3D printing awards, technology, programs, printers, partnerships, and new facilities – the 3D printing hive is abuzz with news on this lovely Friday! Desktop Metal was chosen by the World Economic Forum as one of its Technology Pioneers, while Sciaky is showing off its EBAM technology at the Paris Air Show. EOS launches its new customer support program in North America and Farsoon is introducing its newest 3D printer. Cooksongold and B.M.C. form a partnership for 3D printing precious metals, Ricoh and EnvisionTEC sign a dealership agreement, and Straumann purchases a stake in Rapid Shape. Finally, the largest SLM facility in the world has opened its doors in Germany.
Desktop Metal Named One of World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers
Out of hundreds of candidates, Desktop Metal, which introduced its game-changing DM Studio System and Production System in April, was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2017 Technology Pioneers. The 30 innovative, early-stage companies that were chosen as Technology Pioneers are recognized for their potential to advance the Fourth Industrial Revolution and have a significant impact on businesses and society through new technologies. A selection committee, made up of over 60 academics, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists, chooses the winners based on criteria like leadership, innovation, and potential impact; previous recipients include Kickstarter, Twitter, and Google. Desktop Metal was chosen due to its new approaches to metal 3D printing that increase safety, speed, and print quality while lowering costs.
“We are honored to join the prestigious roster of recipients of the World Economic Forum Tech Pioneers program. WEF has been a leader in the conceptualization and realization of Industry 4.0, and Desktop Metal is looking forward to working with them to advance industry adoption of metal additive manufacturing,” said Ric Fulop, CEO and Co-Founder of Desktop Metal.
Fulop will participate in the WEF Annual Meeting in January of 2018, as well as in dedicated Technology Pioneer community events over the next two years.
Sciaky Showcasing EBAM Technology at Paris Air Show
Bob Phillips, Vice President of Marketing at Sciaky, said, “Sciaky is looking forward to exhibiting at the Paris Air Show. Our EBAM technology continues to drive innovation for aerospace giants like Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Gulstream, helping push additive manufacturing into the mainstream.”
Sciaky is exhibiting in Hall 6, Stand C46 at next week’s Paris Air Show, which takes places from June 19th through the 25th at the Exhibition Center of Le Bourget.
EOS Launches Life Cycle Solutions Group in North America
EOS North America, which provides industrial 3D printing of polymers and metals, has learned that in terms of working with customers, inadequate training accounts for almost 50% of the average additive manufacturing system’s untapped potential, and 70% of a 3D printer’s downtime can be blamed for lack of necessary, preventative maintenance. To combat this problem and increase customer satisfaction, EOS has launched its Life Cycle Solutions group, which works with organizations to maximize the return on their AM investment and proactively address downtime. The group will offer complete customer support, including process improvements, product installation, machine service, material selection, and upgrades.
In addition, EOS recruited machine tool and service industry expert Darin Chartier as the Director of Life Cycle Solutions; he previously held director positions at Midwest Industrial Tools and GF Machining Solutions.
“Realizing the massive potential of AM is challenging and customers often look to us for advice. What we can do for customers extends beyond the point of sale and we needed someone to champion that effort,” explained Glynn Fletcher, President of EOS North America. “Darin’s entire career has been focused on ensuring customer satisfaction in the machine tool industry and that makes him a perfect fit to lead our new Life Cycle Solutions group.”
Farsoon Debuts New Industrial eForm 3D Printer
The eForm 3D printer adds to Farsoon’s growing list of industrial plastic and metal laser sintering systems, which include the HT403P, the FS121M, and the FS271M, which was released in January.
Cooksongold Partners with B.M.C. srl for Precious Metal 3D Printing
“We are always looking to incorporate the latest technology and production possibilities, Direct Precious Metal 3D printing with the M 080 system provides us with another tool and production method which will ensure we can continue to push the boundaries of jewel and watch creation,” said Carlo Massavelli, CEO and Chairman of B.M.C. srl.
Ricoh Japan and EnvisionTEC Sign Dealership Agreement
Ricoh Japan chose EnvisionTEC as a partner due to the smooth surface finish and high precision the 15-year-old company’s DLP and 3SP 3D printers offer. From June 21st through the 23rd, Ricoh Japan will exhibit EnvisonTEC technology at the 28th Design Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions Expo in Tokyo.
Straumann Acquires 35% Stake in Rapid Shape
“Straumann boosts our existing distribution network thanks to its large sales force, global presence and powerful brand,” said Rapid Shape CEO Andreas Schultheiss. “This partnership safeguards our independence as an entrepreneurial company and provides us with the means to continue developing the leading-edge additive manufacturing systems for dental labs and practices as well as for the hearing-aid and jewellery industries.”
Grand Opening of Largest SLM Facility In the World
This month, the Aachen University of Applied Sciences, together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, opened the world’s largest SLM facility, the Aachen Center for 3D Printing. The Center is located in the new Digital Photonic Production industry building on the RWTH Aachen campus, and roughly 40 industry and research guests were invited to the official opening of the facility. The Aachen Center for 3D Printing will be conducting a three-year SLM-XL research project aimed at developing the SLM process chain for large-volume metal components, and Concept Laser’s new XLine 2000R SLM system, featuring a massive build envelope of 800 x 400 x 500 mm, plays an important part. The unit will speed up the production of large-volume functional prototypes, and the project team, consisting of over 15 partners from several industry sectors, plans to 3D print large-volume tools that are adapted to provide custom functions and would be nearly impossible to produce without 3D printing technology.“The new joint SLM facility offers SMEs the opportunity to implement their own additive projects on an XXL scale using a facility that costs two million euros; a price tag generally too high for any individual company,” said Sebastian Bremen, team manager SLM productivity at Fraunhofer ILT. “Thanks to the Aachen Center for 3D Printing, SMEs now also have access to a technology that can make them more competitive and innovative. In addition, this unit is another important step towards establishing a joint research group between Fraunhofer ILT and the University of Aachen.”
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