It’s Sunday! Which means that it is also time for our latest round of top 5 3D printing videos from the week. First, we will start with the latest recruitment video from IKEA which has a surprising guest: 3D printed, plant-based versions of the iconic Ikea meatballs. Next, could additive manufacturing be the future of mass-produced homes? Cover, a start-up specializing in modular construction seems to think so. Afterwards, check out how one Formula One team is using 3D Systems for the creation of optimized parts. Not to mention, Markforged shows how they are able to make a 3D printed metal part and get it to the user by the next day! Finally, don’t miss a closer look at Ultimaker’s famous ecosystem, which the company often attributes to its success. Happy Sunday and happy watching!
Top 1: Have a job interview at IKEA with some 3D printed meatballs
A visit to the Swedish furniture giant IKEA is always associated with a visit to the company’s own restaurant. But today’s video makes it clear that IKEA is not only innovative when it comes to its furnishings. It shows a foretaste of the fact that the furniture company is already working on an alternative for its most popular product: Köttbullar. Lucky interviewees at the company, will be able to taste-test the new, plant-based, 3D printed meatballs as part of a new data and technology recruitment campaign, “Taste the Future.” Watch the meatballs being printed in the new recruitment video below!
Top 2: Is 3D printing the future of mass-produced homes?
Gone are the days of hard and time-consuming work building houses, as Cover, a start-up specializing in modular construction, is changing the entire industry. Cofounder and CEO Alexis Reavis asked himself the question “what if houses were built like every other product in our lives?” – this was the starting point for modular construction, which is also considered less wasteful than traditional construction methods. It’s best to see for yourself what other advantages this offers.
Top 3: Taking on Formula One with AM
Among the industries that have been using additive manufacturing for many years is the automotive industry. Along with big names like BMW, Rolls-Royce and Porsche, many car companies are taking advantage of the technology. 3D Systems, one of the most important companies in the 3D printing sector, has developed structural components for racing cars in collaboration with the Formula Electric Belgium Team. Using additive manufacturing and topological optimization, they have designed parts that meet the requirements of strength, stiffness and weight:
Top 4: Markforged can make metal parts overnight
In 2017, 3D printer manufacturer Markforged unveiled the Metal X, a metal machine that aims to cut manufacturing costs by 100 times compared to traditional methods. Today, through various updates and new tools, the American company says it is able to deliver metal parts faster than ever. For example, Markforged has improved the post-production process, offering optimized washing and drying times. All of these solutions allow the 3D printer manufacturer to obtain parts quickly and on demand:
Top 5: Ultimaker’s ecosystem is the key to their success
At Formnext 2021, several companies presented how they are using the solutions offered by Ultimaker, the FDM 3D printing specialist. By offering printers, materials as well as software, the Dutch company offers its partners a set of solutions aimed at smoothing and improving production processes. Like the Cura software, which is aimed at both beginners and professionals, Ultimaker wants to make additive manufacturing accessible and their ecosystem is often attributed by the company as being the key to their success. Take a closer look at how it works in Ultimaker’s video: