AMUG Newsletter November 2018

President’s Report

I am excited to be in Germany to attend formnext (Frankfurt) again this year. Several members of the AMUG Board are with me, and we are spreading the word about AMUG, meeting with AMUG supporters and chatting with many of our members, both new and old. I always enjoy seeing my extended AMUG family, which is truly global, and this is a great place to do it.

In previous years, we would be attending formnext to beat the drum and to get sponsors committed to supporting the conference. This year, as our sponsorship levels have gotten filled much sooner, we can spend our time talking about how to best leverage our new format to help users at all levels.

So, our goals for attending formnext 2018 go further than just catching up with friends, associates, members and sponsors; we have lots to talk about and share. Our sponsors are looking to get more details and some personal views on our training format changes. Our attendees are also curious about how much more hands-on we hope to make the conference in 2019.

Please stop by Hall 3.0, Stand J46 (the U.S. Department of Commerce has been kind enough to provide us space in its booth) to learn more about all the changes happening for our upcoming Chicago conference and to say “Hello.”

AMUG Scholarships – Now Accepting Applications

Calling all additive manufacturing (AM) enthusiasts!  We need your help to get the word out…the AMUG 2019 scholarship applications are LIVE!!!

Come one, come all; we are actively seeking applicants that hope to attend this amazing event where scholarship winners will rub elbows with engineers, designers, managers, and educators from around the world that are eager to share their experiences, best practices, challenges, and application developments in additive manufacturing. It’s an amazing experience for all that attend and a chance of a lifetime for someone that may not have the opportunity to attend such an event.

There are two scholarships offered. The Guy Bourdeau Scholarship, founded by Renee Bourdeau and sponsored by Cimquest, Inc., is awarded to one college student for AM education and professional development. The Randy Stevens Scholarship, founded and sponsored by In’Tech Industries, is awarded annually to one professor/teacher that emphasizes or focuses on additive manufacturing. Both scholarships cover travel, lodging and conference registration fee.

So think really hard on this. Do you know a student or an educator that has an extreme passion for 3D printing…someone that uses AM in their daily lives, their class assignments and/or are planning to use it in their career?  Do not let them miss this opportunity. The deadline to apply is February 4, 2019.

To apply, use the links above. If you have any questions, please reach out to the scholarship committee at scholarship@amug.com.

Sponsors Returning for the Great Experience

As we see the Diamond and Platinum Sponsors fill up and the Gold Sponsors move with a steady incoming registration rate, it is rewarding to see our returning sponsors. Of the 19 registered Diamond Sponsors for the upcoming conference, 14 were Diamonds last year. Four of the remaining five Diamonds increased their support, moving up from Platinum, which shows that they truly value AMUG (and its members) and what it offers. It also shows that they would like to gain even more exposure. Of the 22 registered Platinum Sponsors, 14 are repeating their AMUG support at this level. For Gold Sponsors, we have 13 that are returning.

We are also equally excited to see all the new sponsors signing up. For example, there is one brand-new Diamond Sponsor that is still in stealth mode. After attending AMUG last year as attendees, the group said it was clear that this was the venue for disclosure and that they appreciate the history, community, and technical knowledge on display at the AMUG Conference. They are looking to broadly expose the AMUG attendees to their new technical advancements and are also keen on the new training and hands-on sessions.

This is a strong testament to the contributions of our members. AMUG builds the event, but you make the experience. Thank you for creating a great experience for all.

Call for Speakers and Workshop Trainers

Please consider participating as a speaker or trainer. To submit an abstract or workshop program, contact the appropriate track leader listed below. The individual track leaders will review the objectives of your topic and respond with available speaking or workshop sessions that are appropriate. Each speaker will be required to submit an abstract to the AMUG Agenda Committee for final approval. Additional information is available on www.amug.com.

If you do not find an obvious track for your topic, please contact the AMUG Agenda Team at agenda@amug.com.

Aerospace, Defense, Military, and Transportation
Ted Anderson, GE Additive
email Ted

Casting
Steve Murray
email Steve
Thomas Sorovetz, FCA US LLC
email Tom
Jack Ziemba, Aristo-Cast
email Jack

AM Metal Technologies
Bob Markley, 3rd Dimension Industrial 3D Printing
email Bob

Medical & Dental
Shannon VanDeren, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting
email Shannon

Transportation

Once you have registered for the AUMG Conference and booked a hotel room, it is time to turn your attention to transportation to Chicago, Illinois, and to our conference hotel.

Chicago is served by two international airports, O’Hare and Midway, which means that there are plenty of options for domestic and international travelers. Go ahead and focus on the best itinerary and the lowest ticket price because both airports are within a reasonable distance to the hotel. Midway is slightly closer at 11 miles, but O’Hare is just 8 miles further away.

