Optomec, a global leader in production-grade additive manufacturing solutions, announced it has acquired Huffman, an established leader in supplying 3D metal printing systems for additive repair of gas turbine components in the energy and aviation markets. Huffman’s equipment and software are in production at nearly all major manufacturers of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines […]
New functions in SafeDESIGNER
B&R makes it easier to create safety applications with a series of new mapp functions in SafeDESIGNER. It is also possible to use a combination of data from the standard application to generate safety-relevant data. Safety data from standard (non-safety) signals The Data-to-SafeDATA function determines a safe speed and a safe position using data from…
COMSOL Learning Center available to all engineers
COMSOL announces the COMSOL Learning Center is now available to all engineers. “This collection of instructional videos serves as a one-stop shop to learn how to use the software,” comments Amelia Halliday, Product Content Engineer, COMSOL. “The COMSOL Learning Center will provide COMSOL users with a breadth and depth of learning that fully equips and […]
What’s ahead for additive manufacturing in 2019?
SmarTech Publishing, an industry analysis firm specializing in additive manufacturing markets, published its year end additive manufacturing market review: 2019 Additive Manufacturing Market Outlook and Summary of Opportunities. This review presents a summary and forecast of the total additive manufacturing industry for 2018 through 2027. The report includes an encompassing database of key market sizing […]
The most read stories on additive manufacturing of 2018
Here at Make Parts Fast, we post hundreds of news and stories for you. It’s time to take a look at which ones were the most read. Do you miss any of these? 1. Can you 3d print your own glasses frames? GlassesUSA.com, a leading online eyewear retailer, plans to disrupt the traditional eyeglass frame […]
AMUG 2019 selects Professor Gideon Levy for the Innovators Award
The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) announced Professor Gideon Levy of Technology Turn Around (TTA) as the recipient of its esteemed Innovators Award. The award is bestowed on those that have cultivated innovative ideas that in turn have advanced the additive manufacturing industry. The Innovators Award will be presented at the 2019 AMUG Conference, following […]
HP Inc. wins the inaugural LEAP Award for the category of Additive Manufacturing
The LEAP Awards, a design competition for engineers, announced the winners at a dinner gala in Costa Mesa, Calif., December 12, 2018. For the category of Additive Manufacturing, the winner was HP Inc., with its Jet Fusion 300/500 series full-color 3D printers. These printers enable manufacturers to quickly produce engineering-grade, functional parts in full color, […]
What human body parts can be 3D printed?
The concept of using 3D printing to “grow” or “build” body parts is properly referred to as tissue engineering. This complex concept involves three levels. 1. Cells are relatively easy to 3D print. Medical science knows a lot about cells and how to make them survive and replicate them in certain conditions. 2. Tissues are […]
Precision measurement I/O technology enhances efficient machines and test benches
Beckhoff Automation has added the new ELM314x economy line to the EtherCAT measurement module family, supplementing the established ELM3x0x line with a lower cost 1 ksps class. This I/O system expansion simplifies the use of system-integrated precision measurement technology, which taps significant optimization and efficiency potentials both in production machines and for inline test benches.…
Method 3D printer fills the gap between desktop and professional 3D printers
As 3D printing matures, the differences between desktop 3D printers and larger, professional 3D printers will blur. The newly introduced MakerBot Method is an example. MakerBot launched Method, a desktop 3D printer that the company claims creates a new category for the professional 3D printing market. MakerBot plans for this 3D printer to bridge the […]
How 3D printing tackles obsolescence
Angel Trains, one of Britain’s leading train leasing companies, has collaborated with engineering consultancy ESG Rail, and 3D printing technology provider Stratasys, to produce four fully approved interior components using Additive Manufacturing. The components approved for service include an arm rest, grab handle and seat back table – all of which will be trialed on […]
BOXX introduces next generation S-Class workstations with 9th Gen Intel processors
BOXX Technologies, a leading innovator of high-performance computer workstations, rendering systems, and servers, announced the new line of APEXX S-class workstations featuring the flagship APEXX S3. Purpose-built for 3D design, CAD, and motion media workflows requiring best-in-class CPU frequencies for lightly threaded applications, the compact APEXX S3 now features a 9th generation, eight-core Intel Core…
LensMechanix 18.9 improves OpticStudio file loading and usability, offers updates for Creo and SOLIDWORKS
The latest version of LensMechanix helps optomechanical engineers load a wider range of OpticStudio files into LensMechanix—including files with off-axis components, such as reflective systems—and run multiple ray traces for all configurations with fewer clicks. With the new version of LensMechanix for Creo, users can now identify the power incident on mechanical components to validate […]
