3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, August 16, 2020

We’ve got virtual events and webinars this week covering everything from sustainability and forming to metal and medical additive manufacturing. Read on to learn what’s available!

NatureWorks 3D Considers Sustainability in AM

Biotechnology company NatureWorks 3D is hosting a webinar this Tuesday, August 18th, at 1 pm EDT, titled “Printing Consciously: Considering Sustainability in 3D Printing.” The free webinar will last about one hour, and cover topics such as circular vs. linear model of materials, mechanical and chemical recycling, best practices for used FFF 3D printing materials, environmental impacts of using bio-based and petrochemical-based filaments, and more. Dan Sawyer, the company’s Business Development Manager, and Deepak Venkatraman, Applications Development Engineer for NatureWorks, will share some thoughts and insights into how polymers fit into the circular economy approach in order to decrease the AM industry’s impact on the world.

“A renewed focus on climate change and the impacts petrochemical plastics have on the environment has many individuals and companies considering how they can incorporate more sustainable practices into their efforts. The additive manufacturing industry has long been a leader in how technology can fit into a progression toward a more sustainable production. In this webinar, we will dig into the sustainability attributes behind the materials often used in fused filament fabrication (FFF) processes that have an environmental impact. We’ll also talk about how 3D prints fit within common waste scenarios as well as new sustainability frameworks like the circular economy.”

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the webinar; register here to attend.

EOS Introduces the INTEGRA P 450

Also on August 18th, EOS is holding a webinar at 2 pm EDT to introduce its latest system, titled “From R&D to Production: Introducing the INTEGRA P 450.” This mid-size, SLS industrial additive manufacturing system was developed by EOS North America, based off of direct feedback from the manufacturing community and built to “meet the demand for additive manufacturing of polymers, it empowers designers, production engineers and material makers alike.” In addition to gaining an understanding of the INTEGRA P 450‘s material compatibilities and development opportunities, attendees will also learn about the company’s new open software platform. Speakers will be Fabian Krauss, EOS North America’s Global Business Development Manager, Polymers; Mohit Chaudhary, Additive Manufacturing Specialist, Polymers – Solution Engineering, for EOS North America; and Mike Conner, EOS North America’s Vice President of Service and Support.

“Discover how the INTEGRA P 450 is truly the most flexible and accommodating SLS industrial 3D printer on the market, with an impressive array of new user-friendly features that offer unprecedented productivity, material compatibility, and simple serviceability.”

Register for the webinar here.

Protolabs Discussing Forming and Formed Features

As part of its ongoing webinar series, Protolabs will be discussing sheet metal forming during its webinar, “A Deep Dive on Forming and Formed Features,” on Wednesday, August 19th, at 2 pm EDT. James Hayes, Protolabs Applications Engineer and the company’s technical applications engineering expert for sheet metal fabrication, will offer insight into forming techniques and equipment, as well as important design considerations for sheet metal forming, and how they can impact part geometry. You’ll leave with new knowledge and insight into how to leverage formed features, and improve sheet metal part designs.

“Understanding the ins and outs of sheet metal forming can be fraught with challenges, however there are some important things to know that can result in better designed, more cost-efficient parts. In addition, considerations between how different formed features can impact your product throughout its’ lifecycle can help you achieve your product goals and bring your ideas to market at record speeds.”

Register for the webinar here.

ASME’s AM Medical Live Webinar

Last week, ASME was powering the AM Industry Summit, for 3D printing professionals working in the aerospace and defense and medical device manufacturing fields. Now it’s hosting a live webinar this Thursday, August 20th, from 2-3 pm EDT, supported by Women in 3D Printing and titled “Integrating 3D Printing with Other Technologies at the Point of Care.” Speakers will be Sarah Flora, the Radiology Program Director for the 3D Lab at Geisinger Health; Amy Alexander, MS, Senior Biomedical Engineer at the Mayo Clinic’s Anatomic Modeling Lab; and the Director of the 3D Imaging Lab at Montefiore Medical Center, Nicole Wake, PhD. They will be discussing how 3D printing is often a very important medical tool when it comes to patient care.

