3D Printing News Briefs, July 2, 2022: 3D Printed Pastes and Prostheses and More – 3DPrint.com

We start with the awards in today’s 3D printing news bits, as Hexagon has recognized two winners in its first Sixth Sense cohort of manufacturing startups and then in automotive, as we discuss how the supply chain could be helped by 3D printing at the dealership. In materials news, Carbon and adidas have made a sustainability breakthrough with plant-based materials for 3D printing, and Barilla’s 3D printed pasta is now available for purchase. Finally, a stork is back on its feet thanks to a 3D printed prosthesis.

Hexagon Crowns Two Winners in Cohort Manufacturing Startups

This winter, Hexagon Industrial Intelligence Division launched its new approach to the traditional accelerator, called Sixth Sense Cohort, which was designed as an exchange of value between Hexagon and participating manufacturing startups. To challenge the way multinationals approach innovation, the company connects with participating startups to help develop creative solutions to humanity’s manufacturing challenges. After an intense eight-week training program and a final presentation to the judges, Hexagon announced the winners of its first cohort of startupswhich will strive to help the manufacturing industry run more efficiently and sustainably, with the help of Hexagon’s customers.

The finalist is Premowho developed a manufacturing information app called The razor which ingests as-is data from automation, history, quality and maintenance systems to drive continuous improvement, using machine learning, in areas such as productivity, cost and the flow. The first of the two cohort winners is RIICO, who designed an AI-powered drag-and-drop virtual factory floor. The solution creates a digital twin of a factory with a 3D scan, giving teams flexibility and tools to collaborate and improve factory design. SmartParts, which created an integrated digital barcode for 3D printing, is the second winner. Its new traceability solution is based on data-rich particles that form barcodes and can be embedded in the materials of 3D printed parts; once scanned, the barcode reveals the part’s material, history and specifications.

Solving Automotive Supply Chain Problems with 3D Printing at the Dealership

Some people, like Kurtis Wilde, believe that many automotive supply chain bottlenecks could be resolved if car dealerships had their own 3D printers on site. Wilde, parts manager at Murray Honda in British Columbia, has two small 3D printers at home and thinks dealers could currently use the technology to print on demand small non-safety plastic parts that have been ordered out of stock, and get vehicles back on the road faster; in the future, metal 3D printing could even be added for more intense pieces. There are of course inherent challenges, such as the high prices of 3D printers, the risk of counterfeiting, and the fact that all auto parts must go through a difficult process called advanced product quality planning, which requires parts suppliers to demonstrate that they understand how parts are designed and have a repeatable process to produce those parts to the highest quality standards. But dealership 3D printing also has benefits, including high levels of vehicle customization and customization. But one thing is certain: the more car manufacturers become familiar with and adopt 3D printing, the sooner the way is paved for car dealerships to start printing parts as well.

This spring, Wilde said: “We have cars that have been out of order since November. Think how useful it would be if [3D-printed parts at dealerships] were a possibility.

adidas uses Carbon’s plant-based resin to 3D print midsoles

Carbon and adidas have long been partners in 3D printed sports shoes. Now, the 3D printing leader has developed a bio-based elastomer that can be used to print large volumes, and the sports company is already using it to create midsoles for its 4DFWD sneakers. This new durable resin, UPR 44, is so named because 40% of its weight comes from vegetable raw materials. Carbon claims the material, which is exclusive to its Digital Light Synthesis platform, is stiffer, more durable and tough, flexible, and comes in white and translucent gray. The company also claims that the EPU 44 allows for lighter 3D printed lattices and prints faster than its EPU 41, and is marketed as a General Factory product, requiring industrial dispensing, cleaning and baking equipment. Mass production is available in China, Taiwan and Germany.

“Many product designers who rely on foam are performance limited by the linear compressibility of foam. Companies like adidas, Specialized, and Selle Royal are now breaking that boundary by developing next-generation products focused on improving energy return via elastomeric meshes,” Carbon wrote.

“As product teams research new applications for elastomeric meshes, they want to push in new directions, requiring different features that were previously unattainable, while maintaining excellent functional, aesthetic, durable and cost-effective properties. EPU 44 them achieves these benefits.

Barilla’s 3D printed pasta is now available for sale

For several years, the Italian company Barrel practically owned the 3D printed pasta market. Now this tasty offer is available for purchase Going through BluRhapsody, a spin-off project born from its R&D department. Based in Parma, Italy, BluRhapsody is the first startup in Blu1877, a company that supports and interacts with people working to create the future of food. The main product offered by BluRhapsody is a selection of high quality durum wheat semolina, processed and kneaded in small batches to obtain the right texture before being combined with water and a natural extract with coloring properties.

Each piece weighs 7 grams and measures approximately 1.1 x 1.8 inches, and the startup offers 15 different custom pasta shapes, including butterflies, seashells, hearts, and even words! It costs between $26 and $60 to buy 12 large pieces of 3D-printed pasta, which is reasonably affordable for chefs to use to create tasty and distinct dishes. However, we don’t know if consumers will pay more for this unique meal in a restaurant setting, and more importantly, if the taste of 3D printed pasta will be preserved.

3D printed leg prosthesis for a stork

Finally, a female stork named Yuma, who lives in Italy, walks much better after receiving a 3D printed leg prosthesis. Yuma was adopted by the Volalto Nature Park in Rome, which contributes to conservation efforts for endangered species and offers environmental education to children. His right leg was fractured, resulting in the amputation of the lower half, and the other leg also began to inflame; a solution was needed if she hoped to have any chance of walking normally again. Its owners, Alessandro Guidi and Gianluca Monti, took the stork to many veterinary specialists in Italy, and finally found the help they needed in Naples with Dr. Emilio Novielloexotic animal veterinarian.

Dr. Noviello, who called the process a “team effort,” took the stork to see Dr. Ciro Marra at the Diaz Veterinary Clinic, where CT scans were used to get a more complete picture of the leg and of Yuma’s stump. The scans were processed by Dr. Matteo Zanfabro of PlayVet in Padua, who then designed and 3D printed the prosthetic leg for Yuma. The prosthesis would prevent the disease from progressing to the other leg and allow the stork to lead a more normal life. Yuma quickly adapted to the prosthesis, which took a lot of unnecessary weight off her healthy leg and reversed the inflammatory pathology, and now she seems to be doing well. Check Instagram of Dr. Noviello to see videos of Yuma with his 3D printed prosthesis!