Product News
Large-Format 3D Printer Creates
Industrial-Scale Prototypes
The Objet1000 is Objet Ltd.'s largest 3D printer to date, featuring a 1,000 × 800 × 500-mm wide-format build envelope.
This large build platform is combined with inkjet 3D printing
and the company's Connex multi-material capability, making the printer suited for all-around fit, form and functional
prototyping.
Designed to save manufacturers from having to assemble
prototypes from smaller-sized pieces, the Objet1000 is suited
for automotive, defense and aerospace, industrial machinery,
consumer goods and household appliance sectors, as well as
high-end service bureaus that need to create industrial-size,
1:1 scale prototypes.
It offers a choice
of more than 100
materials, enabling
designers and
engineers to simulate
both standard and
ABS-grade plastics,
and is able to print as
many as 14 different
material properties
within a single model.
objet.com
Double-Beam SLM Achieves
High Build Rates
SLM Solutions GmbH's SLM 500 HL selective laser melting
machine features a 500 × 280 × 325-mm build chamber and
double-beam system of two fiber lasers that operate on the
powder bed by means of a 3D scanning unit. A shell-coreimaging process includes two different laser beam profiles
that can be used independently, or in parallel and simultaneously (dual-spot scanning) to increase productivity. Because
the lasers can melt powder in multiple layers, the SLM 500
HL can achieve higher build rates over other additive metal
systems, the company says.
The SLM system also includes Magic AutoFab rapid prototyping software that can process CAD/STL data files and has
modules for monitoring, auditing and quality control.
slm-solutions.com
FDM Technology Uses Resin to Produce Small-Volume Aerospace Parts
Ultem 9085 resin from the Innovative Plastics business of Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is formulated to be strong, lightweight and flame-retardant, and it now is being used to help aerospace
OEMs produce small-volume parts quickly and cost-effectively. Together with fused deposition
modeling (FDM) technology from Stratasys Inc., the resin is enabling companies like Taylor-Deal
Aviation LLC, based in Dallas, Texas, to create specialty parts in hours rather weeks.
The Statasys FDM process creates 3D parts directly from computer-aided design files, layer
by layer. According to SABIC, this combination of resin and FDM offers enhanced design flexibility;
cost-effective low-production runs; accelerated cycle times; and compliance with Federal Aviation
Administration flame, smoke and toxicity regulations.
sabic-ip.com / stratasys.com
3D Systems to Acquire Geomagic
3D Systems has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Geomagic Inc., a provider of 3D authoring solutions, including
design, sculpting and scanning software tools used to create 3D content and inspect products throughout the design and manufacturing process. Ping Fu, Geomagic's founder and CEO, will serve as the company's chief strategy officer.
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the first quarter of this year. Terms
were not disclosed.
In October, 3D Systems acquired Rapidform, a Seoul, South Korea-based provider of 3D scan-to-CAD and inspection software.
3dsystems.com / geomagic.com / rapidform.com
14— AM Supplement