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US Navy Chooses Interos for Supply Chain Digitalization https://ift.tt/hC37qnG Interos, a Virginia-based software development company specializing in operational resilience solutions, announced that it has been chosen by the US Navy to develop the first navy-wide, supply chain risk management (SCRM) platform. Interos will work closely with the navy’s Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) unit to develop the platform. While quite lofty in its objectives, the fundamental premise of Interos’ signature tech is fairly simple to explain: the company uses AI and machine learning to create a living global map of an enterprise’s total operations. To be sure, every purveyor of workflow automation software for supply chain management makes a claim along those same lines. Aside from the company’s working relationship with corporate data collection giants like MasterCard and Equifax — as well as endorsements from customers like defense contractor L3Harris Technologies — Interos’ key differentiator lies in the Interos Knowledge Graph (IKG). According to the company, the IKG is “the world’s largest business relationship graph repository.” That may sound a bit dry to qualify as a game-changing asset in a singularly transformative field, but it’s what allows Interos’ software to track and constantly update the full range of risks that an enterprise’s supply chains are exposed to. Given its surging additive manufacturing (AM) activity in recent years, which seems poised to continue expanding well into the future, the Navy is the ideal branch to serve as a coordinator for the rest of the US military’s advanced manufacturing efforts. As such, both the Navy and Interos should benefit from this partnership, and it could significantly accelerate the entire military’s push to secure and update its industrial base. Above all, the military will benefit from the enhancements to its manufacturing cybersecurity that Interos will provide. In the summer of 2021, the Navy issued a report warning about the many vulnerabilities of its AM data. As I mentioned in my post about Navy the report, this was almost certainly overblown at the time, precisely to catalyze the demand for the sort of services Interos is offering. But the more that armed forces around the planet commit to making their advanced manufacturing programs a reality, the more necessary it will be for those organizations to ramp up cybersecurity efforts, and to do so before any equivalent ramping up of their digital supply chains. Images courtesy of Interos The post US Navy Chooses Interos for Supply Chain Digitalization appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/CZKLnxG April 26, 2023 at 09:04AM
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AddUp Deploying 8 Metal 3D Printers to Zeda: A Conversation with CEO Rush LaSelle https://ift.tt/RXyZg8e In the first post in this series, I gave an overview of some of the operations and automation that will take place at thenew 73,000-square-foot facility being launched by Zeda. The company, formed through the acquisition of Vertex Manufacturing by PrinterPrezz, combines the aerospace, space, and industrial expertise of Vertex with PrinterPrezz’s medical device specialty. In Part 2, I went into greater depth about how the site was planned and how it fits into the larger idea of re-shoring manufacturing to the United States. Now, I’m focusing on the eight AddUp 3D printers that will be deployed at the facility, the first of which is already there.
Rush LaSelle, CEO of AddUp, agreed, saying it was “destiny” to partner with industry veterans.
One of AddUp’s printers is already onsite at the Zeda facility, and prints with Inconel 718. I asked LaSelle when the next FormUp 350 laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D printer would be deployed at Zeda, and the short answer was “within the first six months” of the facility being fully operational.
In fact, two machines have already been staged, the other of which is a titanium printer at AddUp’s nearby facility that’s currently being run and qualified for medical applications and will soon be at the Zeda factory; LaSelle said that “it’s in effect delivered, just at the wrong facility.” A separate room is being built on the floor at Zeda specifically to house titanium 3D printers, which will help ensure traceability, and as soon as that is built out, AddUp will install this second FormUp 350 inside. A third printer will be used for DoD opportunities in stainless steel, and in about three to four months, an aluminum tool from AddUp will arrive to the Zeda facility as well, for aerospace applications.
I’d previously asked Morris how much automation Zeda anticipated using at the facility, and he said it would be a fair amount; I saw some of it on my tour. LaSelle and I continued this conversational thread inside the standalone room where the AddUp printers will be kept, with the exception of the titanium system. I asked if AddUp’s previous work with the AZO Group in automating powder handling for metal 3D printing would be on display at Zeda, and he said that the system has matured since 2021, and was actually already integrated and factory-ready to control the powder.
He explained that one of the two “primary benefits” of the automated powder handling system is improved operator safety, and the other is more consistency of material for processing, both of which are obviously of paramount importance.