“Whether anatomical models or guides are used for education or surgical planning, radiologists, surgeons, and engineers work together to improve the patient experience. Leveraging 3D printing with other technologies can expand the value within a clinical setting. Three leading clinical engineers will discuss technologies that can be used together to extend the usefulness of 3D printing including silicone casting, surface scanning, augmented reality, and more. Join the discussion to explore the unexpected ways to increase the benefits of 3D printing.”

The webinar is free to attend, and you can register for it here.

IDTechEx on Metal Additive Manufacturing

Finally, also on August 20th, IDTechEx will be holding its latest free, expert-led webinar, “Metal AM: Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain.” Presented by Dr. Richard Collins, IDTechEx’s Principal Analyst, the webinar, which shares some research from the company’s detailed “Metal Additive Manufacturing 2020-2030” report, will provide an overview of the latest key trends and market forecast for metal additive manufacturing, the latest material considerations and entrant analysis, technology benchmarking, the impact of COVID-19, and more.

“Metal additive manufacturing has been gaining traction. Increased number of use-cases, end-users progressing along the learning curve, more competition, and a maturing supply chain. The applications have been led in high-value industries most notably aerospace & defence and medical, many more are emerging in automotive, oil & gas, and beyond. These sectors have had very different fates during the global pandemic and the knock-on effect will be profound. There are some silver-linings and the long-term outlook is positive for this industry, but it will not be an easy ride. IDTechEx forecast the total annual market for metal additive manufacturing to exceed $10bn by 2030. This is not before a very challenging immediate future; a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Three different sessions of this 30-minute webinar will be offered, the first of which will actually take place at 9 pm EST, on the 19th. The next one will be at 5 am EST, and the final session will be at 12 PM EST. You can register for your preferred session here.

ASTM’s AM General Personnel Certificate Program

Don’t forget, the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) is still offering its online AM General Personnel Certificate course, which continues through August 27th and is made up of eight modules covering all the general concepts of the AM process chain. Register for the class here.

Will you attend any of these events and webinars, or have news to share about future ones? Let us know! 

The post 3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, August 16, 2020 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing Services vs Owning an Industrial 3D Printer: How to Choose

In today’s modern world, businesses have access to more technologically-advanced devices than ever before, which can be used to expedite certain processes of each business. One such device is an industrial 3D printer, a machine that gives manufacturers a quick way to prototype.

Gone are the days of waiting for the production of the first prototype to see your creations come to life. Now you can have the first sample in your hands within a few hours.

Now you just have to make a decision between two options: either purchase your own industrial 3D printer or use a 3D printing service. As with anything else in business, both options have their advantages. Here is a definitive layout of both.

Advantages of Using a 3D Printing Service

Outsourcing is a tremendous option for many aspects of your business, and using it for your 3D printing needs is no different. Here are several advantages that come with hiring a 3D printing service for your innovative products.

Experience Is on Your Side

Anytime you can add years of experience to your team, it’s a good thing. Buying a 3D printer on your own means going through the bumps and bruises of learning the model that you purchase. If neither you nor your employees have much experience with 3D printing and all that it entails, expect a learning curve with it.

Rather, you can hire a 3D printing service that has several employees with the years of experience you need. That means you can hit the ground running with 3D printing as soon as you hire them; no setbacks!

As your business grows, so will the demands of your 3D printing needs. Whether it’s adding a new product to your line or making a few moderations to current ones, you’ll need the 3D printing to keep up.

There can be instances where the specifics that you send over for printing won’t meet the expectations you have for it. Your 3D printing service can use their knowledge of printing similar items in the past to alert you of any potential setbacks ahead of time.

That way, you can gameplan whether to proceed with the current specifics or quickly return to the drawing board before printing it out. This will save you a fortune over reprinting the same product after a setback with the initially-printed prototype.

