Hundreds of materials are available for additive manufacturing systems. Each offers different capabilities to meet your form, fit, and function needs. For the most part, each vendor of an AM machine offers materials that function best with that … [Read more...] about A Multitude of Materials for Additive Manufacturing
SLS
Selective Laser Sintering
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology can truly be called an additive manufacturing technology. Long used to build prototype parts early in the design cycle, increasingly it is used in limited-run manufacturing to produce end-use parts. It was … [Read more...] about Selective Laser Sintering
New: Design Guide for SLS systems
I’ve been involved in a discussion on a LinkedIn group about the need to more clearly note when a design is suitable for one of the 3D additive manufacturing/rapid prototyping (AM/RP) process. Some of the comments indicate that more training is … [Read more...] about New: Design Guide for SLS systems
Renishaw announces two new SLM machines
Renishaw announced its latest machines for the additive manufacturing market. The company develops machines for Selective Laser Melting (SLM)--an additive manufacturing process that produces dense metal parts direct from 3D CAD using a high-powered … [Read more...] about Renishaw announces two new SLM machines
Better materials for high temperature SLS
In response to aerospace and defense industry demand for selective laser sintering materials for direct digital manufacturing of non-structural aircraft components, Paramount has developed laser sintering processes with high-temperature, … [Read more...] about Better materials for high temperature SLS
How GM uses rapid prototyping technology
Deep inside the GM Design building, an elite team fashions components, intricate sub assembles and entire scale model cars from three-dimensional rapid prototyping manufacturing equipment. The Rapid Prototype Laboratory features two fabrication … [Read more...] about How GM uses rapid prototyping technology
How to bring Senior Citizens into the digital age
A recent student project concerned how to create a computer system that is ‘user friendly’ for senior citizens. Here’s one student’s interesting approach using rapid prototyping to get the idea across. Many senior citizens struggle with this … [Read more...] about How to bring Senior Citizens into the digital age
Architecting a hybrid building
There was a time when architectural models were made out of balsa wood or cardboard, and took weeks to cut and shape and glue together. Those days have been replaced by overnight deliveries of drawing-perfect models. The Southern California … [Read more...] about Architecting a hybrid building
Wohlers reports 3D printing industry growth of 24.1%
Wohlers Associates, Inc. has published Wohlers Report 2011, an annual global study on the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing state of the industry. The new report documents the latest developments in additive manufacturing technologies, … [Read more...] about Wohlers reports 3D printing industry growth of 24.1%
How to justify the cost of a rapid prototyping system
By Chris Hoins, Controller, Stratasys, Inc. To designers, engineers and product managers, the value of additive manufacturing machines for rapid prototyping is unquestionable. Yet, in spite of the obvious value, it may not be clear how to convince … [Read more...] about How to justify the cost of a rapid prototyping system