Peter Zelinski

Peter Zelinski Editor-in-Chief

Cool Parts

8 Cool Parts From RAPID+TCT 2021: The Cool Parts Show #32

North America’s largest AM trade show resumed! Here are some of the coolest cool parts we found.

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Startups

Genetic Engineering for Metal: The Promise of Microstructure Control via Additive Manufacturing

“To design the alloy, design the microstructure,” says this Ohio materials science startup. Artificial intelligence is helping to realize a design tool for determining the properties of 3D printed metals.

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Production

With Binder Jet Aluminum, Ford Prepares for Production 3D Printing at Automotive Scale

Component for popular car will be the first case of continuing applications of additive manufacturing to automotive-quantity metal part production.

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Tooling

Is AM in Competition With Conventional Manufacturing? Tooling Is on Conventional’s Side

Recent articles consider the other way additive manufacturing is advancing production: not by 3D printing parts, but in the ways 3D printed tooling makes casting, machining, molding and other processes better.

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Construction

More Examples of How 3D Printed Tooling Is Transforming Part Production

Illustrations of successes with tooling made through additive manufacturing in applications involving composite parts, robots, metal coating, die casting and construction.

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Polymer

After Years in China, 3D Printing Lets Vacuum Accessory Maker Develop U.S. Production

The costs of injection molding had Dustless Technologies making tooling and many parts offshore. Additive manufacturing promises an alternative, as in the case of the company's newest product, which is entirely U.S.-made.

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Why I Am Bullish on Additive: 3 Factors Favoring 3D Printing’s Continued Advance

The shortcomings are being overcome and the advantage is nothing less than freedom. Only the pace of the advance is uncertain.

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Metal

Support Structures and Build Layout Lead to Series of Fails — AM: Why the Failure? #4

A 3D printed piston crown illustrates the iterative path to success often part of laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.

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How 3D Printing Answers Supply Chain Disruptions

Essentium CEO: Production-speed additive manufacturing is “a time machine and an insurance policy.” It addresses lead time demands while providing buffer against volatility. Look for 3D printing to support injection molding in this way.

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Metal

Lightweight Combustion Chamber for 3D Printed Rocket Engine: The Cool Parts Show #30

An engine for repeated trips to the moon is 3D printed in just three pieces from a metal matrix composite combining aluminum for weight saving with ceramic for high-temperature performance.

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Polymer

3D Printed Snakes Reveal Unseen Desert Wildlife (Includes Video)

At the University of Texas El Paso, a biology researcher teams up with a manufacturing technology instructor to produce rattlesnake models realistic enough to draw predators.

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Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Error Turns Nozzle Into Chess Piece — AM: Why the Failure? #3

Chess pieces are often 3D printed as demo parts, but this one was an accident! What happened? The answer involves heat transfer.

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