3D Printing News Briefs: January 19, 2018

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We’re all business today in 3D Printing News Briefs, covering stories about everything from investments, grants, and executives to awards and new machines. SCRA announced an investment in 3D prosthetics company Extremiti3D by its entrepreneurial SC Launch, Inc. program, and Roush made a major investment in metal additive manufacturing. A prominent member of the adidas Executive Board has joined the Board of Directors at Carbon, and engineering company GKN is rejecting a hostile takeover bid by Melrose. Penn State awarded one of four research grants to a 3D printing project, while the director and co-founder of byFlow has received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Rösler Benelux is rolling out a new post-processing machine. Additionally, a new book for 3D printing beginners in the entertainment industry was just published.

SC Launch, Inc. Finalizes Investment in Extremiti3D

Public non-profit corporation SCRA, chartered by the state of South Carolina to foster job creation, announced that its entrepreneurial SC Launch, Inc. program has finalized an investment for Extremiti3D LLC, which was accepted into the program in 2016 as a Client Company; the platform provides grants, investments, and mentoring to these qualified companies. Extremiti3D works with certified prosthetic professionals to address the needs of the 1.5 million lower limb amputees in the US, by manufacturing 3D printed transtibial and transfemoral prosthetic sockets and cosmetic protective covers that take less time to make and have an improved fit. The company also uses digital scanning to make its products, which are customized to each patient.

“We are excited to have received this investment from SC Launch, Inc.,” said Barry Hand, Co-Founder and CEO of Extremiti3D. “The $200,000 investment will be used to help fund ongoing product development, workflow process improvements and to execute our sales and marketing tactics to grow the business and create new jobs.”

Roush Invests in Metal 3D Printing with Purchase of Xline 2000R

In an effort to expand its reach in several industries, Michigan-based product development supplier Roush made a major investment in 3D printing equipment, and is now the first service supplier in North America to own the Xline 2000R from Concept Laser, the largest powder bed metal additive manufacturing system in the world, with a build envelope of 800 x 400 x 500 mm for large-scale production. The company has been providing 3D printing services for over 15 years, and is working to expand its additive manufacturing capabilities with new equipment in order to benefit aerospace, defense, energy, and consumer product industries, among others.

Dean Massab, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Roush Enterprises, said, “During the past year, Roush has invested millions of dollars in new additive manufacturing equipment to expand our reach into more industries. Investing in the latest additive manufacturing technology continues our commitment to innovative, high-performance solutions — from concept maturation and optimization, all the way through to hardware integration and development.”

Executive Board Member from adidas Joins Carbon Board of Directors

Eric Liedtke

On the same day of adidas’ commercial release of its partially 3D printed Futurecraft 4D shoes, the premium footwear manufacturer had more exciting news to share. Carbon, a major adidas partner, announced that it has appointed Eric Liedtke, an adidas AG Executive Board Member – Global Brands, to its own Board of Directors. Liedtke has worked at adidas for over 15 years, and held multiple senior management positions in brand communications and product marketing at adidas America before being appointed CMO of Global Brands since 2014.

“I am excited and honored to join the Carbon Board, and look forward to contributing to the company’s vision to fundamentally change how the world designs, engineers, makes and delivers customized products at scale. The unparalleled work we’ve done together to make FUTURECRAFT 4D a reality is a proven example of the vital role digital 3D Manufacturing can play in opening up endless opportunities and creativity in the future,” Liedtke said.

GKN Rejects Melrose Hostile Takeover Bid

Engineering company GKN, which has been increasing its focus on additive manufacturing technology lately, conducted a wide-range review of its business last year, due to lower profit margins and cash generation. The company recently announced a two-year strategy to increase cash flow by reducing costs and expenditure and a plan to split its aerospace and automotive divisions into separate companies, but turnaround specialist Melrose has since offered the company a £7.4 billion hostile takeover bid, offering 430.1p in cash and shares for GKN, which GKN has rejected.