I asked LaSelle what was coming for AddUp in the immediate future, and he said the company was working on “some interesting developments” within the healthcare space, though potentially with a partner other than Zeda. Since my visit to Zeda, the company has released one major healthcare-related piece of news—the establishment of a medical advisory board, as well as the appointment of three industry leaders to the board. These founding members are Sam Onukuri, Jan Triani, and Severine Valdant, each of whom has plenty of expertise in medical devices and healthcare. The mission of the board is to give AddUp a holistic, non-biased view of the medical industry, specifically as it relates to using metal 3D printing, and these new board members will certainly deliver. Most recently the Global Head and Senior Fellow for Johnson & Johnson’s 3D Printing Innovation and Customer Solutions divisions, Onukuri has worked to speed up commercialization of 3D printing, specializing in both digital customer delivery models and healthcare applications. Triani is a subject matter expert for FDA audits, having authored 510(k)s, HDE, complete Quality Management Systems, 483 and Warning Letter responses. She founded Triani Consulting, developed and established initial QMS for two startup medical device companies, led Stage I and Stage II assessments with BSI, achieved 13485 certification with no major non-conformities, and much more. Finally, Valdant was most recently the President at Oxford Performance Materials, Inc. (OPM) and helped it evolve from a polymers company to an additive and medical device manufacturer, after which it became the first—and only—company to receive FDA approvals for 3D printed polymeric permanent implants. She is currently Chief Commercial Officer for QuesTek Innovations LLC.
The other piece of news AddUp recently released is its expansion into Germany, as it will soon officially open the doors to a new Tooling Competence Centre, located in Aachen within the WBA Tooling Academy, a leading partner of the tool and die industry in industry consulting, further education, and research.. This is the company’s second AM facility outside its home country of France, and a new office in Aachen will also serve as its Germany subsidiary AddUp GmbH. The company has plenty of experience developing applications and materials within the tooling industry, as PBF technology makes it possible to produce tools with multiple parts more quickly, and with complex geometries and cooling channels as well. The new Tooling Competence Centre will be a useful resource to help tooling manufacturers validate their applications, and the facility is already equipped with a FormUp 350 printer. Tool makers will be able to submit applications cases for evaluation, and study every aspect of their project, including design, profitability analysis, and series production study.
AddUp will celebrate its new AddUp Tooling Competence Centre at a Grand Opening on May 10th, 2023. The event is free and open to the public and local businesses, and will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tours, technical presentations, and local food and drinks. If you can’t make it to Germany in May, you can come visit AddUp at next week’s RAPID+TCT in Chicago at Booth #4636. The post AddUp Deploying 8 Metal 3D Printers to Zeda: A Conversation with CEO Rush LaSelle appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/CZKLnxG April 26, 2023 at 08:27AM
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First Washington D.C. Fly-in Signals National Importance of 3D Printing https://ift.tt/EycfdXT As the industry’s sole U.S. lobbying group, the Additive Manufacturing Coalition has steadily built up a reputation as an important advocate for members of the 3D printing sector. Through regular webinars and roundtables with government representatives and industry stakeholders, the organization provides direct access to policymakers so that those in additive manufacturing (AM) are able to voice their interests, concerns, and ideas. Now, the Additive Manufacturing Coalition is taking its mission one step further with its inaugural AM Washington, D.C. Fly-In. Taking place in D.C. from May 15-16, 2023, the event will allow Coalition members to meet with key decision-makers on Capitol Hill related to the Coalition’s priorities in the fiscal year 2024 budget process. The group will be raising awareness and educating Congress about the significance of AM, while highlighting key policies that the industry needs to thrive in the U.S. The event will begin on May 15 with a training/workshop session on lobbying Congress and on legislative priorities, which will follow with a reception and group dinner. The following day, the group will meet for breakfast before meeting with key Congressional staff, including staff from each trip member’s home state. The event comes at a time when spending by national governments are executing a variety of programs to support new modes of manufacturing. In particular, re-shoring and sustainable production are receiving widespread attention and funding as countries attempt to make their supply chains more resilient and less resource intensive. In the U.S., this has come in the form of the CHIPS Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, AM Forward, and other moves that direct federal investments to qualifying businesses. Canada, Australia, and the E.U. have followed suit. In tandem, large corporations and municipal governments are also driving funds toward advanced manufacturing programs. As a result, AM has been and will continue to be a large benefactor of these programs. However, for the industry to fully engage with decision-makers at the federal level, it’s important to be able to communicate needs directly. For this reason, the first AM DC Fly-in is a potentially crucial method for the 3D printing community to elevate its voice in Washington and improve understanding of the issues and the policy opportunities in the future.
