by Industrial Print Magazine Staff
RAPID + TCT took place at the beginning of May in Chicago, IL at the McCormick Convention Center. The event was an exciting combination of product introductions, partnership announcements, and a general positive atmosphere about the growing, innovative additive manufacturing (AM) industry.
Wednesday’s keynote, from Omar Mireles, research and development engineer, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center—a self-proclaimed “lab guy”—summed it up by saying “it’s in exciting time to be in this field.”
Notable News
We asked exhibitors to share a brief recap of their time at the event.
3DCeram Sinto promoted and discussed the latest technologies and products in technical ceramics and three-dimensional (3D) printing, including the M.A.T. printer. The M.A.T. is a versatile machine with a robust structure able to house several shaping technologies. 3DCeram also featured the C1000 FLEXMATIC, the newest stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer in the product line up.
Addiblast showcased its fully automated MARS 03 de-powdering system for metal 3D printed parts. The event highlighted the growing trend of larger and heavier build volumes in powder bed fusion. Following this trend, it plans to announce MARS 04/05 de-powdering systems to handle up to one cubic meter build volumes.
ADDiTEC unveiled its latest product, the Performance AMRC – P or Additive Manufacturing Robot Cell – Portable. The Performance AMRC – P is a production-ready portable robot cell. Its advanced features include a potent 6kW fiber laser configured deposition head and closed loop process controls, affording high deposition rates of up to 4 kg per hour for titanium. The system is capable of printing parts of up to 1.8 meters in dimension in a range of materials.
AMFG showcased the power of its Autonomous MES solution. It presented its robust workflow software, which is a fusion of seamless third-party integration and advanced automation. The company unpacked the features that make its product an end-to-end solution. From an Instant Quote functionality, to inventory and build management, and concluding with post-processing, logistics, and shipping, it demonstrated how AMFG revolutionizes production, making it efficient and streamlined.
CNPC Powder expanded its AMP atomization technology, offering higher output of PREP quality particles at costs that are inline with traditional atomization technology. Furthermore, its AM facility has been outfitted with over seven new atomizers with a combined output of ~5,000 tons of inert gas spherical atomized metal powders.
CoreTechnologie showcased its 3D printing pre-processing software—4D_Additive, which optimizes healing, positioning, supports, texturing, automated nesting, and slicing. 4D_Additive reads CADx data from over 24 different major formats as exact boundary representation including all PMI, attributes, and history. It repairs .STL utilizing a marching cube algorithm. CAD models are saved in all common formats as well as in common slicing formats.
Evonik showcased one of it key 3D printing materials—INFINAM TPC copolyester elastomer powders—suitable for powder bed fusion technologies. It works with industrial 3D printer manufacturer Farsoon to bring this robust, yet flexible 3D printing powder to market. It also presented a range of new photopolymers such as INFINAM RG 2000 L, an application-driven material development that meets specific requirements such as a low yellowing index or excellent light transmission for eyewear applications.
Fabrisonic released the SonicLayer 1600, a mid-sized production machine that features a 3×2-foot build envelope. The SonicLayer 1600 is affordable and ideal for those that are not building large parts.
Farsoon showcased the FS301M with a 305x305x400 build size, enhanced user operation, and open parameters and materials that allow for cost-effective production and high-quality parts. Visitors also admired the nearly one-meter-tall rocket engine nozzle printed on its FS621M-4 high-performance metal 3D printing system, ideal for aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. The company exhibited parts printed on its large-platform Flight 403 and Flight 1K.
Formlabs introduced three new offerings—flame retardant resin, Build Platform 2L, and 3MF Support. Formlabs’ first UL 94 V-0 certified resin and first self-extinguishing material is developed to expand printing capabilities for high-temperature components. Build Platform 2L is a next-generation build platform designed with Quick Release Technology enabling users to remove large parts without tools in seconds. 3MF Support allows for smaller file sizes and the storage of multiple models in one file on existing PreForm software.
HP Inc. unveiled automation solutions for the HP Jet Fusion, allowing customers to simplify workflows and reduce costs associated with high-volume 3D production. Additionally, HP showcased expanded material offerings, HP Digital Production Suite and HP Digital Production Services, allowing customers to scale 3D printed parts production.
JEOL featured its Electron Beam Metal powder bed fusion 3D printer and parts made for the aerospace, medical, and energy sectors. Together with Cumberland Additive it announced an installation at Cumberland’s Neighborhood 91 facility in Pittsburg, PA. JEOL hosted a popular social event with a sommelier serving a selection of sake.
