3D Printing News Briefs: December 8, 2017

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We’re throwing a lot of business news at you in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, starting with a recap of the largest 3D printing construction conference recently held in Copenhagen. PyroGenesis has signed an NDA with an aircraft engine manufacturer, while a Renishaw director has received a special honor. HP will soon be selling its 3D printers in India, Hexcel will acquire the Aerospace & Defense business of Oxford Performance Materials, and FATHOM is announcing a new curriculum to increase adoption of 3D printing. Finally, Sharebot has introduced a new material.

3D Printhuset Holds 3D Construction Printing Conference

Last month, we learned that 3D Printhuset was organizing what it called the largest 3D construction printing conference. Just like the conference it hosted in February, this event was also held in Copenhagen, and, according to 3DPrinthuset, gathered up all of the elite from the 3D construction printing industry. Over 200 people attended the conference, and had the chance to see presentations by companies like Apis Cor, Winsun, the Royal BAM GroupCyBe Construction, and Contour Crafting. Academic researchers from institutes and universities involved in 3D construction printing also attended the conference, as well as global leaders from conventional materials and construction companies.

3D Printhuset says that the “unique collection of speakers and the many experts among the attendees” received high ratings and excellent compliments from the audience members, all of whom had the unique opportunity to network within the 3D printed BOD (Building On Demand), 3D Printhuset’s first 3D printed building.

PyroGenesis Signs Non-Disclosure Agreement

Montreal-based PyroGenesis, which designs, develops, manufactures, and commercializes advanced plasma processes, signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Rolls-Royce last month for its additive manufacturing powders, not long after it announced the successful completion of the ramp-up of its first plasma atomization system. Now, the clean tech company announced that it has signed an NDA with a second global aircraft engine manufacturer. For competitive reasons, the name of the client has been withheld, and will remain confidential from the public.

P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis, said, “We are very happy to have signed an NDA with a second global aircraft engine manufacturer in less than a month, and we look forward to developing a more substantive relationship with them. I must once again caution readers not to draw any premature conclusions from this announcement. Though, once again, it does signal an interest in our capabilities, and yes, that interest does come from a very discerning, demanding, and sophisticated party, we are still at the very preliminary stages and there is no guarantee that anything of any commercial value will materialize from these efforts. We feel that these recently concluded NDAs are material in the sense that they confirm both our strategy to become a powder producer to the additive manufacturing industry, as well as our premise that there is a significant demand within the additive manufacturing industry for our products.”

Renishaw Director Receives Honor from Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor Geoff McFarland

This week, Professor Geoff McFarland, a dimensional metrology expert and the Group Engineering Director at Renishaw, was elected, alongside 50 others, as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, which advances and promotes excellence in engineering. Professor McFarland, who joined the company in 1994 and was appointed to its board of directors in 2002, is named as an inventor on over 50 patents, and has also, according to Renishaw, “led the development of multiple innovative measurement products for the aerospace and automotive sectors.”

“It is an honour to be elected as a fellow alongside some of the finest minds in the industry. To solve the challenges that will face the economy, environment and medical sector, multidisciplinary engineering teams must come together to develop innovative products and manufacturing solutions, a process I have been fortunate to be a part of during my time at Renishaw,” said Professor McFarland.

McFarland will receive the title Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the postnominal FREng.

HP Inc. to Sell Its 3D Printers in India

Starting in 2018, HP Inc. will begin selling its next-generation Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers in India, as the demand for its MJF technology continues to grow around the world. This announcement comes as the company, which recently announced an expansion of its materials portfolio, continues to seek regions that have opportunities for commercial and industrial 3D printing; HP’s MJF technology is already commercially available in Northa America, Europe, China, and Asia Pacific, among others. HP is currently engaging in discussions with different industry stakeholders in India who want to start 3D printing.

“Initially, the focus will be on sectors like automobile and health care in India but the opportunities are immense,” said Sumeer Chandra, Managing Director, HP Inc. India.

“We will bring our 3D printers in next 2-3 months to India as part of our commitment to contribute to the India growth journey.”

Hexcel to Acquire Part of Oxford Performance Materials

OPM printed Aircraft fitting – Before and After part optimization.

Hexcel Corporation, a leading producer of carbon fiber reinforcements and resin systems, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Aerospace & Defense business of Oxford Performance Materials (OPM), which 3D prints high-performance, qualified thermoplastic parts, reinforced with carbon fiber, for applications in Space and Defense and Commercial Aerospace. Other OPM businesses are not included in the acquisition, which is subject to customary conditions.

“We are excited to add this next-generation technology to our portfolio,” said Hexcel Chairman, CEO, and President Nick Stanage. “In combination with our unique carbon fiber capability, PEKK can provide a range of new technology solutions to our aerospace and defense customers in printed parts as well as assembled structures and broader design solutions.”

The asset acquisition, which is expected to close later this month, includes intellectual property, equipment, and manufacturing process technology related to OPM’s Aerospace & Defense business operations.

FATHOM Offers DfAM Program

In order to promote greater adoption of 3D printing, FATHOM has introduced Design For Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) curriculum, which is available to the general public as a full day program at its headquarters in Oakland. The DfAM course will focus on practical application of 3D printing technology, processes, and materials, based on the company’s approach to solving its customers’ toughest product development and manufacturing challenges. Paid registration is currently still open for the Tuesday, December 12th class, though seating will be limited for this first event. The company will also offer private, on-site DfAM training courses and DfAM consultation services.

FATHOM Applications Engineering Manager Tony Slavik said, “The team created the curriculum for companies with a need for total design freedom and faster speeds in their product development and manufacturing processes—innovative organizations who wanted to know how to effectively apply additive technologies today to push the limits of their capabilities. We’ve expanded the established training program, which aims to help designers and engineers develop a new mindset that lets go of traditional manufacturing constraints.”

Sharebot Introduces New Material

Italian 3D printer manufacturer Sharebot has just introduced a new, strong 3D printing resin for its professional-grade Antares SLA 3D printer. PR-T is a rigid, tough photopolymer, with exceptional compression strength, perfect for parts in the automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods industries that need consistently high resolution and strength. Parts fabricated using PR-T can be printed with 50 μm resolution, and are easy to sand, paint, and machine after printing without being damaged.

In order to acquire its properties, Sharebot’s new PR-T resin does require a wash, dry, and post curing step. Before curing, supports need to be removed from the printed part; then, the part should be washed in isopropylic alcohol and air-dried.

Discuss these stories, and other 3D printing topics, at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.

 

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