Brackets
5 Ways Collaborative Robots and 3D Printing Go Together
Collaborative robots (cobots) are seemingly everywhere — a defining automation technology today. And cobots have a relationship with additive manufacturing that is, well, collaborative. While cobots need custom hardware AM can provide, they are well suited to aid AM production. Here is just some of what we have seen of the interaction between cobots and 3D printing.
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
3D Printed Preforms Improve Strength of Composite Brackets: The Cool Parts Show Bonus
On this episode, we look at a pin bracket for the overhead bin of an airplane made in two composite versions: one with continuous fiber 3D printed reinforcements plus chopped fiber material, and one molded from chopped fiber alone.
Read More3D Printed "Evolved Structures" for NASA Exoplanet Balloon Mission: The Cool Parts Show #61
Generative design creates stiff, lightweight brackets for EXCITE mission monitoring planets orbiting other stars. The Cool Parts Show visits Goddard Space Flight Center.
Read MoreTo Improve Performance of Compression Molded Composites, Add 3D Printed Preforms
9T Labs' Additive Fusion Technology enables the manufacture of composite structures with as much or as little reinforcement as is necessary, using 3D printed continuous fiber preforms to add strength just where needed.
Read MoreHow AM Enables Cobot Automation for Thyssenkrupp Bilstein (Includes Video)
The shock absorber maker has responded to its staffing shortages through extensive use of collaborative robots. In-house 3D printing makes this possible by providing the related hardware needed to complete the cobot-automated cells.
Read More8 Social Media Posts About Additive Manufacturing: AM Radio #34
Cost savings, modifications, large-format AM and more. In this episode of AM Radio, we discuss what people are saying about additive manufacturing on social media.
Read MoreWhy “Boring” Is Superlative for Additive Manufacturing: AM Radio #29A
It is impressive to be the biggest, smallest, first, only, thinnest and more additively manufactured part. But there is value in the average or mundane parts, too. We discuss examples on this episode of AM Radio.
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3D Printed Titanium Replaces Aluminum for Unmanned Aircraft Wing Splice: The Cool Parts Show #72
Rapid Plasma Deposition produces the near-net-shape preform for a newly designed wing splice for remotely piloted aircraft from General Atomics. The Cool Parts Show visits Norsk Titanium, where this part is made.
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
How 3D Printing Will Change Composites Manufacturing
A Q&A with the editor-in-chief of CompositesWorld explores tooling, continuous fiber, hybrid processes, and the opportunities for smaller and more intricate composite parts.
Read MoreCan Additive Manufacturing Compete With Conventional Manufacturing on Cost?
When it can, says Evolve, the design advantages of AM find their way in. The company is beginning to ship its high-speed AM system for polymer part production.
Read More3D Printed Brackets Secure Fuel for Nuclear Power: The Cool Parts Show #45
Can additive manufacturing improve the design of nuclear power plants? These steel brackets are the first step.
Read More3D Printed Composite Bracket Versus Machined Steel: The Cool Parts Show #41
Can a 3D printed composite bracket work as well as one machined from steel? Can it also be faster to make and cheaper to produce? In this episode of The Cool Parts Show we explore a new way of manufacturing a bracket for a helicopter door hinge, and similar small parts today made from metal.
Read MoreAMGTA Commissions Its First Life Cycle Assessment Research Project
The study will be ISO 14040 compliant and compare the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of a jet engine low pressure turbine bracket produced through traditional manufacturing methods with one that is produced via additive manufacturing.
Read MoreHow Tilt Hydrometer Fights Supply Chain Disruption with 3D Printing
The maker of a digital hydrometer for beer brewing keeps its supply chain and product flexible through selective laser sintering of a critical component.
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8 Cool Parts From Formnext 2023: The Cool Parts Show #65
New additive manufacturing technologies on display at Formnext were in many cases producing notable end-use components. Here are some of the coolest parts we found at this year’s show.
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
Cadillac Blackwing Models Are First GM Cars Using Additive Manufacturing for Full-Scale Production
Three functional components are 3D printed thanks to cost savings and design freedom. Layers lines on the shift knob signify this advance.
Read MoreFiber-Reinforced 3D Printing Expands Control, Applications for Composites
9T Labs’ deposition process places continuous carbon fiber only where necessary to save material, reduce waste, and more precisely control the structure of preform composites.
Read More3D Printed Parts on the Mars Perseverance Rover: The Cool Parts Show #23
The Perseverance parts made through additive manufacturing are extreme examples of lightweighting. We have replicas of the 3D printed parts that were sent to Mars.
Read MoreMars Rover Instrument Is Manufacturing Challenge, 3D Printing Victory
A critical instrument on the Perseverance rover requires five components that could only be made via additive manufacturing. Carpenter Additive overcame obstacles to produce them.
Read MoreCadillac Utilizes 3D Printing to Bring Back Manual Transmission
New Cadillac V-Series Blackwing models will be first GM production vehicles with functional 3D-printed parts, including two HVAC ducts and an electrical harness bracket.
Read MoreLightForce Orthodontics Announces $14 Million Investment
Additional funding will be used to bring customizable 3D-printed brackets to orthodontic practices and patients.
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Faster Iteration, Flexible Production: How This Inflation System OEM Wins With 3D Printing
Haltec Corp., a manufacturer of tire valves and inflation systems, finds utility in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and production of components for its modular and customizable products.
Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing
Support Structures Hold Down Productivity, Says Velo3D
A build example involving an aircraft bracket illustrates the production rate increase resulting from more parts per build plus the elimination of support removal. A new system for quality monitoring aids production as well.
Read More3D Printing for Production at Ford: The Cool Parts Show #7
The parking brake bracket on the Mustang Shelby GT500 is now 3D printed instead of stamped. Learn how Ford is thinking about additive manufacturing in this episode of The Cool Parts Show.
Read More8 Times 3D Printing Built a Better Bracket
Brackets may not be the most exciting application for 3D printing, but they are one of the most important. Here are 8 instances where a 3D printed bracket offered advantages over a conventionally produced one.
Read MoreVideo: 3D-Printed Brackets Are Key to Automated Coolant Delivery for Lights-Out Machining
An on-site look at the different elements of the coolant-delivery system developed by a machine shop committed to running unattended.
Read MoreFirst Additive Manufactured Part to Be Installed on GE Engines
The FAA has given “change in design” approval for additively manufactured power door opening system (PDOS) brackets.
Read More5 Lessons About Additive Manufacturing We Can Learn from This Part
A bracket redesign has a lot to say about the successful application of metal AM. One of the takeaways: Support structures are worth the effort!
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