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AMUG January 2022

By January 20, 2022
 

January 2022

President’s report

Future 2022 AMUG Members,

Happy New Year to all of you!  I trust you are safe and staying well considering our ever-changing times. We are now past the first discount for registration, so I hope you have had the chance to sign up.

You may enjoy reading a lot of information on all of the activities being organized for our event. Some of these may still have opportunities for getting involved, so I suggest you get your piece of the pie as soon as you can. Considering all of our team’s work, I feel confident we will have something to meet your taste.

Please enjoy our newsletter, gain an introduction to all of the activities planned, and learn how you can maximize your time and involvement at our event. We look forward to making this year an event signifying another step in our return towards normal. I look forward to celebrating that return with all of you.

If the pandemic leads to uncertainties in your mind, we hear you, and we have done a lot of work to keep everything as up-to-date as possible. Below is a statement from the AMUG Board with regards to the ongoing COVID situation.

AMUG currently has the standard cancelation policy in effect, which may be viewed at amug.com/registration-terms-conditions/. The cancellation request form may be accessed here.

We also have an appeals process for anyone that feels that their situation warrants special consideration due to significant extenuating circumstances. Those appeals are reviewed and determined by the entire AMUG Board.

We are actively monitoring this ever-evolving situation and working with the Chicago Hilton to better understand the local, state, and national requirements, as well as the policies and requirements of the venue. Unfortunately, the situation is too fluid to develop or approve any policy modifications. We continue to be committed to being as transparent, consistent, and considerate as possible with any future refund or cancelation policy adjustments.

Carl Dekker
President
president@amug.com

Carl Dekker
President

Preliminary agenda

The agenda for the 2022 AMUG Conference is now available for download. Note that this is a preliminary version that will be updated in the months leading up to the conference.

Download Agenda

Notice of annual meeting

With your AMUG Conference registration, you become an AMUG Member. And as a member, you are encouraged to attend the annual business meeting where your voice is heard, and your votes decide our future.

NOTICE:

AMUG Business Meeting
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 11:00 am (local time)
AMUG 2022 Conference
International Ballroom, 2nd Floor, Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Before the business meeting, voting for the following positions will occur (via the mobile app): President, Vice President, and Director of Membership.

  • Elections will be open Sunday, April 3, 2022, at 12:00 am and close Monday, April 4, 2022, at 11:59 pm conference local time.
  • AMUG members registered for the 2022 AMUG Conference must be in good standing as of Monday, April 3 at 5:00 pm conference local time to be eligible to vote. [good standing = all members need to be paid in full]
  • The candidate receiving the most votes for their respective board positions will be elected.
  • The elected Board of Directors will be announced at the AMUG Business meeting at the AMUG Conference on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
  • Terms for the newly elected Directors begin July 1, 2022, and will expire on June 30, 2024. See job descriptions for the term of office at https://www.amug.com/board-elections/.

Leslie Frost
Secretary
secretary@amug.com

Leslie Frost
Secretary

Pre-conference activities

For those that want to make the most of the AMUG Conference experience, arrive early and take advantage of a 2-day course or a facility tour. Please note that advanced registration is required and seats are limited.

Offsite tour

AMUG is pleased to announce that DMG MORI Chicago is opening its doors to AMUG members for an exclusive offsite tour of their facility. The tour will provide an in-depth look at their AM process chain, including the design and programming phase to building and finishing components. They will also feature their LASERTEC powder nozzle Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and powder bed Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology paired with the latest 5-axis CNC technology and automation. The tour will also cover quality assurance and inspection. More details (including a registration link) to follow.

Training/workshop

ASTM is offering their certificate course, Establishing an Additive Manufacturing Facility for Critical Part Production. This two-day course runs Saturday, April 2 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday, April 3 from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm and will provide both the seasoned AM professional and novices with all the requirements needed to update an existing facility or start a new business for manufacturing safety-critical parts using PBF-LB. More information about the course and registration can be found here.

ASTM certificate course conducted at AMUG 2021.

AMUG membership—get involved

AMUG membership is a verb phrase, which is when words are used to describe an action state.