In addition to serving as a means of amplifying the AM community’s voice in D.C., the AM DC Fly-in will surely act as a great bonding experience for those involved. Feature image courtesy of the Additive Manufacturing Coalition. The post First Washington D.C. Fly-in Signals National Importance of 3D Printing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/CZKLnxG April 26, 2023 at 08:27AM
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8 ways to promote affiliate links https://ift.tt/Ody1IQ6 Affiliate marketing has become a popular way for individuals and businesses to earn passive income online. As an affiliate marketer, you can promote other companies’ products or services through affiliate links and earn a commission on each sale made through your unique link. However, simply joining a great affiliate marketing program is not enough to ensure success. Promoting affiliate links strategically is crucial to make a substantial income from affiliate marketing. In this article, we will explore how to promote affiliate links. So let’s jump right in! Table Of Contents 1. Embed affiliate links into your blog postsOne of the most effective ways to promote your affiliate links is to add them to your blog posts. This is especially effective if your blog receives a good amount of organic traffic, as it allows you to promote your affiliate links to a large audience. However, to increase the likelihood of readers clicking on affiliate links in blog articles, you must first ensure that you publish relevant and fresh content. This allows you to provide value to your readers by providing useful information about a certain topic. It helps you promote your links naturally without coming across as “salesy.” There are different blog post styles you can use to promote affiliate links. They include product reviews, recommendations, product comparison articles, product roundup posts, and “alternatives to” articles. Here’s a great product comparison blog post by The Every Girl. It contains links to various affiliate products. Notice the disclaimer after the headline to notify readers of the presence of affiliate links in the blog post. It’s also crucial to keep your blog content honest and objective. Remember, you have worked to build trust with your readers, who trust your recommendations. You don’t want to lose that trust by promoting products you don’t believe in. 2. Include affiliate links in emails and newsletterIncluding affiliate links in your emails and newsletters is another effective way to promote your offers. The first step here is building an email list for affiliate marketing. To begin, you can capture email addresses from your website visitors by offering a lead magnet such as an eBook or a guide. Once you have a list of subscribers, you can create a series of emails promoting relevant products or services, including affiliate links to those products. You can promote your affiliate links through email marketing by sending emails that focus specifically on advertising the links. For example, the email could be dedicated to promoting a specific product. Here’s an example. Alternatively, place your link organically in the quality content you send to your email list. For example, it could be an educational email about a specific subject. You can then include an affiliate link when you mention a particular product. You can also do a roundup email covering the best deals. This allows you to add multiple affiliate links in the email. Here’s an example from Wirecutter. It’s worth pointing out that some affiliate networks do not permit the inclusion of affiliate links in emails. If that’s the case, use your email to send traffic to the web pages where users can find the affiliate links. That’s what the Wirecutter did in the above email. Avoid having too many or any affiliate links in your first email communication with your email contacts. Set up a nice welcome email sequence that helps you build trust with your audience before promoting your affiliate links. Check out our guide on email marketing tips for affiliates for more insights. 3. Use paid advertisingUsing paid ads is another effective way to promote affiliate links. And the best part is that paid ads allow you to target specific audiences. This can help you reach people most likely to purchase your products. The obvious downside is you’ll be spending money to capture the leads. This can reduce your margins considerably. So you’ll need to do that calculation to confirm whether it makes sense to use paid ads. That said, Google Ads presents one of the best opportunities to promote affiliate links. It allows you to create ads that can appear in Google search results or other websites across the internet. To successfully promote your affiliate links using Google Ads, ensure you create relevant ads. Here is a great example of an affiliate site paying for Google search ads. You can also run retargeting ads targeting users who have already shown interest in your content or products by visiting your website. Using tracking pixels, you can retarget your website visitors with ads on social media channels or other websites, encouraging them to click on your affiliate links. Speaking of social channels, paid social media advertising is another option. And like Google ads, you can refine your settings to target specific audiences. For example, Facebook Ads allows you to target users that meet specific demographic criteria. You can also choose to target audiences with specific interests. Unfortunately, not all affiliate programs allow you to run paid campaigns. For example, some would not let you bid for their branded terms. Read the fine print or get in touch with your affiliate manager before running your first paid campaign. 