Three additive manufacturing vendors recently introduced new printers. And even though a couple of these new printers can fit on a table, they can be used for rapid manufacturing applications.
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
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Three additive manufacturing vendors recently introduced new printers. And even though a couple of these new printers can fit on a table, they can be used for rapid manufacturing applications.
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) announced that it acquired Alibre, Inc., a leading provider of affordable 3D design productivity solutions. Alibre delivers a suite of full parametric CAD solutions for makers and designers alike. Based in Richardson, Texas, USA, Alibre serves tens of thousands of businesses and individuals in over 50 countries.
3D Systems plans to expand the breadth and reach of the Alibre design productivity tools and to leverage its combined global channels to deliver complete 3D design-to-manufacturing products, tools and services. The Company expects this acquisition to be immediately accretive to its net income and contribute favorably to its long-term target-operating model.
Along with this news, 3D Systems released statements from Deelip Menezes.
Q:After Sycode, Alibre is the second pure software company acquired by 3D Systems. What were the main reasons for acquiring Alibre?
A:This acquisition of Alibre is consistent with the strategy to democratize access and accelerate adoption of affordable 3D content‐to‐print solutions that empower professionals and consumers to create and make in 3D. In line with that, we acquired several service providers as a cornerstone for our on demand custom parts services business and expanded our print engine portfolio through the acquisition of Desktop Factory and Bits From Bytes. We believe that by adding meaningful design productivity tools and plugins to our portfolio, we make it easier and simpler for our users to access all of their design‐to‐manufacturing requirements in one place.
Q: So apart from a 3D printing company, 3D Systems has now become a CAD software vendor as well. Do you think the acquisition of Alibre will affect your company’s alliances with other CAD software vendors?
A: I don’t view 3D Systems as a CAD software vendor but rather as a provider of a seamless 3D content‐to‐print experience. Our aim is to augment and complement the excellent solutions that leading CAD providers deliver with meaningful and affordable productivity tools that deliver an integrated design‐to‐manufacturing experience for our users.
Q: What interested you more about Alibre: their product or their customer base?
Answer: The simple truth is “both.” Alibre developed powerful, affordable design productivity tools that enable many businesses to expand and complement their 3D content creation employee base as well as provide many professional designers and engineers “by day” with the option to bring home viable affordable tools that support their hobbies and entrepreneurial activities. We are keenly interested in expanding the utility and functionality of the Alibre tools in ways that serve this growing user base.
Q: Do you intend to rebrand Alibre and change its focus to 3D printing? Or are you going to let it continue to focus on the MCAD software market?
A: Our intention is to evolve Alibre from a company name into a powerful brand that delivers a complete suite of design productivity tools and services for the benefit of professionals, makers and consumers alike.
Q: Do you think it will be a good idea to give away Alibre Design Personal Edition for free? I mean, Autodesk is trying to get the attention of people in the Maker and DIY space with their free 123D, which quite frankly is easier to use than a traditional history based parametric modeling system like Alibre Design.
A: I am a fan and avid supporter of the 123D Autodesk initiative. I firmly believe that simple intuitive content creation and manipulation tools are a must have in our quest to democratize access and accelerate adoption. Most of today’s 3D content creation tools are designed for expert professional users and, by virtue of their complexity, limit adoption. We applaud the Autodesk initiative and hope to be able to make meaningful complementary contributions that make the entire 3D content‐to‐print experience intuitive and fun to use.
Q: Alibre has tried just about everything to fight their competition on price. They even slashed their prices to a fraction of what they were at one point. Clearly that strategy did not work for long since the prices are back up again. I am curious to know what you think about Alibre’s obsession with price and whether you are going to do anything about it.
A: My obsession is to deliver an outstanding 3D content‐to‐print experience to makers and professionals alike at prices that reflect the value we impart. A great deal can and will be learned from Alibre’s price elasticity experiments as well as from their most recent instant success with the launch of their new Alibre/3D printers offering. We are committed to democratizing access and accelerating adoption of affordable 3D content‐to‐print solutions through programs and initiatives that are sustainable, scalable and profitable for our customers, stockholders and teammates. Exceptional user experience and value proposition is how we intend to differentiate our offering in the marketplaces we serve.
Q: What would you like to say to existing customers of Alibre?
A: First and foremost; thank you for being on this journey with us… for your loyalty and your ongoing support over the years! We hope that you will afford us the opportunity to work with you, learn from you and enhance your overall creating and making experience by delivering to you the benefits of our expanded technology platform and resources.
3D Systems Corporation
www.3dsystems.com
Alibre
www.alibre.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
The CMS108 non-contact laser scanner is adaptable and adept at scanning a range of materials with its enhanced sensitivity to color and surface finishes. Its accuracy makes it attractive for inspection and reverse engineering applications where laser scanners have been unable to meet tight tolerances. Plus, the scanner can inspect different consecutive surfaces on the fly with no adjustments.
