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3D Printing News Briefs, August 30, 2020: Roboze, BCN3D & CREA3D, 3D Systems, ASTM International

We’re covering 3D printing business stories in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, including investments, partnerships, industry executives, and annual reports. Federico Faggin, who invented the microprocessor, is investing in Roboze, and BCN3D is partnering with CREA3D. 3D Systems has named its new CFO. Finally, ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence has released its second annual report.

Microprocessor Inventor Invests in Roboze

(Image courtesy of The Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation)

Italian-American 3D printer manufacturer Roboze has announced that physicist Federico Faggin, the inventor of the microprocessor and co-inventor of both the touchpad and touchscreen, is investing in the company, which designs and produces industrial 3D printers for the production of functional thermoplastic and carbon fiber reinforced parts. Additionally, the prolific inventor will be joining the company’s Advisory Board as a technological consultant. Born in Italy but a naturalized US citizen, Faggin has helped shape modern computer science and won multiple international awards for his efforts, including the United States of America’s National Medal of Technology and Innovation. As a member of the Roboze Advisory Board, he will help the company as it works to increase the development of additive manufacturing solutions.

“A few years ago I met Alessio Lorusso and I recognized in him an exceptional foresight and remarkable creative and organizational skills. With great enthusiasm, I therefore accepted his offer to be part of the ROBOZE Advisory Board,” Eng. Faggin said. “I am proud to see an Italian company that knows how to compete in the global economy with cutting-edge products in such a demanding sector and I am pleased to make my experience available so that ROBOZE can grow as it deserves.”

BCN3D and CREA3D Announce Distribution Partnership

Speaking of Italy, Barcelona-based BCN3D Technologies has announced a distribution agreement with Italian 3D printer distributor CREA3D in order to increase growth in Italy’s 3D printing market. CREA3D has been providing professional 3D printing solutions through both B2B and B2C channels since 2013, and has created a strong online and offline presence for itself. Now, professionals in Italy will benefit from CREA’s distribution of BCN3D’s 3D printer portfolio, made up of the desktop BCN3D Sigma and Sigmax and the professional BCN3D Epsilon system, all of which offer a higher volume of printing per piece due to the company’s Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) technology.

“We are pleased to cooperate with CREA3D, an alliance which will support us in increasing the sales in the Italian market, where there is a high potential for the IDEX system and the distinctive duplication, mirror and multi material printing modes,” BCN3D’s CEO Xavier Martínez Faneca said. “Their considerable experience in additive manufacturing, combined with a top-quality technical know-how makes CREA3D the right fit to help us grow and serve Italian customers in the best possible way.”

3D Systems Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

3D Systems has announced that Jagtar Narula, the current SVP of Corporate Strategy and Business Development for Blackbaud Corporation, will be joining the company as its Executive Vice President and CFO. Beginning September 14th, Narula, who has nearly 30 years of progressive financial, business leadership, and investment strategy experience under his belt, will report to Dr. Jeffrey Graves, the company’s President and CEO. He will lead the Finance organization for 3D Systems, which includes all investor relations, finance operations, and capital deployment for growth and margin expansion.

“I am excited to have a leader of Jagtar’s experience join our team at such an important time for our company. Jagtar’s experience in leading technology companies with complex transformations and large-scale efficiency improvements will be invaluable as we transition to our new focus, align our organization and cost structure to our current revenues, and position ourselves for sustained growth and profitability in the years ahead,” stated Dr. Graves. “I want to add a special note of thanks to Wayne Pensky for serving as our Interim CFO, allowing us to move quickly to restructure the business and prepare for an exciting future ahead.  Wayne will support Jagtar to ensure a smooth transition in Finance leadership for the company.”

ASTM International’s AM CoE Issues Second Annual Report

ASTM International’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), which was launched in 2018, has just debuted its second annual report. In addition to offering a look at future plans, the report also includes many of the AM CoE’s accomplishments over the past year, such as the creation of an international conference, in-kind investments, new additive manufacturing staff, the new AM guide for supporting COVID-19 supply chains, a technical workshop series, the development of certificate courses, and more.