4. Add affiliate links to your video descriptionsVideo marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years. Leverage this trend to promote your affiliate links. Promoting affiliate links through video marketing is quite similar to how you would do it with a blog or email. For example, you can create YouTube videos dedicated to the product you’re promoting. That’s what Santrel Media did here – the very first link in the video description is an affiliate link. The other option is to create an educational video and then mention a relevant affiliate product within your video. The keyword there is relevant. For example, in addition to the dedicated Canva review above, one could make a video on how to design a logo or social media post. Then, mention the Canva tool in the video and add your affiliate link in the description. To get the most out of this technique, mention the affiliate link in your description in the video. The other strategy that works well when promoting affiliate links through video descriptions is to offer exclusive discounts or promotions to your viewers. For example, mention a discount code only available through your affiliate link. When including affiliate links in your video descriptions, it’s vital to ensure they are clickable and easy to find. Try to have them at the beginning of your video description so they don’t get lost in the other details you include. Like with every other strategy, it’s also important to be transparent about including affiliate links in your video descriptions. So include a disclaimer informing viewers you’ll receive an affiliate commission for any purchases they make through your link. 5. Promote links on a podcast or webinarPodcasts and webinars are powerful tools for affiliate marketing because they provide a direct and engaging way to reach your target audience. To promote affiliate links through podcasts and webinars, include links in the chats and show notes. You also want to promote them during the show. For example, if you have a personal finance podcast, you could promote affiliate links to financial products or services in the podcast notes or even mention them during the show. You can do both, like in the Food Blogger Pro example below, since most people listen to podcasts while doing other tasks. For webinars, you can promote affiliate links in the chat section or during your presentation since the hosting platforms allow you to display buttons and links. The best part about promoting affiliate links on webinars is that you don’t just get clicks when your webinar is live. You can record, save, and share the recording with more audiences which will boost the clicks further. 6. Share affiliate links on social mediaOne effective technique for promoting affiliate links on social media is by creating engaging posts and adding affiliate links in the caption or bio. For example, if you are a health and fitness industry expert, you could create an engaging Facebook or Twitter post showcasing a healthy recipe or workout routine. Then, include affiliate links to relevant products or services in the caption. Here’s a great example in the finance niche. For Instagram, since the social media posts’ captions don’t accommodate clickable links, you can have the link in your bio. Alternatively, use a platform like Linktree, where you can add all your affiliate links, as shown below. For Instagram stories, you can use the link sticker, then save the post on highlights for easier accessibility by your social media followers. However, use the right social platform to promote an affiliate link. Different social media platforms have different audiences and content styles. So choose a platform(s) that align with your brand and the products you are promoting. For example, if you are part of a lifestyle affiliate program or if you promote fashion products, Instagram may be a better fit than LinkedIn. Finally, remain authentic. Affiliate marketers often make the mistake of being too salesy. Your audience can tell when you are only trying to sell them something, so share your personal experience with the products you are promoting and explain why you think they are valuable. This boosts your affiliate links’ relevance and value. 7. Promote your affiliate site on forumsPromoting affiliate sites on forums like Quora and Reddit is also a great way to reach your target audience and drive traffic to the products or services you are promoting. A platform like Quora is well-indexed by search engines, meaning quality content can rank high on the search results. This can help you drive more traffic to your post and, by extension, your affiliate website. However, it’s important to note that some forums, or specific online communities in the forums, have strict rules against promoting affiliate links and might remove a post that includes affiliate links . So it’s key to check the forum’s policies before posting. If affiliate links are not allowed on the forum, your primary objective should be to promote your affiliate site by providing valuable information and building trust with the forum community. Then readers can access the affiliate links from your site. For this strategy to work, focus on answering questions related to the products or services you are promoting, sharing relevant articles, and offering helpful tips and advice, as shown below. Where affiliate links are allowed, you can include them in your forum posts or comments as long as they are relevant to the discussion and add value to the conversation. For example, if someone asks for recommendations for a specific product, you could share your affiliate link to that product if it’s something you have personally used and would recommend. 