3D Printing News Briefs: March 20, 2018

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For today’s edition of 3D Printing News Briefs, which falls on the first day of spring (though it doesn’t feel like it here), we’ve got lots of software and material news to tell you about. Onshape is introducing Design Data Management 2.0, and ZW3D is donating its flagship software product to the University of Pécs. PyroGenesis Additive is now offering tungsten-free metal powders, and FILOALFA is introducing a new high-performance filament, while Henkel is going all in with 3D printing materials. TÜV NORD will test and certify processes for 3D printing, and HMS Industries will be using the Rize One 3D printer to create functional tooling.

Onshape Launching Design Data Management 2.0

Popular CAD platform Onshape recently introduced two new Integrated Cloud apps, and is now launching Design Data Management 2.0, to give engineers a totally different way to manage their design data. This new approach gets rid of the issues of old file-based data management, and introduces new possibilities like virtual documents, secure cloud workspaces, and instant collaboration.

According to an Onshape blog post by Onshape CEO and Co-Founder Jon Hirschtick, “For years we have been hearing from users about the pain and hassle of old CAD and PDM systems. Prospects often come to us suffering from a malady we call ‘design gridlock.’

“Some engineers have told us that significant portions of their daily work time is consumed with design gridlock chaos and nonsense like searching for files, comparing files, copying files, sending/receiving files, waiting on files, fixing blown up assemblies, and so on.”

Design Data Management 2.0 has new features, like Simultaneous Bill of Materials and Release Management & Approval Workflow, which help Onshape customers put out their best work, without being bogged down by files.

ZW3D Donating Flagship Product to University in Hungary

Chinese CAD/CAM solutions supplier ZW3D announced that it has donated its flagship product, ZW3D 2018, to the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. The university’s recently formed 3D printing facility, 3D Project Group (PTE3D), will use ZW3D 2018, which offers an easy to use reverse engineering module and powerful design tools for developing 3D medical engineering models of things like teeth, bone, and silicon molds for rehabilitation equipment. ZW3D helps students see the real world applications of their work.

“Many thanks to the ZW3D team and their timely local service. Since we later will have pure milling machines, 2-axis turning and 2-3-axis milling of ZW3D CAM will be important. Their continuous support will be very useful,” said Mendler János, Mechanical Engineer of 3D Project Group.

PyroGenesis Additive Offers Metal Powders Without Tungsten

Last summer, Montreal clean tech company PyroGenesis, which develops and manufactures advanced plasma processes, launched its new 3D printing-centric division, called PyroGenesis Additive, which produces titanium powders and Inconel material. In June, the spin-off said it would be able to offer a tungsten-free product by the end of the year, and this promise has now come to fruition. PyroGenesis, which invented plasma atomization, announced this week that PyroGenesis Additive is now producing titanium powders with no tungsten inclusion, which is a highly sought-after innovation in the medical and aerospace industries as tungsten can cause cracks that can lead to catastrophic failures.

“We know of no other plasma atomization process (using DC torches) which uses tungsten free nozzles. Plasma torches with tungsten nozzles are at high risk of having tungsten inclusions in their powders. We no longer have that risk. This is a significant development in powder production,” said P. Peter Pascali, the CEO and President of PyroGenesis. “What is noteworthy is that within a few short months of having been made aware of this problem, by significant players in the industry, PyroGenesis was able to find an answer. This not only underscores PyroGenesis’ ability to quickly find solutions to complex issues, but how these solutions can lead to economically valuable alternatives, and open the door to addressing this need with potential clients.”

FILOALFA Introducing THERMEC ZED 3D Printing Filament

Filament manufacturer and brand FILOALFA, which was established by Ciceri de Mondel back in 2014, is introducing a new high performance 3D printing material, called THERMEC ZED. The thermoplastic, which has excellent mechanical properties, is the result of a recent collaboration between DOMO Engineering Plastics and Ciceri de Mondel. It’s flame retardant, with a very high chemical inertia, and guarantees excellent adhesion between 3D printed layers. THERMEC ZED is a suitable alternative to PEEK, and ensures fast cycle times and minimal shrinkage and prevents delamination during 3D printing.

“Looking forward to bring to the market new materials and new filaments for 3D printing with unique properties, specially designed for industrial applications. We strongly value the strategic cooperation with DOMO Engineering Plastics which brought to the development of THERMEC ZED by FILOALFA,” said Antonio Berera, the R&D Manager of Ciceri de Mondel. “The filament immediately found an outstanding application in the production of customized hulls for an innovative electric motorcycles producer. THERMEC ZED is an extremely resilient material, with excellent dimensional stability, sandable and paintable. The result obtained in terms of aesthetics is astonishing.”

The material will be officially launched at this month’s Mecspe 2018 in Italy, and is currently available for purchase, being distributed by Ciceri de Mondel.

Henkel Introducing Novel 3D Printing Material Solutions

Founded nearly 150 years ago, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a division of multinational corporation Henkel, is not new to the 3D printing industry. The company offers its customers comprehensive services and equipment knowledge, along with tailor-made materials, for 3D printing solutions, and is expanding its strategic partnerships with global technology leaders to make its ecosystem even stronger. The company has developed, and is now introducing, novel materials for industrial manufacturing that have been customized for a variety of 3D printing technologies and processes.

We believe that the full potential of additive manufacturing will come by identifying the right customer application and focusing the right materials, with the right printing process and leveraging the right software. We have therefore partnered with strong technology leaders such as Carbon and HP, which already have developed exciting technologies for 3D Printing solutions,” said Philipp Loosen, Head of 3D Printing at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “These collaborations enable us to leverage our broad materials know-how and customer access to develop new solutions for the industrial manufacturing.”

TÜV NORD Working to Test and Certify 3D Printing Processes

Germany-based TÜV NORD will be the first technological services provider to offer testing and certification services for 3D printing processes around the world. It’s using the SAP Distributed Manufacturing cloud application, which helps manufacturers and AM suppliers collaborate. 3D printed components manufacturers will be offered a quality management certification – TÜV NORD is currently offering ISO 9001, EN 9100 and IATF 16949 certifications, with more certifications specific to 3D printing to follow.

“Additive manufacturing is still a relatively new topic for many companies, particularly SMEs, but offers enormous potential for prototypes and small series, special tools and spare parts. For customers in the industry, it’s very important that the manufactured components are of consistently high quality to be safely and reliably used,” explained Ulf Theike, the General Manager of TÜV NORD Systems. “That’s why companies that are as still new to the sector use the certification of their quality management to prove dependable processes.”

HMS Industries Using Rize One 3D Printer

Custom metal stamping and industrial tooling manufacturer HMS Industries, Inc. has chosen to use the hybrid Rize One 3D printer, from Boston-based 3D printing company Rize Inc., to manufacture functional tooling, like jigs and fixtures, for holding parts in machines during important CMM quality inspections. HMS needed an affordable, quick way to produce strong jigs and fixtures onsite that could secure parts during production so they will be consistent, and consulted with Rize reseller Cimquest Inc. to find the best one. HMS chose the Rize One to deliver custom and replacement tooling on demand for its ease of use, isotropic part strength, low cost, and essentially zero post-processing; the company also uses Rize’s 3D printed marking capability to indicate on the part where it should be placed.

Andy Kalambi, President and CEO of Rize, said, “We are delighted that HMS Industries is leveraging Rize’s unique user experience to rapidly transform their production process and redefine how they engage with their customers. We purpose built Rize One with an appliance user experience to bring simplicity, safety and speed to industrial 3D printing and HMS Industries, a first time 3D printing user, has demonstrated its value beyond doubt.”

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

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