Day: September 16, 2016

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3D Printed Strati from Local Motors Gets Even Better

Mouser electronics is an electronics company in Texas which keeps spare and tools for all kinds of space and Earth vehicles. Empowering Innovation Together is a collaborative venture of Mouser with the engineer Grant Imahara. The ISS Design Challenge has launched a contest to design 3D printable electronics for astronauts on the International Space Station. The latest contest was that of autonomous cars, which was aided by Local Motors. Local Motors is a pioneer in 3D printed cars and autonomous vehicle manufacturing.

They launched the 3D printed LM3D Swim car last year, and recently unveiled the Olli the autonomous 3D printed shuttle upon Washington, D.C. This year they also signed a deal with Imahara and Mouser Electronics for the Essence of Autonomy Challenge, which suits the objectives of Empowering Innovation Together. The highlight was Local Motors 3D printed car Strati which had both the technologies of self-driving and human driving. The company invited visitors to convert the cockpit of the car into a living room when the car was shifted into the autonomous mode.

The most creative entry was that of Fin Yonkers from Rhode Island. His design Fly-Mode involves a drone launchpad and reality screens. A drone can be launched from the rear of Strati when the car is in Autonomous mode. The panoramic screen enables the user to watch the drone’s flights from inside the car.

Yonkers will be flown to Phoenix headquarters to develop the car with association with Local Motors and Imahara. Local Motors is equipped with all the technology to make the car autonomous and will not take the car technology to the nest level. Mouser’s Empowering Innovation Together had further enabled the commencement of technology in a smoother way.

Source: 3dprint.com

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New 3D Scanning Techniques of the Bones using Gold Particles

X-rays have been around since 1895. They are the best ways to determine the condition of the bones. Recently the chemical researchers at Trinity College and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin have found a new 3D scanning method. As per this scanning tool, gold will be pumped into the blood. When a bone is injured or cracked, it introduces some amounts of calcium into the blood. A luminescent material can be attached to the gold particles which get drawn towards the calcium deposits.

A scan will thereafter, be carried out to determine the level of crack and injury in the bones. Using this technique, the slightest of problems in the bone can be detected. Although in this scanning method, a foreign object is introduced into the blood, it is safe.

Gold is extensively used in healthcare services as it is stable and non-reactive. X-rays cause cancer and this method is a safer alternative. It does not contain any radiation rays. Apart from highlighting injuries in the bones, this technique could well be used to identify the onset of bone diseases. Preventive measures can be taken thereafter to prevent bone issues.

Clive Lee is a professor of Anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons. He has supervised the team in the research of the 3D scanning process. He says that the biggest advantage of this technique will be identifying the problem, rather than treating the cracks. Micro cracks develop in the bones, and with increased activity and load, the bones weaken. Eventually, this leads to injury. Identification in the early stages will be beneficial for athletes and elderly people. With no harmful elements like x-rays, this technique might be safer. It is yet to ascertain the cost of the scanning system.

Source: 3ders.org

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KLM Airlines Serve Fresh Draught Beer from the First ever 3D Printed Beer Trolley

The Dutch airlines KLM have devised an innovative style of serving draught beer. They took the help of 3D printing to achieve this difficult feat. The draught beer system uses CO2 pressure to pour the beer from the tap consistently. Due to safety reasons, however, CO2 is not allowed on the planes. Therefore, there was extensive research by the companies in this field. KLM and Heineken jointly came up with a solution. KLM served the first Heineken draught beer from the tap, on its August 31st flight to Curaçao. They could do so by devising the BrewLock keg, which is a draught trolley that works even in the air. It utilises air pressure instead of CO2, to keep the beer flowing. Even in low-pressure cabin of flights, this keg smoothly pours out beer. 3D printing was used to design the various parts of the keg.

The taste of the Heineken beer is the same as that on earth level. The cooling too had to be tackled. The keg is pre-cooled before takeoff. It is then maintained in an insulating container to retain its low temperatures.

This Draught beer service is being hosted only by the KLM airlines, and will be served to business class flyers, in some of their flights. The costs involved in the 3d printing and serving the chilled beer is massive. Added to this expense is the cost of pressurising the air. Miriam Kartman, the Vice president of KLM’S in-flight services that they had partnered with Heineken since several years. A draught beer is always fresher and tastier than a can beer. KLM has introduced this special service as a novel offering to its business flyers. If this draught beer service is a hit, soon other airlines will follow suit. After all, what could be more refreshing than drinking sips of chilled draught beer while travelling?

Source: 3ders.org

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Winbo Smart Tech- A leading 3D Printing and Manufacturing Company

Winbo Smart Tech Co. LTD. is a Chinese company. They are engaged in the manufacturing of 3D printers, scanners, and 3D equipment. They have a research and development unit, a platform for new innovations, a marketplace for selling 3D printed models. They also run a school of 3D printing.

