Assembly Consolidation

Video: Laser Powder Bed Fusion Platform Designed for Safety, Ease of Use

One Click Metal’s compact metal 3D printing platform offers powder handling features to make this affordable system accessible and safe for many types of facilities. See one application in this video, filmed at IMTS 2024. 

Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing

Savage Automation Delivers 3D Printed Commercial Manufacturing Aids

The company's approach to designing end-of-arm tooling and other devices has evolved over the years to support longevity and repairs.

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3D Printed NASA Thrust Chamber Assembly Combines Two Metal Processes: The Cool Parts Show #71

Laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition combine for an integrated multimetal rocket propulsion system that will save cost and time for NASA. The Cool Parts Show visits NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

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Additive Manufacturing Versus Cavitation

The design freedom possible with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printing is making it faster and easier to produce complex anticavitation devices for valves.

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Freeform: Binder Jetting Does Not Change the Basics of Manufacturing

Rather than adapting production methodologies to additive manufacturing, this Pennsylvania contract manufacturer adapts AM to production methodologies. In general, this starts with conversation.

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Variable Resistance Valve Trim Achieves Lead Time Reduction Through AM: The Cool Parts Show #69

Baker Hughes is realizing shorter lead times and simplified manufacturing through powder bed fusion to produce valve trims previously assembled from many machined metal parts. 

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At General Atomics, Do Unmanned Aerial Systems Reveal the Future of Aircraft Manufacturing?

The maker of the Predator and SkyGuardian remote aircraft can implement additive manufacturing more rapidly and widely than the makers of other types of planes. The role of 3D printing in current and future UAS components hints at how far AM can go to save cost and time in aircraft production and design.

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Acquire
The World According To
UPM Additive Solutions
3D printing machine trainings

Beehive Industries Is Going Big on Small-Scale Engines Made Through Additive Manufacturing

Backed by decades of experience in both aviation and additive, the company is now laser-focused on a single goal: developing, proving and scaling production of engines providing 5,000 lbs of thrust or less.

Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing

From Parts to Problem-Solving: 3DEO's Evolution with Intelligent Layering Metal 3D Printing

The technology developer and parts provider is moving beyond transactional 3D printing, in favor of holistic solutions where its AM process can have the greatest impact.

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Sculpteo Redesigns Lumbar Support Belt to Enhance Environment Awareness for the Blind

The choice of the 3D printed flexible material considerably improves user comfort, while also simplifying the production process.

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8 Cool Parts From Formnext 2023: The Cool Parts Show #65

New additive manufacturing technologies on display at Formnext were in many cases producing notable end-use components. Here are some of the coolest parts we found at this year’s show.

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3D Printed "Evolved Structures" for NASA Exoplanet Balloon Mission: The Cool Parts Show #61

Generative design creates stiff, lightweight brackets for EXCITE mission monitoring planets orbiting other stars. The Cool Parts Show visits Goddard Space Flight Center.

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Micro Robot Gripper 3D Printed All at Once, No Assembly Required: The Cool Parts Show #59

Fine control over laser powder bed fusion achieves precise spacing between adjoining moving surfaces. The Cool Parts Show looks at micro 3D printing of metal for moving components made in one piece.

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GA-ASI Integrates Digital Manufacturing Process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

GA-ASI is working to apply Divergent’s data-driven approach to design, fabricate and assemble vehicle structures for manufacturing its line of unmanned aircraft systems.

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Airtech
The Cool Parts Show
AM Radio
Airtech International Inc.

Bike Manufacturer Uses Additive Manufacturing to Create Lighter, More Complex, Customized Parts

Titanium bike frame manufacturer Hanglun Technology mixes precision casting with 3D printing to create bikes that offer increased speed and reduced turbulence during long-distance rides, offering a smoother, faster and more efficient cycling experience.

Angela Osborne
Managing Editor, Gardner Business Media

Concept Sneaker Boasts One-Piece 3D Printed TPU Construction

The Reebok x Botter Concept Sneaker Engineered by HP premiered at Paris Fashion Week, hinting at manufacturing possibilities for the future of footwear.

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What Does AM Want? Here Are 4 Aims (Maybe 5) That Additive Manufacturing Is Driving Toward

Certain freedoms and contributing factors allow additive manufacturing to realize its full promise for production.

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Drones Take Flight with Metal and Polymer 3D Printed Parts: The Cool Parts Show Bonus

Drones produced by Cobra Aero now incorporate many 3D printed parts made through laser powder bed fusion and Multi Jet Fusion processes. 

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3D Printed Brake Panel for the Rail Industry: The Cool Parts Show #52

In this episode of The Cool Parts Show, laser powder bed fusion simplifies the manufacturing of air brake panels for light rail systems made by Wabtec.

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Qualification Today, Better Aircraft Tomorrow — Eaton’s Additive Manufacturing Strategy

The case for additive has been made, Eaton says. Now, the company is taking on qualification costs so it can convert aircraft parts made through casting to AM. The investment today will speed qualification of the 3D printed parts of the future, allowing design engineers to fully explore additive’s freedoms.

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Video: 3D Printing Paired with Plastics Joining

Conventional 3D printing wisdom is to combine as many components as possible into one 3D printed piece. Plastics joining technology expert Extol illustrates the benefits that come from printing in many pieces instead. 

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3D printing machine trainings

Preassembled Turbojet Engine, 3D Printed in One Build: The Cool Parts Show #75

Turbojet engines typically consist of hundreds or thousands of parts, but this engine — 2023 winner of The Cool Parts Showcase for Best Proof of Concept — was 3D printed as just two pieces, with the monolithic rotor embedded inside the stationary engine shell. 

Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing

3D Printed Metal Component for CNC Machining Center: The Cool Parts Show #47

Machine tool maker DMG MORI improved this coolant delivery adapter by making the part through additive manufacturing instead of machining. One of the viewer-chosen winners of The Cool Parts Showcase.

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Creating Designs That 3D Printing Experts Love

3D printing can create virtually any shape imaginable, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to print. How to design parts that are printable as well as functional.

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Flexing Thermoset Polymers Into Production 3D Printing

Chromatic 3D Materials develops tough and flexible thermosetting urethanes for additive manufacturing. The resin formulation is only part of the path to scale.

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How Bridge Production Is Bringing New Possibilities: AM Radio #14A

Additive manufacturing makes bridge production a more natural factor in the production strategy overall. This has important implications for product development and even what products are possible.

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3D Printing for Better Flame From a Gas Turbine Swirler: The Cool Parts Show #42

A Penn State gas turbine researcher turns to additive manufacturing graduate students to help face the challenge of swirler optimization.

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Video: Functional Excavator Features 3D Printed Parts

Oak Ridge National Lab's Project AME swapped an excavator's cab, stick and heat exchanger for 3D printed parts. Stephanie Hendrixson and Peter Zelinski get the scoop. 

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3D Printing for Electric Vehicles