In this edition of Sliced, the 3D Printing Industry news digest, we cover the latest business developments, partnerships, and acquisitions across our industry. Today’s edition features updates on the additive manufacturing industry’s ongoing COVID-19 efforts, a host of new collaborations from within the industry, additive investment from the US government, and even the “world’s first” […]
FELIXprinters Adds Two High-Temperature 3D Printing Systems to Industrial Portfolio
Family-run industrial 3D printing solutions provider FELIXprinters, headquartered in IJsselstein, the Netherlands since 2010, works to create what it calls “holistic AM solutions” for its customers , developing “tailor-made” platforms for specific applications, rather than simply selling off-the-shelf solutions. A year ago, soon after the introduction of its Pro 3, the Dutch company added the FELIX PRO L and XL 3D printers to its portfolio, which scaled its precision technology up to more large-scale build volumes. The robust systems reliably provide larger parts, without giving up the quality that FELIXprinters is known for, and can easily fit into workshop spaces.
Not long ago, the company launched its first 3D bioprinting system, and now, even amidst the many challenges brought on by the global COVID-19 crisis, has been busy at work. This week, FELIXprinters announced the addition of a new range made of two high-temperature 3D printers.
“Like all businesses as we moved through the first quarter of 2020, we have had to adapt and adjust the way that we work. As soon as it was obvious that the coronavirus pandemic was going to severely disrupt the usual way of working, we made some far reaching and strategic moves to ensure the continuity of production or our 3D printers, and also our relationships with our customers. First and foremost, we had to ensure that our FELIX team could operate in a way that they were comfortable with and which guaranteed their safety. So from very early on, we ensured that they had masks, had access to all the sanitiser and hygiene measures that they needed, and that we put in place protocols that meant everyone in the factory could work while maintaining social distancing requirements,” said Wilgo Feliksdal, Co-Founder of FELIXprinters.
“Once this had been arranged, and with the continued demand for our industrial range of 3D printers and our newly introduced BIOprinter still high, it became clear to us that we were in a position to continue our 2020 plans relatively uninterrupted. Earlier in the year we had received a tender from a large multinational client looking at the possibility that we could produce a series of high temperature 3D printers, and we have now geared up to produce these in large batches through Q2 and Q3.”
While we don’t yet know the name of these new high-temperature AM systems, we do know that they feature customizable print heads, a 600 x 600 x 600 mm build volume, and a secure enclosure with a HEPA filter.
High-temperature 3D printing makes it possible to use stronger, advanced, and functional engineering-grade materials, such as PEKK, PEI, and polyamides, which then allows manufacturers to fabricate parts that are needed for rapid prototyping purposes, and practical end use applications, in the aerospace, engineering, and architecture industries. As the new FELIXprinters high-temperature systems can print anywhere from 100-400°C, I’d say they fit the bill.
“There is no doubt that we are in unprecedented times, and we like many companies operating in the 3D printing space are having to adapt our ways of working as we begin to defeat the coronavirus, and we are delighted that despite everything we have successfully developed our high temperature solutions,” said Guillaume Feliksdal, FELIXprinters Co-Founder. “In many ways, the 3D printing sector is unique in that it is likely to see an upswing in attention as globally, companies begin to reassess and localise their supply chains. At FELIXprinters, the continued demand for our industrial 3D printers, the enormous interest in our BIOprinter, and the recent developments we have made in term of high temperature additive manufacturing show the vibrancy of the niche, and also demonstrate the resilience of industry as we all drive on and innovate, even in these difficult times. I feel we have the edge in many areas due to an exceptional, dedicated, and passionate team, and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their hard work and talents.”
While the new high-temperature 3D printers aren’t available just yet, FELIXprinters has said that they are mere weeks away from commercial use. So we’ll have to stay tuned for more information.