“Together, the AM CoE and its partners supported the advancement of AM technology through investments in new R&D projects, existing infrastructures, development of new educational offerings/partnerships, expansion of the AM team, and the growth of the center’s global footprint. The hard work and dedication of the center’s team are highlighted in this comprehensive report,” said Mohsen Seifi, PhD, ASTM International’s Director of Global Additive Manufacturing Programs.

Seifi also said that the AM CoE has “emphasized its commitment” to speeding up usage and capabilities of evolving technologies, like additive manufacturing, and empowering innovation in manufacturing.

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3D Printing News Briefs, June 28, 2020: Autodesk, Sinterit, BCN3D Technologies

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re talking about software and hardware. First, Autodesk has added a new generative design extension. Sinterit has made some changes so its printers are ready for Industry 4.0. Finally, a BCN3D Technologies 3D printer has been recognized as one of Spain’s best industrial designs.

Autodesk Generative Design Extension

MJK Performance used generative design technology to create a set of lighter and stronger triple clamps for a drag bike

This week, Autodesk announced that it is allowing Fusion 360 users to take advantage of generative design capabilities more easily with the release of its new subscription offering – a generative design extension. This will give users complete access to Fusion 360 generative design for a separate subscription fee of $1,000 per month or $8,000 a year. Autodesk is now offering a special introductory price for a limited time only, so annual subscriptions to Fusion 360 and the new extension are available for 50% off the regular price through July 17th.

“We hear loud and clear that customers, especially these days, crave flexibility, and we’re more than happy to provide a solution at a price point that addresses their needs, especially for budget managers who require predictability. Most of all, we’re excited to see the momentum and incredible outcomes from casual users all the way up to major industry innovators or major brand innovators who are using generative design in the field,” said Stephen Hooper, vice president and general manager, Fusion 360.

Users can also access the generative design extension with their Autodesk Cloud Credits.

Sinterit 3D Printers Ready for Industry 4.0

SLS 3D printer manufacturer Sinterit released a new software update that makes its Lisa and Lisa Pro 3D printers compliant with the Industry 4.0 standard, which works to automate integration with factory logistics. The update provides a new function that allows the printers to generate communication output regarding print status, in addition to a more intuitive user interface and a better tool for object collision detection.

“We received questions from our clients about Industry 4.0 standards compatibility. For some of them, it was a must – a 3D printer without such compliance couldn’t be used,” explained Grzegorz Głowa, head of R&D department in Sinterit.

BCN3D Technologies Recognized for Epsilon 3D Printer

Barcelona company BCN3D Technologies announced that its advanced BCN3D Epsilon 3D printer has been recognized by the FAD Association of Industrial Design as one of the best-designed products of 2019 in Spain. The printer has been shortlisted for the 2020 Delta Awards, and an independent jury of industry experts will announce the winner during Barcelona Design Week this November.

“At BCN3D, we are design: we are meticulous, and our professional 3D printers are crafted after a long process of design and investigation to ensure that the end result is optimal. For us, this recognition is a reflection of the tremendous care we put in each product’s design and reflects on the work of every single member of the BCN3D team,” the company wrote in a blog post.

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

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3D Printing News Briefs, May 18, 2020: Fraunhofer, Formnext, Visagio & DiManEx, BCN3D Technologies

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, Fraunhofer will soon discuss adoption of Industry 4.0-related technologies in a webinar, and we’ve learned that Formnext 2020 is still planned for this November. Moving on, Visagio and DiManEx have announced a partnership. Finally, BCN3D’s technology was used to make an interesting event installation.

Fraunhofer’s Industry 4.0 Webinar

Tomorrow, May 19th, the Fraunhofer Project Center (FPC) at the University of Twente will be holding a free webinar called “The Road to Digitalisation” that explains some of the challenges in adopting technologies related to Industry 4.0, such as 3D printing, as well as the solutions. Industry 4.0 is about optimization, and can offer companies many benefits, such as increased revenue, better quality, and reduced cycle times and costs. But, it can be a tough journey to start, and companies looking to start could use some help.