8. Include affiliate links in an online coursePromoting affiliate links through an online course is another great way to provide value to your audience while generating revenue from your affiliate partnerships. If you have an online course, you can include relevant affiliate links throughout the course material. This will increase the likelihood that your audience will click on the links and make a purchase. For example, if you have a blog on personal finance, you could create a free online course on budgeting. Then, include affiliate links to budgeting software, financial planning tools, or savings accounts. For example, 10-Day Debt Plan is an online course by Listen Money Matters. You can see they promote affiliate links within the course materials. You should also be transparent about the fact that you’ve included affiliate links. Finally, you don’t want to overwhelm your audience with affiliate links, as this can come across as spammy, which reduces your clicks and affiliate sales. So use affiliate links sparingly—only when they are relevant to the course material and add value to your audience. ConclusionPromoting affiliate links is a lucrative way to monetize your online presence. This guide shared eight effective strategies you can use to drive clicks to your affiliate links. From adding affiliate links in blog posts, newsletters, online courses, and social media to social forums, video descriptions, and paid ads, To ensure success with any of these strategies, you need to choose relevant products, provide valuable content, and be transparent about affiliate relationships. Above all, remember the primary goal is to provide value to your audience. Doing so will help you gain your audience’s trust, which will then result in high affiliate commissions. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies and optimize your approach over time. This will help you identify your most lucrative techniques and improve your overall affiliate revenue. Printing via GetResponse Blog https://ift.tt/bP4YhUJ April 26, 2023 at 07:19AM 3D Printing News Unpeeled: Visitech Expands in the US and a 3D Printed Peristaltic Pump https://ift.tt/bxrUmAG MIT is attempting to make make a portable 3D printed rotary peristaltic pump for a mass spectrometer. Essentially they´re tryin to develop the tricorder. To do this they need a compact and low cost peristaltic pump and in this case they made a rotary one. They 3D printed a Fiberology FiberFlex 40D TPU tube and rapped it around what is essentially a fidget spinner. The rest of the components were PLA, made on a MakerGear M3-ID modified to run multilateral. The paper is Compact Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps via Multi-material Extrusion. Norwegian firm Visitech is a leader in optics for vat polymerization and powder bed fusion. Due to ¨explosive¨ growth in the US they´ve expanded their US factory and hope to double revenue by 2025. The post 3D Printing News Unpeeled: Visitech Expands in the US and a 3D Printed Peristaltic Pump appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/UotMc3P April 25, 2023 at 10:03AM 3DPOD Episode 150: 3D Printing Qualification with Humna Khan Founder of ASTRO Mechanical Testing Lab4/25/2023 3DPOD Episode 150: 3D Printing Qualification with Humna Khan, Founder of ASTRO Mechanical Testing Lab https://ift.tt/KnCuFUa Hunma Khan founded Astro Mechanical Testing Lab to create a testing and qualification lab specific to Additive Manufacturing. Her customers are most of the notable firms in New Space, defense and government that work in 3D printing. That kind of success did not come overnight though. Humna spent years at SpaceX, NASA JPL and at the US Air Force. In this episode of the 3DPOD, Humna tells us of her journey in 3D printing and space technology. It´s a fascinating tale and we hope you enjoy it as well. The post 3DPOD Episode 150: 3D Printing Qualification with Humna Khan, Founder of ASTRO Mechanical Testing Lab appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/UotMc3P April 25, 2023 at 08:36AM
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Daring AM: Prepare to 3D Print in Space https://ift.tt/klMdiCW NASA is laying the groundwork for the future of space 3D printing. Producing spacecraft, rocket components, advanced materials, and larger structures directly in orbit will revolutionize traditional off-Earth manufacturing. As a result, space agencies are taking a proactive approach to prepare for space manufacturing, recognizing its potential to transform the space industry while driving economic growth on Earth. Space 3D printing, in particular, has the potential to advance the frontiers of science and technology, reduce launch costs, increase mission flexibility, and enable the creation of on-demand parts and tools, making space exploration more efficient and sustainable. Last week, the agency unveiled the creation of a consortium focused on making in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities a routine part of space architectures and mission lifecycles. The agency also released a new 3D printing superalloy called GRX-810 which has been tested by 3D Systems and awarded Texas State University a grant to develop lunar concrete for additive building on the moon. Here’s the breakdown. How COSMIC will commandeer space manufacturingNASA announced the creation of theCOnsortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities (COSMIC), a nationwide coalition that will invigorate the domestic ISAM capability. Led by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and operated by The Aerospace Corporation, a federally funded R&D center (FFRDC), COSMIC will enable the transition of ISAM to utilization so that it becomes a routine part of space architectures and mission lifecycles.
