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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.

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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.

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BCN3D Epsilon 3D Printer: High Performance Addition to the Industrial Workbench

With over 600 exhibitors at Formnext this year, it is impossible to know exactly what huge surprises the show will hold for over 28,000 visitors, but one thing is for certain: there will be numerous high-powered 3D printers to check out from November 19-22 in Frankfurt. And as they continue to position themselves as leaders within the 3D printing industry, BCN3D will be presenting their BCN3D Epsilon, created for mass printing, offering independent dual extruders, and a passive, enclosed heat chamber.

Meant for high performance and demanding requirements, the Epsilon brings power to the industrial workbench, and is already captivating industry leaders like BMW, Nissan, Seat, and Renault—all companies BCN3D is currently working with.

“BCN3D Epsilon is a productive printer, thanks to its capacity to process large volumes and its IDEX technology,” says Eric Pallarés, CTO of BCN3D. “Its 5-inch touch screen and cloud connection features make it easy to use. It is versatile and is compatible with a large range of hotends and materials. And it is safe because it comes equipped with industrial grade HEPA and carbon filters and an emergency stop feature.”

Along with the heated build chamber, other unique features include:

  • Use of fiber-reinforced materials for industrial applications
  • Enormous capability for print volume
  • IDEX technology for increasing productivity

The Epsilon represents a massive step for BCN3D, after their recent spinoff from incubator venue—and technological center—CIM UPC. Their latest innovations also follow on the heels of both their Sigma and Sigmax desktop 3D printers, and the raising of 2.7 million euros in private capital.

“BCN3D started to develop some of the features of BCN3D Epsilon even before the spin-off last March. At that time, we were able to expand the engineering team and invest more resources. That was the starter pistol that signaled the official launch of the projects, even though many things had already been approved and designed,” says Pallarés. “BCN3D was designed as a desktop printer manufacturer and will stay there, no doubt. However, the desktop market has a lot of players and there is more competition than ever before. In addition, the entire market has matured and now it expects more from 3D printing than what it did just a few years ago”.

The BCN3D team has also been working with BASF and Mitsubishi Chemical (MCPP) to offer new industrial filaments compatible with the Epsilon. Along with the launch of their powerful new printer, BCND3D will also be presenting the BCN3D Cloud, a cloud-based platform that allows users to print 3D files from anywhere.

The Epsilon “represents a new phase for desktop 3D printing, one that will take it to more industrial settings. We are facilitating the use of industrial materials such as ABS, polypropylene and polyamide. Up until now, affordable printers could not offer any guarantees when working with these materials,” says Xavier Martínez Faneca, CEO of BCN3D. “We are also introducing materials with composite fibers, because the characteristics of this new printer make it possible to do so.”

“A new product is always a good sign. Ever since the spin-off, we have worked very hard to present this product, the first of many. We want to be identified as a major player in the industry and this product and its features will help us gain visibility.  Furthermore, it will open up new business opportunities that will most certainly be beneficial in the future.”

The BCN3D Epsilon is priced at 6,995 euros + VAT, with units shipping in mid-December. As of now, you can reserve your own unit with a ten percent discount from the BCN3D website, or via distribution partners. Visit the BCN3D team and check out the BCN3D Epsilon at Formnext 2019 in Hall 11.1, BCN3D Stand 111-F51.

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.

[Source / Images: BCN3D]

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