Articles Tagged with ''additive manufacturing''

When a special effects company in Hollywood needed to produce a suit for the latest “RoboCop” movie, they turned to additive manufacturing. A 3D printer played a leading behind-the-scenes role in the production of the iconic RoboCop suit, including the helmet, visor, chest armor and boots.

Depending on who you listen to, 3D printing (or, as it’s more formally known, additive manufacturing) is either the biggest thing to hit the manufacturing world since the screw or the biggest tech fad since the fax machine. It’s actually a little of each.

TORONTO—3D printing is empowering a new class of entrepreneurs and could help breathe new life into Canada’s manufacturing sector, experts say.

By redesigning multipart components, such as fuel nozzles, ducting and valves, into one-piece components, engineers can reduce weight, simplify assembly and cut costs.

Pencil-shaped, the Bloodhound SSC supersonic car aims to rewrite history in the summer of 2015. At that time, the car will attempt to reach a land speed of 1,000 mph—easily exceeding the world land speed record of 763 mph, set by its predecessor Thrust SSC on Oct. 15, 1997.

NOVI, MI—Airbus Group Innovation and EOS recently conducted a test that pitted rapid investment casting against direct metal laser sintering. Engineers examined an Airbus A320 nacelle hinge bracket, focusing on its overall lifecycle. The testing will serve as the basis for an ongoing cradle-to-grave study into other aerospace parts and production processes.

BOLTON, UK—Empire Cycles and Renishaw, a manufacturer of additive manufacturing technology, have created a lightweight, titanium bicycle frame through 3D printing.

According to many experts, 3D printing promises to revolutionize the way numerous products are designed and mass-produced.

ROLLA, MO—Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are running computer simulations of additive manufacturing processes that could lead to stronger, more durable materials for spacecraft.