We’ve got a lot of 3D printing business news to cover in the first August edition of 3D Printing News Briefs, and then we’ll move on to 3D printing materials and some gaming news. Sigma Labs makes an executive-level switch, while both Nano Dimension and HP have named new distribution partners. Haige Technology is building a 3D printing center in China, Star Rapid is launching a 3D metal printing training initiative, and Voodoo Manufacturing has announced a big summer sale. Formfutura is introducing some new 3D printing materials, and the latest Minecraft update supports 3D printing technology.
CEO of Sigma Labs Becomes CTO
Sigma Labs, which provides additive manufacturing quality assurance software solutions under the PrintRite3D brand, has made some changes in its senior management team. In an effort to accelerate the company’s technology advancements, President and CEO Mark Cola has been appointed to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and together with the rest of the executive team, will work on growing Sigma Labs through customer development and next-generation products for multiple industries. John Rice, the company’s Chairman of the Board since April, will replace Cola as Interim CEO.
Cola said, “Our goal is not only to continue building on our leading market position in the additive manufacturing space but also to expand our solutions into the broader domain space of existing manufacturing environments. Additive manufacturing continues to provide great potential for PrintRite3D, however, our in-process data analytics engine can be deployed during process manufacturing and in many other existing manufacturing environments such as laser welding, laser marking and laser cutting among others. We expect that the next few years will see increased integration of additive manufacturing with in-process controls like PrintRite3D, automation, robotics and, in collaboration with humans, workstations known as cobotic systems that will continue to change the landscape of existing manufacturing environments.”
Nano Dimension Names Canadian Reseller
“CAD MicroSolutions sees great potential for this technology in the Canadian market. Faster circuit development cycles driven by the convergence of 3D printing and design automation is a significant capability for the design community,” said CAD MicroSolutions President Darren Gornall.
HP Announces RP Support Limited as UK Channel Partner
“We are extremely pleased to introduce RPS as one of our new channel partners,” said Andrew Knowles, the Business Manager for HP 3D Multi Jet Fusion for the UK and Ireland. “They have an excellent reputation in the 3D printing industry, as well as a strong knowledge of how our HP 3D printing technology will bring best in class performance to both individual customers and within new markets.”
RPS will exhibit the HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solution next month at the TCT Show in Birmingham, stand #F22.
Haige Technology Building 3D Printing Center in China
Issued in 2015, the Made in China 2025 master plan focuses on ten sectors, including developing 3D printing to boost the country’s manufacturing growth, and the main goal is to comprehensively upgrade Chinese industry so it can occupy the highest parts of global production chains. Keeping in line with the plan, Haige Technology will invest ¥1 billion (around US$150 million) to build an international 3D research and development base in China. This will focus on enhancing the company’s own R&D capabilities, while also promoting the development of the country’s 3D printing industry.
The project will include an international 3D printing training and education base, an international 3D printing R&D center, and an international 3D printing production service center, which will include product development, CNC production, and 3D printing talent cultivation. This center will bridge cooperation between domestic and foreign scientific research, and also provide a solid foundation for rapid development of 3D printing in the country.
Star Rapid Launches Metal 3D Printing Training Initiative
“The quick emergence and complexity of 3D metal printing has created a massive design-process deficit within the industry. As a manufacturer, we are well positioned to share best practices and lessons learned on this subject as we’ve seen first-hand how hard it can be to develop the correct design parameters for a build,” said Gordon Styles, Founder and President of Star Rapid. “Greater widespread design knowledge will help unlock the full and boundless potential of 3D metal printing for more widespread application.”
The first three video tutorials are available on the company’s website, and Star Rapid’s Direct Metal Laser Melting Manager Chloe Kow will host the training workshops, which will be held on the following dates:
- August 14-16, 2017
- November 6-8, 2017
- March 14-16, 2018
If interested in attending one of the workshops, fill out Star Rapid’s expression of interest form.
Voodoo Manufacturing Holding Major Summer Sale
CEO and Co-Founder of Voodoo Manufacturing Max Friefeld said, “Overseas manufacturers have had a significant cost advantage when it comes to the mass production of products and parts. Robotics and software automation are changing everything, and our people are becoming efficient enough to compete with overseas workers. We are testing the waters with a massively discounted pricing model that has never been seen in our industry. Eventually we’ll want to lock-in these prices forever, but we have to stress-test our production system first.”
Formfutura Introduces Industrial-Grade 3D Printing Materials
Volcano PLA, which has a matte surface finish and high interlayer adhesion, was developed to have superb dimensional accuracy before and after annealing, and is perfect for professional applications that need improved heat resistance, high print speeds, and mechanical properties not dissimilar to ABS material. Immediately upon extrusion, Volcano PLA is highly crystalline, which offers increased levels of temperature resistance and stiffness.
Latest Minecraft Update Supports 3D Printing
Today, the Remix 3D feature was integrated with Minecraft, which allows players to share their game models for 3D printing. Soon, players will also be able to export to Microsoft’s Paint 3D program, which should be able to support a similar functionality. To get the Better Together beta update, players can visit the Xbox Insider Hub app on Windows 10 or console, or join on Android.
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