3D Printing News Unpeeled: Impossible Objects, Soft Tissue Bitmaps and Aerorise
Weber University’s Miller Advanced Research and Solutions Center (MARS Center) has bought an Impossible Objects Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing system the CBAM-2. It is now reportedly using the system to make upgrades to spare parts. This is something I’m super excited about the idea of not only replacing old spare parts but improving on them as well using 3D printing. It is helping the Air Force on making restraining straps for first aid kits. These were first made in the 70´s and 80´s but were breaking because newer first aid kids are heavier. Now they used PEEK CF parts made on Impossible Objects machine to replace them. I think that potentially there is an aftermarket for everything in the world and think that this is a great example of this.
In the paper, “Defining Soft Tissue: Bitmap Printing of Soft Tissue for Surgical Planning” by Robert MacCurdy and team the CU Boulder and CU Anschutz Medical Campus researchers of the University of Colorado have shown us how to make a six material bitmap based on a DICOM file. Using their own software the team now have a more accurate representation of the human body by defining it as a bitmap that maps voxels. This is great news for Stratasys for example whose J750 printers can take advantage of this through giving a more accurate 3D printed representation of soft tissue. The files now have better “spatial and contrast resolution to current 3D modeling methods, and contain previously unachievable spatial fidelity for soft tissue differentiation.”
So why don’t we do the same for Jack Wolfskin Aerorise backpacks? You can now buy these packs with four 3D printed back pads. They’re printed by Oechsler on Carbon systems using Carbon’s dual-cure elastomer EPU 41. They have lattices which have different hardness, softness and rigidity on different areas of the pad. This helps the pad give better cushioning and ventilation at the same time. But, what if we could combine Carbon’s ParaMatters software with Twikit or Trinkle and then have a voxel level mass customized lattice structure giving you a unique set of pads with unique properties for just you. So not just the size of them but the individual levels and areas of rigidity and softness especially and uniquely just for you. What if we then do this for shoes, headrests and tennis racket handles? Would be great right?
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
3D Printing News Briefs, June 13, 2026: Management Changes, Project Calls, & Wheelchairs
We’ll kick this weekend’s 3D Printing News Briefs off with some advisory board and management changes, and then move on to project call news. We’ll end with some heartwarming stories...
Researchers Combine AI and Bioprinting to Create Tiny Blood Vessel Networks
If 2026 has a theme in bioprinting, it may be blood vessels. Researchers can already print incredibly sophisticated tissues. The harder part is keeping those tissues alive. Without a network...
University of Arkansas Researchers Test Metal 3D Printing in a Mars-Like Atmosphere
If humans eventually establish a long-term presence on Mars, they will face a major manufacturing challenge almost immediately. Tools will break. Parts will wear out. Equipment will need repairs. But...
UT Researchers Use 3D Printing to Develop “Tabletop EUV Lithography” Process
Photolithography, the semiconductor manufacturing process whereby lasers transfer patterns onto chemical layers coating a substrate, is one of the most amazing industrial processes humanity has ever created. It is also...
