Production
3D Printing and Coronavirus: U.S. Additive Manufacturers Share Their Experiences
The COVID-19 outbreak has brought both setbacks and opportunities for American manufacturing. 3D printing companies share their stories.
April 8, 2020 - Brent Donaldson, Stephanie Hendrixson, Peter Zelinski, Barbara Schulz
Medical
Guide for Healthcare Providers: How to Find (and Talk to) 3D Printing Professionals
If you are a medical professional in the U.S., you've likely heard that 3D printing can be an answer to equipment shortages. Here's how to find local 3D printing specialists and how to talk to them once you have.
March 27, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Tooling
Need Parts? These Additive Manufacturers Are Ready to Help
Disrupted supply chains are just one more effect of the coronavirus pandemic. These 3D printing service providers are ready to help fill production gaps with parts, tooling and prototypes.
March 20, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Polymer AM
FDA Approves 3D Printed Mask in Response to Coronavirus Crisis — Multiplies Surgical Mask Stocks by 4X
Reusable nylon mask made through powder bed fusion is easy to disinfect, uses replaceable filter media. Link to design file provided.
April 8, 2020 - Peter Zelinski
Polymer AM
A Circular Economy for 3D Printed Plastics Starts with Material
When the greatest share of a product’s environmental impact comes from producing its feedstock, selecting the right material is critical. For 3D printing and manufacturing in plastic, biopolymer could be the first step toward a more sustainable model.
April 8, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Production
3D Printing and Coronavirus Check-In - Week of 4/6/2020
Editors Peter Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson discuss the pivot to production for 3D printed PPE, and other AM news in the fight against COVID-19.
April 7, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson, Peter Zelinski
Medical
Aerospace Manufacturer Pivots to 3D Print Masks for COVID-19 First Responders
Rapid Application Group is finalizing a 3D printed mask to protect first responders and medical staff who may be exposed to coronavirus. The nylon mask uses a replaceable N-95 or HEPA filter.
April 6, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Design for Additive
Additive Manufacturing in the Age of COVID-19
Reporting from the front lines of the fight against Coronavirus – how my journey began.
April 3, 2020 - Timothy W. Simpson
Polymer AM
Dental Lab Brings 3D Printing into Digital Dentistry Workflow
With 3D scan technology and resin-based 3D printers, Spectrum Dental Printing is changing the way dental devices are made — and potentially, how dentistry happens.
April 1, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Production
3D Printing and Coronavirus Check-In - Week of 3/30/2020
In this week's discussion, editors Peter Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson discuss face shield visors and masks; ventilator components; and new movement from the FDA on 3D printed devices.
March 31, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson, Peter Zelinski
Medical
America Makes Partners with FDA, NIH and VA to Coordinate Coronavirus-Related AM Efforts
"We're trying to be the matchmaker" between additive manufacturers, hospitals and designers, says John Wilczynski, executive director of America Makes.
March 30, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Materials
Why “Recycled” Doesn’t Mean Inferior for 3D Printing Filament
GreenGate3D’s PET-G filament is made from recycled plastic, but that doesn’t diminish its quality. How a recycler found a new business opportunity in 3D printing, and how this success might point the way to a more effective recycling ecosystem.
March 30, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Basics
Guide for Healthcare Providers: How to Find (and Talk to) 3D Printing Professionals
If you are a medical professional in the U.S., you've likely heard that 3D printing can be an answer to equipment shortages. Here's how to find local 3D printing specialists and how to talk to them once you have.
March 27, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson
Metal AM
Can 3D Printed Metal Hold a Vacuum…for Quantum Physics Research?
A feasibility study shows that laser sintered AlSi10Mg can build an ultrahigh vacuum chamber capable of holding a cloud of rubidium atoms. The promise? Lighter, more portable designs to bring research out of the lab.
March 27, 2020 - Stephanie Hendrixson