#3DExpress: A 3D Printed Möbius Strip Play Structure in Japan
In this week’s 3DExpress series, we review some of the most important news in the 3D printing sector. This time, we will talk about a 3D printed play structure in the shape of a Möbius Strip that has been installed in a park in Japan. In addition, ASTM International has been awarded a grant to research sustainability and additive manufacturing. We will end with three news items related to the aerospace world, including Materialise that has joined the Delft Aerospace Innovation Center. Sintavia continues to drive the development of aerospace components, while ADDiTEC has launched a new machine for this sector. Enjoy this new installment of 3DExpress!
3D Printed Möbius Strip Play Structure Installed in Japan
One of the biggest advantages of 3D printing is the freedom of design, allowing for incredible, creative parts. This includes recreating Möbius strips, one-sided surfaces that can be formed by attaching the ends of a strip of paper with a half twist, as seen in a new 3D printed play structure. Installed in the Kyoharu Art Village in Japan, the structure is a Möbius strip-like loop with integrated climbing and sliding functions. Named White Loop and made by VUILD, the structure was inspired by observing children’s behavior on conventional slides and aimed to help imitate how children instinctively play. The designer explains, “I envisioned an image in my mind of children weaving between birch trees, spiraling up and down in large, expansive loops, chasing each other playfully, which became my initial concept.”
Photo Credits: Hayato Kurobe
ASTM International to Receive Funding to Research Sustainability in AM
ASTM International has announced that it has been awarded funding from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD(R&D)) through an America Makes project call. As a result, the organization will be receiving funding, $2.1 million in total to be shared with five other projects, to lead research on sustainability and the environmental benefits of additive manufacturing. In the initiative, ASTM will be exploring strategies for material recovery, lifecycle assessments, and frameworks to help manufacturers implement eco-friendly practices without compromising on part performance and reliability. “We are pleased to lead this important project with America Makes,” concludes Mohsen Seifi, ASTM International’s Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing. “Our focus will be on developing methodologies that eventually promote the sustainable use of materials in additive manufacturing, ensuring both environmental benefits and high-quality outcomes for end users.”
Photo Credits: ASTM International COE
Sintavia Boosts 3D Printing of Aerospace Components
Sintavia, a leader in the digital manufacturing of aerospace components, has received a $10 million investment from the Stifel North Atlantic AM-Forward fund. This capital will be used to refinance equipment and strengthen the company’s working capital. 3D printing has enabled Sintavia to manufacture advanced components such as heat exchangers and combustors for the aerospace and defense industries. Commenting on this new investment, Brian R. Neff, founder and CEO of Sintavia, commented, “It is great to see Stifel’s strong commitment to funding profitable, high-growth users of additive technology, and this new fund will certainly have a positive impact across the industry.” With this investment, Sintavia strengthens its expansion and consolidates its position as a leader in additive manufacturing, having recently announced a $25 million growth plan that includes new facilities and increased industrial printing capacity.
Photo Credits: Sintavia
Materialise Joins the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Delft
Belgian company Materialise announced this week that it has joined the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Delft, the Netherlands, strengthening its expertise in the aerospace 3D printing sector. The company is opening a competence center dedicated to this market, and will be the first additive manufacturing company to set up in this hub. The center will develop projects between industry professionals, startups, the government and students. Materialise’s aim is to develop the use of additive manufacturing in aerospace and promote its adoption. Brigitte de Vet-Veithen adds: “The opening of our new Aerospace Competence Center aligns with our commitment to support the aerospace industry through more than three decades of experience in additive manufacturing and software solutions, as well as our pioneering role in producing certified parts. By joining this selective aerospace network, we can strengthen our capabilities, expand partnerships, and enable other aerospace leaders in this hub to accelerate innovation and explore new possibilities with AM.”
From left to right: Niels Krol, Maaike Zwart, Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, Henri Werij and Femke Verdegaal (photo credits: Materialise).
AMDROiD X, the New Release from ADDiTEC
We end this 3DExpress by talking about the company ADDiTEC, which presented its new product, the AMDROiD X, at the MILAM 2025 event in Florida. Designed for the defense industry, this advanced printing system employs laser direct energy deposition (LDED) technology. It is optimized for demanding operations in hostile environments, both on land and at sea. The AMDROiD X features a powerful 12 kW fiber laser, enabling large-scale fabrication and repair of metal components. It is compatible with materials such as stainless steel, aluminum and copper, ensuring high production efficiency. Its modular and portable design, in a 10-foot expandable container, facilitates rapid deployment. Finally, its advanced software allows complex geometries to be printed in multiple axes, improving accessibility for both experts and new users.
Photo Credits: ADDiTEC
What do you think of this 3D printed Möbius Strip play structure in Japan? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