For Users, By Users is about jumping in and engaging with the community. As a new board member, I am learning about the vast array of ways to engage. More importantly, I am learning how time-tested and intentional these engagement points are. To really experience AMUG, it is so important to get involved in a way that is meaningful to you. The great thing about your participation is that it brings your unique insights to the rest of the community!

And there are so many ways to participate:

  • Support a track by sharing your expertise in a specific area or discussing a challenge you think needs to address.
  • Participate in the Technical Competition to show others how you have mastered an AM technology or application.
  • Mentor first-time attendees on how to get the most of the AMUG Conference or encourage our up-and-coming students to apply for scholarships.
  • If you are skilled at governance, we always need great motivated people for the board and committee chairs.
  • To make a successful conference, it takes a fleet of volunteers! There is no better way to meet new people than through volunteering!
  • Gain industry recognition for AM expertise through application for the prestigious DINO Award.
  • Enjoy the vast array of AWESOME FOOD (thanks, Thomas Sorovetz), a few drink options (lol), and lots of tables. These perks are intentional; they facilitate many discussions and great new friendships.
  • Last, but certainly not least, is the depth of knowledge available in the annual proceedings; login with your membership, and they are at your fingertips!

AMUG volunteers working the AMUG 2021 registration desk.

A must-see at AMUG 2022:  the Technical Competition!

Now is the time to pick your project and enter the 2022 AMUG Technical Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity to show off your unique AM project and learn about amazing applications from your peers. This is yet another way to connect and learn with other attendees! Many previous participants have shared the benefits of competing: they have learned about new applications and techniques, made new connections, and have used the experience to advance their careers.

Plan your entry now, and don’t miss out on the chance to be the first recipient of the new Members Choice Award. AMUG attendees will choose the winner of this award. A panel of DINO judges will select Advanced Finishing and Advanced Concepts winners. More info and the submission form are here. The deadline is March 27, 2022, but don’t wait!

If you are a first-time attendee or competitor and have any questions about the competition, please contact Bonnie Meyer, Technical Competition committee chair, at TechComp@amug.com.

Technical Competition showcases AM skills.

Become a leader of AMUG

The AMUG Conference is a premier event in the AM and 3D Printing industry. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with this organization since the beginning of time (1989). I made many friends over the years, and we have collaborated on many issues and problems and had fun doing it. It has always been in my employment contract that I will attend the AMUG Conference and volunteer my time. I learned early how important this event was to me personally and the value it brings to my employer. Sharing information and networking has always been the key to success here.

However, we can’t do it without help from the attendees. We have been successful because of the passion and dedication of people who have contributed their time as volunteers.

We need you to get involved. Don’t wait.

AMUG is now seeking candidates to run for board positions. Please submit an application to be included on the election slate or recommend someone you believe has what it takes to continue AMUG’s success. Start by reviewing the open positions and responsibilities here. If suited for a position, please submit an application. But don’t delay. Time is running out; applications will only be accepted through February 5.

If you have any questions, please email us at nomcom@amug.com

Jim Harrison
Nominating Committee Member

Jim Harrison
Nominating Committee Member

Sponsors & exhibitors

We are now only 11 weeks out from #AMUG2022 in Chicago, and the AMUGexpo has been selling out at a phenomenal rate. There are only 3 Diamond booths and 20 10×10 booths remaining to be claimed. The Platinum spaces sold out in 2021.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor/exhibitor, then please email us at Vicepresident@amug.com. We will help you through the process and answer any inquiries you have.

Staying connected with AMUG

Stay up to date with the latest AMUG Conference news and relevant happenings throughout the year by following us on your favorite social media platform:

LinkedIn

Follow the AMUG Company Page
Join and engage in the AMUG Group

Facebook

Follow the AMUG Facebook Page

Twitter

Follow the AMUG Twitter Feed
@AdditiveMFUG

Instagram

Follow AMUG on Instagram

Also, track these common AMUG-related hashtags to see posts you may have missed!