“Industry 4.0 is all about optimization; from managing big data to efficiency in the production line. All this aims at enabling businesses to make quicker, smarter decisions while minimizing costs. This webinar sets out to explain the challenges and to offer solutions in the adoption of I4.0 related technologies.”

The webinar, featuring Join Biba Visnjicki, Managing Director of FPC, and Thomas Vollmer, Head of Production Quality Dept. from Fraunhofer IPT, will last 60 minutes; register for free here.

Formnext 2020 Still a Go in Frankfurt

As many places in the world are cautiously reopening after recent mass shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to look to the future. In that vein, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH is still planning to hold the AM industry’s biggest event, formnext 2020, this November 10-13. Recently, the Federal Government and the Federal States of Germany ruled that trade shows are no longer under the ‘major events’ category for health risks, but the health of all the employees, exhibitors, and visitors are still considered the highest priority if the event does indeed take place this fall. That’s why the exhibition organizer is working around the clock to develop an updated health concept, such as introducing contact tracing and decreasing visitor density, along with a supplementary digital/virtual program.

“We remain convinced of the unique value and advantages of a physical exhibition. And although digital interaction will never be able to replace face-to-face contact, it does offer more scope than previously thought possible only a few weeks ago,” stated Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President of Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

“Ultimately, even in these challenging times, we want to organize a trade show that is as responsive as possible to the current situation and the needs of participants and the market.”

Visagio and DiManEx Partnering to Improve AM Supply Chains

(Image: DiManEx)

Management consultancy Visagio Ltd and DiManEx BV are partnering to strengthen end-to-end 3D printing usage in supply chains. Companies are looking to conquer supply base disruptions, and by pairing Visagio’s supply chain services with DiManEx’s end-to-end 3D printing platform, they can do so by digitizing their inventory and 3D printing parts on demand, which can delivered all over the world. The collaboration is a representation of how both companies address market needs, especially in these challenging times as COVID-19 disrupts the global supply and demand process.

“Companies are increasingly looking for ways to optimize their supply chains and mitigate risks, such as those brought about by pandemics or geo-political tensions. Our platform embeds 3D printing in supply chains easily, realising the concept of ‘Digital Inventory at your Fingertips, Ordered at a Click of a Button’. Coupled with Visagio’s industry and management expertise, this is a winning combination for supply chain optimization,” said Tibor van Melsem Kocsis, the Founder and CEO of DiManEx.

3D Printed Cisco Live 2020 Installation

Thanks to 3D printing, it was possible to quickly iterate not only the main design, but also all the smaller parts of the internal mechanisms.

Speaking of collaborations, Barcelona data interpretation firm and design studio Domestic Data Streamers pairs data and arts with storytelling to develop “participatory projects” for community building and education. Its workshop has long used 3D printers from BCN3D Technologies, and recently turned to the technology again to create an installation for the Cisco Live 2020 event. The studio wanted to give attendees “a better experience” by displaying the event schedule on an interactive Recommendation Wall of clickable screens; once clicked, the animated image turned into a QR code, which visitors could scan for more information. The screens had to be custom-made, and so Domestic Data Streamers turned to its in-house printer farm, and the BCN3D Epsilon 3D printer. They used PETG to print over 40 of the main covers in just four weeks, which equaled major cost savings.

“The printers work very well, we count on a very high success ratio, and the support from the team is always quick and helpful,” said Pol Trias, the Head of Design at Domestic Data Streamers.

“It gave us great agility when it comes to functionally and aesthetically validating the designs at a very low cost…our processes were more efficient and much faster thanks to our BCN3D Epsilon.

“This could not have happened without 3D printing. For a project like this one, where you want high-quality results in a short time and within a limited budget, there is no better option than 3D printing.”

