3D Printing News Briefs: April 20, 2018

We’re getting right down to business today in 3D Printing News Briefs – Identify3D and atum3D are both announcing new collaborations and partnerships, and Made In Space has received an award from NASA. WASP created a new hub network, while the Library of Congress has created a new position to help with digital strategy. Finally, as you race into the weekend, a superbike champion is hitting the track with CRP Group’s 3D printed Ego Corsa, and we’ve got an update on how the Wiivv engineer who ran the sub-three hour Boston Marathon in 3D printed sandals did in the race.

Identify3D Integrating With Siemens 

Digital manufacturing software provider Identify3D joined global technology company Siemens‘ expanding Frontier Partner Program in 2016, and last year the two companies formed an agreement that Identify3D would integrate its security technology with Siemens’ Sinumerik CNC motion control and NX Cad software. This month, they’re making the integration partnership official, as Identify3D integrates its solution with the Siemens Digital Factory. There will be a new Identify3d plug-in for Siemens’ NX software, and new and current NX users can choose a manufacturing policy, licensing quantity, and expiration date for parts manufacturing in secure technical packages, which will be licensed and delivered to manufacturers.

“Securing the digital thread and preventing the misuse of part design and production IP is especially important for companies adopting additive manufacturing. Identify3D is a leader in securing and controlling the distribution of data for engineering and production of parts,” said Andreas Saar, VP of Digital Manufacturing, Siemens. “For companies looking to secure data exchange in-house and with their supply chain, this technology is essential.”

The integrated solution will be presented at next week’s Hannover Messe at each of the company’s booths.

atum3D Partners with AyS Fabricación 3D in Spain and Portugal

DLP solutions leader atum3D, based in the Netherlands, announced that a collaboration with 3D printer distributor AyS Fabricación 3D has resulted in the launch of new Industry Excellence Packs, based on its DLP Station 5 3D printer, on the Iberian Peninsula. atum3D’s Industry Excellence Packs include solutions for specific sectors such as dental laboratories, industrial manufacturing, jewelers, and product design. Now, thanks to AyS Fabricación 3D’s experience, knowledge, and support, professional clients in Portugal and Spain can benefit from atum3D’s technology.

“With the increasing interest in atum3D products from southern Europe, we’re excited to partner up with the professionals at AyS Fabricación 3D,” said Guy Nyssen, atum3D Channel Manager. “We’re very happy potential atum3D customers in Spain and Portugal can now find our products at a company that shares our beliefs and vision in terms of advice, service and support!”

Made In Space Receives NASA Award

This month, Made In Space was recognized by NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) for its work in operating the Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) on a weekly basis for the past two years aboard the International Space Station. At a ceremony in Houston, the California-based space manufacturing company received NASA’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award. JSC, which oversees AMF operations for NASA, nominated Made In Space for the award, which is given to companies that work cooperatively with program personnel and contracting officials, perform well on every NASA contract at the nominating center during an awards review period, and are responsive to contractual requirements. The AMF has now 3D printed over 100 parts for government and commercial customers, along with researchers and universities, and that’s without taking into account the parts printed just for use on the ISS.

Mike Snyder, Made In Space Co-Founder and Chief Engineer, said, “We’re honored to win this prestigious award. We’re grateful for NASA’s confidence in our team and look forward to success with AMF and other programs for many years to come.”

WASP Creates New Network of Hubs

Italian 3D printing company WASP (World’s Advanced Saving Project) is expanding: it has created the WASP Hub Network after acquiring a new office for large-scale 3D printing, where the Shamballa Technology Park now also resides. These Hubs are local business units around the world that share discoveries, job opportunities, materials, processes, and projects to generate innovation and well-being. Each WASP Hub workspace is equipped with digital fabrication machines so people can create objects for use in various research fields, like home, energy, and food, identified by WASP as basic human needs.

There are currently ten WASP Hubs operating around the world – three in Italy, one each in the US and Asia, and five others throughout Europe. The company will open WASP Hubs in Berlin and Milan soon. As of right now, each WASP Hub operates the Delta WASP 2040 Turbo 2, the Delta WASP 4070 Industrial, the Delta WASP 3MT Industrial, and a Clay Kit 2.0 with LDM WASP Extruder.

Library of Congress Announces Director of Digital Strategy

This week, Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, announced that she has appointed Kate Zwaard, previously Chief of the National Digital Initiatives division, to be the Library’s Director of Digital Strategy. The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, and Hayden created this position in an effort to increase its digital planning and collaboration around digital initiatives. In Zwaard’s previous position, she established several projects, including the innovator-in-residence program and Library Labs, which she will continue to oversee. The new position came about as the Library experiments with how to apply technology to services and collections, like using 3D printing to provide hands-on interaction with Library collections to classrooms.

“Our staff and collection are a national treasure. I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues to find ways to amplify their reach to Congress and the American people. We’ll be thinking creatively, using the good work that’s behind us, the staff expertise that we’ve developed and our friends and colleagues in other institutions as building blocks,” said Zwaard. “Together we can achieve the Library’s vision of a user-focused agency that offers accessible, fun and meaningful experiences.”

3D Printed Ego Corsa Electric Motorcycle Makes 3rd Demo Lap

Motorsports pioneer CRP Group and its subsidiary Energica use 3D printing to develop components for electric motorcycles. A few months ago, Energica was chosen as the sole manufacturer for the 2019 FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, and got to work creating a finely tuned version of the high-performance Ego, called the Ego Corsa, which will be used by the teams racing in the electric motorcycle competition. This weekend, the Ego Corsa will be completing its third demo lap around the track at the MotoGP World Championship Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

The 5.5 km ‘Circuit of The Americas’ is an important venue for motorcycling enthusiasts, with the capacity for 120,000 fans. Two-time World Superbike champion Colin Edwards, also known as the Texas Tornado, will be the third rider to hit the track on the Ego Corsa, and will have the chance to experience how the CRP Group’s breakthrough technology is supporting the development of the electric motorcycle. Tune in to the MotoGP website this Sunday, April 22nd at 13:25/13:30 (Local Time GMT -5) to catch the race live.

Wiivv Engineer Ran Boston Marathon in 3D Printed Sandals

When 3D printed insoles company Wiivv launched its second record-breaking Kickstarter campaign last year, Wiivv engineer Chris Bellamy made a bet with supporters that if the company raised $500,000 or more, he would run the Boston Marathon wearing a pair of its 3D printed flip-flops. Bellamy has been training hard, and successfully completed the sub-three marathon this past Monday wearing the Wiivv Sandals, which were officially dubbed the #SubThreeSandal. He finished the 26.2 mile race with a final time of 02:59:36, and found that the 3D printed sandals offered him some unexpected benefits on the cold, rainy day.

“They were great at the beginning of the race, because everyone else was having to change shoes, and I could just walk through the mud in my sandals. Then when it rained, it just washed my feet off,” Bellamy said.

While it’s not suggested that everyone should start running marathons in flip flops, Wiivv’s 3D printed ones would be the shoe to go with, as they have adjustable straps, a custom arch, triple-density foam footbed for shock absorption, and a deep contoured heel cup. To watch the full week leading up to the Boston Marathon, visit Wiiv’s highlighted #marathong Instagram story.

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