  • #AMUG
  • #AMUG2022
  • #ForUsersByUsers
  • #AMUGFirstTimer
  • #AMUGDino
  • #AMUGTechComp

Besides receiving AMUG Conference news in your feed, did you know you can also engage with other AMUG enthusiasts throughout the year on the AMUG LinkedIn Group (now over 10,000 members strong)?

  • This forum serves as a platform for past/present/future participants in AMUG to foster virtual communication, networking, knowledge sharing, and industry updates within its community.
  • It encourages education by sharing original or inspirational content that will shape industry outlooks, professional growth, and the progression of AM applications. This is a place where we can add value through thought leadership, by provoking engaging conversations, and sharing/seeking resources for the betterment of the AMUG community.
  • Please note: Before posting to the group, review the detailed rules in the “about this group” section, plus, ask yourself, “Is the content I am sharing relevant to 3D printing and promotes a learning environment?”

Follow us on social media and get engaged if you’re not already doing so!

SPONSOR NEWS

Hexagonhexagonmi.com

New improvements enabling geometrical compensation of AM parts

Particularly with metal AM technologies, such as L-PBF or EB-PBF, part distortion can occur caused by high-temperature variations and long build times. Correcting such variations is tedious due to the large variety of influencing factors.

With the established mesh compensation function, this can be solved, and the following iterations can be reduced dramatically. The mesh compensation function is part of the Manufacturing Geometry Correction Module for VGSTUDIO MAX or VGMETROLOGY and is based on optical or CT scan surface data.

The latest release covers more advanced requirements and workflows, including sintering compensation. Read the full story here.

Manufacturing Geometry Correction Module compensates for distortion.

ExOneexone.com

Reinventing eco-friendly architecture and 3D printing concrete with binder jetting

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture is shaping the future of building design by remodeling granular materials. Master of Science in Sustainable Design students show potential for shaping reclaimed concrete into new forms to show the potential for construction material reuse and sustainable design.

ExOne binder jetting is one of the advanced manufacturing technologies they investigated to shape pulverized concrete more efficiently with less volume and waste. In addition to material reuse, the team studies surface patterns for plant growth and rainwater collection. The design freedom of AM enables evidence-based solutions that encourage environmentally sustainable architecture.

In the course of their research, they’ve contributed to the revitalization of the local community with cradle rocking planters developed for local industrial-site revitalization and social engagement for communities affected by historical industrial pollution.

Read the complete case study here.

Cradle rockers for the Mill-19 at Hazelwood Green community nursery 3D printed with ExOne binder jetting.

EOS podcast Additive Snack kicks off 3rd season

Additive Snack, the podcast for AM real-world stories, expert insights, and industry-focused discussions, is back for season 3. With industrial 3D printing now a core solution for many applications, companies who wait to explore AM run the risk of falling behind competitors in their respective markets. Additive Snack allows you to listen in on AM experts talking through their design process, the challenges they’ve experienced with AM adoption, and what the future holds for industrial 3D printing.

In the season 3 premiere, Host Fabian Alefeld speaks with Matthew Parker, director of AM engineering at Senior Aerospace SSP, about navigating the AM journey successfully.

“If you don’t invent ahead of the need, then you will not be ready for when the customers come in asking,” said Matthew Parker.

Stay tuned for more of Additive Snack season 3.

Desktop Metaldesktopmetal.com

Desktop Metal qualifies commercially pure copper for AM on the Production System

Desktop Metal has qualified commercially pure copper (> 99.95% purity) for AM on the Production System™ platform, which leverages patent-pending Single Pass Jetting™ (SPJ) technology designed to achieve the fastest build speeds in the metal AM industry.

Customers can now leverage SPJ technology to produce high-performance copper parts at scale across a wide variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics. Print copper parts on the Production System with significant geometric complexity in a single step instead of brazing multiple conventionally produced copper components together, eliminating a time-intensive and expensive process prone to error and waste. With the geometric freedom enabled by binder jetting, engineers can also explore new, high-performance designs not possible with conventional manufacturing methods, such as the lattice structures and conformal cooling channels, to improve heat transfer. To learn more about copper and the Production System materials portfolio, click here.

Cut-away view of a copper liquid cooling plate.

