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3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, July 7, 2020

We’ve got plenty of 3D printing webinars and virtual events to tell you about for this coming week, starting with nScrypt’s webinar today. 3Ding and Formlabs will each hold a webinar tomorrow, July 8th, and 3D Systems is hosting a virtual event on the 8th. There are two more webinars on July 9th, by KEX Knowledge Exchange and ASME, and Additive Industries is holding a virtual event that day. Finally, a 3D Health Hackathon will take place starting July 10th.

nScrypt’s Cutting Edge of Digital Manufacturing Webinar

On June 30th, nScrypt held the first of a two-part Cutting Edge Digital Manufacturing webinar series, and is holding the second part today, July 7th, at 1 pm ET. In part two of “Pushing the Envelope of Digital Manufacturing,” the speakers will be Eric D. Wachsman, PhD, from the University of Maryland; Eduardo Rojas, PhD, with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Hjalti Sigmarsson, PhD, from Oklahoma University; and Craig Armiento, PhD, with the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Topics of discussion in this webinar include the use of metamaterials, building radio frequency devices, systems, and the first 3D/volumetric electrical circuits and antennas, and the state of the art of 3D manufacturing. Register here.

3DIng “Let’s Talk 3D Printing” Webinar

Indian 3D printer manufacturer 3Ding recently began holding a weekly webinar about 3D printing-related topics, such as SketchUp training, different types of 3D printing, OpenSCAD, slicing, applications in rapid prototyping, and how to choose a 3D printer. Tomorrow, July 8th, the topic of the weekly webinar will be “Live Demo of FabX, Hydra Series 3D Printers & AMA.”

Surendranath Reddy, the founder, CEO, and CTO of 3Ding, is leading the remote webinar session, which will take place at 6:30 am ET and last about 45 minutes. You can join the session here.

Webinar on Formlabs’ New Materials

Formlabs recently launched two new materials, Flexible 80A and Elastic 50A resins, which allows customers to make soft, flexible parts with ease. In a webinar on July 8th at 2:00 pm ET, attendees will get to learn all about these resins with the company’s Materials Product Manager Kathy But and webinar specialist Faris Sheikh. Topics will include when to use these materials, optimal applications, 3D printing material properties like spring back, tensile strength, and shore durometer, and the Ross Flex Test.

“To make soft and flexible parts with traditional methods, such as RTV moldmaking, can be a lengthy process. If you’ve also tried directly 3D printing flexible parts, you probably know there’s not many high performing materials available. That is now changing.

“With the launch of our Flexible 80A and Elastic 50A Resins, you’ll be able to easily fabricate flexible parts that are both soft and hard.”

3D Systems’s Virtual Tradeshow

3D Systems is holding a virtual event on July 8th in order to teach attendees how to transform their manufacturing workflows. There will be a keynote address, networking opportunities, multiple live webinars, and even a virtual exhibition hall. The company will provide examples of digital manufacturing solution workflows with plastic and metal additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, and on-demand services.

“Businesses are focused on lowering risk, resolving supply chain dependencies, streamlining supplier distribution and avoiding interruptions to supply access.

“Join 3D Systems at this exclusive virtual event to find out how Digital Manufacturing Solutions designed for today’s production needs, enable you to integrate additive and subtractive technologies into your manufacturing environment and workflow — providing increased agility, quicker lead times, improved productivity, and allowing you to offer new innovations to your customers.”

All presentations will be in English, and available on-demand for 30 days. Register here.

KEX Knowledge Exchange on Powder Bed Fusion

KEX Knowledge Exchange AG, a former spinoff of Fraunhofer IPT, offers technology consulting. As a service to its industrial and research partners, the company also has a web platform that offers over 7,000 profiles of AM technologies and materials, in addition to industry news, and has now launched a section devoted to webinars, with topics including post-processing and powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printing.

