We’re all business today in 3D Printing News Briefs, covering stories about everything from investments, grants, and executives to awards and new machines. SCRA announced an investment in 3D prosthetics company Extremiti3D by its entrepreneurial SC Launch, Inc. program, and Roush made a major investment in metal additive manufacturing. A prominent member of the adidas Executive Board has joined the Board of Directors at Carbon, and engineering company GKN is rejecting a hostile takeover bid by Melrose. Penn State awarded one of four research grants to a 3D printing project, while the director and co-founder of byFlow has received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Rösler Benelux is rolling out a new post-processing machine. Additionally, a new book for 3D printing beginners in the entertainment industry was just published.
SC Launch, Inc. Finalizes Investment in Extremiti3D
“We are excited to have received this investment from SC Launch, Inc.,” said Barry Hand, Co-Founder and CEO of Extremiti3D. “The $200,000 investment will be used to help fund ongoing product development, workflow process improvements and to execute our sales and marketing tactics to grow the business and create new jobs.”
Roush Invests in Metal 3D Printing with Purchase of Xline 2000R
Dean Massab, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Roush Enterprises, said, “During the past year, Roush has invested millions of dollars in new additive manufacturing equipment to expand our reach into more industries. Investing in the latest additive manufacturing technology continues our commitment to innovative, high-performance solutions — from concept maturation and optimization, all the way through to hardware integration and development.”
Executive Board Member from adidas Joins Carbon Board of Directors
On the same day of adidas’ commercial release of its partially 3D printed Futurecraft 4D shoes, the premium footwear manufacturer had more exciting news to share. Carbon, a major adidas partner, announced that it has appointed Eric Liedtke, an adidas AG Executive Board Member – Global Brands, to its own Board of Directors. Liedtke has worked at adidas for over 15 years, and held multiple senior management positions in brand communications and product marketing at adidas America before being appointed CMO of Global Brands since 2014.
“I am excited and honored to join the Carbon Board, and look forward to contributing to the company’s vision to fundamentally change how the world designs, engineers, makes and delivers customized products at scale. The unparalleled work we’ve done together to make FUTURECRAFT 4D a reality is a proven example of the vital role digital 3D Manufacturing can play in opening up endless opportunities and creativity in the future,” Liedtke said.
GKN Rejects Melrose Hostile Takeover Bid
Melrose believes that it would be able to offer GKN shareholders far greater benefits than GKN itself can, and hopes to “re-energise and repurpose GKN’s operations.” The company has faced some criticism of its cash-and-shares offer, but pointed out that sharply rising shares in both companies this week show that its bid does have merit. According to a statement, GKN’s new management is “currently undertaking a series of shareholder meetings to explain why GKN’s current owners should retain 100% of the benefits of the upside potential in GKN, rather than handing 43% to Melrose’s management and shareholders.”
Penn State 3D Printing Project Receives Research Grant
“The four awardee teams stood out for the novelty and potential impact of their proposed research. The funded work will contribute to composite mechanics, big data analytics, additive manufacturing, and health — mirroring the breadth of research excellence in our College,” said Chris Rahn, Associate Dean for Innovation in the College of Engineering.
“The four awardee teams should feel proud that their proposals rose to the top of a very competitive pool. I look forward to seeing the results from their seed grant research.”
The additive manufacturing project selected for seed grant funding is titled “High Precision In-Situ Testing to Improve Advanced Manufacturing,” and was submitted by Guha Manogharan, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering and industrial and manufacturing engineering, and Saurabh Basu, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering.
byFlow CEO Wins Techionista Award for Entrepreneur of the Year
Techionista is committed to empowering women through technology, and yesterday hosted the very first Techionista Awards at a party in Amsterdam; the shortlist of award winners was announced in December. A professional jury decided on the winners, in categories like Tech Talent, Tech Inspirator, Tech Leader, and Tech Entrepreneur. Five talented and enterprising tech women in the Netherlands were awarded, including Nina Hoff, the CEO, director, and co-founder of Dutch 3D printer manufacturer byFlow, which has sold over 100 3D food printers.
Hoff received the Techionista Award for Entrepreneur of the Year. According to the Techionista Awards website, a Tech Entrepreneur is “a techionista who, as an entrepreneur with guts and passion, successfully pursues her dreams in the world of technology.” As byFlow successfully brought its portable Focus 3D printer to market even without reaching its Kickstarter funding goal, and is currently working with chocolate company Callebaut to develop a high-quality 3D chocolate printer, I’d say the description is more than fitting. Congratulations to Nina Hoff!
Rösler Benelux Introduces New RapidFinish Post-Processing Machines
To see the new RapidFinish machine for yourself, visit the company at the upcoming TechniShow in Utrecht, which begins on March 20th. Rösler Benelux BV will be located in Hall 8, at Stand 088.
New 3D Printing Book Published
McMills told 3DPrint.com, “The book focuses on a basic how-to for beginners and case studies on how it is being used in the entertainment arts — things like theatre, tv/film, museums, puppetry, etc.”
The beginner’s guide outlines 3D printing basics, along with the technology’s many uses in entertainment design. It offers easy-to-read, straightforward information, showing readers how to create and acquire 3D printable models, and offering tips on how to produce successful 3D prints. Over 70 professionals contributed guidance, case studies, and images for the book, which is now available for purchase.
Discuss these and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.