Category: 3D Printer

At the 2024 Designblok exhibition, four forward-thinking designers—winners of the 2023 Designblok Diploma Selection—collaborated on a groundbreaking showcase that explored the practical applications of 3D-printed wood materials in furniture design. Their innovative pieces earned them the prestigious 2024 Designblok Award for Best Designer Presentation. Partnering with Additive Tectonics, the designers demonstrated how 3D printing can be utilized to create functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing furniture while improving production efficiency.

Friedrich Gerlach’s Lumo Sofa is a standout example of how 3D printing can be leveraged for both sustainability and design innovation. The sofa features a stackable structure that maximizes the printer bed space, reducing material waste and improving production efficiency. Its seat is made from 100% wool fabric and filling, making it fully biodegradable, while the simple yet elegant design ensures practicality and comfort. This modular design emphasizes the potential of 3D printing to produce furniture that not only meets modern aesthetic standards but also aligns with sustainable principles.

Continue reading… “Innovative 3D-Printed Furniture Shines at Designblok 2024, Winning Best Designer Presentation”

Researchers have developed an innovative 3D-printed hollow suppository designed to deliver cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of epilepsy. This cutting-edge device, which combines 3D printing and molding techniques, features a unique design consisting of an outer shell filled with CBD and an inner spring structure. The development aims to overcome limitations associated with traditional oral CBD medications, particularly the significant first-pass effect that reduces bioavailability when taken orally.

The hollow structure of the suppository allows it to remain in the body while adapting to normal bodily functions, making it especially beneficial for children and patients who may experience frequent bowel movements. The design ensures that the medication stays in place, providing more reliable and consistent delivery of CBD.

Continue reading… “New 3D-Printed Hollow Suppository for CBD Delivery Shows Promise in Epilepsy Treatment”

Researchers at Tohoku University’s Institute for Materials Research and New Industry Creation Hatchery Center have made a groundbreaking advancement in multi-material 3D printing, creating a durable steel-aluminum alloy that could revolutionize the production of lightweight and robust automobile components.

Metal 3D printing involves building objects layer by layer, where metal powders are fused using heat from a laser. This technique provides remarkable precision, enabling the production of intricate, highly customizable designs with minimal material waste compared to traditional manufacturing. One of the standout benefits of 3D printing is its ability to produce “multi-material structures.” These components combine different metals to optimize performance—such as pairing aluminum with steel to create lightweight parts that retain strength. This feature has made advanced 3D printing a highly promising technology for automotive manufacturing and other industries.

Continue reading… “Breakthrough in Steel-Aluminum Alloy via 3D Printing: Paving the Way for Lightweight Automotive Parts”

MedCAD, a leading US-based medical technology company, has unveiled a significant advancement in facial reconstruction technology with the introduction of 3D-printed titanium AccuPlate reconstruction plates for mandible and midface procedures.

The innovative AccuPlate 3DTi series represents a leap forward in surgical implant technology, offering enhanced customization options while significantly reducing delivery times. These plates are designed to address a broad spectrum of surgical requirements, from routine procedures to complex reconstructions.

Continue reading… “MedCAD Advances Facial Reconstruction with 3D-Printed Titanium Plates”

Virginia Housing is making a bold move to tackle the state’s housing challenges by investing $1.1 million in advanced 3D printing technology. The non-profit has awarded funds to the Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR) at Virginia Tech to acquire a mobile 3D construction printer with an ambitious goal: building ten affordable homes across Virginia by 2026.

Innovative Technology at the Forefront

The project centers on the Tvasta SIRA RC20, a cutting-edge robotic arm-based 3D concrete printer developed by an Indian engineering startup. Unlike traditional large gantry systems, this printer stands out for its unique characteristics:

• Compact and mobile design, weighing four tons and standing nearly 11 feet tall
• Precision large-scale concrete structure production
• Eco-friendly approach with minimal waste
• Capability to use low-carbon and recycled concrete mixes

Continue reading… “Virginia Housing Invests in 3D Printing Technology to Address Affordable Housing Shortage”

Researchers at MIT have successfully created durable, interlocking glass bricks using 3D printing technology. These reusable bricks, which can withstand loads similar to concrete blocks, offer a promising sustainable alternative for future construction.

The engineers behind this innovation aim to promote a circular construction process by using recycled glass. The glass can be reshaped or repurposed at the end of a building’s life cycle, significantly reducing waste. In the future, these 3D-printed glass blocks could be used for building facades or interior walls, offering an eco-friendly substitute for traditional concrete.

