Rapid Ready Roundup

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 once every few weeks and present them in a Rapid Ready Roundup (like this one).

First up, Morris Technologies has received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. government. The grant is intended to further research into ways direct metal laser sintering and electron beam melting can improve aerospace development, design and construction.

This is an important step toward helping the USAF resolve their diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages through the use of additive metal processes. –Lloyd Fields, VP of Morris Technologies Federal Business Unit

Objet will be displaying their 3D printed automobile dashboard at SolidWorks World 2012. The dashboard was created using Objet’s ABS-Like Digital Material as part of its multi-material build. In addition to the dashboard, the Objet260 Connex printer will be showcased. SolidWorks World 2012 takes place in San Diego and runs from Feb. 12-15.

Sculpteo has added a new service to its menu. The Cloud Engine gives businesses the opportunity to embed 3D tools into their stores (including 3D viewer, gallery and customization tools) that will assist customers in creating personalized products. The final design will be built by Sculpteo and delivered to the business to pass on to the customer.

3D Systems will be showing its entire line of personal and professional 3D printers at Pacific Design and Manufacturing (PD&M). Company experts will also be available to discuss the entirety of 3D Systems’ content-to-print solutions. PD&M will take place in Anaheim, CA, from Feb. 14-16.

The impressive range of integrated 3D content-to-print products and services that we have on display at PD&M cover the entire ideation-to-production process, delivering affordable full-color models, precise high-definition functional parts and intuitive content creation and capture tools. –Carol Lewis, 3D Systems VP of Global Marketing

The Laser Institute of America will devote a full day to exploring laser additive manufacturing at its Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) workshop. On February 29 the workshop will present speakers including Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates and provide a full slate of presentations on AM beyond standard prototyping and repair. LAM will be held in Houston from Feb. 29-March 1.

Below you’ll find a video showcasing Objet’s 3D printed dashboard.

Sources: Morris Technologies, Objet, Sculpteo, 3D Systems, Laser Institute of America