Lasers are a common way to additively build objects out of metal, but it is not the only additive option. Electron beam technology also delivers dense metal parts. Here’s a closer look at the Arcam electron beam process. Bruce Bradshaw The buzz … [Read more...] about Melting metal with high energy
Powder Bed Fusion
Metal additive manufacturing enables lean, green heat exchanger
The University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) sums up its quest to deliver innovative approaches to energy conversion in two words: lean and green. CEEE is working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop the … [Read more...] about Metal additive manufacturing enables lean, green heat exchanger
Here come the laser sintering additive machines for plastics
News of growth in additive manufacturing continues. According to Prodways, the size of the plastic laser sintering market is comparable to that of the vat photopolymerization market, which allows the company to cover the majority of industrial … [Read more...] about Here come the laser sintering additive machines for plastics
3D printing builds nose tip for a supersonic car
Members of the BLOODHOUND supersonic car project and Renishaw have collaborated to produce a prototype for a critical component of the Supersonic Car. BLOODHOUND’s aim is not only to break the sound barrier but also to be the first land vehicle to … [Read more...] about 3D printing builds nose tip for a supersonic car
3d Printed Skateboard Design Challenge
The skateboard has provided hours of fun for many. The design is fairly efficient for its purpose, sleek and slightly curvy for comfortable foot placement and gliding properties. But the skateboard has not undergone significant redesign since its … [Read more...] about 3d Printed Skateboard Design Challenge
Tips for using 3D printing in medical applications
Design for the human body is growing. And patient-specific is the latest trend for medical devices. Fueling and perhaps even driving this trend are 3D printers, with their ability to affordably handle custom, patient-specific designs. In a recent … [Read more...] about Tips for using 3D printing in medical applications
Printing prosthetics and guiding a surgeon’s knife
3D printers have found homes in hospitals and healthcare facilities by printing custom fit and durable prosthetics along with models of organs displaying tumors that will improve surgical outcomes. The technology known as 3D printing is set to … [Read more...] about Printing prosthetics and guiding a surgeon’s knife
To support or not to support in 3D printing
If you are designing a geometrically complex part for a powder bed additive manufacturing process, you probably won’t need to design in supports as well, right? That’s sort of the accepted view when designing for 3D printing / additive … [Read more...] about To support or not to support in 3D printing
3D printing helps develop surgical tool that transforms ACL reconstruction
For high-performance athletes, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can end a career. Part of the problem in treating ACL injuries with medical appliances is the uniqueness of every knee. Until 3D printing, it was cost prohibitive to shape a … [Read more...] about 3D printing helps develop surgical tool that transforms ACL reconstruction
Material advances in metal 3D printing
Materials have always been key to 3D printing success. But metal materials are enabling new designs as well as new mechanical properties. Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor Every year 3D printing seems to have a new hot subject. This year, it was … [Read more...] about Material advances in metal 3D printing