“Together with one of our appreciated network partners, the ACAM Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing, we now launched a webinar section,” Jun Kim Doering, a technical writer with KEX, told 3DPrint.com. “Due to the COVID19 situation, ACAM has shifted their focus to an online offering, including webinars on different aspects of the AM technologies and applications.”

The first, “Webinar Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) – Advanced insights into Process, Parameters & Hardware,” will take place this Thursday, July 9th, and Erik Feldbaum, ACAM Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing, will speak. It’s free for ACAM members, and will cost €175 for non-members.

ASME on 3D Printing in Hospitals

AM Medical, powered by ASME International, will be holding a free, live webinar this Thursday, July 9th, on “Building the Business Case for 3D Printing in Hospitals.” Point-of-care manufacturing leaders will discuss necessary skills, where to find the proper resources, how to address reimbursement, and other important questions during the hourlong session, from 4-5 pm ET. Speakers are Andy Christensen, the President of Somaden; Jonathan Morris, MD, Neuroradiologist and Director of the Mayo Clinic’s 3D Printing Anatomic Modeling Lab; Beth Ripley, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiology with VA Puget Sound; Justin Ryan, Research Scientist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego; and Formlabs’ Director of Healthcare Gaurav Manchanda.

“The ability to manufacture from the patient’s data (medical imaging or surface scan) has been compelling to a community always looking for ways to innovate. With improving patient care as the primary goal, 3D printing has directly impacted more than 1 million patients. More than 25 years ago, anatomical models began to be used for planning of complex surgical procedures. Today, hospitals are using the technology for surgical guides and more. With increasing numbers of hospitals looking to bring 3D printing into their facility, how are they building the business case?”

Additive Industries Hosting Digital Event

On July 9th and 10th, Additive Industries is getting the trade show season running again with what it calls “a corona-proof way to get out of the starting blocks.” At its two-day virtual event, attendees can visit the company’s digital booth, view presentations, and talk to the experts to learn more about the MetalFAB1 3D printer and how the company can help turn your ideas into reality…all without traveling or waiting in line.

“While the virtual domain has limitless possibilities, we still live in the physical world. With our exclusive industry additive manufacturing event – we are making the virtual world a reality.”

3D Health Hackathon

The Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group (JCRMRG), a volunteer collective in New Jersey, is hosting a virtual Community Health Hackathon this week in order to foster community entrepreneurship and take on sustainability, supply chain, and manufacturing challenges that are related to healthcare and PPE (personal protective equipment) during COVID-19. There are three categories: sustainable PPE, modular solution labs, and day-to-day PPE, and the deadline to register is this Friday, July 10, at 12 pm ET. Panelists will meet the nine judges during a Zoom call that night to present their ideas, and then the next two days will be spent hacking. The final submission deadline is July 13th at 9 am, and winners will be announced on July 16th.

“Throughout the COVID-19 health crisis healthcare workers faced critical shortages in PPE created by supply chain disruptions and shortages. Jersey City Rapid Maker Response Group, as well as other groups like them around the country, proved that by quickly deploying 3D-printing capabilities and then extending those capabilities through rapid manufacturing – they were able to scale from producing 1,000 face shields a week to 10,000 face shields a day, both at a fraction of traditional pricing.

“We have reached out to leaders in the tech, manufacturing and 3D-printing communities to form a community-led virtual make-athon. Our collective goal is to continue to bring bright minds together to develop 3D-printing, manufacturing and community-based engineering solutions to address the ongoing needs surrounding supply chain disruptions in emergent and healthcare settings.”

The current prize pool is valued at over $7,500, so what are you waiting for? Register for the hackathon here.

Will you attend any of these events and webinars, or have news to share about future ones? Let us know! Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post 3D Printing Webinar and Virtual Event Roundup, July 7, 2020 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

3D Printing News Briefs, June 10, 2020: 3D Systems, nTopology, Jellypipe

We’re discussing an upcoming event and some business news in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs. 3D Systems is holding a virtual trade show next month. nTopology and Yamaichi have signed an agreement, and a 3D printing platform has announced the onboarding of Europe’s largest purchasing and marketing association for industrial B2B.

