed, and the geometry would be impossible or too difficult to machine.

SLA Chrome plated award part.

What was it like buying an SLA machine in 1996?

Exciting. It is still exciting to buy new 3D printing equipment in 2019. To be on the forefront of the 3D printing industry in the 90s was an incredible opportunity.

A ProCast Part.

What is ProCast?

Our proprietary urethane casting process, used for producing a short-run (4 to 400) quantity of parts. Often times the next step after a single prototype, and used when only low volume production is needed (product lines that don’t require thousands of parts). We typically start by 3D printing a master model using SLA, FDM, or PolyJet. Then the master model is sanded and finished to the customer’s desired surface finish/texture, and then that part is encapsulated into a silicone mold (which is the soft tool). And from that mold, we produce 20-30 parts at a time. We can cast in any color or texture.

What new technologies are you excited about?

There is a lot to be excited about these days. On the metals side you have a lot of movement with HP’s Metal Jet, DesktopMetal’s Production System, GE Additive and a few others. In the plastics space we are watching a lot of the OEMs looking at solving new problems…HP MJF’s color printer, Carbon, Evolve and Titan Robotics are a few that seem to be doing something different. We are also looking at a lot of technologies surrounding the printer ecosystem from software to automation equipment.

What advice would you give me if I were a company new to 3D printing?

Be realistic with what you are going to do with 3D printing. It’s not the silver bullet that solves all problems. It can be an amazing tool for prototyping or production if you have a good approach. Working with a service provider to test and qualify which technology is always a great start as you can assess lots of technologies.

What about if my firm wanted to use 3D printing for manufacturing?

Yes, there are several technologies now capable of manufacturing. We primarily use the HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Stratasys Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and SLM (metals) technologies for manufacturing. Our 3D Manufacturing center has 24 of the HP MJF systems so we have the capacity to print tens of thousands of production parts a day. Industries like Aerospace and Healthcare have been taken advantage of FDM and SLM processes in production.

Is lack of automation in post processing holding 3D printing back?

Yes. Until recently there wasn’t a big demand for this type of equipment because there wasn’t a lot of production in high volumes happening in 3D printing; outside of a few niche applications. We have surveyed the market and while some equipment works we have spent a lot of our time developing these tools.

You seem to have taken a big bet on MJF?

Oh yes. We believe in the technology, and its ability to take 3D printing to the next level (beyond being used primarily for prototyping).

Why?

One word. Production. We want to go after high volume production opportunities in manufacturing. We firmly believe this technology is solving new problems and creating new opportunities for our customers. We have already seen it utilized in many great applications and expect that it grows exponentially over the next several years.

What do you use the MJF machines for?

Production. We also do a lot of prototyping with them. There are certainly applications and industries it is better suited for as we are limited by materials, part size, surface finish and a few other constraints.

What is the market like now for a service bureau?

The service bureau market has certainly changed over the last few years. There are several companies focusing on the software component and it some ways attempting to commoditize the space while others have differentiated with specific technologies. We have been position Forecast 3D as a Digital Manufacturing company. Going beyond typical service bureau capabilities to meet the requirements for production. With so many service bureaus we think it is important to focus on what you do best and execute that with laser focus.

Interview with Ankit Sahu of India’s Largest 3D Printing Service Bureau: Objectify Technologies

Only a few years ago Ankit Sahu started Objectify Technologies. Over the past years of rapid growth, Objectify has become India’s largest 3D printing service bureau. The company serves the automotive and industrial markets and works with the main 3D printing technologies including powder bed (selective laser sintering), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS, LBPF, Selective Laser Melting) and stereolithography (SLA). Additionally, the company has CNC and vacuum casting and does everything from prototyping to manufacturing at scale using 3D printing. The company also lets people industrialize through giving them Design For Additive Manufacturing consultancy; FEA and CFD analysis including simulation services, and makes 3D printing software. Very little is known about the health of the 3D printing sector in India. Recently however investment and interest in the sector has exploded. Large companies have made fundamental investments in 3D printing as we learned from Wipro’s leader in the sector. Meanwhile, India is creating startups in-house printing, multi-material 3D printing, software for insoles and titanium implants. Will the Industry stay local, will India develop into a regional player in 3D printing or will the Indian 3D printing companies go global? A good time to interview Ankit Sahu about 3D printing in India.

What is Objectify?

Objectify is India’s largest Additive Manufacturing solutions provider with in-house SLS, DMLS, SLA, Vacuum Casting, and CNC machining capabilities. We also have in-house bright, talented designers trained in AM designs be it topology optimisation, reverse engineering etc. We, at Objectify serve wide range of customers from white goods/ electrical appliances, automotive, aerospace , space and tooling companies both pan India and internationally.

Why should I work with you?

Our biggest USP is that we are an Engineering driven organization. Our core team, as well as management, are engineers and hence we are very particular on each and every detail of a project. Be it, material development, topology optimization, laser specifications and functional requirements; we simulate, render and test extensively to ensure quality over everything else. We believe that additive manufacturability is the future of humanity. It gives us immense joy to see the components we make and the consultation we provide add value to society as a whole. We want to spread 3D Printing awareness all across the globe and start a butterfly effect for the industries, individuals and hobbyist alike.

What is your company’s goal?

Being a pioneer in 3D printing in the Indian subcontinent, we have enlisted our goals in two subcategories, namely, Short and Long term. Our short-term goal is to influence and educate individuals and industrialists to accept this technology as a primary solution to their manufacturing needs. We aspire to be a thought leader and hub for an overall manufacturing expertise. Our long-term goals, on the other hand, is establishing long-term relations and creating synergy with industries pertaining to major manufacturing sectors such as Automotive, Aerospace, Tooling, Space Research and Medical so as to ensure sustainable manufacturability for the betterment of mankind.

