Fathom is hiring for multiple positions across our 11 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 7/14/2017

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

3D Printing Soft Robots, Additive for Self-Assembly, MIT Focuses on Architecture, 3D Printing Induction Coils, More Standardization for Additive Industry

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 Printed Soft Jumping Robot from Harvard

Using a multi-material 3D printer for manufacturing allowed researchers to fabricate the jumping robot in one uninterrupted job, seamlessly transitioning from rigid core components to a soft exterior in a single print session. Its first ever robot to be 3D printed with layers of material gradients, making it extremely durable and giving the jumping robot a long lifespan of use and could lead to a new class of functionally-graded soft robots / / Watch Video


Scientist Invent New Process To 3D Print An Entire House

A team of scientists from ETH Zurich University in Switzerland are building a three-story house using only robots and 3D printers. The team claims the project, known as DFAB House, is the first home to be designed, planned, built using primarily digital processes. The project is unlike other 3D printed houses. Instead of using just one construction method, DFAB House brings together several digital-building technologies. For instance, a robot, standing more than six feet tall, is mounted on caterpillar tracks and lays a mesh framework for the houses concrete walls. Then, a sand-based 3D printer created a ceiling slab for the home. Once DFAB House is completed next summer, it will serve as a residence for ETH Zurich researchers / / Watch Video


Smart Robots Self-Assemble at MIT

What if a table or a bridge could build itself? If researchers at the self-assembly lab at MIT have their way, parts will someday put themselves together. Skylar Tibbits shows what a self-assembling future could look like / / Watch Video


Copper

Stress Line Additive Manufacturing (SLAM) is an architectural 3D printing concept out of MIT. It challenges the typical FDM approach to construction, accounting for structural stresses caused by the act of depositing material layer-by-layer. In a study published in the journal 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, the shapes made for this purpose are gridshell structures. Dome-like in shape, the structures derive strength from curving lines arranged in a grid. In architecture, gridshells have been used to make enclosures and ceilings since the 1800s when they were first pioneered by Russian architect  Vladimir Shukhov / / Read More


Spanish Research Collaboration Develops Process to 3D Print Copper Induction Coils

Spanish company GH Induction has teamed up with additive manufacturing specialists Aidimme to 3D print copper induction coils. The two companies, both based in Valencia, Spain, have together developed a unique system for 3D printing copper coils. The process involves an electron beam melting (EBM) machine which is an additive manufacturing process that uses an electron beam to melt wire or powder into specified shapes. The novel copper production method has now been implemented by automotive companies Renault and Volvo / / Read More


New European Additive Manufacturing Strategy Urges Increased Standardization

As part of its third annual Additive Manufacturing European Conference this past weekend in Brussels, the European Association of Machine Tool Industries (CECIMO) is pushing EU policy makers to see the bigger picture of 3D printing in Europe. Organized by CECIMO and co-hosted by members of the European Parliament Brando Benifei (S&D), Anthea McIntyre (ECR) and Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (ALDE), the Conference highlighted where the EU is currently excelling in industrial additive manufacturing and addressed the existing challenges for its widespread adoption in Europe / / Read More

3D

download_subhead_940x115

Lamp/Shell on Cults

“I love geometries inspired by the natural world and this is a great example! I would opt to print this in on an SLA printer – the Accura Xtreme White material we typically use creates smooth, high-definition surfaces, but also has slight translucency for thin walls like these that I think would make for nice soft, diffused light.”-SmartQuotes Ben Bradley

Lamp

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: MIT, 3Ders.org, 3DPrintingIndustry.com, 3DPrinting.com, ETH Zurich University, GH Induction, Cults3D, User REM_S

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

Across National
Time Zones

Precision manufacturing
from coast to coast.

HEADQUARTERS //
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
877-FATHOM-8

ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
480-966-2300

CALIFORNIA
46758 Lakeview Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538

COLORADO
7770 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80229
303-288-6855

FLORIDA
14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
305-889-3280

ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
815-385-7500

1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
847-952-8088

MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
763-755-7575

NEW YORK
1920 Slaterville Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-7070

401 W. Shore Blvd.
Newark, NY 14513
315-331-7680

TEXAS
1513 Sam Bass Rd.
Round Rock, TX 78660
512-255-1477

fathom yellow color logo