10 3D technologies to see at formnext powered by tct

formnext powered by tct will return to Frankfurt next week where the world elite in additive manufacturing will join under one roof to showcase the latest and greatest in 3D technologies.

We have already been blown away by the number of new products that companies, big and small, are gearing up to unveil on the show floor, and there will without a doubt be plenty more launched throughout that are being kept firmly under wraps.

formnext is a huge show and with a packed conference agenda running alongside, there's so much for visitors to see. Whether you're planning your time wisely or just going with the flow, here is a small snapshot of the things you can expect on the show floor ... 

1. New additive machine architecture (Concept Laser - F48)

Recently acquired by GE, the metal AM company will showcase a new machine architecture at formnext. With the integration into the machine environment, decoupling and automation of process stages, lead times are massively reduced. Oliver Edelmann, Vice President Global Sales & Marketing commented: “With its new machine architecture, Concept Laser will again set a milestone and benchmark in the additive manufacturing of metallic parts. This approach follows completely new paths and enables economical series production. We want to significantly enhance the added value for our users.”

2. Robotic Additive Manufacturing and Vector Hi-Res 3SP (EnvisionTEC - E10)

EnvisionTEC will debut a new large-format 3D printer, the Vector Hi-Res 3SP and its Viridis3D Robotic Additive Manufacturing (RAM) technology for the first time in Europe. The Vector Hi-Res 3SP is built for the production of large parts without sacrificing surface quality or part accuracy. The RAM 123 uses a robot arm from ABB outfitted with a unique print head and software that uses binder jetting technology to print sand moulds and cores up to 1 x 2 x 3 feet, or 30.48 x 60.96 x 91.44 cm. The RAM 123 will be demonstrated live throughout the show.

3. 3D printed PCBs (Nano Dimension - B60F)

Nano Dimension will showcase its highly anticipated DragonFly 2020 3D Printer, the world’s first desktop-sized 3D printer designed for the production of professional multilayer PCBs. The company has recently started to 3D print circuits beyond PCBs including antennas, moulded interconnect devices (MIDs), and more. Visitors to the booth will be able to see a range of PCB and circuit samples printed by the DragonFly 2020 whilst the company’s Co-founder and CBO, Simon Fried will discuss the future of 3D printed electronics on the TCT Stand Stage on 17th November at 4pm.

4. Powershot blasting for laser sintered parts (DyeMansion - J80)

Following the launch of its DM60 colouring system for laser sintered plastic parts, DyeMansion will introduce its new Powershot blasting system designed to deliver high quality SLS surface finishing. The technology provides SLS parts with a matt aesthetic and significantly better dirt resistance. The DM60 system has also undergone an upgrade with an additional reservoir, which means black colour cartridges can be reused to ensure faster lead times and reduce costs. DyeMansion will also introduce new coating solutions for water-resistant, antibacterial and ultra UV-resistant surface finishes.

5. MetalFAB1 - series production for metal parts (Additive Industries - H60)

Last year Additive Industries showcased its MetalFAB1 printer at formnext… virtually. Virtual Reality headsets allowed attendees to see the machine that is designed for series production of metal parts. This year gone are the headsets as the MetalFAB1 and the Additive World Platform will be physically on site for attendees to see first hand.

6. Lightning II digital galvanometer scanning solution (Cambridge Technology - C77)

For the first time Cambridge Technology, part of the Novanta Photonics Group, a leading company with a long history in galvanometer based beam steering technology, will be exhibiting at formnext. Taking pride of place will be the Lightning II digital galvanometer scanning solution. Lightning II represents the culmination of many decades’ experience in the beam steering industry. Built on a 24-bit digital architecture, offering class leading precision and accuracy, the system is extremely capable, flexible and has already been integrated into numerous application domains. Lightning II complements the evolution in AM with a solution based on the six core technologies shown in the image.  

7. Laser deposition meets milling in LASERTEC 65 3D (DMG Mori - F80)

formnext will offer an opportunity for the tooling giant DMG to showcase its advancements in the world of AM. On display will be the LASERTEC 65 3D and the ULTRASONIC 20 linear. The LASERTEC 65 3D combines laser deposition and milling in a single setup, enabling the production of highly complex components. This technology opens up dimensions in construction that would have been unthinkable before, like many 3D geometries with undercuts or, for instance, conformal cooling of injection moulding tools, where the mould with its internal cooling channels is built up by laser deposition welding and finished by 5-axis milling in one set up.

8. EOS' fastest direct metal laser sintering (EOS - G70)

At formnext EOS will mark the European debut for its fastest Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) system to date, the EOS M 400-4. The EOS M 400-4 expands the high-performance offerings of DMLS systems. It offers a large building volume of 400 x 400 x 400 mm and is equipped with four 400 Watt lasers operating independently in 250 x 250 mm squares each including an overlap of 50 mm. The beam and power stability ensures highest DMLS part quality. The system builds on the well-established and validated process of the EOS M 290 technology.

9. Trumpf TruPrint 3000 (Stand: H20)

After launching two new machines at formnext 2015, the laser manufacturer Trumpf return with new improved TruPrint 3000. The new system comes with a 500 watt laser and can manufacture components of up to 400 millimetres in height and 300 millimetres in diameter. It works on the basis of an industrial exchangeable cylinder, which allows for parallel setup and post-processing and guarantees a high level of machine availability. “With the TruPrint 3000, we are shifting the focus onto the industrialisation of additive manufacturing based on the whole process chain. That means that we consider not only the manufacturing technology itself, but also – and this is quite in the spirit of Industry 4.0 – the work steps that precede and follow it,” says Peter Leibinger, Head of TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH.

10. Freeformer and Arburg Plastic Freeforming developments (Arburg - F70)

Arburg will be presenting the potential and further development of the Freeformer and of Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF). Qualified standard granulates will be used to produce fully functional parts in an additive process. The materials processed will include high-temperature plastic (PEI), medical-grade polylactide (PLA) and a bio-polyamide (PA). Three exhibits at formnext 2016 will demonstrate the wide range of applications of the Freeformer and of APF in industrial AM. The system, which works on the basis of inexpensive, qualified standard granulates, continues to be developed on an ongoing and practical basis. The focus is on qualifying further materials and on process-reliable continuous operation.

formnext takes place on 15-18th November 2016 at Frankfurt Messe, Hall 3.1. To attend, register here.