All articles tagged with #metal 3d printing
A hobbyist team has developed a method to print metal using a modified Ender 3 3D printer with a friction welding technique called FRAM, which avoids high temperatures and molten metals by using a spinning disk to generate friction, enabling safer and more accessible metal additive manufacturing.
The US Navy is turning to additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to address manufacturing challenges and meet the demand for new submarines. With the goal of building one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and two Virginia-class attack submarines every year for the next decade, the Navy is commissioning activities to mature metal additive manufacturing. The Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, is at the heart of this effort, seeking to expand the supply chain for submarine parts by helping companies adopt metal 3D printing. The Navy aims to print metal parts as standard components for installation on new-construction submarines, increasing capacity, improving quality, and reducing production time. However, there are still technical challenges and the need to qualify and certify the technology for critical parts. The Navy is working on creating a network of printing partners and a digital order book to manage the workload, but industry participation and workforce development are also crucial for success.
Apple is reportedly using metal 3D printing technology from Chinese manufacturers Farsoon Technologies and Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) to produce key components for its new smartwatches. The company is testing the use of binder jet systems for the production of stainless-steel chassis for upcoming Apple Watch products. This highlights the growing adoption of metal 3D printing for smartwatch production and could potentially accelerate the use of additive manufacturing for consumer goods. EasyMFG, a Chinese 3D printer manufacturer, also showcased 3D printed smartwatch casings in stainless steel at a recent event. Apple has been developing this technique for the past three years and plans to apply additive manufacturing for its titanium Ultra watch in 2024. However, 3D printing is expected to be limited to lower-volume products within Apple's manufacturing workflow, with a focus on materials like steel and titanium.
Stratasys is set to acquire Desktop Metal in an all-share deal valued at $1.8 billion, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is expected to close in Q4 2023. Shares in Desktop Metal rose 30%, while Stratasys' equity decreased by 2.49%. The acquisition is expected to help Stratasys expand in the metal 3D printing segment, which is the fastest-growing segment in the industry. The combined entity is expected to unlock value via a reduction in operating costs and economies of scale.