You can learn more about the project here, or 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.

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Improving Polymers: 3D Printing Polycaprolactone with Gum Rosin and Beeswax Additives

Researchers from Spain and Ecuador are focused on nature-driven materials for digital fabrication, outlining their findings in the recently published ‘New Materials for 3D-Printing Based on Polycaprolactone with Gum Rosin and Beeswax as Additives.’

Nature is often the inspiration for scientific findings and innovations, and the world of 3D printing is no exception, from the intense study of fish to seashell material to the ever-changing color of the chameleon’s skin, and more. In this study, the researchers experiment with the potential of gum rosin and beeswax as additives, analyzing mechanical, thermal, and structural properties.

Reminding us that polymers are indeed useful in manufacturing and many applications, some do present a hazard to the environment regarding the build-up of waste on the planet. With no desire to add to that problem, the authors sought alternative materials such as biopolymers.

While there are many benefits to avoiding the use of conventional plastics, affordability has typically been an issue, along with finding materials that have suitable mechanical properties. Blends, fillers, and composites are often the key, however, for scientists and innovators when it comes to materials like polycaprolactone (PCL) that require some refining—despite offering benefits such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.

The researchers intended to find out whether gum rosin, beeswax, and PCL would offer the ‘synergistic’ effect expounded on by other scientists as it is expected that the mixture not only will support initial benefits of all the materials but also ‘enhance the antimicrobial properties.’ Beeswax has also been known to complement polymers being used in biomedical applications like drug delivery systems. Both GR and BW are known to offer improvements to other materials in terms of adhesion (often an issue in 3D printing), toughness, and behavior of plastic overall.

The researchers used a BCN3D 3D printer with a 0.6 mm diameter nozzle to print samples that could then be compared to standard test specimens. A bed temperature of 40 °C was set for the printing of all materials, but nozzle temperatures varied among the samples, from 90 °C and 150 °C, ‘depending on the easiness of traction of the materials in the printer.’

“These differences aim to achieve and adequate printability,” explained the researchers, noting that just an ‘increment’ in the nozzle temperature could offer increased mechanical strength.

Temperatures of 110 °C for PCL-GR and 150 °C for PCL-BW were chosen as the printing temperatures.

Standard test specimens (STS)surface obtained in the printing test at 80 °C for (a) PCL, (b) PCL-GR, (c) PCL-GR-BW and (d) PCL-BW.

 

Three-dimensional (3D)-printing parameters and tensile mechanical properties of filaments of neat polycaprolactone (PCL) and the formulations with gum rosin (GR) and beeswax (BW).

Thermal characterization showed ‘good miscibility’ in the PCL matrix, upon examination of GR and BW, with the added note that GR did increase the thermal stability of PCL.

Thermal properties of neat PCL and its formulations with GR and BW.

(a) DSC second heating curve and (b) DSC cooling curve of neat PCL and the formulations with GR and BW.

(a) TGA curves and (b) DTG curves with an expanded area for temperatures between 395 °C and 430 °C for the neat PCL and the formulations with GR and BW.

With GR being used as an additive, the authors noted that the material was then limited to just one phase—while with BW, two phases existed, causing low miscibility and lowered mechanical properties.

“Color measurements showed that the intrinsic coloration of natural additives has a significant effect on the color of the final materials. With respect to wettability, the addition of GR and BW increased the hydrophobic behavior of neat PCL,” said the researchers.

“Finally, it was concluded that the PCL-GR-BW formulation is the most suitable material for a 3D-printing process as it behaves better in the traction mechanism of the printer. Further, it exhibits the thermal and mechanical properties closer to neat PCL.”

What do you think of this news? Let us know your thoughts; join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of (a) PCL, (b) PCL-GR, (c) PCL-GR-BW, and (d) PCL-BW, red arrows show holes and discontinuities in the material surface.

[Source / Images: ‘New Materials for 3D-Printing Based on Polycaprolactone with Gum Rosin and Beeswax as Additives’]

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