Rapid Ready Roundup: 3D Systems, Form 1 and 3D Print Show

In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing, I come across many interesting news items. I’ll gather them up every so often and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one). You can find the last Roundup here.

Like it or no, defense spending is a huge part of technical innovation around the world. Nothing promotes research and development like a healthy cash flow. 3D Systems has landed a $2.95 million award from the U.S. Air Force. The award is intended to foster development pertaining to the use of selective laser sintering for parts production in the F-35, and other weapon systems.

“This contract represents our commitment to the research, development and commercialization of rapid manufacturing solutions for the aerospace and defense industries,” said Jim Williams, managing director, Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing, 3D Systems.  “The success of this project will benefit all industries, particularly aerospace and motorsports applications, where high strength to weight, high temperature and electrically conductive thermoplastics are critical factors to the design and manufacturing process.”

Rapid Ready covered Formlabs’ Form 1 earlier in its Kickstarter campaign, noting the desktop stereolithography additive manufacturing (AM) system had already accumulated $1.5 million. Time has been good to Formlabs, and the project is now fully funded with a Kickstarter record amount of more than $2.6 million. That’s a pretty impressive startup fund, and highlights the fact that good ideas can be rewarded with the Kickstarter model.

The 2012 3D Print Show in London has come and gone, but fear not! You can find plenty of items of interest on the show’s webpage, including 3D printed bras, jewelry and art. The show was rocked by a band wielding AM-created instruments and included exhibitors from around the world. You can check out a video about the show, below.

Sources: 3D Systems, BBC, WebProNews