We’ve got a little business for you today in the first edition of 3D Printing News Briefs this October, followed by some examples of the seemingly endless applications for 3D printing. Manufacturing equipment provider Metal Fish LLC has undergone rebranding with a new name and logo, and a European gas company suggests the use of its abrasive, CO2 snow particle-based material for metal 3D print surface cleaning. After acquiring a Concept Laser M2 Cusing metal 3D printing system last year, AFIT explains what it’s doing with metal 3D printing these days, and Skyrora is gearing up to test its 3D printed rocket engines. Moving from the defense and aerospace world to the fashion one, a Japanese designer has launched a high tech fashion label that includes 3D printed shoes, and Julia Daviy gives us a closer look at her 3D printed, sustainable Pure Nature suit.
Metal Fish LLC Rebranding
“I’ve been poking around the North East US, explaining what “Metal Fish” was supposed to stand for since 2016,” explained Will Shambley, the company’s Owner and President. “And, while it was fun to say “fishing from foundry to foundry,” it didn’t necessarily reflect the focus and admiration that I have for this industry. (Also, nobody accidentally searches for Metal Fish, so google wasn’t helping me out.)
“So whether you met me at Z Corp, Viridis3D, as “The Metal Fish” or somewhere else, here’s the re-branding announcement, an updated logo, web page with new content, and lots of continued enthusiasm about new technologies to help make American foundries more competitive.”
Use AGA’s Cryonclean Snow for Metal 3D Printed Part Surface Cleaning
The solution comes with a dedicated CO2 blasting cabinet, which propels the material under high pressure at the surface of 3D printed components. The jet then permeates cracks, and lifts any contaminants clean off the surface. Watch the video to learn more:
Metal 3D Printing at AFIT
“We’ve produced bars for testing, vibrational testing,” said Captain Andrew Lingenfelter, an Assistant Professor at AFIT. “We’ve also produced complex lattice structures, energy absorption structures, and we’ve also done research into different types of penetrating type warheads printed with additive manufacturing.”
Students in AFIT’s Aircraft Survivability course also use the technology.
Skyrora to Test 3D Printed Rocket Engine
Edinburgh-based space company Skyrora is working to help cut down on the increasing backlog of un-launched small satellites. Recently, the manufacturer unveiled the three 3D printed engine parts for its own rocket engine, which it is preparing to test before the end of the year. The engine design offers 30kN of thrust at sea level, and will be used for the Skyrora One launcher. The engine’s chamber, injector head, and nozzle were all 3D printed out of the Inconel nickel alloy using powder bed technology. According to Skyrora’s lead engineer Robin Hague, 3D printing is a “perfect fit” for the company, as it allows for the creation of more complex structures.
Hague explained, “The ability to print the complex shape of the engine and also reduce the part count… means we can make our engine quickly and cost effectively.
“Engines typically have double walls, and one propellant is pumped through that double wall to keep the chamber cool. With additive manufacturing, you can make that wall in one piece – printing the double wall and printing the gap for the propellant in one go.”
Fashion Designer Making 3D Printed Shoes
Sakabe said, “To create new, the industry should come up with fresh ideas and innovative materials, not just designs.”
Julia Daviy’s 3D Printed Pure Nature Suit
Ecologist, clean technology industry manager, and fashion designer Julia Daviy is creating a new kind of biodegradable fashion out of 3D printed plastic. She believes that 3D printing may replace traditional textiles someday, and that the technology can be used to solve worldwide problems like animal exploitation.
Not long ago, Daviy released the first 3D printed fashion collection in the US that consists of clothing made with large-format 3D printing, as well as pieces that are considered to be functional and wearable. Last week, she published a video to her YouTube channel giving us a closer look at the Pure Nature Suit, one of the sustainable, 3D printed pieces in her recent collection. The top and skirt, made with the popular Voronoi pattern, are both super flexible since the lining was made out of eco-friendly fabric from recycled fishing nets.
Take a closer look at the white and neon green 3D printed Pure Nature Suit in the video below:
Discuss these stories and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.