A new printing process for inexpensive, three-dimensional thermoelectric generators

Thermoelectric generators, TEGs for short, convert ambient heat into electrical power. They enable maintenance-free, environmentally friendly, and autonomous power supply of the continuously growing number of sensors and devices for the Internet of Things (IoT) and recovery of waste heat. Scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed three-dimensional component architectures based on Read more about A new printing process for inexpensive, three-dimensional thermoelectric generators[…]

New 3D metal printing technology will reduce production time

Selective LED-based melting (SLEDM) – i.e. the targeted melting of metal powder using high-power LED light sources – is the name of the new technology that a team led by Franz Haas, head of the Institute of Production Engineering at TU Graz, has developed for 3D metal printing and has now applied for a patent. Read more about New 3D metal printing technology will reduce production time[…]

A digital twin for each material

To ensure the digital networking of production systems and the optimization of material-specific requirements, we need to measure, analyze and replicate the changes in material properties in a process in which “digital twins” of materials are created. The materials data space developed by Fraunhofer researchers has laid the groundwork for this process. When a finished Read more about A digital twin for each material[…]

Efficient use of resources in manufacture of metal components

Additive Manufacturing has established itself in many industrial sectors as a method for making plastic parts. The 3D printing of metals is on the road to becoming a similar success story. In the newly opened 3D-Printing Lab for Metals and Structural Materials at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI, researchers have investigated how Read more about Efficient use of resources in manufacture of metal components[…]

The first industry demonstration of a 3-D printed complex rocket nozzle

Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced it has successfully completed a series of static test firings of a prototype tactical solid rocket motor built with critical metal components fabricated by additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3-D printing. These tests marked the first industry demonstration of a 3-D printed Read more about The first industry demonstration of a 3-D printed complex rocket nozzle[…]

futureAM – Next Generation Additive Manufacturing

On November 14th, 2017, the Fraunhofer focus project, futureAM, was launched in Aachen under the auspices of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT. Six project partners – the Fraunhofer Institutes ILT, IWS, IWU, IGD and IFAM as well as the LZN Laser Zentrum Nord – have set themselves a clear goal: Over the next Read more about futureAM – Next Generation Additive Manufacturing[…]

World’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller

Following a rigorous testing process, verified by Bureau Veritas, the world’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller, the WAAMpeller, has been unveiled at Damen Shipyard Group’s headquarters in the Netherlands. This ground-breaking success is the result of a close collaboration between RAMLAB, Promarin, Autodesk, Bureau Veritas and Damen. The five-company partnership started pooling their Read more about World’s first class approved 3D printed ship’s propeller[…]

NASA Pave the Way for In-Space Fabrication of Printed Electronics

Optomec, a leading global supplier of production-grade additive manufacturing systems for 3D printed electronics and 3D printed metals, today announced that the company was awarded a NASA SBIR contract for the further development of an Adaptive Laser Sintering System (ALSS)  The success of this endeavor will enable electronic circuitry to be printed onto a wider variety of Read more about NASA Pave the Way for In-Space Fabrication of Printed Electronics[…]

New Case-Hardening Steel Designed for Laser Powder Bed Fusion

NanoSteel®, the leader in nanostructured steel materials, announced the launch of its first product for the laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process. BLDRmetal™ L-40 is a case-hardening steel powder that provides high hardness and ductility (case hardness >70HRC, 10%+ core elongation) and prints easily on standard commercial equipment. This alloy provides superior performance to Read more about New Case-Hardening Steel Designed for Laser Powder Bed Fusion[…]

A new innovative thermoset prepreg resin system

Solvay announces at JEC World 2017 (March 14-16) the launch of its new innovative thermoset prepreg resin system SolvaLite™ 730* specifically developed for high volume automotive applications. This next-generation material, formulated with Reichhold Advalite™ resins, offers an unmatched combination of characteristics and benefits to the market including: Sub 60 seconds cure capability, making it ideal Read more about A new innovative thermoset prepreg resin system[…]

3D Printing Solutions for McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team

McLaren Racing and Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) are delighted to announce a new four-year partnership under which Stratasys will supply McLaren Racing with a suite of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions, as the Official Supplier of 3D Printing Solutions to the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. Stratasys will work closely with the grand prix outfit as Read more about 3D Printing Solutions for McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team[…]

New Biomedical 3-D Textile Engineering Technology

Secant Medical has developed a new 3-D textile engineering technology by integrating traditional textile engineering with advanced biomaterials. While 3-D printing or additive manufacturing has gained considerable attention as a novel method to create 3-D biomedical forms, 3-D printing does not always offer the dimensional stability, material selection and engineering properties desired. The 3-D textile Read more about New Biomedical 3-D Textile Engineering Technology[…]