3D Printing News Briefs: March 16, 2018

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick’s Day, so to kick things off on today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’re talking about beer, though it’s not green – Ripples is using 3D printing technology to personalize beer, the same way it’s done for coffee. Moving on, MyMiniFactory has introduced a new feature so users can share their favorite designs as 3D posts on Facebook, and HP software is integrating with Ultimaker Cura. iMakr will distribute industrial EnvisionTEC solutions, and the Kason Corporation has launched a new metal powder recovery system for 3D printing. Finally, Stryker is reporting that over 300 surgeons have successfully implanted its 3D printed interbody fusion cage.

Ripples Introduces Personalized 3D Printed Messages on Beer

We first heard about innovative marketing platform Ripples and its 3D printed coffee art in 2015. Ripples has since improved upon its Ripple Maker, partnering with Match.com and optimizing the device for Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. Now, the company is bringing its 3D printing technology to the bar with Beer Ripples, which quickly adds personalized content onto pints to help brands and venues increase customer engagement. The WiFi-enabled device easily fits on a counter top and uses the company’s malt-based ink, patented 3D printer mechanics, inkjet 3D printing technology, and touchscreen system to transform drinks into experiences. Customers can also use the free Ripples mobile app for iOS or Android to submit their own image for beer 3D printing, or choose one from the company’s content library. Beer Ripples is only available in the US and Canada at the moment, but will soon go global.

“We are excited to unveil Beer Ripples and bring the same personalization to beers as we have over the past two years with coffee customers around the world. We have already served millions of Ripples with customers such as Hilton, Lavazza, Four Seasons, and restaurants and coffee shops around the world,” said Ripples CEO Yossi Meshulam. “Now, venues serving beer from pubs and clubs to hotels and sporting venues can take advantage of the opportunities for engagement, loyalty and emotional connection that Ripples provides.”

MyMiniFactory’s New Facebook Sharing Feature

Top 3D printable object-sharing platform MyMiniFactory has just launched a new feature that allows registered users to share their favorite 3D printable designs as 3D posts on Facebook. This new release makes it the first 3D content sharing platform to integrate a “Share as a Facebook 3D Post” feature, so users that upload objects to MyMiniFactory can directly share their designs as 3D posts. This allows them to show off their own work on social media, or encourage their favorite designers.

The feature allows users to share designs as a render on Facebook, where they can then turn and rotate the object to see it from a 3D perspective. This is an important feature for users without 3D printers to be able to interact with 3D objects in the mainstream market. It also allows designers to demonstrate any internal channels or complex design techniques they’ve added to their work.

HP Connecting Its 3D Scanning Software with Ultimaker

3D printer manufacturer Ultimaker has announced that the 3D scanning software by HP is being connected with its Cura software. This integration will make the workflow to 3D print scans from HP’s Sprout and 3D Structured Light Scanner Pro S3 much easier. Ultimaker has already ensured seamless, easy 3D printing workflows from CAD and PLM systems by integrating with SOLIDWORKS and Siemens NX, among others, so this latest announcement just adds to its list of Cura-supported 3D applications.

“By allowing other parties, such as HP, to integrate Ultimaker Cura in their workflow unlocks a whole range of new possibilities for consumers and professionals to fully make use of 3D printing technology,” said Paul Heiden, Senior Vice President Product Management at Ultimaker. “The integration with HP’s market-leading 3D scanning software really contributes to the adoption of professional desktop 3D printing. We’re very proud to collaborate with HP to offer this for our customers.”

iMakr Partnering with EnvisionTEC

3D printing company iMakr has partnered with professional 3D printer provider EnvisionTEC to distribute its industrial resin 3D printing solutions. iMakr works to provide the proper solutions for both industrial and professional applications, and EnvisionTEC’s wide range of accurate, high performance SLA 3D printers will be an excellent addition for its established customer base.

“We welcome iMakr on board as our latest distributor. We look forward to working closely with them going forward,” said Ben Johnson, UK & Ireland Sales Channel Manager for EnvisionTEC. “Their passion and extensive knowledge of the 3D industry combined with EnvisionTEC’s range of professional grade 3D printers and materials will help bring real solutions to customers across the world.”

Metal Powder Recovery System for 3D Printing

Kason’s 3D-ReKlaimer Metal Powder Recovery System with ultrasonic screening system confirms the quality of used
powders prior to reuse in 3D printers.

Screening and processing equipment provider Kason Corporation has introduced a new dust-tight, automated metal powder recovery system for 3D printers, called the 3D-ReKlaimer, which can reduce waste, prevent contamination, and lower operating costs by recovering and reconditioning used powders to exacting particle sizes. The system is finished in stainless steel for easy cleaning, and optional HEPA filtration and ground resistance monitoring can increase emission containment and operator safety. When equipped with castors, the 3D-ReKlaimer can serve several 3D printing stations at once, and its automated controls make operation easy.

The 3D-ReKlaimer can recover and reclaim metal powders from a variety of 3D printing techniques. It can accept bottles of used powder manually, or through an integral vacuum conveying system that will automatically transfer the powder from the build chamber into a combined filter receiver and hopper above the system’s screening chamber. Its 610 mm diameter VIBROSCREEN vibratory screener will send out multi-plane, inertial vibrations that cause on-size metal powder particles to pass through screen apertures, while oversize particles move across the screen’s surface into a sealed container. A standard Kasonic ultrasonic anti-blinding device will transmit ultrasonic frequencies to the screen, which allows for sifting as fine as 25 µm/500 mesh without screen blinding.

Many Surgeons Using Stryker’s 3D Printed Interbody Fusion Cage

Medical technology company Stryker is reporting that the 3D printed Tritanium C Anterior Cervical Cage, by its Spine division, is rapidly gaining momentum with surgeons. Tritanium is a novel, highly porous titanium material designed specifically for bone in-growth and biological fixation. Since its launch in October, the FDA-approved Tritanium C Anterior Cervical Cage, which is the latest addition to the company’s growing line of 3D printed tritanium spinal implants, has been implanted by 311 surgeons in over 1,770 procedures in the US.

Bradley Paddock, President of Stryker’s Spine Division, said, “As more spine surgeons gain experience using Tritanium cages, they are becoming believers in Tritanium Technology, which is designed to mimic the porosity of cancellous bone. We are thrilled by the positive feedback the Tritanium C Anterior Cervical Cage is receiving from our surgeon customers.”

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