Get ready, we have a lot of news to share with you in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, running the gamut from metal powder 3D printing and new software to education and a game response to the terrifying possibility of nuclear war. The winners of the 3D Pioneers Challenge have been announced, and Huisman is teaming up with RAMLAB to initiate a consortium to make the world’s heaviest 3D printed steel crane hook, while Aurora Labs has produced the first powder made with its PPU prototype. Gradientspace just released its new Cotangent software, GE Additive has provided an update on its education program, and Wohlers Associates will soon be hosting a DfAM course in the mountains of Colorado. Nano Dimension is now a certified vendor for the US Department of Defense, while Concurrent Technologies Corporation has won an Army Research Lab contract to conduct cold spray 3D printing research. Finally, Liberty Games has commemorated the historical meeting between the leaders of the US and North Korea with a 3D printed game.
3D Pioneers Challenge 2018 Winners Announced
“This was the strongest “3D Pioneers Challenge” since its start,” said 3D Pioneers Challenge organizers Simone and Christoph Völcker. “We are happy that renowned universities and institutes like the UDK Berlin, the MIT, Harvard or the UCL Bartlett as well as big players of design and industry submitted so many world class projects – from architecture, to design and fashion up to material, sustainability and software. We feel the vibes of which possibilities appear through additive manufacturing and which big steps are done in its development.”
You can check out the full list of winners here.
3D Printed Steel Crane Hook Consortium
WAAM technology will be used to make the 1 x 1 meter hook hollow, which will save on lead time and material usage. The hook, weighing nearly 1,000 kg, will have a SWL of 325 mt. Three of the top classification societies – ABS, DNV GL, and Bureau Veritas – have joined the consortium, which will give the 3D printed offshore crane hook triple certification and help advance the common guidelines and rules for 3D printed products in the maritime and offshore industry. The consortium is rounded out by Autodesk and voestalpine Böhler Welding, which will provide materials expertise and feed stock to the project.
First Powder Produced From Aurora Labs’ PPU Prototype
“The result for producing our first powder is an outstanding achievement for the Company. The process of going from concept through to patenting and production of a product is at times an arduous one, but the team has worked extremely hard, determined to achieve this outcome,” said David Budge, the Managing Director of Aurora Labs.
“Seeing a result where we have produced high-quality spherical powder where almost all of the powder produced is within a very narrow size range is a remarkable result and one that the Company and its staff can be proud of.
“This development opens up significant new opportunities for the Company. We hope that this result will pave the way for Aurora Labs to become a global player in a highly compelling industry.”
Gradientspace Releases New Cotangent Software
The software also has useful workflow features, like an Autorepair tool, smarter slicing, and temporary crop regions, which give users the ability to treat imported objects like support volumes. Cotangent also includes novel Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) features, such as being able to set printing tolerances and clearances without having to modify part geometry. The software is currently available for free download during the company’s open beta period.
Update on GE Additive Education Program
“Additive’s time is now. It is already transforming how we design, engineer and manufacture complex and everyday items,” said Jason Oliver, the President and CEO of GE Additive. “But we have to keep an eye on the future and ensure we have enough engineers, coders and materials scientists coming through the education system to fulfill the potential of additive manufacturing.”
Wohlers Associates Hosting DfAM Course
“To stay competitive with AM, it is critical to give DfAM the time and effort it deserves. Neglecting the importance of DfAM is a mistake that most organizations will not want to make,” said Terry Wohlers, the President and Principal Consultant of Wohlers Associates.
Nano Dimension Is A Certified US Department of Defense Vendor
“Receiving a CAGE code is a critical step in affirming Nano Dimension’s position in the United States,” said Nano Dimension’s CEO Amit Dror. “Now, as a recognized U.S. government additive manufacturing supplier for defense projects, our DragonFly 2020 Pro 3D printer may play a crucial role in projects such as keeping risks down and solving complex design challenges, while speeding the R&D process up significantly. We also are pleased to expand our relationship with our existing customers, and open the door to more and more companies who will embrace our 3D printed electronics technology, materials and software, so they can benefit from significant time and cost savings over traditional prototyping processes, to meet rapidly changing demands from defense contractors.”
Concurrent Technologies Corporation Wins Contracts
“Both of these efforts will leverage technologies that are at the core of our engineering R&D expertise. We are particularly gratified that these projects will apply our capabilities and experience to a new client base for us, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC), which is managing the tactical shelter project. NSRDEC is a leader in Warfighter science and technology development,” said Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., the President and CEO of CTC.
3D Printed Nuclear Foosball
Stuart Kerr, with Liberty Games’ Content Team, told 3DPrint.com, “Perhaps the hardest part of the whole project was trying various shades of orange (from ‘Satsuma’ to ‘Dayglo’) to find the correct tone for Trump…”
The company has also extended a friendly invitation to both President Trump and Kim Jong-Un to come play the game together.
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