Once on the ground, you have plenty of ground transportation options, including a shuttle (AMUG will be negotiating a discounted rate), a taxi, a rideshare or a train.

Whenever you are ready to make your travel plans, just visit www.amug.com/transportation/ for the details.

BASF Offers Customers Computer Simulation Software to 3D-print the Optimal Part

As part of our array of new solutions and services, BASF 3D Printing Solutions is now offering its customers the ability to optimize the design, material selection and additive manufacturing technology used to 3D-print any part.

Ultrasim^®3D, BASF’s proprietary software module, is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) technology that can help customers predict how 3D-printed parts will behave and find the best concept design by using topology optimization.

To learn more, watch the video to see Andreas Wüst, head of dynamic structural analysis at BASF, share an example of what can be achieved through computer simulation to optimize the design of a 3D-printed part.

For more information, please contact us at 3d-printing@basf.com.

Andreas Wüst, head of structural analysis at BASF, discusses Ultrasim 3D in this video.

Selective Laser Melting Makes the World’s First Additively Manufactured Turning Tool with Integrated Cooling Channels

The turning tool is used for holding cutting tools and the separation of workpieces on lathes. The SLM®280 TWIN was used to manufacture the tool with targeted cooling lubricant supply channels to the cutting insert and nozzle-shaped channel structures. The required specific accuracies, diameter ranges and square outlet nozzles cannot be created with conventional production processes so ACS Cooling Systems used selective laser melting technology to create this innovative lathe turning tool.

Download the case study for more information.

Carbon Announces Global Partnership with Core3dcentres® and the Expansion of New Production Partners in Europe

Carbon and Core3dcentres®, a global company committed to leading the dental industry into the digital era by providing dental production and design solutions, announced the international expansion of their partnership. By expanding their collaboration into countries spanning four continents, dental labs across the world will now have access to Carbon’s groundbreaking 3D printing systems based on its proprietary Digital Light Synthesis™ technology and unparalleled range of materials.

In addition, Carbon also announced the expansion of its network of production partners with the addition of Complete Fabrications, Erpro Group, Kurz, and Rapid Product Manufacturing (RPM) in Europe. With the new international members, the Carbon Production Network (CPN), an elite ecosystem of the industry’s leading design firms and contract manufacturers who have implemented Carbon’s technology, now has more than 35 global members. Members of the CPN are utilizing Carbon’s technology in a true partnership model that ensures continued success.

Carbon and Core3dcentres have expanded partnership internationally.

EOS Completes $2M Expansion in Texas

EOS recently completed its $2 million investment in the North American market, bolstering its additive manufacturing materials development, materials production, customer service and supply-chain capabilities. As part of this investment, Advanced Laser Materials (ALM), an EOS subsidiary dedicated to the development of high-value materials for use in industrial 3D printing, doubled the size of its Temple, Texas, facility to 23,000 square feet. This includes an expanded research and development lab where ALM partners with customers on formulating, testing and manufacturing new polymer AM materials.

“The primary goal of our investment at the Temple facility is to boost our ability to rapidly create new materials for additive manufacturing. More and more, we see that specialized material solutions linked with the systems and processes supplied by EOS are a key element of success in this industry,” said Donnie Vanelli, COO of EOS North America. “Over the past several years, we’ve partnered with companies from aerospace to medical industries to develop new AM materials and designs to better serve their business. We’re looking to do more of that.”

Read the full press release.

The EOS team outside the newly expanded ALM facility.

Gillette Partners with Formlabs, Enabling Consumers to Personalize and 3D Print Razor Handles

Gillette is piloting a new concept designed to personalize the shaving experience. Dubbed Razor Maker™: powered by Gillette®, the new platform leverages technology from Formlabs to offer a series of customizable 3D printed handles. Using Formlabs Form 2 3D printers as its production engine, Razor Maker™ gives consumers the power to create and order customized 3D printed razor handles, with the choice of 48 different designs (and counting), a variety of colors, and the option to add custom text.

The initial steps in the process are completely digital: a consumer customizes a unique handle through the Razor Maker™ website and the resulting design is converted into a 3D file. Multiple design files are then sent to a 3D printer to be simultaneously printed in a single batch. Each handle is then washed, post-cured, coated, and assembled before being shipped directly to a consumer’s door.

For more details, click here.

Razor Maker offers consumers customized razor handles that are made on the Form 2.

BigRep Unveils Two Industrial 3D Printers with Groundbreaking Proprietary MXT® Extrusion Technology

BigRep, the global leader in large-scale 3D printing, unveiled at formnext  a significant breakthrough in Thermoplastic Extrusion (or FFF).  Powered by BigRep’s new proprietary MXT® and state-of-the-art Bosch Rexroth CNC control systems and drives, the PRO and EDGE deliver unprecedented speed, precision and quality – with the full connectivity to integrate additive manufacturing with Industry 4.0.