Continue reading… “MIT Develops 3D-Printed Glass Bricks for Sustainable Construction”

Traditionally, 3D-printed titanium implants undergo post-production heat treatment to enhance material properties. However, Amnovis has pioneered a proprietary process that eliminates the need for this additional step, setting a new standard in the industry.

Ruben Wauthle, CEO and Co-founder of Amnovis, explained, “We developed and validated a proprietary process for pure titanium that requires no heat treatment. This unique innovation allows us to deliver faster, more cost-effective solutions for our customers while maintaining the highest quality standards.”

Continue reading… “Amnovis Revolutionizes 3D Printing with Heat Treatment-Free Titanium Implants”

Since its founding in 2022, Azure Printed Homes has rapidly emerged as a major player in the construction industry by using recycled polymers to build homes. In just one year, the company achieved sales exceeding $4 million and secured pre-orders worth $30 million for 2024.

“We are addressing both the housing crisis and the dire need as a society to reduce and eliminate plastic waste,” said Ross Maguire, CEO of Azure. “The ability to solve two of the biggest problems at once, and to do it quickly and with superb quality, has contributed greatly to our growing success.”

Continue reading… “Azure Printed Homes Revolutionizes Housing with Sustainable 3D-Printed Homes”

Until now, printing living tissue constructs required specialized and expensive bioprinters. However, researchers from the Centre for Applied Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (CANTER) at Munich University of Applied Sciences have found a way to modify a simple, commercially available 3D printer to create biological structures at the touch of a button. This breakthrough opens up the field of bioprinting to smaller laboratories that previously couldn’t afford the specialized equipment.

Benedikt Kaufmann, a research associate at CANTER, led the team that developed this cost-effective solution. By modifying a standard 3D printer, they overcame a significant challenge in bioprinting: maintaining the right conditions for temperature and humidity. Using heating foils and water-soaked cellulose, the team achieved a stable environment of 37°C and over 90% humidity, crucial for printing biomaterials. The process takes place on a translucent glass platform, allowing for detailed microscopic examination of the printed structures.

Continue reading… “Affordable 3D Bioprinting: Researchers Turn Regular Printers into Tissue Engineering Tools”

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking adaptive 3D printing system that can autonomously recognize and position randomly distributed organisms with precision. This innovative technology, a first of its kind, offers substantial benefits in fields such as bioimaging, cybernetics, cryopreservation, and the integration of living organisms into technical devices. The research findings, recently published in Advanced Science, have already led to a pending patent for the technology.

How the System Works

The system operates by detecting organisms, whether they are stationary, enclosed in droplets, or in motion, and accurately positioning them in designated locations. It employs a pick-and-place method that leverages real-time visual and spatial data to identify and safely place the organisms. This level of precision and adaptability is a significant improvement over traditional methods, which require manual intervention. Manual handling is not only time-consuming but can also result in inconsistent outcomes. The new system streamlines this process, reducing the time required for these tasks while ensuring consistent and reliable results.

Continue reading… “Revolutionary 3D Printing System Safely Assembles Living Organisms in Real-Time”

At the University of Maine, a groundbreaking solution to the housing crisis is taking shape—literally. One of the world’s largest 3D printers is now using sawdust from the state’s lumber industry to create cozy, sustainable wooden cabins. This innovative approach aims to address Maine’s pressing need for affordable housing while promoting faster and more environmentally friendly construction methods.

The housing shortage in Maine mirrors a nationwide crisis, with an estimated 80,000 new homes needed over the next five years to meet growing demand. While traditional construction methods struggle to keep up, the technicians at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) believe their cutting-edge technology can make a significant impact. The ASCC’s 3D printer, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, can produce a 600-square-foot house—96 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 18 feet tall—entirely out of bio-based materials at an astonishing rate of 500 pounds per hour.

Continue reading… “University of Maine’s 3D-Printed Wooden Cabins Could Revolutionize Housing in the State”

The process of creating 3D-printed, patient-specific implants begins with a thorough clinical assessment to identify the unique needs of each patient. Advanced imaging techniques, such as X-rays and CT scans, are utilized to gather detailed anatomical data, which is then converted into a digital 3D model using specialized software. This digital model is sent to a 3D printer, where rigorous quality control measures ensure the implant is manufactured with precision and accuracy.

The implant is custom-designed to fit the patient perfectly, ensuring optimal functionality and comfort. The use of 3D printing allows for the replication of complex structures and intricate details that would be challenging to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. This precise production process ensures that the implant meets the highest standards, leading to a successful surgical outcome and a swift recovery for the patient.

Continue reading… “Revolutionizing Orthopaedics: 3D Printing Patient-Specific Implants for Personalized Medicine”