Cool Parts

Brackets

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.

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Consumer Goods

3D Printed Ductile Spikes for Better Sound Quality: The Cool Parts Show Bonus

Work on 3D printing flexible metal bellows has led to other applications, including the development of ductile spikes that sit between a speaker and the surface below to help limit vibration and isolate the audio equipment. 

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Metal

Flexible Bellows Made Through Metal 3D Printing: The Cool Parts Show #64

Can laser powder bed fusion create metal parts with controlled flexibility? We explore an example in this episode of The Cool Parts Show. 

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Implants

Understanding PEKK and PEEK for 3D Printing: The Cool Parts Show Bonus

Both materials offer properties desirable for medical implants, among other applications. In this bonus episode, hear more from Oxford Performance Materials and Curiteva about how these companies are applying PEKK and PEEK, respectively. 

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Implants

FDA-Approved Spine Implant Made with PEEK: The Cool Parts Show #63

Curiteva now manufactures these cervical spine implants using an unusual 3D printing method: fused strand deposition. Learn how the process works and why it’s a good pairing with PEEK in this episode of The Cool Parts Show. 

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Sporting Goods

Airless Basketball Shows Promise of 3D Printed Lattices: The Cool Parts Show Bonus

Successfully matching the performance of a standard basketball demonstrates the control possible over the mechanical properties of digital materials.

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Materials

3D Printed Lattices Replace Foam for Customized Helmet Padding: The Cool Parts Show #62

“Digital materials” resulting from engineered flexible polymer structures made through additive manufacturing are tunable to the application and can be tailored to the head of the wearer.

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Aerospace

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.

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Metal

3D 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.

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Cool Parts

VOTE in The Cool Parts Showcase!

Your votes will decide the winners of our contest for the coolest 3D printed parts. Learn about the finalists and then cast your vote in each category: Best Bespoke Solution, Best Production Part and Best Proof of Concept. 

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25+ Metal AM Powders
Cool Parts Show 5 Years
Cool Parts Show 5 Years