Rapid Ready Roundup: HP Reshuffles, Park Systems Webinar, Stratasys Challenge, Gummies

In the course of my diligent efforts to keep you good people up to date on the state of additive manufacturing (AM), 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 all the way back here.

It’s been awhile, so let’s dive right into today’s Roundup. As part of its upcoming corporate split and internal reshuffling, HP has promoted Stephen Nigro, HP’s current senior VP of imaging and printing, to head of the 3D printing.

“I have asked Stephen Nigro to turn his entire focus to 3D printing, continuing to report to me. He will focus on establishing a leadership position for HP Inc., in both the prototyping and production 3D market by delivering a strong portfolio of technology, products, and services to drive the market,” wrote Dion Weisler, who is set to run HP Inc. following the split, in a company memo.

Next up, Park Systems will be offering a 3D printing webinar hosted by Dr. Rigoberto Advincula from Case Western Reserve University (CW). Dr. Advincula is a professor in the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at CW and has received a number of awards including Fellow of the American Chemical Society, Herman Mark Scholar Award of the Polymer Division, and Humboldt Fellow.

From Park Systems:

“This webinar will focus on the methods and materials for additive manufacturing beyond their current understanding and application. The advantages of additive manufacturing are described as well as the various methods currently available. Highlighting the limitations of materials and the challenges for high throughput is described. Possible applications in automotive lightweighting and high performance materials are discussed.”

Moving on, Stratasys has announced its 12^th annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge. First-place winners in every main category will receive $2,500 scholarships, and the instructor of the first-place students will receive a demo 3D printer for a limited time to use in the classroom. Second place winners will receive $1,000 scholarships.

The top 10 entries in each category will receive a Stratasys apparel item (value up to $50) and regional semi-finalists will receive a 3D printed model of their design. Each person who enters will receive an official Extreme Redesign T-shirt. During the past 12 years, Stratasys has awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships. This year’s categories are:

• Engineering: Secondary Education (middle and high school)
• Engineering: Post-Secondary (university, college or post-secondary)
• Art or architecture (any grade level)

Finally, I bring you something sweet. Katjes Fassin UK has announced the forthcoming release of its Magic Candy Factory. The “Factory” is a 3D printer that has been developed to work with a singular material: gummie. Candy lovers the world round will no longer be stuck with premade gummie delights. In place of gummie bears, create gummie robots, gummie Cthulhus, or whatever else your imagination can create. Below you’ll find a video about the Magic Candy Factory.

Sources: CRN, Park Systems, Confectionary News Network, Stratasys