Through a range of capabilities, ISAM can enable new mission paradigms and extend spacecraft life. For example, in-space servicing encompasses activities including spacecraft repair, refueling, relocation, and retrofitting, while assembly and manufacturing include abilities like 3D printing and assembling components in space. Together, these capacities can enable a more sustainable, robust, and enduring space ecosystem. The consortium builds upon technology maturation and demonstration efforts across sectors, including NASA’s On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM) missions, the joint Defense Aerospace Projects Research Agency, and SpaceLogistics effort Robotic Servicing of Geostationary Satellites/Mission Robotic Vehicle (RSGS/MRV) and other endeavors that align with theISAM National Strategy andNational ISAM Implementation Plan released in 2022, providing an opportunity for collaboration among government, industry, and academia to pursue common goals in ISAM capability development. A star alloy is bornA team of researchers from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and The Ohio State University revealed a new 3D printable alloy designed for extreme environments in apeer-reviewed paper published in the journal Nature. Called GRX-810, NASA’s groundbreaking new laser powder bed fusion super alloy has already been successfully verified by 3D Systems.
Smith and his Glenn colleague Christopher Kantzos invented GRX-810 using computer modeling and a laser 3D printing process that fused metals, layer-by-layer, to create the new alloy. GRX-810 is an oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy, which means tiny particles containing oxygen atoms spread throughout the alloy to enhance its strength. Such alloys are excellent candidates for building aerospace parts for high-temperature applications, like those inside aircraft and rocket engines, because they can withstand harsher conditions before reaching their breaking points. Current state-of-the-art 3D printed superalloys can withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to those, GRX-810 is twice as strong, over 1,000 times more durable, and twice as resistant to oxidation. To verify its performance, 3D Systems used its direct metal printing (DMP) platform, the DMP Factory 500, to process and test the elevated temperature mechanical properties of GRX-810. According to the company, the material demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties and resistance to extreme temperatures, making it ideal for aerospace applications.
Described as one of the most successful technology patents NASA Glenn has ever produced, this major achievement could be an ideal candidate for future use in critical components such as rocket engines, turbine blades, and exhaust nozzle components. PrintStoneTexas State University has received a $50,000 grant to develop CaerusCrete further, a technology concept that uses available resources on the moon as a building material. Awarded by NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), the funds will foster partnerships between the university and small businesses to maximize the potential for the new technology. Originating as an undergraduate student project, CaerusCrete explores the idea that alkali activation mechanisms could bind granular materials found on-site, such as lunar regolith, to gain sufficient strength for structural use. As we have explored in past articles, space missions have tight limitations on what they can carry, leading to in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) as a leading concept for future space exploration and survival. The post Daring AM: Prepare to 3D Print in Space appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/UotMc3P April 25, 2023 at 08:36AM
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Additive Manufacturing in Guam – A Path to Economic Diversity for the Island https://ift.tt/Dt7ol6h President Biden released a FY 2024 budget that prioritizes a vision for prosperity, security, and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region. Few understand the impact these values will have on local economies like Guam’s Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, who is addressing complex problems like supply chain issues with her own, bold vision to transform the island of Guam. ASTRO is proud to be working with the Government of Guam – specifically, on a special project to conceive of the potential application of additive manufacturing on the island. We believe this could dramatically change Guam’s economic future. After experiencing the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Leon Guerrero established a public/private task force to address economic diversification, together with the Guam Chamber of Commerce. She said that, “It was critical to diversify and add multiple industries that will strengthen [Guam’s] economy.” As part of this work, the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) contracted ASTRO to assess the feasibility of a local additive manufacturing (AM) industrial base on Guam, with the idea that this capability might serve as an economic engine for the island and Department of Defense activities in the region. One of AM’s benefits is enabling part designs that otherwise would be composed of a multitude of parts assembled across a disaggregated sourcing network. Since AM systems can potentially replace conventional supply chains, part production is theoretically possible anywhere a 3D printer is installed and can receive service and reliable feedstock supply. Such flexibility can alter traditional supply chain formulations, enabling localized, parts on demand, which overcomes long lead times (months or even years it takes to source one-off replacement parts). For an island largely reliant on imports, this could be a game-changer. Estimates of the global 3D printing market range between $10-14 billion and continue to grow at a rapid clip. With growing fleets of U.S. military sea, air and missile defense systems on Guam, having factory-ready 3D printing capabilities could address both logistical challenges for U.S. Armed Forces and support the island’s economic goals to increase transshipment of parts