Access to the Latest Equipment

Companies that purchase a 3D printer for their own use do so with the intention of having it for several years down the line. However, the model they purchase could become outdated as early as the following year, when a new edition of that same model rolls out and has even better features. Now, because they bought it, that company is stuck with the model they purchased and succumbing to its limitations.

On the other hand, companies tat utilize 3D printing services may have more access to the latest and greatest equipment that money can buy. 3D printing services are always looking to streamline their process and provide their clients with the best equipment.

Now, instead of being stuck with this year’s model 5-10 years down the line, you and your manufacturing processes will have access to the optimum 3D printers in the industry.

No In-House Overhead

As previously mentioned, it’s unlikely that your current employees have enough 3D printing experience to run the process for your company. That means that if you’re going to buy a 3D printer for yourself, you’ll also need to hire for positions that know how to run the software, monitor any maintenance needs, and stay in the loop with the latest trends and products.

In addition to spending money to hire new employees, you’ll also be spending $20,000-$100,000 on a single industrial 3D printer. Considering you’d need to hire several new employees to maintain the 3D printing, it’s much more cost-efficient to hire an all-encompassing 3D printing service.

That way, you’re paying for access to the brightest minds in the industry, experience, and the best 3D printers on the market. What’s better than that?

Premium Manufacturing and Order Fulfillment

If you purchase a 3D printer for your company, you’re just hoping that becomes streamlined and produces the end results you were hoping for. Even if it does, you now have to worry about the processing and assembly of each part that you’ve printed. That can be overwhelming for those that don’t have previous experience in doing so. It’s a lot of pressure to configure something the very first time that it’s created.

Get your company teamed up with experts that handle those situations day in and day out. They can assemble your product together and use the resources at their disposal to send it to you in custom packaging.

You’ll never have to worry about it arriving in one piece ever again, and that in itself is worth the investment.

Advantages of Owning an Industrial 3D Printer

Who doesn’t enjoy having something to call their own? After all, it’s your business, and you want to claim that industrial 3D printer as your own. Does it make sense for your specific situation? Read below and figure out whether it’s the best choice for you or not.

Quicker Turnaround

Once you’ve purchased the industrial 3D printer and hired the right staff to monitor its processes, you can have the products made in-house. Depending on the size of the item you’re printing, it could take a few minutes, a few hours, or a day or two for completion. Regardless, you’ll have access to it the moment it’s finished.

No need to hold off production until the item comes in from your third party 3D printing service. You’ll have the end result in your hand to determine what needs to be fixed and what doesn’t.

The key here is that you’ll need a high resolution industrial 3D printer to optimize this process. Without one, you’re wasting precious time on production.

Hands-On Printing

Perhaps you’re the type of person that feels more comfortable being more hands-on with every aspect of your business. Even if you don’t have any prior experience, you enjoy the process of learning and going through trial-and-error to maximize production. If that’s you, owning your own 3D printing service could be the best fit.

You’ll have the opportunity to oversee the integration, processing, and finalization of the methods you use for your in-house 3D printing. And with enough time, you’ll figure out the best ways to modify your printing software to yield the best results. Does your company have that kind of time on its hands?

After you and your team figure out the best methods, you’ll be able to grow your 3D printing team and teach them your ways of processing and manufacturing.

Getting Yourself Ahead of the Curve

Even though it’s becoming more and more modernized, 3D printing is still a relatively new feature in the business world. As time progresses, and the 3D printing industry continues to grow, more businesses will start to own their own 3D printers. You can get ahead of that trend by going through the learning curve now.

If you feel as if it’s a great advantage for you over your competitors then spending the time and money now can set yourself up for success down the line. However, your competitors may beat you out by going with a 3D printing service to expedite the learning curve and yield results in the quickest.

3D printing software is going to continue to advance, so you and your staff will be tasked time and time again to get up-to-speed on those changes. If you feel up to that challenge, the reward can be well worth it.