3D Systems Holding Virtual Trade Show

On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 3D Systems will be holding an exclusive virtual trade show centered on helping manufacturers keep their competitive advantage by using digital manufacturing solutions to fix supply chain dependencies, streamline supplier distribution, reduce supply interruptions, and lower risk. By integrating both additive and subtractive technologies into the environment, businesses can improve their productivity and agility, and offer customers new innovations. 3D Systems’ own Phil Schultz, Executive Vice President, Operations, and Radhika Krishnan, Executive Vice President and General Manager – Software, will give the keynote address for the event.

“Phil Schultz and Radhika Krishnan outline the essence of agile manufacturing, explaining in practical terms how to transform your environment to deliver a digital end-to-end manufacturing workflow that is fit for today and perfect for tomorrow.”

The event will kick off at 9:30 am EST and, in addition to the keynote, will include live webinar presentations and a virtual exhibit hall. Register here. If you’re unavailable to attend on the day of, the virtual trade show will be available on demand for the 30 days following the event.

nTopology and Yamaichi Sign MoU

Software startup nTopology has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yamaichi Special Steel (YSS) to bring its next-generation nTop software platform to Japan. YSS is part of the automotive and heavy industry manufacturing supply chain in Japan, and its additive division promotes 3D printing and DfAM in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. The two have set up a reseller and service agreement, where YSS will bring nTop to its Japanese customers, providing support and training to users. Then, the Cognitive Additive solution of YSS will be connected to the nTop platform, to help users predict cost and printability.

To kick off the partnership, the YSS Additive Manufacturing team used topology optimization to redesign a brake caliper. As the part is used in a high temperature and fatigue environment, YSS designed a TPMS-based heat exchanger for the caliper, and also added an oil circuit and shielding surfaces. The brake caliper was 3D printed out of aluminum alloy AlSi10 using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) technology.

Jellypipe Onboards PVH Future LAB and E/D/E

German 3D printing platform Jellypipe uses its Jellypipe Eco-system to help companies take their 3D business to the next level, and features a comprehensive marketplace and the largest 3D printing factory in the D-A-CH region. Now, it’s announced the onboarding of PVH Future LAB, an innovation platform for technology-driven business models, and Einkaufsbüro Deutscher Eisenhändler GmbH (E/D/E), which drives PVH and is the largest purchasing and marketing association for industrial B2B in Europe. Both will now connect to the Jellypipe Eco-system.

“With Jellypipe’s 3D ecosystem – the connection with 3D specialists and our partners is a most important step in the digital automation and supply of 3D printed parts,” said Thilo Brocksch and Frederik Diergarten, both General Managers at PVH FUTURE LAB GmbH. “We can now offer our customers a new and wide process range for 3D printed products.”

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

The post 3D Printing News Briefs, June 10, 2020: 3D Systems, nTopology, Jellypipe appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Main Challenges and Investments for 3D Printing of Medical Devices

Ahead of the Additive Manufacturing for Medical Devices Forum, we asked leading industry professionals about the biggest advantages and challenges in using additive manufacturing compared to traditional manufacturing processes. The results have been compiled into an infographic report to highlight opportunities and solutions to close the gap between research and commercialisation.

The survey results will provide insights on the following questions and more:

Is your organisation looking to introduce additive manufacturing, or expand its use in the next 12 months?
What do you feel are the biggest advantages and opportunities in using additive manufacturing for the medical device industry compared to traditional manufacturing processes?
How much is your organisation planning to spend on additive manufacturing services and solutions in the next 12 months?
What is the biggest challenge your organisation is facing in adopting, implementing and/or using additive manufacturing?