How did you get started?

In 2013, We started at an SIIC incubation centre at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur with a small Makerbot FFF desktop printer. We started by working on a small research and development project at IIT Kanpur which gave us the confidence to work with the direct industry. Currently we have more than 450 unique registered industrial customers. Since then we have invested in multiple industrial grade AM equipments.

Why did you start your business?

We identified a huge gap within the manufacturing industry for quick short batch requirements in the R&D and NPD departments in different organizations. We started evaluating 3D printing to satisfy this gap and according to our experience, we have been able to achieve good traction and brand image with this approach of manufacturing.

How big are you?

We have been tripling our revenues on a year on year basis to become one of the largest AM solution providers. The human resource strength of the company is ever increasing. We have more than 60 people currently working with us. We have a decent strength in AM design, topology optimisation and an R&D to work on new material developments through AM.

You do SLS, SLA, and DMLS. Why those technologies?

SLA, SLS and DMLS are widely accepted technologies across the industrial sectors. These technologies provide unbeatable repeatability, quality and good per part cost for the customer with which it becomes easier to convince the customer to adopt 3D printing in their processes.

Are you seeing more direct part production emerge?

Moving forward, a lot of companies are looking at 3D printing to replace their small batch production, spare parts and inventory cost. Therefore, we have started getting lot of requirements for part screening, material evaluation, commercial analysis for these kinds of demand. In the process, we have gained some parts from our customers for the production which are helping them to scale their profits.

What kind of parts do you make?

As we are serving a wide spectrum of customers from electrical to automotive to aerospace, we get amazing and unique inquiries from our customers. We make a lot of automotive and aerospace engine parts to structural components to white goods mockups. As we are a very customer-centric company, therefore we have to be flexible and unique with our offering. We work with our customers on a project to project, case to case basis.

Are you seeing a lot more manufacturing applications emerging?

A lot of new and unique application with different kinds of project-level challenges to keep our team on their toes to provide solutions to our customer for their requirement.

You do a lot of work for automotive, was it difficult to get those customers?

The automotive sector is one of the most cost-driven industries and it was very difficult to convince them on the cost but slowly and steadily they have been adopting the technology in their NPD and R&D which is changing the course of adoption and accelerating it.

Do you do a lot of design and engineering work for your customers?

A good amount of our time is invested in design and engineering especially on the metal AM side as it requires a lot of pre and processing of the component.

It seems like India is really accelerating its interest in AM, why now?

India has been a slow and steady adopter of the AM technology but it is getting better out here. The quality of discussions in the Indian AM fraternity is increasing and getting on par with the rest of the world. Soon you will be hearing lot of good moves from the Indian AM industry.

If I were an industrial company and wanted to get started with 3D printing for prototyping, what advice would you give me?

Start slow, work on the applications and materials and acceptance criteria’s. In the end, 3D printing is just a tool for the industry to achieve the end goal of making a working component.

How far along is the manufacturing end-use parts?

In lot of cases, we have worked on end-use components through this technology. There have been components manufactured by us which are in aero engines, space satellites, and racing motorcycles. So the adoption rate is increasing day by day.

Machines have gotten a lot better the last years, what do you see as real roadblocks to expanding 3D printing?

Scale and automation is the biggest roadblock for the wide adoption of the technology. Industry wants to move out from doing indirect activities to direct realization of the component faster, cheaper and better. The global AM industry has to listen to their customers to assist their customers in solving these issues to reach that scale.

Unlock Your 3D Printing Potential and Design With Shapeways!

At Shapeways, it is our genuine belief that anyone can be a creator. We are passionate about helping all of our users, no matter their experience, tap into their creative potential and design their own perfect product. But we understand that 3D printing can seem more than a bit intimidating to first-time users. Or you just might not have the time to develop a model from the design stages all the way to when it’s ready to print. If you’re hesitant to try 3D printing because of your skill-level or any other constraint, there is now a simple, foolproof way to dive in.

The newly improved Design with Shapeways service connects users directly with our first-rate team of 3D designers and modelers. Experts are available to help from the very initial stages, providing advice when all you have is an inkling of an idea. Even if you’re not sure where to start, our team can walk you through the ins-and-outs of 3D modeling, helping to define project goals, offering design guidance, and answering all of your questions.

Stage 1: Consultation with our team of experts to discuss project goals.

If you already have a 3D model, Design with Shapeways also offers web-based design review, matching you with a dedicated 3D modeler who’ll help your product come to life. From simple file fixes to prevent fragile walls and muddied details or products that need to adhere to precise measurements, we have you covered. Our 3D modelers are experts in designing projects that involve precision, accessories, and architecture, just to name a few, and can guide even the most novice user towards printing success.

Stage 2: Work with a 3d modeler, provide feedback, and see your project come to life.

Design with Shapeways will get you ready to manufacture in record time. After working with our design team, you’ll receive a 3D file that can be used instantly to start printing with Shapeways. With experience in designing for over 30 different materials, our experts can help you move seamlessly from prototype to full-scale production.

Step 3: Receive a 3D file to instantly start manufacturing with Shapeways.

The cost of working with a Design with Shapeways expert is based on multiple factors that the design team works with each customer to define. Typically most projects fall within the $299 to $1,599 range. On average, projects are completed within two to six weeks. And don’t worry about whether your project is even possible — your initial consultation will help you determine whether your project is a good match. In the event that we aren’t a good fit, we’ll refund your package total minus a $100 consulting fee. We may even suggest how to amend your project to work with 3D technology or recommend other options.

If you bring the idea, Design with Shapeways will provide the expertise. So stop delaying creation – jump into your project now with the help of our expert team.

The post Unlock Your 3D Printing Potential and Design With Shapeways! appeared first on Shapeways Magazine.