It mounts with a kinematic joint to the seven-axis ROMER portable CMMs, which include the Absolute Arm SE and the Infinite 2.0 SC Arm. Accuracy is 20 microns, which is a 16% gain in accuracy over previous scanning systems.
Flying dot technology allows the scanner to rapidly detect changes in color and surfaces through their reflectivity. An operator can scan traditionally difficult finishes, including shiny and mirrored surfaces, without making manual exposure adjustments. The laser scanner can shift from matte to shiny features without additional calibration. With three different line widths and differing point densities, it is able to perform inspection routines on small intricate parts and large surfaces.
It integrates with the Scanning System Specification, which specifies and calibrates the arm and scanner as a single unit.
The CMS108 is currently available for the seven-axis Absolute Arm SE with measuring ranges of 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5 meters. The sensor can also be added as an upgrade to the seven-axis Infinite 2.0 SC Arm.
Hexagon Metrology, Inc.
www.HexagonMetrology.us
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
The new fortus 250mc combines the convenience and affordability of a Dimension 3D printer with the flexibility of a Fortus production system.
Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) introduced the Fortus 250mc(TM) Production 3D Printer – a rapid prototyping and production machine that gives you the convenience of a Dimension 3D Printer with the flexibility of a Fortus Production 3D Printer.
It is the company’s first cross-over system, combining the ease-of-use and affordability of the Dimension 3D Printers with the control of Insight Software, used to drive the Fortus line of production 3D printers. With Insight, you have added control of build speed, part accuracy, and feature detail. This hybrid system is based on the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM(R)) process.
“The engineers interested in this new product will likely be traditional 3D printer candidates, but who want more sophisticated build-parameter control,” says product manager Mary Stanley. “Users are moving beyond prototyping into production with their additive manufacturing machines. The most common manufacturing application is to build functioning manufacturing tools, like jigs and fixtures to be used in the production process.”
The Fortus 250mc has a 10 x 10 x 12 in. (254 x 254 x 305 mm) build envelope and offers three build layer options: 0.007, 0.010 and 0.013 in. (0.178, 0.254 and 0.330 mm). To create parts, the machine uses ABSplusthermoplastic, which offers excellent mechanical proprieties, including impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and bonding strength for tough, functional applications. ABSplus comes in ivory, white, blue, fluorescent yellow, black, red, nectarine, olive green and gray colors.
The Fortus 250mc uses Stratasys SR-30 soluble support material, which has a faster dissolve time than other soluble support materials.
The Fortus 250mc is now available for shipment.
Stratasys, Inc.
www.stratasys.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
Accura® PEAK™ material is an advanced stereolithography resin designed for optimal performance, accuracy and stability during prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures and humidity. It produces rigid and stable parts that can withstand adverse environments. It is a good choice for parts requiring high thermal and moisture resistance, and is stiff for demanding applications.
“Accura® PEAK™ resin is an excellent option for our customers looking for a rigid, high-temp material to use for rapid prototyping,” said Patrick Hunter, VP and General Manager for Quickparts®.
Accura® PEAK™ SLA™ material is available immediately for online, instant quoting.
Quickparts
www.quickparts.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
Solid Concepts Inc, a supplier of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing services, has recently expanded its Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capacity adding one Fortus 900 and four Fortus 400 machines. This new expanded FDM capacity will make it even easier for Solid Concepts to quickly turnaround your short-run functional models and take on your long run end-use production parts.
Two of Solid Concepts four Fortus 400 FDM machines. In addition, Solid Concepts acquired a Fortus 900 with the largest FDM build envelope available of 36 in. x 36 in. x 24 in.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a layer additive manufacturing process that uses production-grade thermoplastic materials to produce both prototype and end-use parts. Solid Concepts offers a number of thermoplastic FDM materials that can be used for direct digital manufacturing including ABS (in both natural and black), medical grade PC-ISO polycarbonate and Ultem-9085 for high-temperature fire-retardant applications.
Since FDM parts are constructed with production-grade thermoplastics they are functional and durable. In fact, Ultem-9085 is flame, smoke and toxicity certified to UL-94V0 and FAA 25.853 standards and possesses an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Applications
• Concept models
Test form and fit and communicate design intent
• Functional prototypes
Tough prototypes used for functional tests
• End-use parts
Low volume production without tooling expense and lead times
• Manufacturing tools
Quickly manufacture jigs, fixtures, tooling masters and production tooling without machining
Solid Concepts Inc.
www.solidconcepts.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
BRML’s interest in kinematics and mechanism design is motivated by the belief that many designers are overly dependent on computer-aided design tools and software results. In contrast, BRML focuses on asking meaningful questions and searching for fundamental understanding of the problems and processes being studied. Fascinated by the depth and complexity of the art of analysis and synthesis of bodies in motion and mechanism design, Dr. Alon Wolf and his team use kinematics tools, such as 3D models, to provide insight into their modes of operation.
