Assembly Consolidation
Two 12-Laser AM Machines at Collins Aerospace: Here Is How They Are Being Used
With this additive manufacturing capacity, one room of the Collins Iowa facility performs the work previously requiring a supply chain. Production yield will nearly double, and lead times will be more than 80% shorter.
Peter Zelinski
Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing
Video: Laser Powder Bed Fusion Platform Designed for Safety, Ease of Use
One Click Metal’s compact metal 3D printing platform offers powder handling features to make this affordable system accessible and safe for many types of facilities. See one application in this video, filmed at IMTS 2024.
Read MoreBeehive Industries Is Going Big on Small-Scale Engines Made Through Additive Manufacturing
Backed by decades of experience in both aviation and additive, the company is now laser-focused on a single goal: developing, proving and scaling production of engines providing 5,000 lbs of thrust or less.
Read MoreBike Manufacturer Uses Additive Manufacturing to Create Lighter, More Complex, Customized Parts
Titanium bike frame manufacturer Hanglun Technology mixes precision casting with 3D printing to create bikes that offer increased speed and reduced turbulence during long-distance rides, offering a smoother, faster and more efficient cycling experience.
Read MorePreassembled Turbojet Engine, 3D Printed in One Build: The Cool Parts Show #75
Turbojet engines typically consist of hundreds or thousands of parts, but this engine — 2023 winner of The Cool Parts Showcase for Best Proof of Concept — was 3D printed as just two pieces, with the monolithic rotor embedded inside the stationary engine shell.
Read MoreSavage Automation Delivers 3D Printed Commercial Manufacturing Aids
The company's approach to designing end-of-arm tooling and other devices has evolved over the years to support longevity and repairs.
Read More3D Printed NASA Thrust Chamber Assembly Combines Two Metal Processes: The Cool Parts Show #71
Laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition combine for an integrated multimetal rocket propulsion system that will save cost and time for NASA. The Cool Parts Show visits NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
Read More
Beehive Industries Awarded $12.4M Defense Contract for 30 3D Printed Jet Engines
The aim of Beehive’s project is to demonstrate the value of its additive manufacturing methods to produce engines faster and more affordably without compromising performance.
Angela Osborne
Managing Editor, Gardner Business Media
Additive Manufacturing Versus Cavitation
The design freedom possible with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printing is making it faster and easier to produce complex anticavitation devices for valves.
Read MoreFreeform: Binder Jetting Does Not Change the Basics of Manufacturing
Rather than adapting production methodologies to additive manufacturing, this Pennsylvania contract manufacturer adapts AM to production methodologies. In general, this starts with conversation.
Read MoreVariable Resistance Valve Trim Achieves Lead Time Reduction Through AM: The Cool Parts Show #69
Baker Hughes is realizing shorter lead times and simplified manufacturing through powder bed fusion to produce valve trims previously assembled from many machined metal parts.
Read MoreAt General Atomics, Do Unmanned Aerial Systems Reveal the Future of Aircraft Manufacturing?
The maker of the Predator and SkyGuardian remote aircraft can implement additive manufacturing more rapidly and widely than the makers of other types of planes. The role of 3D printing in current and future UAS components hints at how far AM can go to save cost and time in aircraft production and design.
Read MoreFrom Parts to Problem-Solving: 3DEO's Evolution with Intelligent Layering Metal 3D Printing
The technology developer and parts provider is moving beyond transactional 3D printing, in favor of holistic solutions where its AM process can have the greatest impact.
Read MoreSculpteo Redesigns Lumbar Support Belt to Enhance Environment Awareness for the Blind
The choice of the 3D printed flexible material considerably improves user comfort, while also simplifying the production process.
Read More
Semiconductors, Tungsten, AM Affordability and More from Formnext 2024: AM Radio #56
The trade show included increased applications for the semiconductor market, machine launches and technology advances aimed at cost cutting, plenty of LFAM and more. Listen to our conversation on Formnext 2024.
Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing
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.
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 MoreMicro Robot Gripper 3D Printed All at Once, No Assembly Required: The Cool Parts Show #59
Fine control over laser powder bed fusion achieves precise spacing between adjoining moving surfaces. The Cool Parts Show looks at micro 3D printing of metal for moving components made in one piece.
Read MoreGA-ASI Integrates Digital Manufacturing Process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
GA-ASI is working to apply Divergent’s data-driven approach to design, fabricate and assemble vehicle structures for manufacturing its line of unmanned aircraft systems.
Read MoreConcept Sneaker Boasts One-Piece 3D Printed TPU Construction
The Reebok x Botter Concept Sneaker Engineered by HP premiered at Paris Fashion Week, hinting at manufacturing possibilities for the future of footwear.
Read MoreWhat Does AM Want? Here Are 4 Aims (Maybe 5) That Additive Manufacturing Is Driving Toward
Certain freedoms and contributing factors allow additive manufacturing to realize its full promise for production.
Read More
7 Things We Saw at Formnext 2024 — Video Playlist
There were countless processes, applications and announcements at Formnext 2024. Here are seven standouts Peter Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson caught on film.
Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing
Drones Take Flight with Metal and Polymer 3D Printed Parts: The Cool Parts Show Bonus
Drones produced by Cobra Aero now incorporate many 3D printed parts made through laser powder bed fusion and Multi Jet Fusion processes.
Read More3D Printed Brake Panel for the Rail Industry: The Cool Parts Show #52
In this episode of The Cool Parts Show, laser powder bed fusion simplifies the manufacturing of air brake panels for light rail systems made by Wabtec.
Read MoreQualification Today, Better Aircraft Tomorrow — Eaton’s Additive Manufacturing Strategy
The case for additive has been made, Eaton says. Now, the company is taking on qualification costs so it can convert aircraft parts made through casting to AM. The investment today will speed qualification of the 3D printed parts of the future, allowing design engineers to fully explore additive’s freedoms.
Read MoreVideo: 3D Printing Paired with Plastics Joining
Conventional 3D printing wisdom is to combine as many components as possible into one 3D printed piece. Plastics joining technology expert Extol illustrates the benefits that come from printing in many pieces instead.
Read More3D Printed Metal Component for CNC Machining Center: The Cool Parts Show #47
Machine tool maker DMG MORI improved this coolant delivery adapter by making the part through additive manufacturing instead of machining. One of the viewer-chosen winners of The Cool Parts Showcase.
Read MoreCreating Designs That 3D Printing Experts Love
3D printing can create virtually any shape imaginable, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to print. How to design parts that are printable as well as functional.
Read More