Lubrizol 3D Printing Solutions highlighted new ESTANE 3D TPU M88A for HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 printers; a soft, flexible and durable material suited for production parts, allowing for printing of complex geometries and challenging lattice structures.
Impossible Objects launched the CBAM 25 3D printer and the SME AM Industry Achievement award was presented to Jeffrey DeGrange, CCO, Impossible Objects.
Mantle received the SME AM start-up technology award. Mantle is revolutionizing precision tooling with its metal 3D printer designed specifically for toolmaking. The company’s 3D printers are an efficient way to produce mold and die inserts with the accuracy, surface finish, and tool steel properties demanded by toolmakers.
Markforged unveiled for the first time in North America its new binder jet workhorse the PX100. From its acquisition of Digital Metal, Markforged has doubled the print speed and throughput of the Digital Metal DMP Pro. The PX100 enables manufacturers to become industry leaders by designing and fabricating previously un-makeable parts and unlocking customization at scale. It is capable of print speeds of up to 1,000 cm3 per hour and has a range of available materials.
Meltio showcased its unique wire-laser metal 3D printing technology. Meltio’s solutions, the M450 metal 3D printer and wire-laser head that integrates with a CNC machine and robotic arm, help automotive, aerospace, marine, military, engineering, and oil and gas manufacture and repair metal parts made of stainless steel, titanium, nickel, and invar. Thanks to this technology, industries reduce costs and gain efficiency and productivity.
Meteor Inkjet showcased a range of printhead drive electronics and software, as well as demonstrated powerful drop visualization tools and unveiled ShellPro, patented technology offering step-function savings in the energy and materials required to create complex 3D structures by binder jetting.
nTop announced the next major update of its flagship product—nTop 4. nTop 4 introduces Field Optimization, a new generative design technology to help engineers navigate the number of design parameters introduced by these complex engineering problems, accelerating decision making and improving part performance.
Nexa3D launched its XiP Pro ultrafast industrial 3D printer, providing the highest daily production throughput and lowest total cost of ownership in its class. Featuring print speeds exponentially faster than the traditional SLA and digital light processing-based technologies, more powerful print engine, and a 19.5-liter build volume, the XiP Pro delivers previously unattainable production capabilities for industrial users, according to the company.
Prima Additive enjoyed its first participation at RAPID + TCT. After several years of activity in Europe, today it offers its solutions for metal AM with laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition technology, as well as a full suite of services in North America.
Quantica showcased its NovoJet C-7 open system. Beyond its sleek design, what captivated attendees was the capability of the NovaJet C-7 to combine diverse materials. The heart of Quantica’s technology lies in its NovoJet printheads, which enable the printing of higher viscosity materials, resulting in higher performance end-use parts and products. Complementing the display was the presence of its JetPack material jetting kit, along with an array of multi-material print samples.
Roboze presented case studies demonstrating how it is transforming the industry paradigm with super polymers. The event also highlighted ADDMAN’s entry into the Roboze 3D Parts Network, a U.S.-based provider of a range of manufacturing solutions. The objective of this collaboration is to enhance its industrial manufacturing capabilities using AM systems. Roboze 3D Parts, an expanding network, intends to hasten the world’s transition towards sustainable production by eliminating physical warehouses, enabling on demand and just-in-time production of parts, and delivering them where necessary.
UltiMaker unveiled a new brand identity, with a spotlight on its solutions for manufacturing and product development—Method X and the flagship S7, the newest and most versatile 3D printer on the market. From polymers to metal, UltiMaker also highlighted its extensive 3D printing materials portfolio, showcasing what its printers can do for any application.
Xact Metal attended the event with multiple software-centric announcements. Pursuing its mission to make metal 3D printing more affordable and accessible, Xact Metal announced a new partnership with Oqton to offer 3DXpert and MOS software packages while also extend its current software partnership, Materialise Magics. Additionally, Xact Metal rolled out an AI-powered layer-wise monitoring add-on called Smart Layer. This product can automatically identify print anomalies in real-time, preventing build failures before they occur.
Xometry presented its Xometry Instant Quoting Engine, which offers instant pricing and lead time estimates for more than a dozen manufacturing processes. The platform comes with built-in tools and customization options. Xometry showcased several manufacturing projects made from different materials, including polymer and metal 3D printing.
2024
RAPID + TCT is on the move. Next year’s event takes places in Anaheim, CA.
Jun2023, Industrial Print Magazine
