3D printing

Researchers have developed a unique 3D printed system for harvesting stem cells from bioreactors, offering the potential for high quality, wide-scale production of stem cells in Australia at a lower cost. Stem cells offer great promise in the treatment of many diseases and injuries, from arthritis and diabetes to cancer, due to their ability to replace damaged cells. However, current technology used to harvest stem cells is labour intensive, time consuming and expensive.

Velo3D Inc announced a new addition to its Sapphire family of printers with the Sapphire XC 1MZ. The new printer allows customers to print parts one meter in height—with a total build volume that is twice that of the Sapphire XC and nine times larger than the original Sapphire—increasing the addressable use-cases of Velo3D's end-to-end metal additive manufacturing solution.

The growth potential for AM materials differs from printing equipment, as operational legacy printers continue to consume materials. Therefore, this segment of the 3D printing value chain represents a tremendous opportunity.

The creation of high-resolution extrusion printing—think 3D printing but with ink that conducts electricity—has enabled researchers to explore the potential of wearable human motion devices.

A team of engineers and their colleagues have developed a new design strategy and 3D printing technique to build robots in one single step. The breakthrough enabled the entire mechanical and electronic systems needed to operate a robot to be manufactured all at once by a new type of 3D printing process for engineered active materials with multiple functions (also known as metamaterials). Once 3D printed, a "meta-bot" will be capable of propulsion, movement, sensing and decision-making.

Ultimaker announced the extension of its Ultimaker Platform with a Metal Expansion Kit, making metal 3D printing more accessible and affordable. Engineers using the new Kit will be empowered to produce applications capable of high mechanical stress and thermal resistance, an impossible task even with high-performance thermoplastics.

Researchers have developed an upcycling approach that adds value to discarded plastics for reuse in additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. The readily adoptable, scalable method introduces a closed-loop strategy that could globally reduce plastic waste and cut carbon emissions tied to plastic production.

This premium article explores the RAPID + TCT 2022 event, held in Detroit, Michigan, from 17th-19th May. It will cover many products launched at the event, with a focus on printers, materials, and post-processing equipment.

On display now at Milan Design Week is the SSYS 2Y22 Reflection Collection. Created using the new Stratasys J850 TechStyle 3D printer, this Stratasys created and curated collection was made possible through close collaboration with seven design groups and includes exclusive dresses and suits, daywear, lighting, luxury packaging, cosmetics, handbags, accessories, footwear and more.