BRML develops mechanical structures, control strategies and motion planning for hyper-redundant mechanisms. A redundant robot has at least one extra degree of freedom (DOF) than required, in order to compensate for simple constraints, such as using an elbow up versus an elbow down configuration, to reach a target position. Hyper-redundant robots have many more DOF than required, enabling them to handle more constraints, such as those presented in highly convoluted volumes, while at the same time enabling them to perform a variety of tasks. BRML uses Objet’s Connex350 3D printer to create robust, fully functional models that investigate the kinematics, design criteria, and control strategy for these complex mechanisms. They focus on hyper-redundant robots, which are either mounted to a fixed base (like an elephant trunk), or are unconstrained (like a snake robot).
The lab focuses on kinematics and robotics in areas that can impact and directly contribute to science and society. For example, its work in medical devices and robotics enhances and enables executions of new medical procedures that were not possible before; and its work in search and rescue robotics enables better and faster detection of survivors while reducing the risk of injury for the search and rescue personnel. For these applications, and others, BRML uses Objet’s Connex350 3D printer to create the high quality, working robotic models needed.
The advanced, multi-material Connex350 3D printer is currently tested in the faculty of mechanical engineering mainly for research of vast variety of fields, serving all the faculty’s researchers, as well as researchers from other faculties in the Technion. Other fields in which the Connex350 has already been used include Medical Robotics, BioRobotics and Biomechanics, and Aeronautics. The Connex350 is also used as a tool for various students projects and for a range of instructional uses.
After a comprehensive study of the available 3D printing technologies around the world, BRML found that Objet’s Connex350 3D printer to be the optimal system to fit their broad range of research fields. This is due to the printer’s high layer resolution and smooth surfaces. Combining these traits with a wide range of mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural and impact strength, in one build process results in significantly improved strength of printing materials. This extra strength has enabled BRML to create durable parts for real world physical testing and functional use.
The Connex350 system allowed BRML to print complex structures that cover most of the design and structural requirements, in one build process. For example, the lab needed to produce a rigid casing with a protective coating, so it used FullCure720 material for the casing and rubber-like TangoPlus for the coating, to provide shock absorption, impact resistance and the required dynamic friction coefficient (figure 1). According to the team’s extensive research, the Connex350 is the only 3D printing system in the world that can deliver this kind of combination of physical properties in a single build.
According to Oded Salomon, Biorobotics Research Engineer, it is important to “emphasize the enormous upgrade in the way we are conducting our research today as compared to a year ago. Objet’s Connex350 system allows us to create real functional models, for real world physical testing, in a matter of days. This allows us to achieve the desired results in the shortest time with the lowest costs.”
Today BRML is able to produce working parts, whereas in the past using conventional machine shops took a lot of time. Designing for manufacturing using Objet technology is totally different than conventional CNC, as it allows complex, over-molding models that cannot be manufactured using other technologies. As Oded Salomon explains, “Designing using CAD is nice but there is really no comparison to a handheld from a Connex350 functional model.” Today BRML can involve more complex construction considerations to their design — a result of having Objet’s, “amazing matrix technology.”
Objet technology compresses the amount of time it takes for BRML to get to the final product, which in robotics research means many more concepts can be checked and compared in considerably less time. This creates better models faster, which in turn saves costs. As a result, BRML is now able to have the chosen model design, fine-tuned in a shorter period of time, creating better overall results.
Using the Connex350 enables BRML to locate errors much earlier in the design round, which is beneficial when designing a snake robot consisting of many vertebras. Finding all errors in the design is crucial, early location of such errors saves a lot of money in the overall process. In addition, having a rapid prototyping system that does not require any special infrastructure enables BRML to locate it in a very accessible area. Other systems would require a separate room that complies with specific environmental requirements. Dr. Alon Wolf explains that BRML is thankful that Objet technology is free of such restraints. “Placing the Connex350 inside a regular office is even more appealing and gives a stronger meaning to the words «compression of time» and accessibility.”
BRML made a great impact when it presented its snake robots, which were manufactured with the assistance of Objet’s technology, at the recent Israeli Conference on Robotics (ICR 2008). This brought the lab valuable publicity, and has earned them attention from several science programs on Israeli TV and radio. In addition a few of the robots have been submitted to the undergraduate projects contest in the Technion, won prestigious prizes.
The individual scientists have also won thanks to their use of Objet models. Their research has been greatly promoted, and some of their discoveries have been patented thanks to the working prototypes that were manufactured using this technology. One key factor in helping this happen is having the Connex350 in-house, where confidentiality prevents further discussion.