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FELIXprinters announces commercial release of new BIOprinter – Technical specifications and pricing
FELIXprinters, a Netherlands-based desktop 3D printer manufacturer, has announced the commercial availability of its BIOprinter, marking the company’s move into the bioprinting market. First introduced by FELIXprinters at 2019’s Formnext exhibition, the BIOprinter has been developed with key features that are specifically designed for medical, scientific, and research applications. These features include syringe cooling, print […]
FELIXprinters Launches Its First Bioprinter the FELIX BIOprinter
If we could visualize the future of medicine, drug testing, and artificial tissue and organ development, we would most certainly find bioprinters in the spotlight. Part of the vanguard vision of many companies and researchers alike is that the machines will become a familiar resource used in every bioengineering lab, university and even school around the globe. But building up to that momentum might take many years, even decades, yet this is becoming one of the most interesting times for the field, with a widening array of companies boosting bioprinting technology commercially, we can’t help but get excited when we hear about recent advances and newly launched machines.Taking advantage of years of knowledge in 3D printing, Dutch manufacturer FELIXprinters announced today their latest venture, the commercial launch of a new bioprinter known as the FELIX BIOprinter. The company partnered with TRAINING4CRM and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) to design a machine that works for all types of bioprinting research, equipped with strong motors that can extrude a wide range of material types and viscosities. According to the product site, the BIOprinter dispenses a wide range of viscous materials up to a viscosity of 64,000 Centipoise, with the ability to extrude materials and bioinks that range in consistency from liquids to pastes.
“The BIOprinter has been designed to be the ultimate bio research instrument in a cost-effective package, and has been developed alongside the brightest minds in the bioprinting sector,” suggested Wilgo Feliksdal, co-founder of FELIXprinters. “Uniquely, the BIOprinter combines dual sterilizable printheads which have a modular design for easy changeovers, and separate heads are available to print different bioinks at the same time. This integrates different material properties into a single scaffold structure.”
The new BIOprinter (Image: FELIXprinters)
Based on the existing and established FELIX products, the BIOprinter was developed on the chassis of the FELIXprinters product line. According to the company, the new printer is characterized by key features that are specifically designed for medical, scientific and research applications, including syringe cooling, print bed cooling and heating, a dual-head system, easy syringe positioning (ergonomic access to the machine innards supports researchers in their work), and automatic bed leveling.
It is also equipped with a touchscreen that has a user-friendly interface and embedded print server that allows remote print file monitoring, use in a multi-user environment, and print-file management. A nozzle probing system enables automated bed leveling and calibration of the nozzles, plus a camera module that allows users to monitor prints remotely from their smartphone or computer complete the features of this machine. FELIX indicates that the BIOprinter also retracts with a highly precise motor for better dosage or materials and more accurate material flow versus alternative air pressure systems.
“The BIOprinter consists of an adaptable and flexible ecosystem to ensure that it can meet a wide range of researchers’ needs without generating unnecessary costs. One major advantage is the source control system which enables the user to use standard slicing software and make changes themselves if needed. Also, syringes are not restricted to expensive brand-specific or in-house produced products that essentially drive up operating costs. The machine instead has been designed to use a standard 5ml syringe, and standardized Petri dishes and culture plates, so there are no limitations on auxiliary parts and materials,” continued Feliksdal.
A big plus is that the machine uses familiar slicing software Simplify 3D, to allow fully in-control and customizable user experience. The BIOprinter is also WIFI and LAN enabled, comes with a one-year warranty, and lifetime customer support.
FELIXprinters officials claim that their new machine has been designed to be easily upgradeable, which means that its lifecycle can be extended without compromising quality, reliability, and productivity. While users can benefit from the fact that print heads are easy to sterilize, which eliminates the likelihood of contamination.
First introduced at Formnext‘s event in Frankfurt, Germany, last November, the machine is now commercially available with pre-orders already being processed. It was showcased alongside the company’s Tec 4, Pro 3 Touch, and Pro L and XL machines, which are used throughout an array of industry sectors for challenging AM production applications, and under the umbrella of their theme: “Going Dutch”, which displayed moving windmills, mini-clogs, and iconic colored tulips all created in FELIXprinter’s machines. It’s all part of the company’s Dutch heritage, which they are extremely proud of.
