In this week’s #3DExpress, we start off with an exciting launch: the S8 3D printer from UltiMaker! This FDM solution has been designed to increase user productivity through an increased speed without compromising on quality. Next, construction 3D printing is in the news with announcements from the U.S. Army and the first 3D printed multistory home in Australia. Then, a researcher in Oklahoma has been rewarded a NASA grant for research on 3D printed microscale devices. And we end this week with a positive outlook for Formnext 2025. Happy reading and have a great weekend!
UltiMaker Unveils the S8 3D Printer
UltiMaker, the result of the merger between Ultimaker and Makerbot, needs no introduction. For years, it has been dedicated to developing high-performance, affordable desktop 3D printing solutions. This week, the company revealed its latest FDM machine, the UltiMaker S8. The goal? Increase user productivity while maintaining reliability, safety and precision. In terms of technical specifications, the S8 offers a print volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm and a speed of up to 500 mm/s. It is equipped not only with a new motion planner, the UltiMaker Cheetah, but also with an improved feed system for faster production of quality parts. This is really what the manufacturer is focusing on. The S8 is a dual extruder 3D printer, compatible with over 300 materials. UltiMaker CEO Michiel Alting von Geusau concludes, “We are thrilled to launch the UltiMaker S8, the next generation in our popular S series, built with customers in mind. With our growing 3D printing ecosystem, we aim to provide customers with a variety of solutions that will fit their production needs.”
US Army Eyes 3D Printing for Construction of Barracks
In yet more news for the 3D printing construction industry, the U.S. Army has said that it may be using 3D printing for future Army and Navy barracks. This would build upon previous projects wherein the Army Corps of Engineers has already piloted 3D printed barracks, including those at Fort Bliss in Texas. In discussions with lawmakers, Dave Morrow, director of military programs for Army Corps of Engineers confirmed, “In an increasingly complex global security environment, our commitment to innovation in military construction is not just about building structures, it’s about building the resilience and readiness our forces need to prevail. By working with industry to leverage these advancements, we can deliver more durable, sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure for our military, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently, while equipping our troops with the best facilities in the world. Additive construction has [the] potential to reduce costs, manpower, logistics and time, while opening the door for improved and new applications, such as unconventional countermeasures.”
3D printed military barracks at Fort Bliss, Texas (photo credits: Sophia Espinosa/U.S. Army)
First 3D Printed Multi-Story Home in Australia
Luyten has announced that construction has started on the first 3D printed multi-story home in Australia. Made using AI-powered 3D printing, the 350 m2 home will be made in the suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria and will be lived in by Ahmed Mahil, the CEO and Global President of LUYTEN. Since February 11th, a robotic crane from LUYTEN has been used to create the home and it is being touted as a potential solution to the current housing crisis in Australia. Although more research is needed to see how 3D printing could transform the construction sector in the country, it is certainly a promising step forward, as reported this week by The Guardian.
AM Researcher From Oklahoma State Receives NASA Grant
Dr. Sri Ramesh of Oklahoma State University has been awarded the NASA Established Program to Simulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant. Dr. Ramesh is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and his research focuses on the manufacturing of functional microscale functional devices using conductive ink for space, medical and computing applications, including those made with additive manufacturing. He will now have the opportunity to work directly with NASA scientists and explore new collaborations for research. “This project will provide an excellent opportunity to directly observe the challenges and solutions NASA is working on in additive manufacturing for electronics,” explains Dr. Ramesh. “By seeing these real-world problems firsthand, I’ll be able to bring relevant examples back to the classroom, helping students align their research to address similar challenges. Additionally, I’ll be able to share insights on potential internship opportunities at NASA, guiding students on how they can get involved and contribute to cutting-edge work in the field.”
Photo Credits: Okstate
Formnext 2025 Is Shaping Up to Be an International Success
Formnext will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. And to mark this auspicious occasion, the event, which opens its doors again on November 18, is gearing up to be another success. Or at least that’s what the organizers say, given the current number of registrations. By early March, 533 companies from 34 countries had already registered. Furthermore, around 65% of exhibitors registered to date are from abroad. In addition to major industry players from the USA and China, many companies from partner country Spain will also be present this year. This show that despite fears that the additive manufacturing industry is stagnating, the organizers are actually seeing positive momentum in the sector. The current number of registrations and the high level of exhibitor satisfaction last year (around 88%) further show the relevance of the event. “The diversity of our existing and new exhibitors is proof that Additive Manufacturing offers excellent business opportunities for companies along the entire process chain”, concludes Petra Haarburger, President, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.
What do you think of the new S8 3D printer from UltiMaker? 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.