As long as you’re prepared to invest in new software and new industrial 3D printers every few years, the payoff can be substantial.

Make the Right Industrial 3D Printer Decision for Your Company

No one knows your business operations better than you do. Buying an industrial 3D printer means having some setbacks to set yourself up for the future. On the other hand, you could hire a 3D printer service and never skip a beat on your production.

Be sure to read this article on how big a role that design thinking plays in 3D printing for your business. For more inquiries, please reach out via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to assist you further.

The post 3D Printing Services vs Owning an Industrial 3D Printer: How to Choose appeared first on Shapeways Magazine.

Origin to Begin Shipping New Industrial 3D Printer, the Origin One

Today Origin will begin shipping their new Origin One, an industrial 3D printer which the San Francisco-headquartered company claims is already in high demand internationally. In fact, the developer of open platforms for additive mass production has already doubled their installed base.

Currently, Origin is working with customers in the US, Ireland, Germany, and Denmark, engaged in the following applications:

  • Footwear
  • Automotive
  • Contract manufacturing
  • Government

“Shipping our first production printer, Origin One, is a huge milestone for the company,” said Chris Prucha, co-founder, and CEO of Origin. “The tremendous customer growth and demand we’ve seen for the printer, as well as the positive reception from our open material network, is extremely gratifying and proof that we’ve created a platform that our customers need.”

In their recent press release to 3DPrint.com, Origin also announces that they are adding Avid and Interpro to their service bureau customer roster. They have had other major news too, aside from moving into a much larger space and adding a lab, as Jeffrey Lee has come on board as their chief operating officer, previously at DCM as a venture partner, and founder of Cost Cooperative, a member-based buying group for small businesses.

“I’ve worked with this team for almost two years, and I’ve never been so convinced that Origin is poised to finally bring additive to mass manufacturing,” said Jeffrey Lee, COO, Origin. “I’m excited to join the team and help Origin realize this vision.”

Origin will also offer Origin One parts to many of their customers through their new service bureau, passing on the benefits of 3D printing to their client base as they are able to get the components they need without having to invest in all the hardware, software, and materials—although that may be something they decide to do later as additive manufacturing continues to take hold for so many applications around the world.

“We’re thrilled to expand our additive capabilities and offer Origin’s P3 technology to customers,” said Doug Collins, Owner of Avid Product Development. “Origin’s throughput, material selection, and part quality will help us serve many more production applications today and in the future.

“We’re excited to offer Origin’s P3 technology to our wide range of customers in the automotive, aerospace and medical industries,” said Dan Straka, General Manager of InterPro. “Origin One will enable us to produce end-use parts with excellent surface quality and dimensional accuracy. Plus, the parts will be made of production-grade materials from the Origin Open Material Network.”

The company has also continued to refine their offerings, making significant improvements to Origin One with software, increasing:

  • Useable build area
  • Print speed
  • Chemistry capabilities
  • Surface quality

“Equipped with a true 4k lithography engine and a native resolution of 50μm, Origin One has the highest resolution and most flexible polymer process available in additive manufacturing today,” said Prucha.

The company was founded in 2015 and is led by alumni from Google and Apple. Investors include Floodgate, DCM, Mandra Capital, Haystack, Stanford University, and Joe Montana. 

Origin has continually been moving forward with new projects to include the development of new materials, forays into areas like footwear, and ongoing hardware development. 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: Origin]

The post Origin to Begin Shipping New Industrial 3D Printer, the Origin One appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Raise3D Introducing New Multipurpose E2 3D Printer at TCT Birmingham 2019

Perhaps best known for its original N series of 3D printers, global 3D printer manufacturer Raise3D introduced its flexible Pro2 3D printer series at RAPID 2018. Now, at the upcoming TCT Show, which starts next week in Birmingham, the company is announcing their newest system – the industrial-grade, easy to use, multipurpose E2 3D printer.

