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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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BCN3D raises €2.8 million to develop new 3D printing hardware and materials

Spanish 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies has raised €2.8 million from a combination of new and existing strategic investors. The start-up has now gained more than €5.5 million in investment since it was spun off from Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) in 2019.  The funding round was led by existing backers The Spanish National Innovation […]
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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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Domestic Data Streamers 3D prints interactive installation for Cisco Live 2020

Domestic Data Streamers, an independent data design studio based in Barcelona, used BCN3D Technologies 3D printers to create its interactive installation for the Cisco Live 2020 event earlier this year.  Using the BCN3D Epsilon, the creative studio was able to design, produce and set up its Recommendation Wall installation within 4 weeks, in time for […]
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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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BCN3D Testes Chemical Resistance of Eight Common 3D Printing Materials

A material’s ability to resist degradation, erosion, or impregnation from contact with liquids, solids, or vapors of a different nature, like chemical solvents, acids, and bases, is known as chemical resistance, and it’s pretty important to achieving successful parts. When you’re choosing the materials you want to use for 3D printed end-use applications, especially for industrial purposes, you should know each element’s chemical resistance. Some 3D printing materials can swell when exposed to the liquids or vapors of solvents, like alcohols, esters, ketones, fuel, brake fluid, motor oil, and various mixtures of mineral and synthetic hydrocarbons, which changes the end part’s mechanical properties and shape. Industrial parts need to be able to hold up well under contact with these kinds of corrosive products, so filaments should be chosen wisely.

Barcelona-based desktop 3D printer manufacturer BCN3D Technologies wanted to investigate the behavior of its main filaments when they came in contact with corrosive products, in order to better inform customers on which materials should be used for specific applications. So the company put eight of its materials to the test by pitting them against an organic solvent’s chemical attack.

“This experiment was carried out by partially immersing these 3D printed parts in a small volume of organic solvent,” BCN3D wrote. “The corrosive agent chosen was Nitro-P, which is used to dilute paints and is very aggressive. To maximize the damage, the 3D printed parts were immersed in the solvent for a period of 24 hours, and their change in shape and properties was monitored by a timelapse camera followed by a visual and physical evaluation.”

The team wanted to simulate the effect caused on a 3D printed object when a solvent is accidentally splashed on it – quite a common occurrence in workshop and factory environments. The goal was to show users how important it is to choose the right filament for the end application, and risk of chemical exposure, so that the final product is safe and durable. The same print settings were used to fabricate parts with a shape that was designed to “favor the material degradation” out of the following filaments:

  • Polylactic acid (PLA)
  • Polyethylene terephthalate – glycol (PET-G)
  • Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
  • Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
  • Polyamide (PA)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • High Temperature Polyamide carbon fiber reinforced (PAHT CF15)
  • Polypropylene glass fiber reinforced (PP GF30)

BCN3D hypothesized that the parts 3D printed out of PP would come out fully intact, while the PLA and ABS parts would be most affected by the solvent and hygroscopic materials (absorbing moisture from the air), like TPU and PA, would likely increase in volume.

So, what ended up happening?

They were right about the PLA and the ABS – the geometry of the 3D printed PLA part was totally, and quickly, changed by the solvent. The layers were separated, which broke the part, and the surface finish dimmed from bright to matte. Additionally, its thickness increased by 60%. The thickness of the ABS was only reduced by 15%, but the layers still separated, making the part viscous where it was submerged. Degradation was constant, causing the ABS to dissolve, and it was the only sample that changed above the level of the liquid: the evaporated solvent caused it to become brighter.

TPU sample

The TPU sample absorbed the solvent quickly, which caused its thickness to increase by a whopping 150%. BCN3D explained that the absorption generated “delaminations in the submerged part of the model as a result of the increase in volume due to the polarity of the solvent and the absorption capacity of TPU,” but once the absorbed solvent evaporated, the part “recovered its original properties,” which led the team to believe the results were “a phenomenon of physical adsorption without dissolution of the polymer.”

The thickness of the PA sample increased by 10%, and the effects of the solvent also caused it to gain flexibility. The PAHT CF15 also increased its flexibility and thickness in the solvent, but there was no dissolution of the material in the solution. This one swelled a little, but held on to its resistance and original shape.

The surface finish of the PET-G sample lost its brightness, though the solvent smoothed and softened its surface. The layers were slightly concealed due to the superficial polishing caused by the solvent, and the thickness and flexibility both increased. But while it lost most of its rigidity and resistance, the part did remain in its general shape.

Neither the PP nor the PP GF30 were terribly affected by the solvent during the test, showing no change in mechanical behavior or variations of either an aesthetic or dimensional sort. The PA did swell a bit, but managed to keep most of its original resistance and shape. The experiment shows that these two materials are ideal for 3D printed industrial applications where parts need to hold up under contact with other corrosive substances.

Discuss this story and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.

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3D Printing Industry News SLICED: Rize, 3D Systems, Essentium, Protect3d, Xioneer Systems

In this edition of Sliced, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we cover the latest partnerships, acquisitions, medical developments and creative applications from across our industry. Additionally, you’ll find out how 3D printing helped to miniaturize the tallest statue in the world; the novel technique used by law enforcers to help keep the Super Bowl […]
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3D Printing News Briefs: January 16, 2020

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’ve got a little business news, followed by stories about materials, and finally ending with some 3D printed fashion. PostProcess Technologies is expanding in Japan with a new partnership. Smart International has launched a material partnership program, and CRP Technology is introducing a new Windform material. Finally, a Spanish fashion brand is using BCN3D’s technology to make some of its clothing.

