Equispheres raises CAD 20 million in financing round

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

alu-pulver — Image: Equispheres

The Canadian company Equispheres, a manufacturer of innovative metal powders for 3D printing, has closed a Series B financing round of around CAD 20 million. The round was led by automotive supplier Martinrea, with additional institutional investors also participating.

The financial injection is intended to support Equispheres in meeting the rapidly increasing demand for its products. The company uses a special atomization technology to produce metal powders that significantly accelerate 3D printing – by up to nine times in the case of aluminium. This reduces production costs by up to 80 percent.

“The potential of additive manufacturing to transform conventional production methods is undeniable. However, a leap in productivity is needed for wider industrial use,” explained Kevin Nicholds, CEO of Equispheres. Working with industry leaders such as Martinrea enables the development of materials for new high-speed 3D printing processes and applications.

Martinrea specializes in lightweight manufacturing and has not previously invested in additive manufacturing. The current investment signals that AM is also becoming economically interesting for large quantities, for example for aluminum castings with a market worth billions.

Equispheres intends to use the fresh funds to set up further production facilities, expand equipment and drive forward collaboration with partners on new materials.

ArcomedLab produced 700 3D-printed cranial implants

Medical

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Apr 26, 2024

The Chilean-North American company ArcomedLab has achieved significant success in biomedical 3D printing manufacturing. With 700 cases of patient-specific cranial implants in Latin America, including Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico, it says it is the industry leader in the region.

“It is an honor to lead the biomedical 3D printing sector in Latin America with an impressive patient base and unique PEEK and titanium 3D printing technology,” said Ilan Rosenberg, CEO and co-founder of ArcomedLab.

To drive further growth, Daniel Martínez has been appointed as Innovation and Growth Manager. With many years of experience in the fields of medical technology, innovation and clinics, he will strategically drive expansion in Latin America and the USA.

“I am excited to join ArcomedLab and drive biomedical 3D printing for personalized orthopedic, limb and spine solutions,” said Martínez. A second goal is to develop academic training programs together with universities and medical schools based on the ArcomedLab Institute.

This institute serves as a platform for collaboration with the scientific community and offers professional training on the special 3D printing system for biomedical products. The centerpiece is a cleanroom facility for the sterile production of individual implants and medical devices.

The state-of-the-art infrastructure enables ArcomedLab to produce patient-specific solutions in high quality. In the future, the company intends to enter into partnerships with leading clinics and universities throughout Latin America to further promote the spread of biomedical 3D printing.

Stratasys H350 receives update for more detailed SAF 3D prints

3D Printer

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Apr 26, 2024

3D printing specialist Stratasys has announced new features for its Selective Additive Fusion (SAF) technology. With the function called HighDef Printing, objects can now be produced with a finer level of detail. At the same time, the powerful H350 platform is being upgraded to version 1.5.

The HighDef update enables more precise prints by improving the resolution. This means that intricate structures such as gear wheels or joint parts can be produced with a high level of edge definition. “This opens up new applications for SAF customers in industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical technology,” explains Adam Ellis from Stratasys.

The new capability is provided via a firmware upgrade and is backwards compatible with previous H350 models. Existing customers will receive it free of charge.

With the H350 V1.5, Stratasys is also presenting an upgraded version of the well-known SAF printer. In addition to optimized sensors, the new series also offers improved remote service functions for easier operation and maintenance. HighDef Printing has been pre-installed as a new addition.

“The additional capabilities fulfill the customer’s desire for greater attention to detail and allow them to cover more applications with SAF – while maintaining the same high production speed,” says Torben Lange, SAF Development Manager at Stratasys.

AML3D supports the Australian Navy

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

aml3d-marine-australien — Picture: AML3D

AML3D supplies test components to the Australian Defense Force to assess suitability for marine applications. The test components will be manufactured from nickel-aluminum-bronze and a high-strength steel alloy. The contract is in line with AML3D’s strategic goal of expanding into other markets in the marine defense sector in addition to its strong growth in the US.

This contract illustrates AML3D’s continued success in diversifying into additional global defense markets and complements its strong growth in the US. The company’s U.S. scale-up strategy secured contracts totaling nearly 12 million Australian dollars in 2023, particularly in support of the U.S. Navy’s submarine industrial base. AML3D is leveraging its strategies from the U.S. to accelerate its entry into additional defense markets and meet the growing demand for advanced manufacturing solutions.

AML3D CEO Sean Ebert said: “It is very exciting to be directly supplying test NAB and Duplex steel components to the DSTG, which is tasked with assessing the best of Australian science, technology and innovation to address Australia’s Defence and national security challenges. AML3D’s WAM manufactured NAB and duplex steel has passed multiple rounds of marine defence testing in the US and here at home. This gives us confidence we will meet the DSTG requirements, creating opportunities for significant new contracts.”

This contract underscores AML3D’s strategic goal to continue to expand into defense markets that show similar strong demand signals as the US and demonstrates the value of advanced WAM technology for Australian naval defense applications.