View the infographic to receive:

A full analysis on the key benefits and challenges associated with adapting additive manufacturing in highly regulated industries
Solutions to close the gap between research and commercialisation
Top predictions to ensure additive manufacturing maintains a leading position globally

The post Main Challenges and Investments for 3D Printing of Medical Devices appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

RAPID + TCT 2019 Showcased Continued Adoption and Growth of Additive Manufacturing

Nearly 9,000 manufacturing professionals from around the world converged in Detroit for this year’s RAPID + TCT, North America’s most influential additive manufacturing (AM) event. The event, which took place May 20-23, was the largest, most comprehensive offering yet. The show floor spanned 112,200 square feet and hosted a record 434 exhibiting companies, an increase of 27% over the 2018 event.

The first day was filled with AM workshops led by industry leaders, before attendees gathered for the RAPID + TCT 2019 Opening Event, hosted by SME’s AM Technical Community advisors. Erika Berg of Carbon and Vittorio Bologna of Riddell delivered the opening keynote presentation, detailing how the two companies collaborated to create Riddell’s new Diamond helmet, which features a 3D printed lattice liner developed using Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis technology.

After the keynote, former AM Technical Community Chair Todd Grimm took the stage to explain some of the top new products in 3D printing and scanning and gave attendees a better sense of what they need to see on the show floor. And rounding out the day, winners were announced for the 2019 SME/AM Community Awards, including this year’s Industry Achievement Award winner, Professor Emanuel “Ely” Sachs, Co-Founder & Co-CTO of Desktop Metal, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

To kick off the second day of RAPID + TCT, Bill Taylor delivered an energetic Tuesday morning keynote presentation on “Disruptive Technology and Innovation.” Taylor discussed what it means to be a leader in an age of disruption and uncertainty, telling the crowd to ask themselves the following: What’s your unique definition of success? Do you work as distinctively as you hope to compete? Are you learning as fast as the world is changing?

Day three of RAPID + TCT 2019 started with keynote speaker Dr. Naomi Murray, Director of Additive Technology Solutions at Stryker, discussing how Stryker uses AM methods to create their Tritanium® technology, which has been used in several FDA-cleared orthopedic implants. Standing out among a variety of great workshops and panel discussions was the Women in AM/3D Perspectives Panel. The discussion focused on process and quality control, as well as other automation and data-driven tools used to level up or surpass existing manufacturing processes.

The final day of RAPID + TCT 2019 began with Jennifer Fielding of the Air Force Research Laboratory and Zach Simkin of Senvol announcing the winners of the 2019 AM Community Awards. Digital Alloys was chosen for this year’s Exhibitor Innovation Award and the People’s Choice Award went to Desktop Metal. The last day of RAPID + TCT was also Automotive Day, so it was only fitting that the keynote speaker be one of the industry leaders for AM, Dr. Dominik Rietzel, Head of Additive Manufacturing (Non-Metals) at BMW Group. Rietzel showcased how BMW, an early adopter of AM technologies, is innovating with AM from prototyping to production. Examples include producing foam-like AM prototype parts to mimic actual production parts used in seats and dashboards and allowing consumers to personalize the interior and exterior parts of their MINI that BMW then 3D prints and sends to them.

If you missed the conference, panels, or other presentations at RAPID + TCT 2019, the Digital Package is a great option. For $200, you will have access to select conference presentations, keynotes, thought leadership panels, and more for one year. Details on how to purchase the digital package will be posted soon to rapid3Devent.com.

RAPID + TCT moves to the west coast in 2020, taking place April 20-23 in Anaheim, California, allowing easier access to state-of-the-art additive manufacturing knowledge for industry hubs in the region. Additive manufacturing is growing at a rate of approximately 25 percent per year in California alone, according to the 2018 Wohlers Report. Mark your calendars for next year’s event and sign up to receive event updates here.

Why Have Global Chemical Giants Jumped into 3D Printing Industry?

Why Did Global Chemical Giants Jump into 3D Printing Industry?

There has been worldwide growth in the 3D printing industry since former US President Barack Obama addressed the importance of 3D printing, calling for industry growth in the United States in 2013. According to Wohlers Report and a McKinsey Report, we have witnessed annual growth rate of 25% and can expect an overall business impact of USD 100 billion by 2025.

