CHANGE IS ADDITIVE—A 3D Printing News Series by Fathom

CHANGE IS ADDITIVE—A 3D Printing News Series by Fathom

Desktop Metal Tops $1 Billion Valuation, Functional 3D Printed Heart, Boeing and Airbus Develop Additive, Gartner Updates Hype Cycle

With so many weekly developments in a fast-changing industry like additive manufacturing, the headlines can really stack up. To cut through the clutter of 3D printing news, check out these staff picks of the week. What do you think is the most impactful development?

3D Printing a Human Heart

Researchers at ETH Zurich, led by doctoral student Nicholas Cohrs, created an artificial silicone heart that was 3D printed as a single piece. Similar to a real human heart, it has a right and left ventricle and an air-pressurized chamber in place of a septum that pumps blood and fluid from the blood chambers / / Watch Video

Deposition Nozzles for Additive Manufacturing with Standard CNC Machines

The deposition module shown in the video above streams liquid metal, which can be used for additive processes when met with the tool’s laser. Because the tool functions the same any other CNC tool, it can be loaded back into the tool magazine and replaced / / Watch Video // Read More

Air Force Research Laboratory Creates 3D Printed Solar Cells

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has used Optomec’s aerosol jet technology, the AFRL intend to develop a more efficient production process for harnessing solar power. The AFRL is attempting to develop a manufacturing method which automates production of the solar cells to provide a viable industrial output. To do so, the team atomized perovskite materials, which can be 3D printed with the Aerosol Jet technology machine. Having coated a flat surface with the droplets, the team claims to have created a solar cell with 15.4 percent efficiency / / Read More

Stratasys Lands 3D Printing Contract with Airbus

Stratasys was chosen by Airbus to make 3D printed polymer parts for use on the A350 XWB aircraft, company officials announced Tuesday. Stratasys Direct Manufacturing unit will use its sophisticated commercial 3D printers to manufacture non-structural airplane parts such as brackets and other parts that are used for system installation. The Airbus parts will be made on Stratasys FDM 3D printers and made with  the heat-resistant ULTEM™ 9085 thermoplastic resin. Officials said they expect the project will help Airbus achieve greater supply chain flexibility, improve costs and reduce waste / / Read More

Gartners 2017 3D Printing Hype Cycle

According to Gartner, A myriad of 3D printing technologies are rapidly evolving, creating new opportunities to disrupt business models in a variety of industries. This research explores the hype and hurdles and is a resource for CIOs and business leaders to create value via applying 3DP technologies / / Read More