Melrose believes that it would be able to offer GKN shareholders far greater benefits than GKN itself can, and hopes to “re-energise and repurpose GKN’s operations.” The company has faced some criticism of its cash-and-shares offer, but pointed out that sharply rising shares in both companies this week show that its bid does have merit. According to a statement, GKN’s new management is “currently undertaking a series of shareholder meetings to explain why GKN’s current owners should retain 100% of the benefits of the upside potential in GKN, rather than handing 43% to Melrose’s management and shareholders.”

Penn State 3D Printing Project Receives Research Grant

Through its Multidisciplinary Research Seed Grants program, the Penn State College of Engineering has awarded funding to four different faculty projects, one of which is centered around 3D printing. Grants from the program, which received 39 submissions that were reviewed by an ad-hoc committee of external experts and faculty members, can be used for multiple purposes, such as funding labs, supporting graduate students, and purchasing equipment, materials, software, and supplies.

“The four awardee teams stood out for the novelty and potential impact of their proposed research. The funded work will contribute to composite mechanics, big data analytics, additive manufacturing, and health — mirroring the breadth of research excellence in our College,” said Chris Rahn, Associate Dean for Innovation in the College of Engineering.

“The four awardee teams should feel proud that their proposals rose to the top of a very competitive pool. I look forward to seeing the results from their seed grant research.”

The additive manufacturing project selected for seed grant funding is titled “High Precision In-Situ Testing to Improve Advanced Manufacturing,” and was submitted by Guha Manogharan, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering and industrial and manufacturing engineering, and Saurabh Basu, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering.

byFlow CEO Wins Techionista Award for Entrepreneur of the Year 

L-R: Vivianne Bendermacher – founder Techionista, Farshida Zafar – Tech Leader 2018, Nina Hoff – Tech Entrepreneur 2018, Ineke Scheffers – Tech Talent 2018, Tamira van Roeyen – co-founder Techionista.

Techionista is committed to empowering women through technology, and yesterday hosted the very first Techionista Awards at a party in Amsterdam; the shortlist of award winners was announced in December. A professional jury decided on the winners, in categories like Tech Talent, Tech Inspirator, Tech Leader, and Tech Entrepreneur. Five talented and enterprising tech women in the Netherlands were awarded, including Nina Hoff, the CEO, director, and co-founder of Dutch 3D printer manufacturer byFlow, which has sold over 100 3D food printers.

Hoff received the Techionista Award for Entrepreneur of the Year. According to the Techionista Awards website, a Tech Entrepreneur is “a techionista who, as an entrepreneur with guts and passion, successfully pursues her dreams in the world of technology.” As byFlow successfully brought its portable Focus 3D printer to market even without reaching its Kickstarter funding goal, and is currently working with chocolate company Callebaut to develop a high-quality 3D chocolate printer, I’d say the description is more than fitting. Congratulations to Nina Hoff!

Rösler Benelux Introduces New RapidFinish Post-Processing Machines

Dutch metal and surface processing specialist Rösler Benelux has just released its newest innovation – RapidFinish, post-processing machines that are perfect for additive manufacturing companies 3D printing with metal and plastic. RapidFinish, which uses a sustainable, environmentally friendly post-processing technique, was developed to smooth out the surface of rough 3D printed pieces, which can greatly improve the quality of the end product.

To see the new RapidFinish machine for yourself, visit the company at the upcoming TechniShow in Utrecht, which begins on March 20th. Rösler Benelux BV will be located in Hall 8, at Stand 088.

New 3D Printing Book Published

A new book, titled 3D Printing Basics for Entertainment Design, was just published by Routledge. The book was written by 3D printing teacher and Head of Lighting Design at San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television and Film Anne E. McMills, whose passion is expanding 3D technology’s home in theatrical design; she is also a voice for the entertainment industry on several advisory panels and focus groups for 3D technology companies.

McMills told 3DPrint.com, “The book focuses on a basic how-to for beginners and case studies on how it is being used in the entertainment arts — things like theatre, tv/film, museums, puppetry, etc.”

The beginner’s guide outlines 3D printing basics, along with the technology’s many uses in entertainment design. It offers easy-to-read, straightforward information, showing readers how to create and acquire 3D printable models, and offering tips on how to produce successful 3D prints. Over 70 professionals contributed guidance, case studies, and images for the book, which is now available for purchase.

Discuss these and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.

 

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