Dr. Wolf sums up the value of having Objet 3D prototyping capabilities in-house: “Getting your hands on this kind of technology is a MUST when it comes to robotics research. When it comes to robotics research nothing compares to the ability to hold your – last night crazy idea – in your hands the very next morning.”
Objet Geometries
www.objet.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
Objet Ltd., announced the Objet260 Connex, a compact addition to its family of multi-material 3D printers. The system is based on the company’s inkjet 3D printing technology that jets 2 materials at the same time. You can select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models.
Objet has more than 60 printing materials to cover a range of mechanical, thermal and physical properties from rigid (Objet Vero family) to rubber (Objet Tango family) to clear transparency (Objet VeroClear) and ABS-grade engineering plastics (Objet RGD5160-DM). Model replicas can be made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.
The printer has a 260 x 260 x 200 mm (10.2 x 10.2 x 7.9 in.) tray size and uses sealed material cartridges that are easy to insert and remove. Models are cured during the build process and can be handled immediately after printing. The system prints in 16-micron layers, so it can deliver high quality prototypes and true-product representation; plus it is quiet and small enough to run in the corner of any office. You can create prototypes containing distinct material elements, such as rigid walls with flexible, rubber-like joints or models combining transparent and opaque parts.
According to Eli B Hamou, R&D Product Manager for Medtronic, a leading medical technology provider, “The Objet260 Connex multi-material 3D printer allows us to produce realistic anatomical models and prototypes of our medical devices by printing both rigid and flexible material elements in a single print job. It has also opened up for us a whole new direction for future research, that until now we were unable to practically consider.”
Objet Ltd.
www.objet.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
If you have been using XOR for reverse engineering and XOV for inspection, sometimes you may be confused why the results of deviation by the Accuracy Analyzer of XOR and Whole Dimension of XOV are different. As you know, XOR is the software for reverse engineering and XOV is the software for inspection. Even though you try to calculate deviation using the same design data and scan data, the results would be different because of the difference in calculation method as shown in the image below.
Here is how these two applications calculate deviation, and thus, why the results of deviation are different.
Whole deviation of XOV is focused on checking how closely the scanned points are to the nominal data. So the application measures the gap that the scanned points have among the nominal data. In other words, the application tries to project the scanned points onto the nominal data and calculates its gap as shown in the image.
But the Accuracy analyzer of XOR is focused on checking how much the modeled data, which is designed by several reverse engineering tools, is close to the real scanned object. So the application measures gap that the modeled data have among the real scanned object. In other words, the application tries to tessellate modeled data so that it can project it onto the scanned data and then it calculates the gap as shown in the image below.
Since our interest of deviation calculation is different in both applications, the results of deviation are calculated in a different manner based on the respective interest.
Note: you can see the different in the results of deviation in XOR by setting the modeled data as reference in Mesh Deviation (Measure > Mesh Deviation.)
Rapidform
www.rapidform.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::
Stratasys Inc., (NASDAQ: SSYS) a maker of 3D printers for prototyping and producing plastic parts, introduced a static dissipative ABS material for items sensitive to electrostatic charge. The ABS-ESD7 is a new material for use by Fortus additive manufacturing systems. It can be used in situations where a static charge can damage products, impair performance, or cause an explosion. Unlike most thermoplastics, ABS-ESD7 prevents a buildup of static electricity, so it can’t produce a static shock.
Besides eliminating static shock, the ESD material eliminates another common static electricity problem: the attraction and buildup of particulate, such as dust or powders, which can degrade product performance.
ABS-ESD7 is also beneficial when designing products that avoid attracting atomized liquid, such as medicine inhalers, which must deliver the entire drug dose to the patient and not leave mist clinging to inhaler’s internal surfaces.
The material will be most useful for manufacturers that wish to create assembly aids that hold, handle, or carry their electronics safely.
Primary applications include:
• Carriers and organizers for electrical components
• Fixtures for electronic component assembly
• Production line and conveyor parts
Other applications include:
• Product design and validation for:
◦ Electronic product enclosures
◦ Electronics packaging material
◦ Powder or mist conveying or dispensing
“ABS-ESD7 was engineered in response to a strong demand from our additive manufacturing system owners,” says Stratasys Business Development Director Fred Fischer. “In a survey, over 50 percent of owners expressed a need for ESD materials for creating assembly aids, prototypes, or production parts.”
ABS-ESD7 will run on Fortus 400mc and Fortus 900mc FDM systems. It is comparable in operation to its non-ESD counterpart, ABS-M30, from Stratasys. All mechanical properties of ABS-ESD7 are within five percent of the ratings for ABS-M30. Orders are being taken now for ABS-ESD7, and material canisters will begin shipping in September.
ABS-ESD7 is available immediately for contract manufacturing jobs through Stratasys’ RedEye On Demand digital manufacturing service.
Stratasys, Inc.
www.stratasys.com
Source: :: Make Parts Fast ::