We’ve got news on materials and software in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs. Farsoon is offering biocompatible polymer powder materials for medical 3D printing, and ExOne will optimize its sand 3D printers for use with ceramic foundry sand. Finally, Fusion3 and Create it REAL have developed a new white label slicing software together.
Farsoon Offering Biocompatible Polymer Powder for Medical AM
3D Printed surgical guide for spinal surgery. (Image courtesy of Huaxiang Group)
In 2019, China’s Farsoon Technologies unveiled its Flight Technology for the Flight 252P platform, and this summer released two plastic powders for high-temperature 3D printing with the platform, PA12 based FS3201PA-F powder and FS2300PA-F polyamide powder. But the company also uses its plastic laser sintering technology to create parts out of its FS3300PA polyamide powder for medical applications, such as PPE and orthotic devices. The biocompatible material has great mechanical properties, good chemical stability, and received medical-grade evaluation stating that it’s okay to use for intracutaneous reactivity, irritation, and skin sensitization.
The medical division of the Huaxiang Group has been using FS3300PA material and the Farsoon 403P 3D printer to print medical applications, like surgical and operational tools for short-term skin or mucosal membrane contact. Additionally, service bureau customers who participated in beta testing with the Flight 403P systems have intensely investigated the new biocompatible material, and have found it to have a good balance of strength and durability. Flight Technology is now entering its commercial operation phase.
ExOne Optimizing Sand 3D Printers for Cerabeads
ExOne’s S-Print
The ExOne Company (Nasdaq: XONE) announced an agreement with Japanese ceramic products manufacturer ITOCHU Ceratech Corporation to optimize its sand 3D printing systems to be used with ITOCHU’s premium Naigai Cerabeads, a ceramic foundry sand that’s used to create cores and molds for the metal casting of high-value products, like impellers, cylinder blocks, pumps, and hydraulic valves, in the automotive, construction, mining, and oil and gas industries. Cerabeads are used at over 100 foundries around the world with a variety of metals, including aluminum, iron (gray, ductile), and steels (low-alloy, carbon, stainless), and will be used with sand 3D printing as well.
As part of this new agreement, ExOne will develop and optimize the print process settings of its S-Print, S-Max, and S-Max Pro sand printers so they can be used with Naigai Cerabeads. In addition, ExOne will also offer this material together with its 3D printers as part of an optimized package for its North American customers.
Fusion3 and Create it Real Develop 3D Slicing Software
3D printer manufacturer Fusion3 and Danish company Create it REAL partnered up to develop REACTOR, a new white label 3D slicing software. REACTOR is powered by Create it REAL’s REALvision slicing engine, and is meant to be used with Fusion3’s professional FDM 3D printer line. The software offers customers a commercial software experience with many traditional slicing features, along with several new ones, such as a built-in certified materials list, enhanced print quality, both online and offline activation options, a streamlined interface, and “modifiers,” which make it possible to apply unique settings, like strength and weight, to different sections of a print.
“Fusion3 is focused on delivering affordable, high-performance 3D printers to our commercial and high-end education customers,” said Chip Royce, Fusion3 CEO. “The addition of REACTOR takes our printers’ performance to even higher levels. We are proud of our partnership with Create It REAL, and together will continue to develop a long-term roadmap of software features and capabilities to deliver the best end-to-end professional 3D printing experience.”
REACTOR software is now available to Fusion3 customers as a bundle when they purchase one its F410 3D printers, or a standalone package through the company’s online Replacement Parts Store. In addition, Fusion3 is also offering a free upgrade of the slicing software to original owners of its F400 and F410 printers, though some limitations do apply.