HP 3D Printing and Cimquest: Innovating Custom Solutions for J-DAMMIT
HP 3D Printing and Cimquest: Innovating Custom Solutions for J-DAMMIT In September, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) and its Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, STORMWERX, once again hosted the Joint-Defense Advanced Manufacturing Meeting for Innovation and Transition Summit, better known as J-DAMMIT. J-DAMMIT brings together experts from industry, academia, government, and the armed forces to explore and demonstrate cutting-edge manufacturing technologies that support defense needs. The event includes hands-on demonstrations in areas such as robotics, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, hybrid manufacturing (CNC and DED), augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), and smart factory technologies. Through demos, collaborative discussions, and hands-on experiences, it’s a key opportunity for networking and learning about how these innovations can be applied to support military operations and the modern Warfighter, as well as the broader defense industry. The event took place at Harrisburg University, and offered hands-on opportunities focused in the UPMC Health Sciences Tower. The facility is HU’s newest addition to its campus: A state-of-the-art, 11-story, 260,000-square-foot education and research tower in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which includes the University’s advanced manufacturing labs and reception spaces. The Project: Custom Sunglasses for J-DAMMIT Cimquest's Jim Snodgrass was involved in the planning and organization of J-DAMMIT and [...]
Advancing Orthotics & Prosthetics through Digital Innovation with Freeform
Advancing Orthotics & Prosthetics through Digital Innovation with Freeform Luca Gualerzi, a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO), leads Ortopedia Gualerzi, a family business in Italy. Embracing digital workflows, they use Oqton Freeform for designing 3D models. Nobel88, their B2B arm, manufactures and trains other O&P companies. Despite early challenges, they now produce diverse medical devices, including spinal braces and prostheses, with Freeform’s help. A custom spinal brace for scoliosis correction, designed using Freeform from a 3D patient scan and produced with a milling machine. Gualerzi mainly utilizes Freeform to create milling files, with occasional use for 3D printing. Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists (CPOs) from all over Italy send scans to Nobel88, which are then transformed into manufacturable models. Each year, they process approximately 5,000-6,000 files using Freeform. Sculpting and CAD in one software Freeform bridges the gap between sculpting and CAD software, essential for O&P 3D design. Initially, Gualerzi tried Blender, Zbrush, and Meshmixer, but they lacked CAD capabilities. He also combined Rhino with Meshmixer or ZBrush, but found Freeform to be the most comprehensive solution. A leg prosthesis was designed using Freeform and 3D-printed on an HP machine with PA12 material. The entire process took under half a workday: [...]
HP 3D Printing Solutions: 3D Printing Performance Footwear
At HP, they believe thoughtful innovation can have a real impact on business, people, and the planet. Hp's 3D printing solutions enable more sustainable manufacturing across industries like automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods. Using 3D printing for final parts and prototypes is quicker, uses less energy, and creates less waste than traditional manufacturing. Last October, at HP Imagine, HP unveiled a new partnership with Brooks Running to disrupt the performance running footwear market. The first innovation from this collaboration is the Brooks Exhilarate-BlueLine running shoes, featuring 3DNA, a 3D-printed midsole technology. This technology delivers a propulsive, bouncy ride and is tuned to groups of sizes based on runner data for optimal cushioning and spring. Brooks will release a limited number of Exhilarate-BL pairs to select Brooks Wear Testers and Brooks Run Club loyalty members. Through wearables, Brooks can access runner data to inform future iterations of shoes featuring 3DNA. Nikhil Jain, director of footwear product line management at Brooks, highlights the precision and sustainability benefits of using HP’s 3D printing technology. HP’s 3D printing is also reimagining other industries. For instance, HP has partnered with Decathlon and Lonati Group to make shoe elements more sustainably. HP is working with Smith Optics to produce personalized snow [...]
Repositioning a Crankshaft in Control X
Repositioning a Crankshaft in Control X In this blog post, we’ll explore how to reposition the nominal CAD model in Oqton’s Control X so that inspection information is reported based on the main assembly’s coordinate system rather than the local subassembly. We’ll use a crankshaft as our example. Introduction to Crankshafts Crankshafts are essential components in piston engines, converting reciprocating motion into rotational motion. Before diving into the repositioning process, it’s advisable to reposition the model before aligning the scan and adding any inspection criteria. Model of a crankshaft. Why Reposition? CAD designers often create subassemblies like this crankshaft at a convenient location. However, when it’s time to report inspection information, it’s usually preferred to have the data based on the coordinate system of the entire vehicle or assembly, not just the local subassembly. Subassembly of a crankshaft at a convenient location. The Repositioning Process Control X offers several options for relocating the reference model. Today, we’ll focus on the Transform Body tool using an Interactive alignment. This method allows us to specify the new location and orientation using two vectors and a new origin point. Original and New Positions: On the left pane, the part is shown in [...]
Print a Model Every 49 Seconds with Fast Model Resin From Formlabs
Print a Model Every 49 Seconds with Fast Model Resin From Formlabs The Form 4B 3D printer and Fast Model Resin revolutionize dental printing by enabling the production of 11 models in just nine minutes. This combination optimizes speed without compromising accuracy, enhancing workflow efficiency and maintaining high mechanical performance. Fast Model Resin stands out with its improved aesthetics, offering a more opaque and matte finish compared to Draft Resin. It’s ideal for thermoforming applications, balancing speed and accuracy to ensure appliances fit patients correctly. The resin supports continuous printing, producing over 60 arches per hour with efficient post-processing. PreForm Dental software allows users to customize layer heights and printer settings, balancing accuracy, resolution, and speed. For detailed cases, a 100 μm layer height captures critical details, while the 160 μm Fast Arch setting is optimal for aligners. Dental professionals have successfully used these settings to achieve desired speed and accuracy. Feedback from professionals highlights the resin’s utility in both dental labs and practices. It supports same-visit dentistry and efficient production of aligners, with quick post-processing times enhancing workflow efficiency. Fast Model Resin’s superior mechanical properties make it a preferred choice for thermoforming models. Want to learn more about Formlabs Materials? Contact us below: Contact Us This abridged article [...]
Design X Reverse Engineering Options for Any Budget
Geomagic Design X, known for its powerful features and scanner integration, is now more accessible with a three-tiered plan starting at $1,900 a year. These plans cater to various needs and budgets, helping new users start reverse engineering projects and upgrade as needed. Here's an outline of each: Geomagic Design X Go A new product plan for beginners in 3D scan-based reverse engineering or simple parts, starting at $1,900/year. It includes essential tools for modeling, mesh, and point cloud editing. Ideal for handheld scanners, it offers CAD software interoperability with Live Transfer. Design X Go Geomagic Design X Plus Routinely reverse engineering complex parts? You could speed up your workflow with the Plus plan’s enhanced tools for mesh control, modeling, surfacing, and accuracy analysis. Capture scan data directly in Design X with scanner plugins and probing tools. Design X Plus Geomagic Design X Pro Want to reverse engineer without limits? Design X Pro is the solution. Its toolkit lets you go from scan to CAD faster than anything else. Advanced tools for modeling, mesh processing, and surfacing allow you to create complex models. Automate workflows for similar parts with scan and batch processing tools. Modeling Wizards and Auto [...]