PostProcess Technologies Enters Asian Market with New Partnership

Executives from PostProcess and K.K. IRISU (C. ILLIES & CO., LTD.)

Automated post-printing solutions provider PostProcess Technologies Inc. announced that it’s entering the Asian additive manufacturing market, and expanding the reach of its solutions, by naming K.K. IRISU (C. ILLIES & CO., LTD.) as its first distribution partner in Japan. PostProcess chose the high-quality industrial machinery and technologies specialist, to help serve its growing base of customers in Japan and represent its data-driven technologies because of its expertise and experience. The partnership is mutually beneficial, as ILLIES can now offer its customers access to technology that will automate common post-printing processes and enable “additive manufacturing at scale.”

“K.K.IRISU’s main objective is to educate the Japanese market in additive manufacturing and to continue to be the solution provider for the Japanese 3D manufacturing world. We feel that by adding PostProcess Technologies to our lineup, will help assist the Japanese market to compete with other countries in Additive Manufacturing as well as globally maintain the high standards of the tag ‘Made in Japan’,” said Dr. Frank Oberndorff, President of K. K. IRISU.

Next month, both companies will exhibit at the Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions (DMS) 2020 Expo.

Smart International Introduces Material Partnership Program

This week, Smart International, the global brand licensee in 3D printing for KODAK, announced the launch of a new Materials Partnership Program in order to help its customers achieve a repeatable 3D printing experience, while also meeting the demand for high-quality, yet easy-to-print, engineering materials. The company has already developed, and tested, material profiles for filaments from its partners BASF, Clariant, and DSM, which will help provide optimal conditions for these third party materials on the Portrait 3D printer. Print profiles were created from this data, and can either be accessed from the KODAK 3D Cloud or downloaded from the Smart3D website.

“We feel it is of vital importance to continually adapt to the ever-evolving 3D printing market. Partnering with top filament companies like BASF, Clariant and DSM gives the customer the opportunity to choose the material that best fits their project, and gives them confidence to use these high-quality 3rd party materials with the KODAK Portrait 3D Printer,” said Roberto Gawianski, the CEO of Smart International. “We are pleased to be able to assist in the development and evolution of 3D printing filaments, and will continue to support progress in this area.”

BASF material profiles include Ultrafuse ABS Fusion+, Ultrafuse PAHT CF15, Ultrafuse PA, and Ultrafuse Z PCTG, while Clariant now has a profile for its popular 20% carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 6/66 PA6/66-CF20 filament. Smart International also created material profiles for DSM’s Novamid ID1030, Novamid ID1030 CF10, a carbon fiber filled PA6/66 copolymer filament and Arnitel ID2060 HT.

CRP Technology’s New Windform P2 Material

Italian company CRP Technology is introducing the latest material from its Windform P-LINE range – the glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyamide Windform P2, which the company states has “excellent mechanical properties” for its High Speed Sintering (HSS) technology. The new material has high tensile strength (39.24 MPa), combined with increased stiffness (2925.20 MPa), and is great for insulating, as it is glass fiber-filled. Windform P2 is good for producing end-use parts that need high stiffness, as well as manufacturing components with detailed resolution.

“Windform® P2 is the second polymer from P-LINE, the new Windform® range of materials for high speed production-grade 3D printing, introduced on the market less than a year ago,” said Engineer Franco Cevolini, CRP Technology CTO and VP.

“This is a very important property. Windform® P2 is stiffer than Windform® P1 because Windform® P2 is reinforced (Windform® P1 is not reinforced). Most of the reinforced materials for similar technologies currently on the market, show a decrease in the tensile strength property. My staff and I have been able to preserve the high tensile strength in Windform® P2. Therefore, Windform® P2 overall’s performance is superior than the performance of similar materials currently on the market for similar technologies.”

ZER Collection 3D Printing Clothes with BCN3D

The 3D printed parts are made in TPU due to the flexibility of this material.

Spanish fashion brand ZER Collection introduced its first collection at the most recent Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Madrid. The label, which was founded in 2017 by Núria Costa and Ane Castro and designs ‘futuristic, functional and urban clothing with sporty aesthetics,’ incorporated 3D printed parts, made with BCN3D’s Sigma printer, into 12 of the outfits; this system allows for the printing of two different materials, including flexible TPU. ZER Collection is using 3D printing in order to accelerate its production manufacturing processes and reduce waste, while also contributing to the use of sustainable new technologies in the apparel industry.

“We work much faster, because we can print two fabrics at the same time,” Costa said when explaining some of the benefits of using 3D printing to make their clothing, including their ability to “digitize all patterns in order to produce only the necessary fabric.”

“We believe that the use of 3D printing represents a revolution in fashion, in environmental care and in society.”

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BCN3D Technologies expands in Turkey with 3Dörtgen partnership

BCN3D Technologies, a Spanish desktop 3D printer manufacturer, has partnered with Istanbul-based 3D printer reseller 3Dörtgen to expand its global reach in the Turkish market. Through a new distribution agreement, the BCN3D Sigma R19 and Sigmax R19, as well as the full range of filaments, accessories and spare parts will be offered through 3Dörtgen. Xavier Martínez Faneca, […]
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BCN3D Technologies announces new Epsilon 3D printer with range of BASF and MCPP filaments

BCN3D Technologies, the Barcelona-based desktop 3D printer manufacturer, has released a new dual-extruder FFF/FDM system, named the BCN3D Epsilon.  Intended for more demanding settings compared to its range of Sigma desktop machines, the BCN3D Epsilon is designed to provide large-scale FFF 3D printed parts with high-performing materials. As such, BCN3D is currently in negotiation with […]