DMG MORIdmgmori.com

DMG MORI Chicago opening its doors for an exclusive technology tour in April

With over 20 years of experience in the additive manufacturing of metal parts, we are excited to invite you to tour our showroom on Sunday, April 3, to learn more about our journey with AM and our latest technology.

The tour will provide an in-depth look at our AM process chain, including the design and programming phase to building and finishing components. We will also feature our LASERTEC powder nozzle Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and powder bed Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology paired with the latest 5-axis CNC technology and automation.

DMG MORI’s LASERTEC DED hybrid series offers a combination of laser deposition welding and metal-cutting machining; the LASERTEC SLM series takes the portfolio to another level and includes the powder bed method using selective laser melting. We will also cover our quality assurance and inspection.

Are you interested in learning more about DMG MORI’s AM technology? Check out additive.dmgmori.com for more information.

Take a tour of DMG MORI’s Chicago operations.

Covestro Additive Manufacturingcovestro.com

Covestro introduces DLP/LCD version of Somos® PerFORM for 3D printing tooling

Covestro (formerly DSM Additive Manufacturing) developed a DLP/LCD version of their industry-leading Somos® PerFORM resin for SLA, Somos® PerFORM HW, for printing dimensionally stable tooling.

Producing molds for low volumes or parts with detailed features is time consuming and costly, though with DLP/LCD 3D printing these barriers are lessened. DLP/LCD 3D printing offers fast printing speeds and a more economical cost of entry, making it more accessible to companies looking to adopt AM.

Somos PerFORM HW is the first resin that meets the stringent industry-required properties in terms of dimensional stability and minimal warpage for 3D printing injection mold tooling. Its innovative and patented formulation enables printing of large-scale and functional applications on DLP/LCD printers. Completed mold trials demonstrate that Somos PerFORM HW, with high stiffness and high-temperature performance, behaves similarly to Somos PerFORM for injection molding tooling.

Somos PerForm HW resin enables efficient low-volume production using DLP and LCD 3D printing.

Dyndritedyndrite.com

Dyndrite raises the bar with release of new Advanced Toolpathing API

Enabling OEMs and end-users to develop print recipes for previously impossible or difficult-to-print builds.

Creating a new development foundation is about more than just doing things faster. With increased performance comes increased quality and capabilities.

Nowhere else is this exemplified better than in the latest update to the Dyndrite Engine, which introduced true 3D Volumetric Part Segmentation. The new feature enables the detection of a geometries’ upskin, downskin, inskin, and other defined features—doing away with the 2.5D layer-by-layer process that is not only slow but ill-suited for certain part geometries, such as thin vertical walls typically found in heat exchangers and turbines.

Combined with Dyndrite’s Build Recipes and Toolpathing APIs, Dyndrite enables engineers and technicians to quickly qualify new geometries, machines, and materials using geometric operations to compensate for challenges associated with process physics.

Dyndrite’s Build Recipes opens the door to transparent and shareable toolpathing that is not locked behind an OEM IP wall and hidden from the end-user. Anyone can now make a recipe and share it—democratizing the ability to create toolpathing strategies that enable printing previously impossible or difficult designs based on geometry feature analysis.

Read the press release.

Dyndrite is also hosting its 3rd annual Digital Manufacturing Investor Day (DMID), sponsored by BnP Bank, on February 23, 2022. Click for more information.

(left) Colors reflect the Toolpathing APIs’ 3D understanding of a part. (right) Printed metal component.

Nexa3Dnexa3d.com

Validated dental 3D printing workflows with the Nexa3D NXD 200

High-volume dental manufacturing meets validated workflows with next-generation 3D printing technologies. When it really counts, the right 3D printing process can bring a smile to any dental lab. Patient-specific dental models, surgical guides, trays, and nightguards can be produced in-house with speed, reliability, and accuracy.

Nexa3D’s proprietary Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing (LSPc) technology powers the system. The long-lasting Everlast-2 Membrane supports enhanced print speed, surface finish, and accuracy, as well as tremendous functional durability to ensure long-lasting capabilities.