In South Korea, hundreds of SMEs have entered 3D printing or the 3D printing service industry and this has become one of the key technologies in the fourth industrial revolution. Six years from now, how has the Asian region, especially, South Korea’s situation changed?

As with all new technologies, the 3D printing industry in South Korea has also undergone ups and downs. The ‘Maker Movement’, which originated from the United States, did not grow in major Asian countries such as China, Korea and Japan due to cultural differences. Even though industrial demand for aerospace, automotive, medical, dental and jewelry has exploded in Asian region, many domestic 3D printer manufacturers, especially of desktop FDM printers, have closed down due to insufficient demand.

Then, how did global corporations react to the 3D Printing revolution?

In short, multinational chemical giants chose 3D printing materials instead of hardware or software, pursuing partnerships with global equipment manufacturers and software companies to co-provide one-stop solutions.

One example, BASF, one of the world’s largest chemical companies, entered the 3D printing materials industry through its subsidiary in September 2017. In 2018, BASF acquired Advanc3D Materials, Setup Performance, and Dutch filament manufacturing company Innofil3D, which are major materials companies. BASF also partnered with global 3D printing companies such as EOS and Materialise pioneering various sales channels.

Henkel, a German chemical and consumer goods company with 143 years of history, has also entered the 3D printing materials business. Henkel does have 3D printer products (Loctite) developed in-house, but Henkel’s main fields are various industrial resin materials, post-processing, and adhesives. Henkel also seeks synergies through collaboration with major manufacturers such as Carbon and HP.

American multinational chemical corporation, Dow Chemical, has developed the world’s first liquid silicone rubber material for 3D printing. Dow offers new possibilities for the 3D printing industry by combining the advantages of silicon materials such as heat resistance, cold resistance, UV resistance, elastic restoration with the shape properties of rubber materials. Dow also partners with Germany’s German RepRap to expand into various manufacturing fields.

Royal DSM with a history of more than 25 years in additive manufacturing also entered 3D printing material market. DSM has developed polymer resins and industrial filaments that can be used for various 3D printing methods such as FDM, SLA, DLP, etc., and is targeting global markets through partnerships with global equipment manufacturers and platform companies such as Ultimaker and Origin. Additionally, Solvay, Arkema, Sabic and Evonik have also invested in entering the 3D printing market.

GE Additive, one of the world’s largest suppliers of metal 3D printing equipment and services, employs, currently, more than 1,000 scientists and engineers working on metal materials. GE Additive offers a full range of metal powder, 3D printing equipment and support services including various metal materials as titanium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. GE is taking full advantage of this technology to build aircraft and expects to save $3 billion to $5 billion in manufacturing costs over the next decade.

More stories? You can meet all the above mentioned global industry experts at Inside 3D Printing Seoul taking place on June 26-28 at KINTEX (Seoul), South Korea. Inside 3D printing Seoul is Asia’s premier additive technology event with 10,000 visitors, 100 exhibitors and 40 world-class speakers from 28 countries.

For more information, you can visit our official website or contact Inside 3D Printing Secretariat (inside3dprinting@kintex.com).

3DPrint.com & SmarTech to Join Inside 3D Printing in Seoul as Co-Producers

The global trend of ‘digitization’, ‘convergence’ and ‘democratization’ has had a profound impact on every industry and sector from the most innovative to those regarded as the most conservative. One of these trends is additive manufacturing, called 3D printing.

3D printing creates unprecedented added value for industries such as manufacturing, medical, dental, aerospace, automobile, molding and tooling, architecture, jewelry and fashion. This ranges from the mass production of prototypes, complex aerospace parts to small batch production of discontinued automotive parts, personalized prosthetic limbs, and orthodontics. It is always best to have an opportunity to explore the latest additive manufacturing trends and technology in one place at a time.

