Sep 29, 2017 | By David

Here’s another 3D printing news roundup, in case anything passed you by recently. The latest developments include a new resin 3D printer, a 3D printed jewellery collection, and much more besides.

1. Airwolf 3D offers new 3D printer Trade-In program

3D printer manufacture Airwolf 3D has launched a new service that is geared towards helping its existing customers to get the most out of 3D printing, without having to break the bank. The 3D printer Trade-In program will enable an older, more basic 3D printer to be part-traded for a newer model, the AXIOM. This means that customers will stay up-to-date without having to continually reinvest as the technology matures.

High-performance engineering materials such as polycarbonate are now just as easy to print with as PLA filament is, provided customers have the right 3D printer. The AXIOM, released back in 2014, was the first commercial desktop machine compatible with polycarbonate. This progress happened a lot faster than many could have predicted, which is partly what is inspiring Airwolf 3D’s new scheme. It will be particularly helpful for schools, many of which tried to save money by incorporating lower-cost 3D printers into their classrooms before learning that their printer was not robust enough for more advanced educational use, such as for robotics programs, STEM competitions, and other engineering design projects

We're hearing this feedback over and over again," said Airwolf 3D Co-Founder/CTO Erick Wolf. "Customers are coming to us because they want the advanced functionality of our 3D printers -- namely the ability to easily print 'difficult' materials like high-temperature polycarbonate and polypropylene or flexible materials like TPE and TPU. The problem is they'd like to buy our printers, but feel stuck with another brand of printer that just doesn't cut it when it comes to more demanding applications. The 3D Printer Trade-In Program is our way of investing in a long-term relationship with these customers by helping them add a high-performance 3D printer to their workflow immediately."

2. Affordable Minifab resin 3D printer project crowdfunded on  Kickstarter

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched for a new resin 3D printer that should be significantly more affordable than other similar items on the market. The Minifab was developed by a San Jose-based startup of the same name, and it offers excellent print quality as well as a proprietary range of resins. These were developed with professionals, and they cover different levels of strength from high-strength to soft. The Minifab cures with 405nm light, which is a wavelength that makes it compatible with many other third party resins.

The cheapest price that the 3D printer is available for is $499. This pledge will get you a Minifab as well as 500ml of the basic, black resin. So far $4,460 of the $60,000 goal has been raised, and there are 43 days left of the campaign.

3. Kickstarter campaign launched for 'Encode Ring' 3D printed from a waveform

A one-of-a-kind new wearable product has recently been launched on Kickstarter. It’s Encode Ring, a 3D printed ring, whose shape is a reproduction of the waveform of a customer’s voice. This innovative 3D printing project could work equally well as a novelty item or a personalized gift for a friend or loved one. It would be a unique way to propose to a partner, and even a recording of a dog’s voice can be used.

The start-up developed a proprietary system that can take any voice recording and automatically transform it into a 3D model, with the exact same shape as the original waveform. This 3D design is then sent to be 3D printed, using the Selective Laser Sintering technique. This is used as a mold for the ring, which can be ordered in Rhodium, 14K Gold, 10K Pink Gold plate, 18K yellow gold, platinum, or Black plate.

Rhodium is the cheapest material, with a pledge of 10, 000 Yen and upwards getting you a Rhodium ring. The Platinum is available for a pledge of 129, 600 Yen or more. So far 40, 000 yen has been pledged of the 200, 000 goal, with 14 days to go.

4. Cooksongold and Boltenstern announced 3D printed jewellery collaboration

Cooksongold and Boltenstern are collaborating on a new 3D printed jewellery collection, to be 3D printed directly in precious metal. The pieces will be produced with an EOS Precious M080 3D printer, which is specifically designed for direct 3D printing of precious metal. Cooksongold will be bringing the 3D printing metal expertise, realizing Boltenstern’s innovative 3D designs.

‘'Jewellery is architecture in its smallest form. It is only by thinking in multiple dimensions that we can create pieces that are incredibly complex, yet desirably simple.'’ states Marie Boltenstern, Head of Design at BOLTENSTERN. ''The Embrace collection embodies precious materials embracing colourful joy. The key element of the collection is a gemstone, woven into a fine structure of precious metal. The fragile cage protects the inner beauty of the tender and unique gemstone. For me as a designer, Embrace reflects the modern woman with her shining inner strength.’

Boltenstern has a background in architecture with a particular focus on computational design. She is capable of building algorithms and generating unique 3D shapes, which should lead to jewellery collections of never-before-seen complexity.

5. University of Sheffield contributes to new 3D printing center in Oman

A cutting-edge engineering research facility is to be established soon in Oman, and the project has received some major support from the University of Sheffield, UK. A team from the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have spent the past two years working with colleagues from Sohar University in Oman, aiming to set up advanced manufacturing in the new facility.

The facility is due to open in 2018, and it will be the country’s first to combine advanced machining, specialist assembly, material development, optimised design, rapid prototyping and engineering testing. The focus will be on the strategic development of the supply chains of the aluminium, steel, composites and polymer industries.

Phase one of the project is going to be focused on advanced manufacturing to support industrial innovations, along with manufacturing tools that willl support small and medium-sized enterprises. Following this, phase two will involve private sector investments and create a new industrial hub in the region. The facility is hoping that foreign direct investment from major global manufacturers will be forthcoming, supporting the Designed and Made in Oman brand.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printer Company

 

 

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I.AM.Magic wrote at 10/2/2017 9:00:12 AM:

No links for all the stories ? :(



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