Blackwell 3D now also has a company in Dubai

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

blackwell3d — Picture: Blackwell 3D

Blackwell 3D Construction, a 3D home printing technology company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired a 100% stake in Blackwell Realtech 3D Printing Construction LLC (“Blackwell Realtech”), a Dubai limited liability company.

The acquisition enables Blackwell 3D to significantly expand its technological expertise by integrating specialized knowledge and experience in 3D printing construction. This strengthens Blackwell’s position as an industry leader while expanding its service offering to include innovative 3D printing solutions. This expansion will allow the company to be more flexible in meeting the needs of a broader customer base and realize complex projects more efficiently.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mohammedsaif Zaveri, CEO of Blackwell 3D, stated: “We are thrilled to welcome Blackwell Realtech to the Blackwell 3D family. This acquisition represents a strategic milestone in our journey towards innovation and growth. By combining our strengths, we are poised to deliver unparalleled value to our clients and drive positive change in the construction industry.”

The integration of Blackwell Realtech into Blackwell 3D’s corporate structure creates operational synergies that optimize resource utilization and streamline processes. This improved efficiency and productivity will help Blackwell 3D to realize its projects faster and more cost-effectively.

The acquisition also provides Blackwell with access to new markets and the opportunity to further expand in the rapidly developing 3D printing construction sector.

CAMPFIRE project – Fully automated solution for the post-processing of AM parts

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

Picture: Rivelin Robotics

The CAMPFIRE project, funded by Innovate UK and led by Rivelin Robotics, aims to develop a fully automated solution for the post-processing of aircraft parts, orthopaedic implants and gas turbine components. The project team is working closely with five partners, including Attenborough Medical, GKN Aerospace and Materials Solutions – a division of Siemens Energy.

The challenges in post-processing, such as removing support structures and achieving different surface qualities, are not only labor-intensive, but often time-consuming and dangerous. The current standard process for most metallic AM parts is based on manual methods, which present many operational challenges such as repeatability, quality control and high costs.

Rivelin Robotics has developed a solution that has generated a lot of interest since its market launch. The so-called Netshape robots offer fully automated post-processing capabilities, supported by Rivelin’s Netshape software. The company is working closely with hardware partners such as YASKAWA EU and Saint-Gobain Abrasives.

Interest in this technology is particularly high among companies that use metal AM processes for production. Attenborough, GKN and Materials Solutions, leaders in their respective industries, have already begun testing and implementing the NetShape robots for their specific applications. These companies see major limitations in traditional post-processing methods and therefore rely on Rivelin’s innovative technology.

The CAMPFIRE project not only provides a creative and collaborative platform for the further development of these technologies, but also a necessary response to the complex requirements of post-processing in metal 3D printing. The progress of the project could therefore be groundbreaking for the entire industry and significantly improve production efficiency in regulated industries.

BAE Systems invests in two Stratasys F3300 FDM 3D printers

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

fdm-stratasys — Picture: Laser Lines

Laser Lines has sold the first two Stratasys F3300 FDM 3D printers – the first installation in the UK – to BAE Systems for its Samlesbury site in the UK.

The Stratasys F3300 printers feature new technology that significantly increases print speeds compared to other FDM printers. These improvements make it possible to achieve print rates that are up to twice as fast as current high-performance FDM systems. The result is a doubling of production volume in the same time frame, depending on the geometry of the parts.

The investment in the F3300 printers represents a significant milestone as they are the first two machines to be sold in the UK. The F3300 is designed to deliver superior results in FDM printing and features increased part strength, higher throughput, improved machine reliability and enhanced traceability. In addition, the printer enables parts to be printed in multiple colors and resolutions. These advances make the F3300 the ideal choice for production and high-quality prototyping in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries.

Mark Tyrtania, Sales Director at Laser Lines, said: “We have been working with BAE Systems for over 15 years supplying Stratasys Additive Manufacturing hardware and software. We are always looking for the best technologies and solutions for BAE Systems’ manufacturing needs. The formation of the FalconWorks business within BAE Systems has only improved things – with active encouragement to test and explore new solutions with pace and with an open mind.”
Steven Barnes, Additive Manufacturing Lead for BAE Systems Air sector said: “As a business we are constantly looking for ways to improve the way we do things. Additive manufacturing is revolutionary in that sense. It opens up potential in all sorts of ways. It allows us to rapidly prototype new parts, adapt our production capacities to different volumes and products more easily and in the support of platforms across the world, we can stand ready to produce one-off spares at the touch of a button. All of those possibilities are transforming the way we can approach design, manufacturing and support.”

These aircraft are part of BAE Systems’ broader strategy to drive production improvements and reduce costs and time-to-market across the company’s aerospace division.

3D printing for defense – Rapid.Tech 3D Forum Innovations in AM

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

Metrom-mobile-Masch — Picture: Rapid.Tech 3D

Rapid.Tech 3D, a leading trade fair for additive manufacturing technologies, will place a special focus on defense technology in 2024. Due to the strong interest and significant progress made in the previous year, the Innovations in AM forum will dedicate a separate block to this sector. On May 15, 2024, experts from Force Technology, Rheinmetall and Metrom will present their latest developments and applications.