Inside 3D Printing, the world’s most prestigious 3D printing event, returns to Seoul, Korea on June 26-28^th, 2019 and showcases the newest products, technologies, and materials in 3D printing, 3D scanning, CAD/CAM/CAE, metrology and inspection technologies.

Inside 3D printing started in New York in 2013, and travels around 8 major cities including Sydney, Dusseldorf, Mumbai, Seoul and Sao Paulo. It is the sixth time this year in Seoul, and it is held jointly with 3DR Holdings and KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center) in Korea.

In particular, 3DPRINT.COM, and SmarTech Markets Publishing, a global market research organization were confirmed to join Inside 3D Printing in Seoul as co-producers. This collaboration among key industry players will enhance the quality and branding of the event.

In 2018, over 10,000 attendees from 27 countries as well as 85 exhibitors and sponsors participated Inside 3D Printing in Seoul. The conference is part of a three-day event that includes an international conference in 4 tracks and a dedicated trade show in addition to various networking opportunities.

Over 100 exhibitors including HP, EOS, German RepRap, XYZ Printing as well as Korean major players as Hanil Protech, Carima, Trotec Korea, Prototech and Hephzibah will join this year’s event. Not only top brand’s 3D printers and scanners but a variety of AM applications including affordable desktop metal 3d printer, hybrid 3D machinery with CNC engraving, large-sized industrial 3d printer and CAD/CAM/CAE software will be showcased onsite this year.

“The participation of 3DPRINT.COM and SmarTech Markets Publishing as co-producers will further upgrade Inside 3D Printing and provide the best marketing platform for our exhibitors, sponsors and 10,000+ buyers from around the world.” said Alan Meckler, Managing Partner, 3DR Holdings.

If interested in sponsorship opportunities or conference registration for the forthcoming Seoul event, please contact Inside 3D Printing Secretariat (Inside3dprinting@kintex.com) or visit our website for more details.

MetalMaker 3D Launching Rapid Prototyping Service for Metal 3D Printed Parts On Demand

Tomorrow, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, FABTECH, will begin at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Many industry announcements will be made at the trade show, including one from advanced manufacturing startup MetalMaker 3D. The Connecticut-based company has just launched its new rapid prototyping service for on-demand 3D printing of metal parts. The process, which integrates investment casting with 3D printing, is said to be a more practical alternative to direct metal laser sintering, or DMLS, 3D printing.

“Until now, there has been a clear divide between the promise of metal additive manufacturing and reality of the types of metal parts that can practically be used in industry,” Eric Sammut, the CEO of MetalMaker 3D, told 3DPrint.com. “We are bridging that gap and offering a solution that maintains the performance of traditional manufacturing while delivering on the promise of additive manufacturing.”

Backed by seed accelerator Techstars and Stanley Black & Decker, MetalMaker 3D offers an industry-compatible solution for 3D printing metal parts that addresses many limitations of DMLS. Because parts made with DMLS 3D printing don’t have the same material properties as traditionally manufactured components, they are often also too expensive to use for the purposes of prototyping. But, MetalMaker 3D claims that it can offer truly isotropic metal parts, which are up to ten times cheaper than parts made with DMLS, with just one week of lead time.

Sammut explained, “Our goal is to enable manufacturers to use this additive pattern investment casting process in-house to produce custom metal parts in less than 24 hours.

“By combining additive manufacturing with investment casting, we get the best of both worlds: the design freedom, customizability, and rapid iteration of additive, along with the consistent mechanical, dimensional, and material properties of metal casting.”

The startup’s process can make functional metal parts with the design freedom inherent to 3D printing, while also providing the “isotropic mechanical and dimensional properties” that occur with high precision casting.

Currently, MetalMaker 3D is developing small-scale foundry systems for in-house investment casting so manufacturers can use the process for prototyping and low-volume production of complex metal parts, and is already working with several manufacturers, including partner Stanley, on real-world case studies. But, at FABTECH tomorrow, the startup will officially launch its rapid prototyping service, which involves working closely with its manufacturing customers to “refine their commercial product offering.”