“There is always a fine balance between usability and performance,” stated Raise3D’s global CEO Edward Feng. “At Raise3D we want our 3D printers to be as inclusive as possible, operated by engineers, technical experts, and large manufacturing enterprises, while at the same time providing access to easy to use 3D technologies that support education, entrepreneurial ventures, and desktop engineering. We’ve made an extra effort to improve some usability factors in the E2, without compromising performance.”

The robust E2 system matches the Pro2 series as a multi-purpose open printer in the company’s current offering. In addition, it will mark the beginning of a new 3D printer series that Raise3D is currently developing for specific applications, industries, and materials. This coming series of systems will significantly increase the company’s portfolio by the end of next year.

Pro2 and Pro2 Plus

“Raise3D aims to have a portfolio that addresses the specific needs of major industries. With that aim in mind, our R&D team designed a new printer which is easier to optimize for each industry, while keeping the highest standards that we always strive for,” said Diogo Quental, Raise3D’s General Manager for Europe.

The new E2 3D printer features a 330 x 240 x 240 mm print volume, auto bed leveling, and a flexible build plate, in addition to an industrial video-assisted offset calibration guide. Other features include:

  • Automatic 3D printing pause when front door is open
  • Independent dual extruders for both Inverse and Duplicate 3D printing
  • Power save mode option

“Just like automobiles, we know some drivers prefer the manual gearbox to automatic transmission and vice-versa, so we believe the new features will be vitally important for the type of future users we expect from a variety of industries,” Feng explained.

The E2 3D printer

The E2 goes hand in hand with the company’s winning strategy of giving necessary resources to manufacturers looking to integrate desktop 3D printing in their manufacturing workflows. Some of these helpful resources include Raise3D’s Open Filament Program, which has an increasing amount of high-performance advanced and technical filaments; the fully integrated 3D print management ecosystem RaiseCloud, which is currently in beta testing mode; and desktop-based turnkey manufacturing solution RaiseFactory, which will be available in Europe after formnext.

Speaking of Europe, the new E2 will also be exclusively available there for educational purposes, at the reduced price of €2,499 + VAT (may vary in different countries.

“Having a competitive product for Education is always an important contribution to long-term success. Pro2 series is currently a best choice for manufacturing, and its approval by manufacturers is higher than ever before, but it is hard to combine with the requirements of Education, where, for example, a smaller printer would be easier to handle,” said Quental.

“With E2, we can be competitive also in this strategic sector, while at the same time improving our preparation for the future.”

Shipping for the new E2 3D printer is scheduled to begin in November. Come visit Raise3D at TCT Birmingham, September 24-26 at Stand F88, near the Introducing Stage.

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

The post Raise3D Introducing New Multipurpose E2 3D Printer at TCT Birmingham 2019 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

German RepRap Introduces New L320 3D Printer for Liquid Additive Manufacturing

First introduced on the AM trade show circuit in 2017, the unique Liquid Additive Manufacturing (LAM) 3D printing process by industrial 3D printer manufacturer German RepRap works somewhat like FDM, as each layer is extruded and then cross-linked through thermal curing. This can create parts that have very interesting mechanical properties which could allow for many new applications in 3D printing.

The company’s LAM technology, developed in partnership with Dow Corning, works with materials that are not melted and then solidified again, as with FFF 3D printing. Instead, the process uses a liquid material, like German RepRap’s customizable polyurethane-based plastic, which is then vulcanized under heat exposure; this is what fully cross-links the individual deposited layers so they are firmly connected.

What also makes LAM such a unique AM process is that it allows for the industrial 3D printing of liquid or high viscosity material, such as Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR). The company claims that LAM 3D printing can make components with nearly the same properties as injection molded parts, which could prove useful in developing new customer groups that need a more economical method of manufacturing. Especially in flexible materials, this process could see many exciting applications in the medical or footwear arena. Silicone has excellent properties and many firms are very familiar with using it.

