There are more than 85,000 commercial options for plastic materials listed in materials databases, and within those, there are 45 polymer families which can be broadly classified into two categories: thermosets and thermoplastics. Proto Labs … [Read more...] about Selecting the right materials for your parts
Packaging
Creating the right packaging with 3D printing
For packaging applications, form, fit and function are crucial to customer satisfaction. 3D printing, with paper as the material, delivers all three requirements. Edited By Michael Jermann Packaging design is a competitive business, and before … [Read more...] about Creating the right packaging with 3D printing
Innovations and developments in 3D Printers
By: Todd Grimm, President of T. A. Grimm & Associates, Inc. It is the eve of EuroMold 2013, which means that many new 3D printing product announcements will be coming. This annual event has become the launch venue for the 3D printing industry, … [Read more...] about Innovations and developments in 3D Printers
NAMII developing a National Additive Manufacturing Roadmap
NAMII, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, awarded on August 2012, and driven by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), had an interesting booth at the 2013 RAPID Conference and Exposition, at the … [Read more...] about NAMII developing a National Additive Manufacturing Roadmap
Wohlers 2013 report identifies trends in 3D printing and additive manufacturing
Wohlers Associates, Inc. announced the release of the Wohlers Report 2013, the company’s annual in-depth analysis of additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing worldwide. The report reveals trends that suggest the U.S. may be losing its competitive … [Read more...] about Wohlers 2013 report identifies trends in 3D printing and additive manufacturing
A brief review of the 3D printers of 2012
The avalanche of popular news stories has propelled 3D printing into the minds of consumers. However, the major manufacturers of 3D printers have released a number of systems for professional uses. Here’s a quick look at what became available this … [Read more...] about A brief review of the 3D printers of 2012
More 3D printing materials for Objet
16 new rigid/rubber-like composites for seals and electronic applications bring the full Objet range to 123 materials. Objet Ltd., an innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, announced the release of a … [Read more...] about More 3D printing materials for Objet
AMUG recognizes 3D printer/AM experts
The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) is not the same conference it was last year, or even a few years ago. This is the conference you want to attend if you want to learn more about operating, using, exploring, specifying, or justifying the … [Read more...] about AMUG recognizes 3D printer/AM experts
Tips on selecting 3D printers
This feature is part of a series of features for the 2011 Make Parts Fast Handbook. A 3D printer can be used to analyze form, fit, feel, function, or some combination of these features. But it can do more. Today’s printers also function as … [Read more...] about Tips on selecting 3D printers
Fused Deposition Modeling and Material Advances
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology was developed by S. Scott Crump in the late 1980s and was commercialized in 1990. The build material is usually a filament or wire of thermoplastic material but can also be plastic pellets fed from a hopper. … [Read more...] about Fused Deposition Modeling and Material Advances