3D Printing News Roundup: GKN, H3D, Sharebot, Fishy Filaments, Tinkerine Studios

Oct 25, 2017 | By David

Here’s another 3D printing news roundup to keep you up to speed with the latest happenings. Stories include Fishy Filaments finding investors, GKN adopting 3D printing methods, and much more besides.

GKN adopts 3D printing methods in Florence

Leading global engineering company GKN has made some serious changes to its operations at the Driveline plant in Florence, Italy. The use of 3D printing technology (courtesy of Stratasys) in the production of tools has been expanded considerably, leading to improved business performance.

GKN Driveline services over 90 per cent of the world’s car manufacturers, including the Fiat Chrysler group as well as Maserati and Ferrari. Stratasys’ 3D printing technology enables the plant to produce specialized assembly tools. This has enabled a 70 per cent reduction in lead times when compared to traditional processes. The company has used a Stratasys Fortus 450 mc Production 3D printer for these tasks.

Two key projects that were recently carried out made some significant changes. The team was able to completely redesign a greasing nozzle, allowing them to eradicate oil spillages, which can be time-consuming to clean up. 3D printing made this process much more straightforward than it would have otherwise been. They also 3D printed a customized end-of-arm tool from high-performance ULTEM 9085 material, for a production line robot that moves components from one place to another.

H3D uses 3D printing to develop gamma ray spectrometer

Specialist imaging company H3D, Inc has recently made use of ProtoLabs 3D printing technology to produce a new line of gamma ray spectrometers. The small company, which was founded at the University of Michigan in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, has had success providing equipment for the defense, nuclear, chemical, and medical industries.

The new radioscope identification device (RIID), known as Apollo, has a number of 3D printed parts made with Proto Labs' PolyJet 3D printing process. With the help of 3D printing, the team was able to experiment with different button sizes and locations for its operator interface panel, as well as combining multiple materials into the design of a single part. About half of the device’s housing was also 3D printed (in ABS).

3D printing company Sharebot welcomes new shareholders

Sharebot is continuing its growth in the 3D printing industry with two new promising partnerships. DMG Digital Enterprises and Dentalica Spa are both teaming up with the company to further its development. German company DMG is a leader in the production of polymerizable resins, and Dentalica is a leading Italian dental company.

Established in 2013, Sharebot is an Italian market leader that provides 3D printing technology including DLP, FDM, and SLS machines. It will now be able to take advantage of the technology and materials offered by these two new shareholders, both of which are specialists in their own right and will benefit financially as well as via association with the dynamic Sharebot brand. Dentalica has developed a complete 3D printing workflow for dentistry, including software, printers, and materials. These, along with DMG’s material portfolio, will now complement Sharebot’s R&D department, to enable future growth and consolidation of its current business and brand.

UK 3D printing materials company Fishy Filaments hooks new investors

Based in the UK coastal region of Cornwall, Fishy Filaments has attracted some serious attention in the 3D printing world for its innovative renewable solution to developing materials for 3D printing processes. The company repurposes used fishing nets and processes them into filament that can be used for 3D printing. Not only does this provide cheap, good quality materials, but it’s also an efficient use of waste from the fishing industry and helps to clean up the local coastal environment.

Founder/CEO Ian Falconer is a graduate of the local Camborne School of Mines, and has worked on North Sea oil rigs. He has now transferred his expertise from the mining industry into the growing 3D printing market, and hopes to revolutionize the disposal of fishing nets, which he sees as inefficient. He aims to process around one tonne of fishing nets this year, followed by seven next year, before ramping up to 15 tonnes of nets by 2019.

So far he has raised £5,000 on the local crowdfunding platform Crowndfunder for initial research and development. Following this, a further £200,000 has been raised from worldwide investors through the Exeter Crowdcube platform.

Tinkerine Studios signs deal with Emily Carr for 3D printing education programs

Emily Carr University of Art and Design has entered into a partnership with TInkerine Studios, which should see the promotion of 3D printing technology in art and design education programs. Emily Carr is one of Canada’s most prestigious art and design institutes, and has over 1,800 students in locations in Vancouver and Prince George, British Columbia.

Tinkerine Studios is a manufacturer of 3D printing technology and software as well as materials. Its products are intended to be accessible and educational, aimed at a growing market for user-friendly, entry-level 3D printing systems. STEAM subjects are its principal focus, and its content includes online training tools as well as educational programs.

This collaboration, which is intended to last from September 2017 to March 2018, will enable 3D printing to be implemented more smoothly and effectively into various art and design courses, promoting creativity as well as technical expertise. It will be carried out at Emily Carr, under the banner of Material Matters.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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