German RepRap L320

This fall, German RepRap presented its LAM process at formnext 2018, along with its first production-ready LAM 3D printer, the L280. The company has been working to further develop the technology for industry use, and is now introducing its new L320 LAM 3D printer, which is an “extremely stable” system, according to German RepRap, that has been “adapted to the high demands of industrial continuous operation.”

With a 250 x 320 x 150 mm build platform and weighing in at approximately 350 kg (without the cartridge system), the L320 features a touchscreen display for intuitive operation, industrial rollers and stand for easy handling, and volumetric extrusion with a lift and sunk system. The printer uses Simplify3D software, and its new printhead technology allows for precise metering and mixing ratios. The nozzle itself would seem to be one by German firm Viscotec but this was not disclosed.

Thermal crosslinking

LAM technology makes it possible to influence the application direction, in turn influencing layer-level vulcanization as well. The polymers used in this process have a better molecular structure, as base materials, rather than processed ones, are used. Because insights from 3D printed prototype models can be directly transferred to injection molding, customers benefit from a reduced time-to-market, and the design freedom afforded by 3D printing makes it possible to use cross, lattice, or honeycomb structures to fill parts for better optimization of customized products.

“A high-temperature halogen lamp releases activation energy to accelerate complete crosslinking, at the molecular level. This fine-tuned reaction, in both small and large objects, is ensured by the driving speed of the lamp,” German RepRap explains on its website. “Due to this thermal cross-linking, the printing time is considerably reduced, at the same time the printing result, especially also in terms of time savings, sets new standards.”

Through extensive testing and pilot applications, the company says that it has proven the reliability of its new L320 3D printer in achieving precise, continuous operation. The printer also features sound safety technology, which monitors the curing process, and the system also registers and displays any deviations; if there are any serious irregularities, the print job will automatically stop.

To request test prints, or to talk about purchasing the L320 for individual use, email info@germanreprap.com. Commercial users who require high reliability and availability can also get a maintenance contract and professional on-site service from trained German RepRap technicians. This service includes hardware and software training, in addition to maintenance and repair of the L320 itself.

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

[Images: German RepRap]

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RAPID 2019: Titan Robotics Unveils New Atlas H 3D printer & Dual Pellet Extrusion System

Detroit’s Cobo Center is on fire with new technology this week as the Rapid+TCT event comes to town from May 20-23, with exhibits opening from over 400 ‘technology providers’ on the 21st.

Companies like Titan Robotics (Colorado Springs) are unveiling helpful new innovations for their users like the Atlas-H product line, featuring the Dual Pellet Extrusion System, including:

  • Dual retracting pellet extruders
  • Low-cost pellet feedstock as material
  • Robust frame
  • Industrial closed-loop motion control system

The new Atlas H 3D printer also offers:

  • New industrial design
  • Multiple extruder heads functioning on the same gantry
  • Build volume of 42”x42”x48”
  • Print speeds up to 30,000mm/minute
  • Industrial controllers and servo drives on all axes

The Atlas H design also features a heated enclosure. According to the recent press release sent to 3DPrint.com by Titan, this means that significantly more materials can be used—whether the user requires flexibility or stiffness, or low-temperature commodity materials or high-temperature engineering thermoplastics.

“Titan has been a pioneer in the development and implementation of pellet extrusion technology in the additive manufacturing industry. Our Atlas-H product launch aligns with Titan’s mission to develop innovative solutions and technologies to bring additive manufacturing into industrial production,” said Clay Guillory, Titan Robotics CEO. “It strengthens Titan’s reputation as one of the most innovative companies in the industry.”

The pellets required for are not just affordable but offer cost savings ten times lower than typical feedstocks.

“At Titan Robotics, we value innovation that addresses our customers’ needs as we continue to push boundaries for extrusion-based 3D printers. With a second pellet extruder on Titan’s Atlas-H, our customers can deposit multiple model materials within a single part or model and support materials so that parts with complex features can be more readily realized,” explained Bill Macy, Titan’s CTO.

