FormNext 2024 in Frankfurt recorded more than 34,000 visitors and saw new product introductions amid an increasingly consolidated additive manufacturing market. PowderMonkeys, a brand of Launhardt GmbH that specializes in polymer powders for powder bed fusion (PBF) processes, presented two new materials designed to improve performance and sustainability in 3D printing. PowderMonkeys, established in 2021 and a regular exhibitor at FormNext, supplies both desktop and industrial-scale systems. The portfolio is known for materials compatible with selective laser sintering (SLS) and high-speed sintering (HSS) platforms developed by companies such as Voxeljet AG, a provider of large-format 3D printing technology. Existing offerings include Monkey TPU 50, a thermoplastic elastomer with UV resistance, biocompatibility, and variable Shore hardness levels. According to technical data, Monkey TPU 50 exhibits a low refreshing rate of around 20% and a spherical powder shape contributing to stable 3D print processes. Monkey TPU 50, PowderMonkeys’ flagship thermoplastic elastomer. Photo… read more
Alex
Swedish software developer Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched its first handheld 3D scanners, the ATLASCAN Max and MARVELSCAN. These scanners complement the company’s existing inspection devices and offer increased flexibility for various measurement tasks. The lightweight and portable scanners cater to a wider range of environments, both inside and outside factories. This allows engineers and manufacturing personnel to capture 3D data from parts in automotive, rail, and general manufacturing applications, as well as for heritage preservation projects. “Today, manufacturing and engineering teams recognise the value of up-to-date 3D scans throughout the product lifecycle. This means almost anyone might need to perform a metrology-grade scan of a part regardless of their location,” says Pirmin Bitzi, General Manager for Portable Measuring Devices at Hexagon. “Our first handheld 3D scanners enable customers to digitalise parts without worrying about fixturing or environmental conditions and MARVELSCAN’s cutting-edge, integrated photogrammetry system aligns to reference targets… read more
Researchers at Swansea University have developed a novel approach to testing biomaterials for bone regeneration, offering both speed and ethical refinement. Published in Bioactive Materials journal, and led by Dr. Zhidao Xia, a team from Swansea’s Medical School and Faculty of Science and Engineering has introduced a murine tibial periosteal ossification model that eliminates the need for traditional methods involving fractures or critical sized defects. In doing so, they significantly reduce animal suffering while enabling biomaterial evaluation in as little as 14 days, with cortical bone remodeling completed by 28 days. Dr. Xia explained, “Our invention bridges the gap between synthetic substitutes and donor bone. We’ve shown that it’s possible to create a material that is safe, effective, and scalable to meet global demand. This could end the reliance on donor bone and tackle the ethical and supply issues in bone grafting.” Alongside Swansea, several institutions worldwide contributed to this… read more
As an additive manufacturing company owner or manager, you would have a vested interest in minimizing downtime on the factory floor. Machine downtime costs money, because your machines are your breadwinners. If the machines stop, for whatever reason, then it’s no more bread. It’s a simple equation. Luckily, downtime in 3D printing businesses can be reduced, thanks to a combination of monitoring, tracking, and other management tools. Causes of Downtime in the Factory There are two significant causes of downtime in additive manufacturing facilities, which are process-related, and security related. In the case of additive manufacturing process-related downtime, a lot of this can be put down to failed prints, particularly when the machine is running unattended overnight. In the case of security-related downtime, security breaches can involve the theft or destruction of equipment, and in rare cases, even industrial espionage. Thankfully, both of these issues can be addressed with a… read more
Engineers from the University of New Mexico (UNM), a public research institution recognized for its work in advanced construction materials, have patented a bendable concrete designed for 3D printing. Researchers in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering aimed to address brittleness, high labor costs, and dangers associated with traditional building methods. This new composite, classified as self-reinforced ultra-ductile cementitious material, may herald more resilient infrastructure while reducing dependence on steel bars and heavy machinery. Traditional concrete is renowned for its strength under compression but is inherently brittle, leading to frequent cracks and the need for regular maintenance in infrastructure such as sidewalks and bridges. Maryam Hojati, assistant professor in UNM’s Gerald May Department, highlighted this limitation as a primary motivation for their research. “Concrete by itself does not show any tensile properties,” Hojati explained. To address this, the team incorporated short polymer fibers into the concrete… read more
- Shimizu Corporation Develops Spray-Based 3D Concrete Printing System for Large Structural Components
- Cobra Golf Expands 3D Printed Iron Lineup with MB and X Models
- Airtech and Alpha Additive Create 3,000 lb LFAM Structure
- Continuum Powders Launches Copper-Nickel Alloys for High-Performance, Sustainable AM
- MPI Develops XRD System for Industrial and Academic Research
