Industrial Additive Manufacturing
Industrial additive manufacturing applications are primarily linked to prototyping in the automotive field and early adoption for production in the aerospace segment, which is by far the biggest user of polymer and especially metal 3D printing technologies.
As the machines production throughput has increased in recent years, industrial adoption of AM is now beginning to extend to short and medium batch production for the automotive segment as well. Furthermore, as new metal and polymer technologies now enable the production of larger parts at reduced costs, the use of AM has begun to contaminate the energy segment (with applications in both traditional and sustainable energy production and transport) and the marine segment.
While the cost and time reduction benefits of AM technologies for weight and (topology) optimization, subassemblies and generative part design have been well documented, several hurdles still exist that are limiting a widespread adoption of these key technologies in full end-to-end digital and automated production cycles. Several of these hurdles are inherent to the AM technologies and related material availability, however, the biggest challenges remain linked to process standardization, part finishing and repeatability.
Today every major aerospace or automotive manufacturers has made some significant stride toward adoption of AM both for internal R&D and production and by leveraging external 3D printing service bureaus as a key resource for outsourced supplies. Every AM related industrial project is growing and the trend is clearly accelerating.
Latest industrial AM news:
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GE Additive has been selected by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars and electro-optic mission systems, to provide its AddWorks consultancy services. The collaboration, born out of a recent competitive tender, will see the AddWorks team working closely with GA-ASI to…
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After establishing a more direct presence in the country last month, Dutch metal 3D printer maker Additive Industries reported their first order in China. Leveragin the recent appointment of Sinsun-Tech Corporation Ltd as its agent, they sold the first MetalFAB1 system to a Chinese customer. Additive Industries won the tender of…
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MELD Manufacturing Corporation has been selected for Phase III of the Army’s Expeditionary Technology Search (xTechSearch). MELD is an additive manufacturing technology offering significant benefits in the production of components and vehicle armor, as well as the capability to perform battlefield repair of Next Generation Combat Vehicles. For the Army, MELD’s…
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For a long time, we have been paying particular attention to the implications of 3D printing technologies in non-traditional sectors. The reason for that is that when 3D printing finds space in an unusual commercial activity it’s possible to fully understand its unexpressed potential. The digitalization example offered by G.N.R.,…
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If there’s one thing that has become clear in the recent evolution of additive manufacturing technologies is that they will not replace traditional manufacturing processes. Instead, they will complement and, in many cases, enhance them. Stratasys is showcasing this reality at JEC World, where it revealed how Spanish composite solutions…
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A fascinating project, which began in 2013 but is still in its infancy, may finally bring together two of the most promising technologies of today: solar energy and 3D printing. Combining material science and advanced geometries, the startup T3DP is working on a new generation of 3D printed solar cells…
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Northern Italy-based Aidro Hydraulics & 3D Printing organized a 2-day meeting for an event within the Joint Innovation Programs (JIPs). The Aidro Oil and Gas meeting focused on 3D Printing of functional production parts for the Oil, Gas & Maritime industries. Participating companies in the project include key Oil and…
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Researchers from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory have adapted a specialized steel alloy for Powder Bed Fusion 3D printing. The new material, along with specific process parameters, can produce parts that are roughly 50% stronger than commercially available materials. Within a military context, additive manufacturing…
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CNH Industrial N.V., one of the world’s largest capital goods companies, today announced the release of its first 3D printed spare parts. The company is ramping up the use of additive manufacturing in its workflow to streamline and enhance productivity and pursue more sustainable manufacturing practices. Founded in 2012, CNH…
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A PhD candidate from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia has been awarded a $15,000 prize for developing a 3D printed steel tool that is capable of cutting titanium alloys as well as—if not better than—traditionally manufactured steel tools. The achievement marks a first and could pave the way for increased…
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