PRO and EDGE are equipped with two MXT modular extrusion heads, which manage and synchronize the extrusion and printing operations.

• Printing speeds of >600 millimeters per second (mm/s), when the PRO uses its 0.6 mm nozzle, making it five times faster than any FFF printer on the market. The EDGE surpasses that with speeds of 1,000 mm/s with the 0.6 mm nozzle.
• Demonstrated filament throughput rate of 5x at the maximum extrusion rate and 3x at the average extrusion rate, compared to FFF technology, delivering material deposition control allowing for unmatched quality and precision.

For more information, go to www.bigrep.com/nextgen.

The all-new BigRep PRO and EDGE powered by BigRep MXT.

ACS Custom Quadruples Production Capacity with 3D Systems’ Figure 4™ Standalone

ACS Custom transformed its manufacturing workflow by incorporating two Figure 4™ Standalone 3D printers. As a result, ACS has realized a 4X capacity increase, 2X efficiency increase, reduced material consumption by 50% and labor cost by 80% on one part.

“The Figure 4 Standalone, and the overall collaboration with 3D Systems, have totally exceeded our expectations,” said Andy Shiach, managing director, ACS Custom. “We’ve dramatically increased production capacity and efficiency through our ability to nest multiple parts on the same build plate – producing more parts in the same amount of time.”

ACS produces custom in-ear devices and audio monitors utilizing a 100% digital production workflow that includes 3D printing an eggshell mold which is cleaned and filled with silicon. Once the silicon is set, the mold is broken away, and electronic components are added to complete the device. The Figure 4 platform is well-suited to these types of applications, delivering industry-leading throughput with print speeds of up to 100mm/hour and six sigma repeatability.

ACS produced these custom in-ear devices utilizing a 100% digital production workflow that includes 3D Systems’ Figure 4™ Standalone 3D printer. (Image credit: ACS Custom)

Stratasys Introduces TPU for F123 Series 3D Printers

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is the versatile member of the plastics family. Its flexibility and resilience are why it’s in high demand and consumption is growing worldwide.

Despite its popularity, prototyping with TPU can be challenging. Injection molding is costly and time-consuming. 3D printing is an alternative, but existing options aren’t optimal. Maker-style systems are limited to smaller, simpler designs. Industrial printers aren’t prototype-friendly, and accessibility is limited.

That’s about to change with the introduction of FDM® TPU 92A on the Stratasys F123™ Series 3D Printers. These printers have a proven reputation for reliability and professional results. They’re also easy to use.

Now you have a faster, no-hassle way to print elastomer parts whether they’re big, small, simple or complex. Find out more at Stratasys.com.

An FDM TPU 92A air duct produced on an F123 Series 3D Printer.

Additive Manufacturing – High Productivity without Compromise

Global engineering company Renishaw returns to formnext in 2018 to showcase that it is possible to significantly increase additive manufacturing (AM) productivity without compromising on quality. Since the launch of its four-laser RenAM 500Q system, Renishaw has developed extensive expertise in multi-laser applications in AM and established a deep understanding of how lasers interact with each other and the part. From the 13th to the 16th November, Renishaw can be found in Hall 3.1, Stand E68 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany.

In 2017, Renishaw launched the RenAM 500Q, a pioneering four-laser system with precision dynamic focusing and a full-field view of the powder bed. This pioneering system transforms productivity in the most commonly used platform size, raising productivity and decreasing cost-per-part. Testing and analysis have now proven that multiple lasers can operate independently on separate parts or co-operate on a single, large component without diminishing the quality of the material produced.

For details, click here.

RenAM 500Q to be showcased at formnext 2018.

Farsoon Technologies Launches HT1001P Beta Systems in North America

Farsoon Technologies-Americas announces the beta program of the new HT1001P large-platform additive manufacturing system. This innovative HT1001P Polymer Laser Sintering (PLS) system is the first of the Continuous Additive Manufacturing Solution (CAMS) ecosystem and will be shortly followed by the release of the FS421M Metal Laser Sintering (MLS) System.

The initial scope of this program is the development of an optimized HT1001P system that incorporates highly productive operations in the fabrication of parts for in-use-function to complement global companies additive objectives.

The HT1001P enables the fabrication of large parts or multiple quantities of parts (build envelope of 1000 x 500 x 450 mm) with engineering polymers, such as polyamides (Nylons), as well as other specialized materials such as PA6, TPU’s, and TPE’s. The HT1001P adds to Farsoon’s product line of PLS systems (403P, 252P, and eForm) and MLS systems (FS271M and FS121M).

