3D printing - Applications and end users

Launcher's E-2 liquid rocket engine successfully demonstrated nominal thrust, pressure and oxidizer/fuel mixture ratio for the first time in a test fire at NASA Stennis Space Center. E-2 is a closed cycle 3D-printed, high-performance liquid rocket engine in development for the Launcher Light launch vehicle (inaugural launch scheduled for 2024). A single E-2 engine will boost Launcher Light to low Earth orbit with 150 kg of payload.

Machines can beat the world's best chess player, but they cannot handle a chess piece as well as an infant. This lack of robot dexterity is partly because artificial grippers lack the fine tactile sense of the human fingertip, which is used to guide our hands as we pick up and handle objects.

Researchers have developed a novel and flexible additively manufactured tile-based approach to construct on-demand, massively scalable arrays of 5G+ (5G/Beyond 5G)-enabled smart skins with the potential to enable intelligence on nearly any surface or object.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has devised a new 3D printing technology to manufacture spare parts for electromechanical systems and cladding materials used in the maintenance of RTA's roads and road facilities.

Additive manufacturing of parts looks set to upend the supply of components globally. A small-scale trial of 3D manufactured parts is helping Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions and leading mining company Boliden explore the potential.

Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in composite manufacturing with the production of two 3D-printed prototype logistics vessels for the US Department of Defense. The longer of the two vessels, the largest ever 3D-printed, simulates ship-to-shore movement of 20-foot containers representing equipment and supplies. The second vessel can transport a Marine rifle-squad with organic equipment and three days of supplies.

Bentley Motors has shared details of the impact of a £3 million investment to double its additive manufacturing capacity at the company's headquarters in Crewe, England, where all Bentley models are built.

Stratasys Ltd has partnered with Radford, a global luxury automotive brand, to create over 500 3D-printed parts for the launch of the Lotus Type 62-2 coachbuilt.

Optomec announced the receipt of a $1.25 Million order for a production Metal Additive Manufacturing machine for the maintenance of industrial gas turbine components. The long-time customer, a Fortune 500 energy equipment supplier, will install the machine in one of its service facilities in the Middle East region.