To develop the BIOprinter, which is handmade in the Netherlands, the company received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme, a funding program for research and innovation with nearly €80 billion of funding available over a seven-year period (from 2014 to 2020). While 13 research institutions participated in the development, including the University of Gothenburg, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Tufts University, Lund University and more.
New 3D bioprinters and bioinks bring so many opportunities to researchers with unique needs. And exploring new possibilities to work with different biomaterials and machines in the field of biofabrication helps them make new discoveries that can benefit everyone. For now, we will have to wait and see what FELIX BIOprinter users will create!
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3D Printing News Briefs: September 2, 2019
In this edition of 3D Printing News Briefs, we’ve got stories to share about a new material, a case study, and an upcoming symposium. Liqcreate has released a new 3D printing material for dental professionals. FELIXprinters published a case study about its automotive 3D printing work with S-CAN. Finally, ASTM International will soon be hosting an AM symposium in Washington DC.
Liqcreate Releasing New Dental 3D Printing Resin
Manufacturer of professional-grade 3D printing materials Liqcreate has been hard at work on a new 3D printing resin to help dental professionals optimize their digital workflow and scale up their in-house manufacturing. The hard work has paid off, as the company is announcing the release of its newest material, Liqcreate Premium Model – an accurate, low shrinkage resin for fabricating dental and aligner models.
The opaque photopolymer is matte, and the color of skin. Parts 3D printed with Liqcreate Premium Model have low shrinkage and excellent dimensional stability, and its low odor makes it great for office use. Other benefits include high detail and accuracy, and temperature resistant for aligner production. The resin is compatible with the Anycubic Photon, Wanhao D7, and Kudo3D Bean 3D printers, in addition to all open source 385 – 420nm LCD and DLP systems. You can purchase Liqcreate Premium Model through the company’s distributor network starting September 2nd.
FELIXprinters Publishes Case Study
Dutch 3D printer manufacturer FELIXprinters published a case study about its work with reverse engineering and 3D scanning company S-CAN 3D Ltd, a UK customer which uses FELIX’s AM platforms to manufacture jigs, create casting molds and masters, and prototypes. Founded in 2012, S-CAN also uses FELIX technology to manufacture automotive parts, like the pictured engine block. FELIXprinters offers a range of systems for industrial prototyping and production applications, inlcuding its Pro 3 & Tec 4 series of AM platforms and its new, larger Pro L and XL models.
“We have found FELIXprinters AM platforms to be very easy to use. You can be up and running within a few minutes of getting them out of the box. We run all of our printers through Simplify3D software so you load the profile, pick a material and you are ready to go. In-house we now have the first machine we bought from FELIX back in 2015 (the Pro 1), and a Tec 4.1, a Pro 3 and the new Pro XL. Our first Pro printer has paid for itself 10 times over,” stated James Senior, MD of S-CAN 3D.
“Internally, S-CAN 3D use FELIX 3D printers for prototyping designs. We might do five or more different concept designs of a particular part or component, as it’s much easier to visualise a part when it’s in your hand. We are putting a lot of work through the newly purchased XL printer and it’s opening up things which we wouldn’t have been able to do before (at least to the same quality and size), so things are very encouraging. We have found FELIX machines to be very repeatable which is our most fundamental requirement for any application, and we also haven’t noticed any accuracy degradation over time.”
At the upcoming TCT Show in Birmingham, September 24-26, the two partnering companies will exhibit together at Stand E50 in Hall 3. Visitors will be able to view FELIXprinters’ Pro series of 3D printers, as well as its new advanced, customizable 3D bioprinting platform.
ASTM International’s AM Symposium
Speaking of industry events, ASTM International, which recently announced that it will be hosting its second Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence Workshop in France, will also host a symposium in the Washington DC area. The Fourth ASTM Symposium on Structural Integrity of Additive Manufactured Materials and Parts, held by the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCOE) from October 7-10 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, is designed to give AM professionals a forum to exchange ideas about the structural integrity of 3D printed components and materials, focusing on quality and certification criteria and the lack of design principles and industry standards.
