3D Printing News: STANLEY+Techstars AM Accelerator, Clariant launches 3D printing materials business, Schaeffler, DMG Mori

Dec 7, 2017 | By Benedict

This 3D printing news roundup is all about industry: Fortune 500 company Stanley Black & Decker has established the STANLEY+Techstars AM Accelerator in collaboration with Techstars, Clariant has launched a 3D printing materials business, and Schaeffler is working with DMG Mori equipment on AM research.

STANLEY+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator taking on 10 3D printing startups

Fortune 500 company Stanley Black & Decker (formerly The Stanley Works), known for its industrial tools, household hardware, and security products, has joined forces with startup accelerator Techstars to create the STANLEY+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator in Hartford, Connecticut. The three-year partnership will see the two companies select 10 additive manufacturing startups to participate in the program’s first year, with a potential 20 more to follow over the following two years.

The first 10 chosen startups, who can apply starting January 2018, will co-locate with Stanley Black & Decker's new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, dubbed “Manufactory 4.0,” in Hartford, and will have access to mentoring and resources from the manufacturing giant. This will allow the startups to grow their ideas into viable businesses and bring new 3D printing technologies to market.

The 23,000-square-foot Manufactory 4.0 facility will employ approximately 50 Industry 4.0 professionals. Hartford was chosen as the ideal place for the new center and 3D printing startup program as it is already home to numerous startups in the industry, while the state of Connecticut played a big role in the first three Industrial Revolutions. Stanley Black & Decker and Techstars now hope it will play a big role in the fourth.

“The STANLEY+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator demonstrates our commitment to this emerging industry, and shows our intent to stay at the forefront of technological change and incorporate innovative and disruptive technologies into our business model,” commented Corbin Walburger, Vice President of Business Development for Stanley Black & Decker.

Besides the new Manufactory 4.0 facility, three of Stanley Black & Decker’s 100 global manufacturing facilities have been converted into “Lighthouse Factories,” equipped with Industry 4.0 tech like 3D printers, VR equipment, and robots.

Clariant announces new 3D printing materials business

Clariant, a leading German chemicals company, is establishing a new 3D printing business to supply “premium and customized” 3D printing filaments. The new business will take advantage of Clariant’s experience with polymers to provide high-grade filaments and specially made solutions.

The chemicals company says one major selling point of its new additive venture will be the ability to provide tailored 3D printing materials in a range of color options—something it can do because of its existing chemical producing infrastructure.

All printing and testing will be carried out in-house at Clariant, while the company’s material, application, and production expertise will help it work with customers on the selection of on polymer, additive, and colorant. These decisions can affect a material’s weather resistance, flame retardancy, and electrical properties.

In addition to custom 3D printing materials for individual customers, Clariant’s new 3D printing business will also offer a range of standard materials, available in flexible lot sizes.

“At Clariant we have all the capabilities to produce high-grade, ready-to-print 3D printer filaments,” commented Richard Haldimann, Head of New Business Development of Clariant. “The existing Clariant production infrastructure provides the 3D printing business with a global footprint to offer desired 3D printer filaments across the world.”

Schaeffler to investigate additive manufacturing material gradation with DMG Mori equipment

In addition to Clariant, another German company has announced an exciting new additive manufacturing project. That company is bearing specialist Schaeffler Technologies, which has entered into a cooperation project with global machine tool manufacturer DMG Mori.

Schaeffler is currently carrying out a range of tests on metals in order to advance the development of 3D printed roller bearing components. The company hopes the research will result in optimized products with greater added value for end users, especially in regard to material gradation.

Since May 2017, Schaeffler has been using a DMG Mori Lasertec 65 3D hybrid machine (3D printing, laser deposition welding, 5-axis milling) to fabricate one-off and small-batch components made from metallic functionally graded materials. While Schaeffler’s research into functionally graded materials predates the arrival of the Lasertec 65, the machine’s ability to offer twin powder feed capabilities means Schaeffler can now experiment with multi-material components.

This means Schaeffler can, for example, combine magnetic and non-magnetic materials, adjusting the mechanical properties for specific applications. One of these applications could be Formula E racing, in which Schaeffler has been active for several years.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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Lukas wrote at 12/9/2017 6:21:59 PM:

Clariant is a Swiss based company.

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