Designed specifically for the dental industry, the NXD 200 offers world-class dental manufacturing capabilities at ultrafast speeds with validated Keystone performance dental resins. The NXD 200 offers high throughput to keep dental operations productive, with a large build plate to create up to 20 models in less than 30 minutes.

Dental labs around the world have been investing in new 3D printing solutions. Find out more about the NXD 200 here.

Our speed + our reliability = your productivity.

The NXD 200 high-volume dental 3D printer.

Stratasysstratasys.com

Stratasys’ open materials ecosystem strategy

Stratasys is bringing accelerated material innovation to the most popular and reliable FDM® systems in the industry via an annual Open Material License.

The company already provides open material availability on Neo stereolithography, Stratasys Origin® One, and Stratasys H350™ 3D printers.

The Stratasys Material Ecosystem for FDM includes:

  • Stratasys Preferred: Preferred by Stratasys for the highest performance applications. These materials are engineered to provide the best combination of material and printer performance and are developed either by Stratasys or third-party material partners.
  • Stratasys Validated: Materials validated by Stratasys with basic reliability testing to accelerate the expansion of material options available in the marketplace.
  • Open: Unvalidated materials accessed via an Open Material License (OML). These materials may offer unique attributes and the potential to address new applications, but they have not received validation testing or optimization relative to performance and functionality on a Stratasys printer.

View the full press release.

Stratasys brings more materials options to FDM 3D printers to accelerate AM adoption.

Computer Aided Technology (CATI)cati.com

3D scanning—as easy as calling CATI

Whether your project requires reverse engineering of a product, you need to get files for a part no longer manufactured, or your project demands a specific level of quality, 3D scanning gives you the answers you need to get the job done quickly done right the first time.

We understand that purchasing a 3D scanner may not make financial sense when you only need it once or twice a year. Our team of experts is on hand to help you work through your project to get exactly what you need.

Get started.

3D scanning in action.

TEKNAtekna.com

Tekna titanium powder to be qualified for material standards certified by FAA, EASA, and DOD

Tekna, the world-leading provider of advanced materials to industry, has been invited by the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) to participate in a major aerospace qualification program. The generated data will be posted in The Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) Handbook, which is an accepted source for metallic material, recognized by the FAA, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Parts produced with Tekna’s powder material, qualified under this program, will automatically pass the initial design phase and analysis by those entities.

Royal Lovingfoss, director of NCAMP, a part of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, says, “We are happy to have Tekna engaged in this program considering they are already approved by many major aerospace companies.”

Read the full press release here.

MEDIA SPONSOR NEWS

Digital Engineering 24/7digitalengineering247.com

Design & Simulation Workstation Review Round Up

The new Digital Engineering Special Focus Issue—Design & Simulation Workstation Review Round Up—is now available for download. The special issue includes reviews of the latest engineering workstations, and it lays out how they stack up when it comes to performance on simulation, generative design, and design-for-additive-manufacturing tasks. You can download the issue here.

New special focus issue is available now.

Make Parts Fastmakepartsfast.com

Special edition: The Additive Manufacturing Handbook

The AM industry rode a wave of success in 2021. The ongoing pandemic has not slowed activity in this industry, just shifted it. New product development is being outpaced by mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships among additive vendors. This special issue focuses on the changes and developments of this dynamic industry.

Read it here.

Additive Manufacturing Handbook available online.

3D Metal Printing Magazine3dmpmag.com

3D Metal Printing wraps up Formnext in Winter Issue

3D Metal Printing magazine heads to the press soon, featuring a detailed wrap-up of Formnext, which returned live in Frankfurt, Germany, this past November. Exhibitors went heavy on showcasing material and software developments and revealed the advancement of AM in a host of applications. The issue also provides insightful information on the powder supply chain, directed-energy deposition (DED), and AM work at Ohio State, as well as a preview of the 2022 AMUG Conference.

At Formnext, Meltio displayed this Type 316L stainless-steel blisk, measuring 500 by 500 by 60 mm and weighing 9.15 kg.

Metal AM Magazinemetal-am.com

The AM scalability challenge: Read the article in the Winter 2021 issue of Metal AM magazine

We all love to talk about how AM can transform designs, improve performance, reduce part count and material waste, enable faster design cycles, and far more. Less often discussed is the challenge of scaling up that production. This is where Burloak Technologies has been focusing its attention.

