In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’ll discuss metal 3D printing, certifications, 3D printed dentures, freeform optics, and 3D printed swan eggs. Let’s dive in for all the details!
Meltio Taps Brusat as Taiwan Sales Partner
Laser metal deposition technology manufacturer Meltio has named its first official sales partner in Taiwan as it aims to intensify its growth within the country’s wire-laser metal AM market. Brusat will work as the authorized dealer for numerous prestigious brands and manufacturers of additive manufacturing equipment, focusing on creating a supportive ecosystem in Taiwan for distribution and support of Meltio’s wire-laser metal 3D printing solution. Meltio’s process centers around welding wire, recognized as the cleanest, safest, and most affordable metal feedstock available. Brusat aims to tap into and drive business prospects for this technology, in partnership with industry and tooling machine companies, technology centers, and robotic integrators.
“We’re excited to partner with companies like Brusat – their expertise coupled with a customer-centric approach aligns perfectly with what we seek in partners for the Meltio ecosystem,” shared Antonio Antonaya, APAC Sales Manager at Meltio. “By joining forces with Brusat, we are responding to the swelling demand from various industries in Taiwan keen on our unique wire-laser metal 3D printing solutions. Collaboratively, we aspire to meet the escalating needs of the Taiwanese market and simplify the adoption of metal additive manufacturing.”
ASTM International Expands PBF-LB Operator Certification Program
ASTM International expanded its
Powder Bed Fusion – Laser Beam (PBF-LB) Machine Operator Certification program,
which was developed by its Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE). The certification is built on the joint ISO/ASTM standard for qualifying machine operators of laser metal PBF machines and equipment (ISO/ASTM 52942:2020), and is part of a larger initiative to ensure consistency and reproducibility, and that specific product quality requirements, particularly in regulated industries, are met. The expansion added the EOS M 400 and EOS M 400-4, and welcomed two new OEMs; 3D Systems will introduce the program for its DMP Flex 350 production printer, while Nikon SLM Solutions will do so for the SLM 280, SLM 500, and SLM NXG XII 600. The certification ensures competencies in standard operating procedures, powder material family specializations, operator maintenance of systems, and more, and provides a demonstration of an operator’s skill and compliance with the globally recognized standard.
“Structured certification programs are fundamental to the integration and acceptance of AM technologies within the industry. This is a significant stride in addressing the industry’s need for certified personnel and promoting a uniform standard of excellence,” said Dr. Mohsen Seifi, ASTM International’s Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing Programs. “We anticipate further expansion to other platforms and continuous collaboration with essential industry players to ensure the AM technology is utilized reliably and proficiently.”
6K Additive Gets Recycled Content Certification from SCS Global Services
Leader in sustainable production of additive manufacturing materials 6K Additive, a division of 6K Inc., received independent certification from Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Global Services for its titanium powder (Ti-6AL-4V). SCS Global Services, a global third-party auditing and certification organization, certified that 6K Additive’s Ti-6AL-4V powder has achieved a minimum 95% post-consumer recycled titanium content. 6K Additive is the first in the world to produce AM powder made from sustainable sources, using its UniMelt microwave plasma process. The SCS Recycled Content Certification evaluates products from both pre- and post-consumer material diverted from the waste stream, measuring the percentage of recycled content in order to make accurate claims on the market. This certification from the sustainability verification leader definitely recognizes 6K Additive’s commitment to making environmentally-conscious AM powders.
“We are thrilled that our commitment to sustainability has been recognized by a leading organization such as SCS Global Services through their certification process,” said Frank Roberts, President of 6K Additive. “We’re seeing a big increase from customers asking for not only data, but third-party validation from their suppliers regarding sustainability and having a recognized certification from a global sustainability organization like SCS is exactly the type of confirmation they are seeking. Our proprietary technology for processing titanium and refractory metals at scale is a benefit to our customers and the environment by recycling scrap streams back into premium powders.”
Zahn Dental Distributing Myerson’s Trusana Premium Denture System
Henry Schein’s dental laboratory business Zahn Dental is now an exclusive distributor of the new Trusana Premium Denture System by dental manufacturing company Myerson. A global team of clinicians and scientists created the patented chemistry used in the system, which delivers an unfilled polymer with the high wear resistance, flexural strength, and fracture toughness necessary to produce final digital dentures that have the characteristics of traditional ones. Together, the three products in the system—Trusana Premium 3D Tooth Resin, Trusana Premium 3D Denture Base Resin, and Trusana Bond Denture Adhesive—work to make these high-quality dentures, with optimal aesthetics and physical properties, for dental labs.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Trusana Premium Denture System, together with Zahn Dental. Myerson has dedicated years of university-based research to create resins for 3D printing denture teeth with exceptional wear resistance and optimal esthetics, and a denture base with high-impact strength. Our patented 3D printing resins can help deliver optimal strength and toughness, with minimal moisture absorption,” said Jim Swartout, President and CEO, Myerson. “We are pleased to help fulfill the dental industry’s need for a straightforward digital workflow using next level 3D printing resins to produce the highest quality dentures.”
iLAuNCH Project Uses Freeform Optics to Take Demonstrator to Production Manufacturing
iLAuNCH Freeform Optics project team at UniSA
Satellite optical payloads are used to scan the Earth’s surface to trace changes in transport, environment, and infrastructure with the objective of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). These payloads need to have a broad span to work efficiently. However, the conventional glass optics on satellites are constrained in their views due to traditional manufacturing. The development and refinement of suitable AM technologies has now made it possible to design and 3D print freeform optics. These are not limited by symmetry of shape and form, allowing them to be crafted into complex shapes. They offer large fields of view in compact packages and are robust enough to withstand outer space. The $180 million Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Trailblazer project, a collaboration between the University of South Australia (UniSA) and industry partners VPG Innovation and SMR Australia, aims at transitioning 3D printed freeform optics from a demonstrative phase to production manufacturing.
A primary requirement in the production of freeform optics is the ability to process the 3D printed part to a point where it has a mirror finish. Traditional surface finishing techniques cannot achieve this with freeform surfaces. The experienced project members aims to collaborate to advance and space-qualify a new optical manufacturing process and demonstrate it in a camera that utilizes freeform optics. In addition, they are also developing, validating, and testing an optical-grade finish for additive material substrates on satellite optical components and a coating system for reflective optical components in space. The project is expected to augment ISR capabilities for satellite platforms.
Melbourne Zoo’s Male Swans Parenting 3D Printed Artificial Eggs
Australian black swans Billy and Elliot were rescued following dog attacks. Since they couldn’t be released back into the wild, they found a new home in the Melbourne Zoo‘s Australian Bush habitat. It’s not unusual for male swans to display courtship behaviour in the absence of females. This pair were observed vocalising and swimming in formation, which according to Melbourne Zoo’s bird keeper, Ben Oliver, is a pair formation. They even built a nest, and zookeepers gave them a chance at simulated parenthood using 3D printing. Guy Pilens, a volunteer, has previously 3D printed 20 different bird egg species for Zoos Victoria. This time, he contributed by 3D printing a batch of five dummy eggs resembling the weight and form of real swan eggs. Although, the pair, Billy and Elliot, didn’t sit on the 3D printed eggs, they reacted positively upon seeing their artificial progeny. It also allowed them to exhibit their protective and territorial behaviours.
“We wanted to let them have the chance to explore their reproductive behaviours so we asked one of our volunteers, who can print 3D eggs, to make some we could put in the nest,” said Oliver.
Feel free to watch the video here.
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“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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