3D Printing / Additive Mfg

Daihatsu Motor Company, known for manufacturing compact, lightweight cars, will offer customers customized design elements for car exteriors. Customers will be able to customize their Copen Convertibles with Stratasys 3D printed effect skins. Stratasys FDM 3D printing technology was used to “build” these three-dimensional patterns, called Effect Skins, for the front and rear bumpers of Daihatsu’s Copen 2-door convertible. “Using Stratasys 3D Printing technology to customize and supply parts to customers and to allow self-expression within a [...]

Hydroforming is a demanding process, which uses pressure to force sheet metal to take the form of a mold. It was first adopted before World War II to form metal sheets using liquid as a soft punch. Used in low-volume manufacturing, hydroforming is favored for its ability to fabricate high quality complex parts with achievable weights up to 30% lower than standard units. It is primarily used in the automotive industry to produce engine cradles, [...]

The Icelandic music and film icon Björk has taken yet another fashion-forward step. Before an invitation-only audience at Tokyo’s Miraikan Museum, Björk performed in a 3D printed mask designed by MIT professor, designer and innovator Neri Oxman. Inspired by Björk’s most recent album, Vulnicura, Oxman, renowned in design circles for her use of 3D printing and biomimicry in particular, used 3D scans of Björk’s face to create digital interpretations of her bone and tissue structure. [...]

Currently, about 75% of all new 3D printers sold are FDM printers, and quite a few of them are used in business environments. The Stratasys Fortus family of commercial FDM 3D printers are used in high-production facilities through industries as diverse as consumer products, automotive, aerospace and even medical applications. Stratasys also offers some of the more advanced FDM 3D printing materials on the market, many of them with incredible end-use applications. Stratasys ASA [...]

There are many different materials available for 3D printing and today we are going to talk about ULTEM 9085, which is a production grade thermoplastic used for high-performance parts. Known for its reliability, ULTEM 9085 has superior thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties. This thermoplastic is flame-retardant with a high FST rating. This certification paired with Ultem’s high strength-to weight ratio makes it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications, particularly in commercial airplanes and marine and [...]