3D Printing News Briefs: January 30, 2020

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we have some business, education, and arts news to share. Thor3D and Quicksurface have announced a partnership, and Croft Additive Manufacturing is getting funding from the Made Smarter Program. Moving on, The Barnes Group Advisors are offering their first open AM training. Finally, a theatre in Bulgaria is using 3D printed decor in one of its productions.

Thor3D Partnering with Quicksurface

A screenshot of Quicksurface software. Streamlined interface provides guidelines for the users.

Handheld 3D scanner provider Thor3D and Quicksurface signed a partnership agreement in order to offer customers a reverse-engineering bundle. Quicksurface, a product of KVS Ltd., was designed specifically to address novices’ difficult reverse engineering needs, and now Thor3D distributors can resell the company’s software, which offers intuitive tools and a streamlined interface, in a bundle with its own Calibry 3D scanner.

“We see a strong trend now as more and more people, who have never been familiar with 3D scanning get into the industry. Although the manufacturers managed to reduce price barrier (and thus make their products affordable), the complexity of technology is another barrier the beginners face when they get into the 3D world,” said Anna Zevelyov, Thor3D CEO. “Together with Quicksurface we offer a great solution for those, who just started their path in 3D industry.”

Croft Manufacturing Adopts New Technologies with Funding Help

UK-based Croft Additive Manufacturing is now the latest of 300 small- to medium-sized manufacturers to receive funding from the Made Smarter program, which is helping SMEs adopt new industrial digital technologies, like AM, robotics, and IIoT, in order to increase growth and productivity. Currently in its first year, the £20M Made Smarter pilot program, which runs until March of 2021, is the UK’s industrial digitalization movement, and is working to boost digital skills in the sector and inspire the next industrial revolution.

“Over the last year the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region,” stated Donna Edwards, Programme Director for the Made Smarter North West pilot.

“We have found a great enthusiasm about the benefits of adopting new digital technology tempered by uncertainty of how to go about it.

“It’s clear that the SMEs need the specialist advice and insight to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits.

“This is exactly how Made Smarter can and is helping businesses across the region.”

TBGA Announces First Open AM Training

For the first time, The Barnes Group Advisors (TBGA) is offering its AM Certificate in an open enrollment format, instead of directly to manufacturers. The Activate AM Training, sponsored by Neighborhood 91 and taught by engineers with real-world production experience, is for professionals looking to upskill their AM knowledge. Participants will learn to understand all critical aspects of AM, and later apply their new knowledge to a team-based exercise to develop a business case for AM adoption in order to earn the TBGA Activate AM Certificate. The training is successful, as it’s generated a 40:1 return on investment for past learners in company savings through the use of AM.

“Our AM Training has successfully reached big groups of learners at large manufacturers and identified more than $3M worth of AM savings,” said TBGA Founder and Managing Director John Barnes. “Now we want to also reach the small to medium size business that needs to upskill 1 to 5 people.”

Earn your AM Certificate from TBGA at Mill 91 in Pittsburgh February 11-13.

3D Printed Scenery at Bulgarian Theatre

The Musical Theater in Sofia, Bulgaria is using 3D printed decor for the first time in its latest production, “The Bat,” a classic dance operetta about love and jealousy. Set design Ivan Slavov wanted to create scenery that would be contemporary, but also able to used multiple times over a long period of time. He reached out to 3DBGPrint for a consultation, and together they decided to move forward with the project.

Work began in August, so that everything would be completed in time for the October premiere. The 3DBGPrint team used ten 3DGence Double P255 professional 3D printers, which feature dual extruders, to make 200 3D printed pieces of set decor out of Fllamentum Gold material. They completed the project, and all necessary post-processing, on time, and the show is currently running in Sofia.

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