Industrial customers around the globe currently benefit from 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes via the Atlas line, which is suitable for applications such as:

  • Aerospace
  • Defense
  • Automotive
  • Foundry
  • Apparel
  • Manufacturing of end-use production parts

“With the launch of Atlas-H, we believe both existing and new customers will benefit from increased speed and reduced raw material cost with high reliability never seen before in this industry. Our expanded product portfolio empowers our customers, enabling them to choose the configuration that meets their production needs,” said Titan’s CCO, Rahul Kasat. “Available configurations include options for multiple filament and pellet extruders on a single gantry, thus optimizing customers’ capital investments and operating expenses.”

Are you attending the RAPID conference this year? If so, check out Titan’s exhibit at Booth #527. They will be 3D printing live on the new Atlas-H Dual Pellet Extrusion 3D Printer, using multiple materials and demonstrating high print speeds. Attendees will also be able to see the flagship Atlas 2.5 3D Printer with Hybrid Pellet + Filament Extrusion 3D printer in action.

 

3D printing technology has expanded immensely just in the past few years, allowing researchers, designers, and engineers all over the world to create inexpensive, lightweight parts—and often in one step—with hardware featuring open print head technology, systems for printing multiple, complex materials, and even 4D printing with multiple metals on the desktop.

[Source / Images: Titan Robotics]

 

Sintratec Unveiling the Modular Sintratec S2 Industrial SLS 3D Printer

Swiss 3D printer developer and manufacturer Sintratec, which has been busily adding resellers around the world in countries like France, Germany, and South Korea this year, is at formnext 2018 in Frankfurt this week, like most of the rest of the 3D printing industry. The company is presenting its new compact, industrial 3D printer – the Sintratec S2 – which, like its predecessors the Sintratec S1 and the Sintratec Kit, is based on SLS technology.

The modular system is interesting in terms of SLS technology in that it integrates, and semi-automates, the laser sintering, de-powdering, material preparation, and surface treatment processes. The end-to-end solution allows users to benefit from economic operation with decreased down times, precisely 3D printed objects with freedom of form, and no more annoying cleaning processes. This could reduce cost per part.

Not only is the new Sintratec S2 good for optimizing application designs of small- and medium-sized series production, but it’s also a great method for manufacturing prototypes. The smart system has a modular construction, with the build chamber located inside the Material Core Unit, but easy to remove from the Laser Sintering Station. The unit also comes with an integrated powder mixing function for convenient powder handling. To process different materials, users need only expand the Sintratec S2 with an additional Material Core Unit.

If SLS components require better surface qualities once off the print bed, the blast cabinet Sintratec Blasting Station can take care of it, while the Sintratec Polishing Station – a magnetic tumbler – helps to seal surface impurities and give the completed parts a smoother finish. In addition, the Sintratec Material Handling Station cleanly collects both used and excess 3D printing material sieves it for reprocessing.

The 3D printer’s Sintratec Laser Sintering Station comes with a cylindric printing area, made up of a new heating and ventilation concept, so it can receive consistent, homogeneous print results. It comes with an integrated 4K camera to control print jobs and evaluate each layer’s surface in real time, and its laser scanning system offers a faster print speed and enhanced process repeatability. The Sintratec S2 is fully operated through an intuitive touchscreen.

The Sintratec S2 allows users to focus on the applications of tomorrow, and tap potential for professional prototyping purposes. It is well-suited for developing more complex components, which can provide designers and engineers both economic and creative benefits.

Thanks to its modular design, users of the Sintratec S2 can expand their production capacity by adding specific modules, and achieve high-quality SLS prints. The company is now accepting purchase reservations for its new Sintratec S2 3D printer, and you can see it for yourself this week at formnext, which ends on Friday, at the Sintratec booth G79 in Hall 3.1. If you’re unable to make it to Frankfurt, you can also see the SLS system in action by watching the video below:

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

[Images provided by Sintratec]