Secure latching for limited space applications
The line of A3 Slide Latches have a new version that is 35% shorter than the smallest A3 product series, providing reliable performance for applications where space is at a premium. The mini A3 Slide Latch is suitable for the smallest applications including rack-mount servers, automotive storage panels and general enclosures. Southco’s A3 Mini Slide…
B&R shapes the future of OPC UA over TSN
OPC UA over TSN will be the unified communication standard of the Industrial IoT. Standardization and ongoing development of OPC UA at the field level will take place under the umbrella of the OPC Foundation. This represents a long awaited answer to the market’s demand for vendor-agnostic, interface-free industrial communication. B&R has been a main…
Improving additive manufacturing workflow
Link3D, a leader in additive manufacturing (AM) execution workflow software, announced that it will be working on a proof of concept trial with EOS North America, a global technology leader for high-end industrial solutions in AM for metal and polymer materials. EOS North America routinely performs benchmark studies for its customers from its two technical […]
CX7000 embedded PC is an entry-level PC-based controller
The new CX7000 Embedded PC from Beckhoff opens up the convenience and efficiency of the TwinCAT 3 software environment to highly compact, DIN rail-mounted controllers. This further enhances the scalability of PC-based control technology from Beckhoff – ranging from mini-PLCs to many-core Industrial PCs. An advanced 400 MHz processor and built-in configurable I/Os mean this…
Additive manufacturing replaces a punch press to make tapping tools
Additive manufacturing can be an alternative process for making parts once made through traditional machining. For example, Wilson Tool International produces a line of oil reservoirs made for its QuickTap tapping tool. Tapping tools are a core part of the punch press products, helping to eliminate secondary operations in sheet metal manufacturing. They are used […]
What is the difference between powder bed fusion and ultrasonic additive manufacturing?
Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) is the ASTM standard name for 3D printing techniques that build through a bed of powder (Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Electron Beam Melting, Direct Laser Melting and Selective Laser Melting). While PBF is a popular metal 3D printing process, there are commercially available 3D processes that do not use powders. One […]
TwinSAFE logic solutions for more Modular, scalable safety
By increasing modularity and scalability, a new generation of Beckhoff TwinSAFE safety controllers permits optimum adaptation to the specific safety requirements of individual machine concepts. The ability to distribute the intelligence of an entire safety application across multiple TwinSAFE Logic-capable I/O modules means flexible implementation of increasingly modular architectures. These safety architectures can adapt to…
EOS launches new 3D printer for production applications
EOS North America launched its Integra P 400 polymer Additive Manufacturing (AM) platform. The fast, flexible powder bed AM platform uses a range of materials that offer characteristics such as high abrasion or chemical resistance, low-temperature performance, high elasticity, and transparency. Built for high-productivity, the Integra P 400’s scanning speed results from a combination of […]
Flexible and efficient safeguarding for automated material transfer stations
Safe Portal Solutions ensure flexible, efficient safeguarding for automated material transfer stations. Operating with up to four simultaneous protective fields, two vertically installed safety laser scanners detect people gaining unauthorized access of any kind. At the same time, they allow objects with defined contours to continue passing through without interruption. Compliant with EN ISO 13849…
AttaBox brand fiberglass and polycarbonate enclosures
The AttaBox brand from Robroy Enclosures offers large selections of non-metallic corrosion-resistant polycarbonate, fiberglass-reinforced polyester, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) enclosures for equipment protection in a wide range of applications. AttaBox non-metallic industrial enclosures offer significant economic savings over metallic alternatives such as stainless steel while providing comparable or superior physical properties. AttaBox models are available…
Collaboration will focus on industrializing additive manufacturing
Sigma Labs, Inc., a provider of quality assurance software under the PrintRite3D brand, and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies (IAPT), based in Hamburg, Germany, announced a collaborative research and development agreement, focusing on the industrialization of additive manufacturing. John Rice, CEO of Sigma Labs, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann, Managing Director of […]
Sysmac AI Controller extends equipment life with machine learning
A new solution for human-machine collaboration is now available from automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas. The Sysmac AI Controller handles several key steps in the data-driven decision process for predictive maintenance, thereby freeing up industrial professionals from tedious calculations, analyses and infrastructure upgrades. This powerful solution can help manufacturers reduce the risk of bad…