to the continental United States and other parts of the Indo-Pacific. But it’s not as simple as putting new 3D printing machines on the island and expecting everything to organically build and grow. Major requirements for building such a sector include establishing 3D printing workforce development programs as well as building infrastructure for part post-processing, quality/testing, and inspection. We want to make sure that the entire ecosystem is sustainable – by that, I mean that as we train and educate people, their 3D printing jobs remain on the island, and the infrastructure is built and operated on the island. We need to make sure that the pieces are truly in place for Guam to realize the full potential of 3D printing technology today and in the future. That’s where the AM blueprint comes in. The Phase 1 study ASTRO completed for GEDA provides a baseline analysis on Guam’s economic readiness for feasible AM adoption. We spent months working with partners and stakeholders to assess current capabilities and needs for supply chain development; potential strategies for developing such a workforce and capabilities; and potential demand. We found that the building blocks are in place and an initiative would build off existing elements on-island. In fact, it appears likely that if sufficient funding were made available, such conditions could materialize to support a sustainable, productive 3D printing sector. A potential plan for building AM capabilities on-island entails development of three related facilities. These facilities would be primarily established under the management of the University of Guam and GEDA. They would be configured to leverage assistance and sponsorship from outside institutions, including external universities, U.S. and Allied governments, and industry. First is a Research and Test Center supporting prototyping capabilities as well as advanced quality inspection (e.g. metallography lab) to validate part production for use by DoD and other stakeholders. Second, a ‘Business Incubator’ would provide a setting for existing contract additive manufacturers and start-ups to re-locate assets in Guam. The facility could host both 3D printers and post-processing equipment, under a shared infrastructure arrangement potentially supported by government. Finally, an integrated approach to education and technical skills training to enable long-term sustainability of this effort in Guam. Ultimately, Guam possesses the fundamental building blocks required to establish a high-tech manufacturing sector, and the vision is both transformational and exciting. But much work remains to be done in establishing an ecosystem tailored to distinct AM requirements as well as unique economic and geo-political conditions in Guam. And to that end, we are excited to be working with Guam’s Bureau of Statistics and Programs on Phase 2 of this project. Phase 2 will conceive an implementation plan to help overcome logistical challenges in resupplying military and civilian operations on a remote island. This plan must help determine a total addressable market and support sustainability and growth. We believe it will. We believe bringing 3D printing to Guam will go a long way towards building a more prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. With the appropriate investments in science, technology, and engineering, we could see the island printing its own parts, eventually growing its own capabilities to repair and upgrade critical infrastructure that is needed to keep the region—and America—safe About the Author Neal Orringer is president of the Applied Science & Technology Research Organization (ASTRO) America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advances government-industry collaborations. Their projects accelerate transition of key manufacturing technologies into defense production. The post Additive Manufacturing in Guam – A Path to Economic Diversity for the Island appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. 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Experience STEP Technology – A New Additive Entrant https://ift.tt/u7cdDpO Founded in 2017, Evolve Additive Solutions (Evolve) is a spinout of Stratasys and was awarded an initial $19 million of seed capital from Stanley Black & Decker and The LEGO Group. Today Evolve is a global leader in the manufacturing of capital equipment and ABS thermoplastic production parts. STEP TechnologyThe company holds over 100+ patents on its invention of STEP technology (Selective Thermoplastic Electrophotographic Process) a new polymer category defined by AM Power, which does not fit into the ASTM categorization model. STEP uses proven electrophotography imaging and deposition technology from the industrial 2D printing industry to create production parts with injection molded quality. The process uses ABS toner micronized into a super fine particle size of 22 microns which creates a fully dense part with superior quality. In comparison, SLS/HSS have particle sizes of 70-120 microns. Think of this like comparing the size of a basketball to that of a tennis ball. The printing process uses heat, pressure and cooling to fuse the part material together layer by layer. STEP’s ability to create complex parts, thin wall structures, serialization, part consolidation, surface finish texturing, and repeatable accuracy, sets itself apart from other additive technologies and challenges the injection molding market. Clients continue to comment on the part appearance and quality as truly impressive and remarkable. ApplicationsThe use of ABS material has given Evolve the ability to print parts for a wide range of applications and industries. Recently Evolve produced a sprinkler head for a client in the irrigation market. For this vertical market ABS is the perfect choice. The part has excellent impact strength, it’s fully dense preventing water absorption and it has the ability to withstand freeze-to-thaw cycles. The part was produced with complex hole patterns providing spray control and water conservation. Evolve has been engaged with several automotive companies over the past few years. Their most desired application has been automobile badging. Since the STEP process creates a high-fidelity surface finish it is ideal for chrome plating creating a high-end custom look for vehicles. The parts are durable enough to withstand impact and weather conditions. Jeff Hanson, VP of Sales and Marketing stated that “One of the reasons why part quality is best in class is because of Evolve’s Smart Part technology. As parts are printed the machine looks for variations by a topographic scan and through a closed loop process is able to adjust by depositing more or less material onto the next incoming layer. This also initiates complete traceability. No other AM technology has this capability”. New Management Team of Industry ExpertsIn the summer of 2022, Evolve announced a restructuring and hired several industry pioneers including:
Their strong leadership and industry expertise moved the company forward and repositioned itself as both a capital equipment company and a new entrant into the AM parts business. In March of 2023 Evolve announced the expansion of their product portfolio by introducing the “Production Assessment Program” (PAP). Production Assessment ProgramThis program allows clients to work with a team of engineering experts to analyze and validate the business case of their additive applications on Evolve’s SVP (Scaled Volume Production) platform, powered by STEP technology. Clients will then receive their high-fidelity parts as well as a summary report with production validation data. To accommodate this new program, the headquarters location in Minnetonka, MN and the Material Technology Center in Rochester, NY recently expanded. The Minnetonka facility has added a 11,500 square footage “Production Acceleration Center” which includes an SVP system experience center, a metrology test lab, a post-processing lab, training facilities and a production parts showroom. The Rochester, NY location added 6,000 square footage and continues to test and develop new materials one of which is a new gray ABS. Rapid + TCT 2023In preparation for Rapid 2023, Todd Grimm, President of T.A. Grimm & Assoc, an additive manufacturing consultant, announced the top “must-see” company booths to stop and visit. Evolve made his list. Todd was impressed with the unique process of STEP, the new executive management team, and the fact that Evolve owns their production category of STEP. While at Rapid Evolve will pre-announce a new gray ABS material and have several parts on display and samples available. To experience the benefits of agile manufacturing or apply to the “Production Assessment Program” visit Evolve’s website at www.evolveadditive.com/production-assessment-program/ The post Experience STEP Technology – A New Additive Entrant appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/UotMc3P April 25, 2023 at 06:59AM
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BASF Forward AM to Debut Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine Software at RAPID + TCT https://ift.tt/YLKIMW9 BASF Forward AM, the 3D printing brand of the world’s largest chemical producer, announced that it will introduce its new software platform, Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine, at RAPID + TCT 2023 in Chicago (May 2-4). The generative design engineering software will allow users to create parts according to a library of lattice patterns that have already been validated for parts produced in a wide variety of sectors. BASF Forward AM worked on Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine with Hyperganic, a German software startup specializing in algorithmic engineering for additive manufacturing (AM). Specifically, Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine utilizes Hyperganic’s voxel engine, which is also the backbone of the company’s flagship software series, Hyperganic Core. In addition to getting to talk to the BASF Forward AM team about Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine at RAPID + TCT 2023, attendees will also have two other opportunities to see the software in action. First, at the Beer and Beams Lattice Engine Workshop (Booth #2445) on Tuesday, May 2nd, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, guests will be given the opportunity to test out the new software. Then, on Wednesday, May 3rd, at 1:30 PM, Florian Fischer and Stijn Paridaens, CEO of AM service bureau Ziggzagg, will demonstrate how to use Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine (Booth #4320). SmarTech Analysis projects that, at 20 percent in 2022, 3D printing software is growing faster than any other segment. As was evident at last year’s RAPID + TCT — and as is clear from the daily unfolding of industry news — progress in software is accelerating AM as both a technology and a business, and engineers’ increased leveraging of the advantages of generative design is one of the main explanations for that development. Most significantly, generative design allows companies to drastically reduce the time and manpower devoted to the design process, which, of course, speeds up and reduces the cost of the entire production cycle. Although many generative design platforms for AM now exist, there are many obvious virtues to the concept of this one, and observers of the industry should pay close attention to the feedback from the initial rollout. Aside from the excitement surrounding Hyperganic, which developed its software for many years leading up to its public launch in 2022, this particular generative design platform is the work of the world’s largest chemical producer, as well as the largest supplier of AM materials. BASF’s involvement implies that users can expect software that is unusually compatible with their own platforms, while also providing better-than-average reliability of printed parts thanks to the company’s library. As such, users will certainly have very high expectations, which can always be tricky. But if the initial rollout is positive, then the platform should catch on rather quickly. The post BASF Forward AM to Debut Ultrasim 3D Lattice Engine Software at RAPID + TCT appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing. Printing via 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing https://ift.tt/UotMc3P April 25, 2023 at 06:59AM |
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