Fathom is hiring for multiple positions across our 12 nationwide sites! To see all open positions, click here.

logo fathom

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

Change Is Additive—Week of 9/23/16

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

watch_subhead_940x115

Metamaterial Mechanics, Facebook Enters 3D Printing, Fabric Electronics, Industrial Polymer Becomes 3D Printable, Voronoi Downloads

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?


Chromatose—3D Printed Synthetic Organism

Chromatose, a project created by New Zealand-based designer Mark Wilson, is an entirely 3D printed synthetic organism that responds to external stimuli. Designed by Wilson using Rhino and Grasshopper, Chromatose was printed at 16-micron resolution on an Objet 350 Connex3 3D printer. The basic movements of the organisms are controlled by their own structure, which integrates pneumatics. When exposed to light and heat, the petals unfurl, then when touched or disturbed, equilibrium of the structure is disrupted and the petals recoil.

“The world has seen massive advancements in digital technologies, giving us more opportunities than ever. I’m interested in ways we can effectively apply these technologies by exploiting their unique capabilities, said Wilson.  This isn’t relevant to only hardware, manufacturing and products, but also software, organisation and systems – perhaps most importantly the potential intersection of any of these.” // Read More / / Watch Video // Artists Page


Metamaterial Mechanisms Combine Material Organization with Function—Rethinking Materials as Machines

Researchers at the University of Potsdam have been experimenting with metamaterials, designing structures with mechanical functionality as the primary inspiration.

These 3D printed structures are defined by their repetitive cell patterns rather than the material they are made from, allowing the researchers to create objects specifically for controlled directional movement / / Read More / / Watch Video


Nano Dimension Successfully 3D Prints Conductive Properties into Fabric

Nano Dimension, a world leader in 3D printed electronics and Fathom collaborator, has announced that they have completed successful tests on a new process that 3D prints conductive materials onto textiles. The process involves Nano Dimensions DragonFly 2020 3D printer and AgCite Silver Nanoparticle conductive ink. The conductive inks proved capable of matching the elasticity and material properties of the fabric // Read More

3D

Facebook Enters the Hardware Market with 3D Printing Acquisition

From software to hardware—Facebook has acquired Nascent Objects, a hardware development firm focused on manufacturing acceleration and 3D printing. Nascent will be absorbed into the workflow of Facebook’s Building 8 lab / / Read More

Facebook

3M Makes Non-Stick PTFE Polymers 3D Printable Through New Patent-Pending Tech

3D printing with PTFE? Industrial polymer giant 3M has made a type of fluoropolymer 3D printable. 3M hopes this patent-pending technology will further enable using additive manufacturing for production at a large scale // Read More

3D

download_subhead_940x115

Voronoi Lamp

Available for download from Thingiverse, this 3D printable Voronoi lamp contains design elements similar to those used by Fathom designers in creating this years East Bay EDA Innovation Awards, as well as some furniture in Fathom’s Oakland office / / Download

3D

Standard Hinge

Also available on Thingiverse, this standard hinge is hugely popular with the online community. Recommended to print on FDM machines // Download

WRD-9232016.jpg

To start a conversation about a project or discuss a quote for 3D printing, CNC machining, urethane casting, rapid tooling, injection molding or R&D contract services, send us a request for quote. Fathom is also an authorized partner of Stratasys. Get a quote for a professional 3D printer today!

Imagery and News Sources: 3Ders.org, 3Dprint.com, 3D Printingindustry.com, HPI, Universitty of Potsdam, Nano Dimension, UPS, 3M, Thingiverse, Facebook, Nascent Objects, Mark Wilson

Comprehensive Capabilities for Rapid Manufacturing

At Fathom we offer a unique advantage of speed and agility-our experts help companies go from concept to prototype to manufacturing in ways not previously possible. 

90+ Machines  
SLS / / Two-day  SLA / / Next-day 
FDM / / Next-day DMLS / / Three-day 
PolyJet / / Same-day MJF / / Two-day
   

Get A Quote

30 Second Quotes
Prototype Tool / / As soon as 10 days
10K Parts / / 10 days
Production Tool / / As soon as 3 weeks
 

Get A Quote

3 & 5 Axis Milling & Turning
(Plastics, Composites and Metals)

Tolerance Accuracy Range
from +/-0.001″ to 0.005″

Get A Quote

Injection Molding Adjacent
without High Costs of Metal Tools

Most Commonly Used for High-Volume
Prototyping & Bridge to Production

Get A Quote

Finishing, Production Painting and Color Matching

Assembling, Including Embedded Electronic
Components, Threaded Inserts, and More

Get A Quote

CAD, DFAM and DFM Services

Apply Methods to Increase Speed
and Decrease Total Cost

Get A Quote

Highly Trained Staff / / Full-Time & Part-Time
Support as Short-Term & Long-Term Strategy

Decrease Downtime with Customizable
Staffing Accelerates Implementation

Get A Quote

Let’s get started.

Fathom is driven by advanced technologies and methods that enhance and accelerate today’s product development and production processes.

GET YOUR 30 SECOND QUOTE

Manufacturing Locations Across National Time Zones
Manufacturing Locations Across National Time Zones
The Fathom Advanced Manufacturing Platform
new map update 3
HEADQUARTERS

1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR

ARIZONA

444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST800-171 Compliant
ITAR

COLORADO

7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

MINNESOTA

13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304

TEXAS

1801 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016

1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016

CALIFORNIA

620 3rd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR

FLORIDA

14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014

NEW YORK

1920 Slaterville Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
ITAR

401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
AS9100:2016
ISO 9001:2015
ITAR

ILLINOIS

1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
ISO 9001:2015

1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified

fathom yellow color logo