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| 3D Systems-Fleet Space Technologies Collaboration Yields Satellite Patch Antennas |
3D Systems has collaborated with Fleet Space Technologies to produce RF patch antennas for use on Fleet Space Technologies’ Alpha satellite constellation. The reported combination of a unique antenna design with expertise provided by 3D Systems’ Application Innovation Group allowed realization of a complete additive manufacturing (AM) solution that includes process development and bridge production on the 3D Systems DMP Flex 350 metal-AM machine.
The combination reportedly enabled a move from Fleet Space’s existing RF patch design to small-batch production in only three weeks. |
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| Sponsored |
| Vacuum Heat Treating 3D Metal Printed Components |
| Since
3D printing builds to near net or finished dimensions, vacuum heat
treating is an absolute necessity. Vacuum levels that approach 1 X 10-6
Torr produce clean and oxide-free surface conditions that are
metallurgically stable. Critical temperature control is also a must to
avoid cracking and producing a strong and ductile part. |
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| NIST Awards Nearly $4 Million to Support Metals-Based Additive Manufacturing |
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $3.7 million in grants to help address current and future barriers to widespread adoption of metals-based AM through measurement science research.
“The United States can take a leading role in developing the measurements and international standards that will help accelerate adoption of these important 3D-printing technologies,” says Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “To compete globally, we need to invest in programs such as this that bring together our best minds in industry, academia and government to solve important technical challenges.”
Receiving NIST metals-based AM grants, to be spent over 2 yr.: Colorado
School of Mines, The Research Foundation for the State University of New
York, Auburn University, and GE Research. |
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| How Do You Know Your AM Laser is Performing to Spec? |
How can you assure that your AM laser is performing as needed to produce high-quality, consistent builds? You can assume all is well or you can ensure that you have the data that show what's working and what's not. Some modern in-situ tools provide a partial picture of the performance of the lasers that are empowering your 3D laser printers, but they often don’t tell the complete story because they capture only a portion of the laser system. These tools allow 3D printer users to check the laser power, spot size, waist location and stability—all of which are needed to guarantee correct and repeatable outcomes. These tools enable quick and simple ways to monitor critical laser output parameters.
In this webinar on September 8 at 2 p.m., Kevin D. Kirham, senior
manager for new business development, and John McCauley, business
development, both for Ophir at MKS Instruments, will discuss the what,
why and how around the latest innovations in uncooled power meters
designed for the AM workspace, and self-contained laser beam profilers
that provide views of the working beam and monitor the location of the
beam waist and any focal shift that may be occurring. |
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| AM Mass Customization: Selfie Action Figures via Formlabs Technology |
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| Though not metal additive manufacturing (AM) per se, a coming Hasbro offering that allows for personalized Star Wars—and other—action figures certainly ticks the boxes regarding AM’s capability for mass customization. And, it’s pretty cool. Available in fall 2022 via the Hasbro Pulse mobile app, the ability to immortalize yourself as your very own action figure. Make room on the shelf for yourself—as Hasbro explains—via collaboration between the toymaker and Formlabs Factory Solutions on the Hasbro Selfie Series project, which employs 3D printing to manufacture personalized action figures at scale. |
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| Sponsored |
| What to Look for in a Modern Metal 3D Printer |
| Are
you considering the impact metal 3D printing could have on your
business? Have applications you think could be a good fit? Need help
figuring out which technology is right for you? Download this eGuide to
gain powerful insights that will save you time and money. |
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| In This Issue |
| Automation Takes the Hurt Out of Post-Processing |
Post-processing
has been labeled the necessary evil of AM. Unquestionably of utmost
importance in the production cycle, post-processing nonetheless can drop
challenges and roadblocks galore in time, manpower and costs..
Prototype Metal Parts at One-Tenth the Cost
In Caldwell Manufacturing’s strategic-planning meeting in 2010, the executives looked at what kind of technologies were going to be disruptive, and unanimously agreed that 3D printing would be the key to their success. |
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| Coming in 3DMP's Next Issue |
- Updates from RAPID + TCT and AMUG
- Powders for Metal AM
- Software for AM
- Laser Powder Bed Fusion
- IMTS Preview—Bonus Distribution
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Event
Stamping Presses
Stamping Presses