Farsoon Technologies’ HT1001P PLS modular system.

Finalists Announced for Additive Manufacturing Category in LEAP Award

Finalists were announced for the inaugural LEAP Awards’ Additive Manufacturing Category, comprising a fascinating array of new additive technology advances.  The competition was scored by a panel of independent technical/engineering-oriented judges. Responsible for the Additive Manufacturing Category were four judges: Carl Dekker, president, MET-L-FLO Inc.; Bradford L. Goldense, president, Goldense Group Inc.; Russ Hempstead, senior development engineer, Just Right Surgical; and Mike Vasquez, CEO, 3Degrees, LLC.

Read more about the finalists and judges here.

HP’s Jet Fusion 300/500 is one of the two LEAP Awards’ finalists in the AM category.

3DMP Ramping Up for June 2019 Mexico AM Conference

November is a busy month: The Fall 2018 3D Metal Printing issue has just hit the newsstands, and we are all over metal-AM technology at FABTECH and formnext. Even so, we are hard at work seeking speakers and sponsors, and prepping for 3DMP’s Mexico Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Conference, June 12-13, 2019, in Monterrey, Mexico. Design and production engineers, manufacturing executives and plant-floor leaders working in Mexico will interact directly with industry experts and learn about the latest technology developments in 3D printing. The conference is timely, as according to Allied Market Research, Mexico is North America’s fastest-growing adopter of 3D-printing technology, with a CAGR of 27.3 percent through 2022.

www.3dmpmag.com

3DMP’s Fall 2018 issue is out, with articles focused on optimization and testing/inspection.

The Value of Alliances for Advancing AM

Many 3D-printed parts have a story behind them, and often, that story depends on multiple parties coming together. This titanium bracket, for instance, was designed by one organization, printed by another and will be used by a third. It might never have been printed if not for these different groups bringing together their particular needs and expertise.

Additive manufacturing works best through collaboration, a fact illustrated in the most recent issue of Additive Manufacturing magazine. Stories in this issue describe a regional association’s work to collect and analyze AM data; a manufacturer that procures 3D-printed tooling and parts through its network of suppliers; and a tool crib management company bringing AM directly to its customers. Read it here.

The November issue of Additive Manufacturing describes the work performed by partners at Colorado’s ADAPT Center, among other stories of collaboration.

Roboze Xtreme 3D Printers Bring Extreme Materials to Smaller Businesses

Engineering.com speaks to Roboze CEO Alessio Lorusso about the company’s new line of 3D printers. Lorusso discusses the changing landscape of FDM systems capable of processing PEEK, as well as the difference the racks and pinions make when compared to rubber belt systems.

Read the full story here.

The extruder on the Roboze One+400 Xtreme, capable of processing high-temperature materials like PEEK. (Image courtesy of Roboze.)

RAPID + TCT Returns to Detroit in 2019

RAPID + TCT is returning to its birthplace next year, Detroit, where the city is experiencing a resurgence filled with new developments, investments, and tech startups. The event will be held May 20-23, 2019, at Cobo Center. With an 80% sold out show floor, the event is once again expecting to break previous records for the largest show ever.

Attendee registration will be available in a few weeks. Visit rapid3Devent.com  to RSVP for RAPID + TCT 2019 and learn more.

RAPID + TCT returns to Detroit for the 2019 event.

Out now! The Autumn/Fall 2018 Issue of Metal AM Magazine

Read the 196-page Autumn/Fall 2018 issue of Metal AM magazine online, for free and in-full. As well as 115 pages of the latest industry news, this issue features in-depth articles and technical reviews including:

• Siemens: Digitalization enables the industrialization of metal additive manufacturing at Finspång
• GKN Powder Metallurgy: Moving metal additive manufacturing towards mass production with HP
• Conformal cooling: How AM is increasing efficiency and quality in the injection molding industry
• EOS: Developing metal additive manufacturing for a truly digital factory
• Metal Additive Manufacturing in China: An overview of systems manufacturers

View online or download in full your free copy of the magazine dedicated to the metal additive manufacturing industry.

Autumn/Fall 2018 issue is out now.

Engineering Technology Focus: Optimization and Simulation

Generative design and topology optimization are the perfect fit for additive manufacturing. The broader use of these technologies is a core mission of Digital Engineering because we believe they will combine to result in better, safer, more affordable products as well as innovative products of the future that are difficult—if not impossible—to design and engineer without them.

We hope the articles collected in this complimentary digital issue will broaden your view of generative design and topology optimization and deepen your understanding of how they can benefit from additive manufacturing.

Complimentary digital issue covers generative design and topology optimization.