In this week’s #3DExpress, certification is in the spotlight. First, Materialise announced that it had gained EN 9100 certification for its metal AM processes. Now, the Belgian company is looking to help the aerospace sector identify and source flight-ready 3D printed parts. Then, DEEP received approval for its 3D printed pressure vessels. The crazy part? They are suitable for human occupancy. To finish it out, Stratasys and Siemens show the accuracy of 3D printed phantoms, SUNLU releases a new filament dryer and MB Therapeutics has raised €2M. Happy reading and have a great weekend.
Materialise Announces EN 9100 Certification for Metal AM Parts in Aerospace
Materialise has announced that it has gained EN 9100 certification for its metal AM processes. Already holding EN 9100 for polymer AM processes, the company notes that with this it proves that it has “implemented a quality management system that ensures product quality, process control, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.” Materialise will now be able to help the entire aerospace value chain identify and source flight-ready metal or polymer 3D printed parts. Erik de Zeeuw, Market Manager for Aerospace at Materialise, concluded, “The quality and process control system we have in place simplifies the digital thread necessary for qualifying 3D-printed metal parts. And that’s something we are incredibly excited about. We are ready to talk to and work with our extensive network of partners in space and aviation to identify, produce, and develop the perfect applications for metal AM. Together, we will definitely see a whole raft of new opportunities quite literally take flight.”
Photo Credits: Materialise
DML Receives DNV Approval for 3D Printed Pressure Vessels
UK-based DEEP Manufacturing Limited (DML) has received DNV approval for its use of wire arc additive manufacturing for steel pressure vessels suitable for human occupancy. The company operates one of the largest concentrations of WAAM systems globally, with 20 at its Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence. Each robotic system is able to create metallic parts up to three meters in diameter and a six-arm synchronized configuration allows for the creation of parts of up to 6.1 meters in diameter and 3.2 meters in height. Peter Richards, Chief Executive Officer, DEEP Manufacturing affirms, “Using DEEP Manufacturing’s additive manufacturing process allows companies to stay ahead of the game in their subsea projects. Additive manufacturing is the fast, safe solution to manufacturing large-scale, complex metal parts. If subsea companies are still relying on traditional forge and casting methods, they risk falling behind. There is a need for a mindset shift toward innovation and proactive measures to enhance industry-wide resilience. As we move forward, we want to support our customers to embrace innovation and build more adaptable, resilient operations. This is a tipping point for our industry, and it is time to fully leverage the benefits that additive manufacturing offers.”
Photo Credits: DML
Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers Show Accuracy of 3D Printed Medical Imaging Phantoms
Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers collaborated on an initiative to explore 3D printed phantoms for medical imaging. They joined forces by combining Stratasys’ RadioMatrix materials and Digital Anatomy technology with Siemens Healthineers algorithms. In this way, they were able to improve the quality of medical imaging systems that faithfully reproduce the patient’s anatomy. The 3D-printed models help doctors to better plan surgical procedures. “The integration of 3D-printing solutions to create patient-realistic CT phantoms, combined with the Digital Anatomy® technology from Stratasys, represents a significant innovation in the field of computed tomography,” said Jesús Fernández Léon, Head of Computed Tomography Product and Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. “This cooperation not only enhances our ability to assess and verify the performance of modern CT systems but also ensures that our algorithms can rely on a highly realistic depiction of human anatomy. By working together, we are setting new standards in medical imaging.”
Photo Credits: Business Wire
SUNLU’s New Solution for Drying Filaments
Chinese manufacturer SUNLU, specialized in the development of filaments for 3D printing, has just unveiled its FilaDryer E2. As its name suggests, this is a machine that dries filaments, preventing them from becoming too wet and thus causing printing errors. This solution is capable of reaching temperatures of 110°C, making it compatible with thermoplastics such as polyamide, polycarbonate and high-performance materials like PEI. Its chamber has a volume of 372 x 192 x 186 mm and can accommodate two one-kilo coils, or one 2-3 kilo coil. It also features a touch screen for easy setting of drying cycles. Prices start at $400.
Photo Credits: SUNLU
MB Therapeutics Raises €2M
French start-up MB Therapeutics, based in Montpellier, has just announced a €2 million round of funding. Specializing in the 3D printing of drugs, the start-up aims to create the first pharmaceutical structure dedicated to the “production of solutions compatible with 3D printing technology in pharmaceuticals.” In concrete terms, it aims to enable customized drugs to be printed directly on site, in pharmacies equipped with a preparatory unit. It is aimed at more than 1,000 pharmacies in Europe, and could solve many of their challenges, such as improving quality, better anticipating stock shortages and meeting demand for personalized medicines. Dr. Stéphane Roulon, CEO and co-founder of MB Therapeutics, explains, “Local production in pharmacies or hospital pharmacies of customized medicines guarantees rapid availability and precise doses, essential for urgent and personalized care.”
Photo Credits: MB Therapeutics
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