“The advantages of the flexibility and speed of additive manufacturing processes are particularly reflected in difficult environments – especially in stationary, but also mobile challenges. Consequently, AM processes are used in the defense industry and in the field under particularly challenging operating conditions. The forum will present solutions based on specific examples,” says Dr. Eric Klemp, Head of Hydrogen and Additive Manufacturing at Whitecell Eisenhuth GmbH & Co. KG and member of the Rapid.Tech 3D advisory board.

Force Technology provides an outstanding example of the efficiency of 3D printing with a case study on the production of aircraft parts for the F-35 fighter jet. Michel Honoré, Senior Team Leader, reports that by switching from traditional CNC machining to additive manufacturing, material consumption was reduced by over 95% and production time was cut significantly.

With the Mobile Smart Factory, Rheinmetall presents an innovative solution for the rapid provision of spare parts directly in the field. Thomas R. Kerk, Team Leader System Support at Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, emphasizes that this modular logistics solution makes it possible to manufacture spare parts efficiently, regardless of location, while ensuring the highest safety standards in data handling.

Another highlight is the presentation of the world’s first mobile repair factory for hybrid machining from Metrom. Marcus Witt, CTO of Metrom, will explain how their technology makes it possible to combine additive and subtractive manufacturing processes in order to carry out on-site maintenance and repair work on large-scale systems.

In addition to defense technology, the Innovations in AM specialist forum will also focus on developments in green energy and hydrogen technologies as well as 3D-printed electronics. With a comprehensive program that includes various industry and science forums, the Rapid.Tech 3D Congress will provide important impetus for the further development of additive manufacturing.

AMEXCI and Nikon SLM Solutions strengthen their 3D printing collaboration

Industry

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Apr 26, 2024

AMEXCI-und-Nikon-SLM-Solutions- — Picture: SLM Solutions

AMEXCI, a specialist in serial additive manufacturing, and Nikon SLM Solutions, a global provider of integrated solutions for metal-based additive manufacturing, are pleased to announce a significant expansion of their partnership. This collaboration will redefine the serial production of large components using state-of-the-art additive manufacturing machines.

Central to this strategic partnership is AMEXCI’s investment in Nikon SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600, a machine designed for printing large format parts, and an additional SLM500 with enhanced performance for processing titanium alloys.

“We are very pleased to deepen our collaboration with Nikon SLM Solutions,” said Edvin Resebo, CEO of AMEXCI. “The investment in the NXG XII 600 platform is an important step in our journey towards high-volume production. This technology not only expands our production capabilities, but also aligns with our vision to lead the industry towards a sustainable future.”

The NXG XII 600 is characterized by its ability to print parts with dimensions of up to 600 x 600 x 600 mm³. Its configuration with twelve lasers makes it particularly powerful and efficient in its class. This technological development enables AMEXCI to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, large-format parts.

“In partnership with AMEXCI, we aim to not only meet the current standards of additive manufacturing, but to set new ones. The introduction of the NXG XII 600 into AMEXCI’s capabilities marks a pivotal point in our journey together. With the unrivaled performance and size of this machine, we are expanding the horizons of what is possible in the industry, bringing larger, more complex parts to life at a speed that sets new standards for efficiency. This is a major step forward in our mission to change the way the world manufactures, and we’re just getting started,” said Sam O’Leary, CEO of Nikon SLM Solutions.

This strategic expansion of the partnership points to significant improvements in industries ranging from aerospace to telecommunications. AMEXCI and Nikon SLM Solutions are demonstrating that through continued innovation and collaboration, transformative advances in additive manufacturing are possible that can improve not only production capabilities, but also environmental sustainability.

YouTuber demonstrates in-house production of robust PLA-TPU filament

Materials

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Apr 26, 2024

Until now, the production of customized 3D printing filaments has mainly been the preserve of large companies. However, YouTuber Stefan from CNC Kitchen demonstrates a simple technique that can be used to produce individualized filaments such as multicolor or multipolymer filaments at home.

The starting point was an old 3 mm PLA roll, which Stefan wanted to convert to the more common 1.75 mm dimension. To do this, he used a melting device for PET bottles, through the nozzle of which he pulled the heated 3 mm filament. Different temperatures and tensile forces enabled the filament to be precisely cut to the target diameter.

Stefan transferred this knowledge to multicolor filaments: He first 3D-printed a shape from individual filaments of different colors. He then processed this through the melting nozzle, whereby the colors combined to form a regular multicolor filament.

Stefan used a diameter sensor to continuously optimize the process parameters. The process could even be used for special filaments such as partial PLA-TPU filament. In tensile tests, these showed a significantly increased toughness compared to pure PLA.

Microscope images reveal the reason: the TPU forms fibers that act like dampers in the PLA matrix. This makes it possible to create customized composite materials using 3D printing.

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