Paper topics for the symposium include the effect of anomalies, process optimization to improve performance, feedstock and its related effects on mechanical behavior and microstructure, and the applicability of existing test methods. Sessions will be organized by sector-specific applications, such as aviation, consumer, maritime, and spaceflight. Registration for the event will be open until October 2nd, 2019.
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FELIXprinters: Accelerating industrial product development with FFF 3D printing
This week 3D Printing Industry was invited to Veldhoven, the Netherlands, to visit FELIXprinters, an FDM/FFF 3D printer manufacturer who recently ventured into large-format additive manufacturing with the Pro L and XL. These new systems are designed to accelerate product development in a variety of industries including automotive, architecture, and the food industry. The company […]
FELIXprinters releases two large-format FFF/FDM printers, technical specifications and pricing
FELIXprinters, a Netherlands-based 3D printer manufacturer, has launched two large-format FDM/FFF printers. Guillaume Feliksdal, Founder and Director of FELIXprinter said, “Our users have been telling us that they need options to create bigger parts, but without compromising on quality […] However, delivering on this is not just a case of scaling up the architecture of […]
FELIXprinters debuts Pro 3 desktop 3D printer – technical specifications and pricing
FELIXprinters, a Netherlands-based desktop 3D printer manufacturer, has released its latest additive manufacturing system, the Pro 3, designed to maximize productivity and efficiency. “The Pro 3 has been developed to integrate seamlessly into industrial workflows, whether that is in an office, a workshop, lab or factory environment,” said Guillaume Feliksdal, Founder and Director of FELIXprinters. […]
3D Printer Manufacturer FELIXprinters Announces Repositioning
Dutch company FELIXprinters has an interesting history. In 2010, Guillaume Feliksdal built a humanoid robot that he had developed during his studies and after. To create some of the robot’s parts, he bought a RepRap 3D printer DIY kit, but was disappointed with its quality, so he decided to build his own 3D printer, which he and his father then marketed as the FELIX 1.0, officially launching the company in 2011. The mission of FELIXprinters was, and still is, to create fit for purpose, upgradeable 3D printers.
The company’s minimalist 3D printers have remained popular, and in 2015, FELIXprinters introduced its first professional machine, the FELIX Pro 1. Now FELIXprinters has announced that it is repositioning itself and its product portfolio to serve the changing needs of the 3D printing industry and its customers. As the interests of those customers has shifted towards professional applications, FELIXprinters is increasing its focus on its Pro series of printers, which were developed specifically to meet the needs of industry users.
“This is a deliberate strategy founded on the belief that our customers, whatever their size or shape, get the best from their use of our 3D printing technologies, when we work with them directly and become a strategic partner and advisor for them,” said Feliksdal. “We work closely with all our industrial customers to ensure that the use of the technology is optimised for each individual application.”
The Pro series currently features the Pro 2 and the Pro 2 Touch, a smart 3D printer with a touchscreen and WiFi connectivity. The printers enable a flexible approach with their high levels of functionality, reliability and ease of use. The series provides engineering solutions for a wide range of applications in prototyping and low volume production.
The FELIX Pro 2
FELIXprinters’ engineers and technicians are also dedicated to providing support services to clients, working directly with them to achieve the best possible outcomes from their 3D printers. While the company has shifted to an industrial focus, however, it also recognizes that its client base is not made up entirely of industrial users, so it doesn’t plan to forget that other customer base. This includes schools and makers, for whom the TEC series is designed.
The TEC series includes the TEC 4, which comes in both assembled and DIY versions – and holds the distinction of having been the one millionth desktop 3D printer sold – the FELIX 3L, and the FELIX 3.1 DIY Kit. FELIXprinters works closely with schools, colleges and universities to provide excellent customer service with this line of 3D printers. Regardless of whether it’s working with industrial clients, schools or individual makers, FELIXprinters prides itself on its attention to the consumer, offering multiple support options through its website and personally.
FELIXprinters has become a trusted brand in a number of industries, including education, engineering, architecture, healthcare, production and research. As the company repositions, customers can be reassured that its focus will remain on them.
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[Images: FELIXprinters]