The Most Innovative Solutions at RAPID + TCT 2024

It is day two of RAPID + TCT 2024 and one thing is clear, the 400+ exhibitors have come to impress. From hardware to software, materials to post-processing and everything in between, there are a number of incredible solutions, both new and updated, that are on display at the booths throughout the show floor. But what if you are not at the event? Or if you were able to attend but with so many incredible things to see, you do not know where to start? That is why we have decided to show some of the most innovative solutions we crossed at RAPID + TCT year, below in no particular order.

The UltraCraft Reflex Combo From HeyGears

Developed by the 3D printing solution provider HeyGears, the UltraCraft Reflex is a desktop 3D printer based on MSLA resin technology. It features a maximum build volume of 192 x 121 x 220 mm, a print speed of 27 mm/h and a total weight of 25kg. In addition, it is compatible with a wide range of UltraPrint resins; such as HeyGears’ ABS-like PAU10, transparent PAT10, mixable color PAM10, precise detail PAP10 and heat-resistant PAH10, and more. Among other features, the UltraCraft Reflex has automatic resin reloading and automatic material level detection, a preheated tray, as well as an accuracy of 33 μm. With an impressive 95% printing success rate, the solution from HeyGears integrates a proprietary software that boasts intelligent auto-supports and slicing capabilities.

During RAPID + TCT, HeyGears is putting the focus, not only on the machine itself, but also on the whole ecosystem of products. The UltraCraft Reflex Combo provides an answer to the entire manufacturing process; it includes the 3D printer, the UltraCraft Wash station, and the UltraCraft Cure station. In addition to these, the UltraCraft Pulsing Release Module can take your 3D printing to the next level by reducing the peeling forces during each print. Now, you can shape your ideas with a complete end-to-end production platform designed for a worry-free 3D printing process. Meet HeyGears in booth 2353 at RAPID + TCT to see the Reflex Combo in person. The UltraCraft Reflex Combo is available from €2,770, find out more HERE.

Photo Credits: HeyGears

The ElectroUV3D Tabletop Printer From Chemcubed

For some time now, a worldwide circuit board shortage has caused issues, including severe price increases and production slowdowns in industries like automotive and consumer electronics. But 3D printing is now on the case. Former Stony Brook-startup Chemcubed, known first for its NanoCubed 3D printing materials, has launched a new printer designed specifically to make additive printed electronics like PCB. Named the ElectrovUV3D, this UV LED flatbed tabletop printer uses the company’s patented electrojetting process, which uses multi-jet printing with inks in a layer process which enables first silver conductive inks and then UV-curable dielectric insulating/building inks via the 8-channel inkjet head with 180 nozzles per inch. This allows for simultaneous multi-material, multi-layer printing for electronics. Furthermore, the heated bed allows for instantaneous sintering of the conductive inks while a UV-LED lamp to cure photosensitive inks. The printer boasts micron-scale resolution: 200µm for trace gaps, 100 µm for trace widths and 50µm for stand-alone trace widths. An exciting potential advancement in 3D printed electronics.

Photo Credits: 3Dnatives

The Nikon Lasermeister LM300A and Lasermeister SB100 Solutions Shows Off the Combination of Scanning and 3D Printing at RAPID + TCT

The next one in our solutions to highlight at RAPID + TCT might be cheating a little bit because technically speaking the solution was not actually present at the booth. However, we are including it because despite this, the machine has been at the forefront of Nikon SLM’s booth with clear information as well as the showcasing of a number of parts showing the vast number of applications that are possible. We are talking of course about the new Laisermeister LM300A from Nikon SLM. What is exceptional about this new solution is that the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) 3D printer comes equipped with a complementary 3D scanner, the Lasermeister SB100. The solution has been designed to upgrade the Lasermeister 100A metal AM system to specifically target industrial solutions. To do this, the Lasermeister boasts an expanded build area and the advanced 3D scanner enables factory automation by enabling users to scan each workpiece and then automatically generate the tool path before the 3D printing process begins. It is expected that the solution will be particularly suited to applications like repairing turbine blades and the creation of molds.

Photo Credits: Nikon

Impossible Objects’ CBAM 25

Impossible Objects is well-known for its composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM). And the company has hit a significant milestone. The CBAM 25, unveiled for the first time at RAPID + TCT 2023, solution made waves when it was announced that it can print fifteen times faster than the fastest competition, thus bring 3D printing into mass production. Available since early 2024, attendees can see the machine in action at the show where it all started and see how it is possible to make lighter and more durable parts, including with materials like Carbon Fiber PEEK.

Photo Credits: Impossible Objects

Discover the LPBF Pro Solution at RAPID + TCT

Of course, if we are speaking about solutions for additive manufacturing, that does not just include hardware. Software has been in the spotlight at RAPID + TCT 2024 as it has become increasingly obvious that more effective and intuitive solutions are necessary for the further advancement of 3D printing in many industries. Of these, one of the most impressive was the LPBF Pro metal 3D printing software from Dyndrite. Dyndrite has been making a name for itself in the realm of AM software and its latest innovation released in November 2023 is the LPBF pro, which, as its name suggests, has been designed specifically for metal laser powder bed fusion, including with native integration into brands like Aconity3D, EOS, Renishaw and SLM Solutions. At the event, it is possible to see the software in action, including its ability to created complex tool paths as users can control laser power depending on the needs of a part in specific areas. The geometry region segmentation shows how complete control over the print parameters can make parts faster and more optimized.

Photo Credits: Dyndrite

Grid Logic’s Multi-Material Powder 3D Printing Technology

Multi-material 3D printing is hardly a novelty in additive manufacturing, however Grid Logic’s solution, presented at RAPID + TCT this year, is exciting because of one significant different it has with other machines: it uses powders. Multi-material printing is most often done with either filaments or resins, however with this technology it is possible to selectively deposit multiple powders, includes metals and ceramics, which are the sintered using a pressureless process. Essentially, the powders are all deposited first layer by layer and then the resulting powder bed is placed in a sintering furnace to fuse the particles together. The company claims that with this technology not only are they able to minimize waste of high-cost powders, but there is no residual stress in printed parts.

Photo Credits: 3Dnatives

Neptune, One of the Solutions for Quality Control at RAPID + TCT

Quality control is one of the biggest obstacles that must be overcome in order to truly industrial additive manufacturing. Luckily, a solution that can do just that was on display at Lumafields booth at RAPID + TCT 2024. Although not just used for 3D printing, the Neptune industrial x-ray CT scanner could be an effective tool for users of different AM technologies as the fast and effective scanner is able to quickly pinpoint small flaws in a printed part, including keyhole pores often present in LPBF processes. Although only possible after a part has already been printed, the Neptune could be effective for identifying quality issues in parts quickly and effectively and thus allowing users to adapt their processes to make stronger, better parts.

Photo Credits: Lumafields

Which of these solutions was your favorite at RAPID + TCT 2024? 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 for the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.