While MetalMaker 3D does plan to expand its range of material options in the future, it will begin by offering rapid prototyping for aluminum parts with the aluminum 356 casting alloy – one of the most widely used in both the aerospace and automotive industries. In addition, the startup will also be offering optional T6 heat treatments as part of its new prototyping service.

Sammut said, “We can match the alloy, process, and heat treatment to create functional metal parts that are indistinguishable from commercially manufactured components.”

MetalMaker 3D will be running its prototyping service at the same time it works to continue developing its product offering, so its manufacturing customers can complete the process in-house. To request quotes and order custom 3D printed metal parts through the startup’s new on-demand rapid prototyping service, just fill out the quote form to receive a response within 48 hours…once FABTECH is over, of course.

If you will be attending the trade show in Georgia this week, visit MetalMaker 3D at Booth B5642 in the Additive Pavilion.

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

Sterne Bringing Silicone 3D Printing to COMPAMED Trade Fair

Sterne Elastomere, a company located in the south of France, specializes in manufacturing items out of silicone materials for industries such as food and drink, mass transit, medical, nuclear, and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Two years ago, Sterne made its move into the 3D printing world and debuted its SiO-Shaping 1601 silicone 3D printer at K 2016, a top plastics and rubber trade show, for the first time.

In order to provide its clients with 3D printed silicone prototypes that possessed properties similar to that of the final product, Sterne developed its technology so it could deposit filaments of 100% UV-cured silicone. It’s definitely not easy to 3D print with silicone, due to properties that make it unable to be heated and extruded in the same way that typical thermoplastic materials can be, but companies like Sterne, Wacker Chemie, and Fripp Design Research have been making great strides over the last few years.

Over the last two years, Sterne, which has over 20 years of experience in the silicone industry, has been working hard to refine its 3D printing silicone technology, so it can be a viable alternative option for customers looking to meet their technical needs. Now the company is bringing its SiO-shaping 3D silicone printing method to COMPAMED 2018, a trade fair for medical suppliers and manufacturers which begins in a little over a week in Düsseldorf, Germany.

According to a release by the company, “Sterne is able to manufacture little to medium series on projects dedicated to 3D printing. An approved solution for pieces with a need situated between molding and extrusion technics, on specific applications both medical and short term implantable. Now, it is only in one step that devices with complex and atypical forms can be produced. A research and development department composed of 3D specialists and engineers, go with clients on project development and monitoring, perpetuating new concepts and ideas. A quick manufacturing on competitive deadlines since no design or validation of tools is necessary.”

The company’s SiO 3D silicone printing has been further refined since it was first introduced. In 2016, it promised a minimum 3D print layer height of 0.25 mm, but can now achieve a minimum of 0.1 mm (100 microns). Its SiO-Shaping 1601 silicone 3D printer offers a maximum print volume of 205 x 200 x 100 mm, along with hardness from 30 to 60 Shores A.

Sterne’s silicone 3D printing can help all of its customers with their fast prototyping needs. But its specialty is manufacturing thin, accurate silicone products for the medical sector that meet the necessary aesthetic and technical needs.

“Whether High Consistency Silicone Rubber (HCR) or Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR), Sterne masters a large range of manufacturing process such as extrusion, molding, making, over-molding inside ISO 6, ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanrooms,” the company’s release states.

In addition, Sterne’s SiO silicone 3D printing also offers a full panel of colors, including phosphorescent, translucent, and opaque, which is available for colors like red, yellow, black, and green. However, these colors are only available for materials that meet the necessary quality requirements according to the FDA or USP class VI medical grade.

You can see the company’s silicone 3D printing prowess for yourself at COMPAMED from November 12-15 in the Düsseldorf exhibition center. To rediscover, or see for the first time, Sterne’s range of products for the medical sector, visit the company at Stand L02 in Hall 08b.

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