In this article for the Winter 2021 Issue of Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine, the company’s Jason Ball, VP & general manager, and Keyvan Hosseinkhani, technical director, considers the challenges of scaling AM and how they can be overcome.

Read the article online or download a pdf.

Tensile testing an AM sample.

3D Printing Industry3dprintingindustry.com

Leaders share 2022 3D printing trends and forecasts

It’s that time of year when we publish our annual crystal-ball-gazing series. This time over 40 experts have taken the time to share where they expect AM to shine in 2022.

The first article in the series brings together leaders from EOS, 3D Systems, Stratasys, Desktop Metal, and many other enterprises. You can read “2022 trends in 3D printing, forecasts from additive manufacturing experts and leaders” online now.

If video is more your thing then, then visit our YouTube channel. We’re releasing interviews and webinar recaps on a regular basis.

AM ceramics from XJET.

The Additive Reporttheadditivereport.com

The most viewed posts of 2021

Three of the most popular items posted to The Additive Report website last year were articles about additively manufacturing refractory-metal aerospace parts, 3D printing and implanting artificial knees, and installation of Xerox’s first 3D printer. To learn what the others were, click here.

Here’s some other interesting content you’ll find on our website:

  • How researchers developed the first fully 3D-printed, flexible OLED display.
  • A blog about 3D-printing microscale parts. Click here to read.
  • The Australian company Titomic partnered with Boeing to print “green” titanium parts.

A column about the world’s first 3D-printed stainless-steel bridge was popular with visitors to the Additive Report website. Photo credit: MX3D

3Dnatives3dnatives.com

What were the 3D printing trends in 2021?

Another year has passed, and 2021 was undoubtedly an interesting one in the world of AM, especially as we started to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the ongoing global pandemic. Events began to return with great success, including AMUG Conference, as physical restrictions were lifted, and the AM community could gather once more. Recovery was also seen in different AM markets, notably metal as the aerospace industry started to return to normal.

But what exactly were the 3D printing trends in 2021? And how is the AM market changing (or staying the same)? 3Dnatives took a closer look at some of the trends that defined the industry in 2021, including a maturing business environment with consolidation and companies going public, a focus on sustainability, increasing FDM solutions for non-polymer materials, and a growing market for 3D printing in construction. Read more here.

As the aerospace sector started its recovery, so too did metal AM see a boost in 2021.

The TCT Groupthetctgroup.com

TCT Awards are back for 2022

After two years away, the TCT Awards are back for 2022, ready to celebrate the 3D printing and AM industry’s innovators, technologies, and collaborations.

Submissions are now open across 11 categories, including project-based applications and hardware, materials, and software innovations. If you or your company has been integral to a ground-breaking AM success story or if you have an inspirational engineering project to share from the last two years, submit your entry today.

Previous winners include AM industry heavyweights such as Ultimaker, Carbon, and Renishaw, who were recognized alongside leading end-users from BMW to Historic Royal Palaces.

The winners will be selected by an expert panel of judges and awarded at the TCT Awards ceremony on June 8th in Birmingham. The ceremony will coincide with TCT 3Sixty, one of the world’s foremost events in the AM space.

The closing date for entries is March 2, 2022.

TCT Awards return. Pictured: 2019 Awards ceremony.

3DPrint.com3dprint.com

Whose 3D printing platform is it anyway?

In this opinion piece, 3DPrint.com Executive Editor and SmarTech Analysis Vice President of Consulting Joris Peels takes a comical but insightful look at the concept of “platforms” in the 3D printing industry. When a company announces a new “platform” or “ecosystem,” what do they mean exactly? Is it a holistic, contained universe of apps and products associated with their own brand? Or is it mystical marketing speak meant to solve any and every problem a business might encounter? Or, perhaps most accurately, a platform is a method used to trap users into a specific set of products and specifications that are most beneficial to the firm at hand, rather than the industry and society as a whole.

Read the story here.

Autodesk’s Ember 3D printer, the platform that was never realized.