Winbo has a massive manufacturing complex in the Guangzhou province of China. The complex is complete with employee dormitory and all the manufacturing units. The Smart Micro-Factory is the primary platform for 3D models. They make beautiful furniture pieces, which are 3D printed and are also sold as 3D files. The furniture includes sofas, tables, stools, chairs, and storage devices. The most amazing design from last year’s stock is the 3D printed throne. The Smart Micro-factory is also a research unit which aims at developing green technology, robotics, smart technology and many more future technologies.

Winbo offers a large array of 3D printed products. There are more than a dozen printers. They have outstanding features and unique technologies.

Consumer printers

The consumer printers are designed for home, school, and small manufacturing units. There are mainly four types of printers from the compact mini printers to the dual-nozzle printers. These printers are energy-efficient, portable, lightweight, and easy to use. The specifications of the printers’ are-
• Mini: 205 x 155 x 155 mm
• Value: 305 x 205 x 305 mm
• Cooper (S): 255 x 205 x 205 mm
• Cooper (L): 305 x 205 x 305 mm

Industrial printers

These are speedy printers and are divided into six categories.

• Tiger (S): 458 x 305 x 305 mm
• Tiger (L): 610 x 458 x 305 mm
• Tiger (XL): 915 x 610 x 610 mm
• Dragon (S): 458 x 305 x 508 mm
• Dragon (L): 610 x 458 x 610 mm
• Dragon (XL): 915 x 610 x 1220 mm

There are many other types of printers which are manufactured at Winbo. The collection of scanners is also vast. They are shortly coming out with their latest printer.

Source: 3dprint.com

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Simufact Additive Technology will Aid 3D Printing for Better Performance

Simufact Additive is a simulation environment process that aims at reducing printing time and wastages by optimizing 3D metal printing. Simufact is useful to all businesses whether it is welding, bulk metal formation, or additive manufacturing. The various processes of the software include heat treatment, printing, cutting the metal portion of the build, removing support structures, and ultimately applying heat and pressure mechanism.

The modelling of the design is done in CAD but with a (GUI) graphical user interface. The Simufact provides numerous parameters and settings that can be used for changing the settings of the 3D printing processes. This leads to significant reduction in distortion and residual stresses. The Simulation processes aids in the first time success of the additive manufacturing processes so that the manufacturing process using this technology is commenced smoothly and leads to the reduction in costs. Moreover, the software is easy to use and can be set up in a few minutes.

Renishaw is an advanced metal additive manufacturing unit in the UK, is collaborating with Simufact for availing the services of the team. Renishaw is most prominently known for their work with the French Moto2 team. They will combine their QuantAM build preparation software with the Simufact software to facilitate the exchange of data using the API system of QuantAM. The results of this simulation will be displayed in the QuantAM software and the presentation of the outcome will be held in Formnext 2016 in FrankFurt.

Additive manufacturing involves massive productions which involve huge raw materials and high costs. There is too much at stake to risk the collapse of the project. 3d printing involves huge hours of designing and 3D printing, and therefore a simulation program like Simufact helps in getting processes correct in the first go itself.

Source: 3dprint.com

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Robo 3D Merges with Falcon Minerals of Australia

Falcon minerals are all set to acquire 100% ownership of Robo 3D. Robo 3D is a 3D printing manufacturer that supplies affordable and accessible printers in schools and homes. These ownership has been acquired by the issued shares in Albion 3D Investments Pty Ltd.

Anthony Grist is a tech investor who controls Albion 3D Investments.
Falcon Minerals is stationed in West Australia. This takeover is the result of a careful analysis of the growth of Robo 3D in the past year. Robo 3D’s revenue figures were US$4.6 million in June 2016, compared to US$2.4 million over the last year. Robo 3D has announced many new products like new specs on the R2 and R2 Mini 3D printers, the new Robo app, and a new STEM education kit. Their R1 Plus 3D printer has recently appeared in the JeeQ Data Bestselling 3D Printers Online list.

Robo 3D offer its users, affordable desktop and office printers that give quality output. They generate revenues by selling these 3D technologies through Amazon and their own website. They are expanding their sales and their products are now available at Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Staples, and Target. Braydon Moreno and Coby Kabili, the Co-Founders of Robo 3D are excited at the prospect of their company being listed on the ASX. This would provide them with higher revenues. It will also help them in supplying their printers to many more homes. The Robo3D printers are expected to double their sales in the next three years. They will have 5.6 million users worldwide.

Falcon Minerals is a company engaged in Mineral explorations. 3D printing usage is yet unheard of, in this field. It will be interesting to find out the amalgamation of the two sectors. They are on the verge of making exciting innovations, and we are waiting to hear the news.

Source: 3dprint.com