Lightweighting’s New Phase September 3, 2019 Earlier this decade, the auto industry moved to lighten cars and trucks. It was supposed to be a competition between steel, long the dominant vehicle material, and aluminum. The latter got a boost when Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., bet big on aluminum, making aluminum bodies for its F-150 and Super Duty pickups.
New Technology Powers Performance at U.S. Mold Shops June 26, 2019 There’s growing evidence that some of the moldmaking business that fled the U.S. chasing cheaper sources offshore is returning. Moldmakers are not finding enough of a favorable cost differential to offset poor mold performance and the need for rework of faulty molds.
At RAPID + TCT, An Emphasis on the Here And Now May 23, 2019 At this week’s RAPID + TCT show, there was an emphasis on how 3D printing was part of the present and not so much part of a distant future. Various companies – from makers of 3D printers to suppliers of materials – talked about how additive manufacturing is part of the present.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Turns to Stratasys to 3D Print Final Flight Parts June 11, 2019 Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group is now using 3D printing from Stratasys to manufacture flight-ready parts for several of its military, civil and business aircraft—while producing specific ground-running equipment at a lower cost than aluminum alternatives.
Bystronic Introduces ByStar Fiber Laser Cutting Machine with 12kW of Fiber Power May 3, 2019 With the new ByStar Fiber 12kW, high speeds and a large spectrum of applications are possible. The ByStar Fiber from Bystronic is being enhanced with a 12kW Fiber laser and a newly designed cutting head which enables the “BeamShaper” option, enabling consistent cutting quality on varied material qualities up to 1.125 inches.
GF Machining Solutions to Debut Four New Products at 2019 Solutions Days May 15, 2019 GF Machining Solutions will unveil four new products for the first time in North America at its 2019 GF Solutions Days: the AgieCharmilles CUT C 350; the Microlution ML-10 and MLTC; and the DMP Flex 350.
Optical Comparators Adapt and Grow March 1, 2018 Beware predictions of the demise of any technology. If the early 1920s saw the dawn of the optical comparator, there has been much speculation about its sunset. That was especially true when vision systems started hitting their stride a few years ago. Many could see optical comparators were superfluous with the use of vision systems. Many thought the sunset of optical comparators was imminent. Many were wrong. Why?
Who Controls Feedstock Used in 3D Printers? March 2, 2018 Should the US Copyright Office oversee whether 3D printer operators can use feedstock not approved by their machine’s maker to turn out medical devices or airplane parts, or is that the role of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), respectively?
Compressing the Moldmaking Design and Production Process May 2, 2018 Moldmakers are under constant pressure to speed up the moldmaking process, improving their processes and product quality while boosting productivity.
North Dakota State University Engineering Team Wins 3M’s Disruptive Design Challenge April 19, 2018 Four universities—Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Madison and North Dakota State University (NDSU)—competed in the inaugural 3M Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Disruptive Design Challenge (DDC) at 3M’s headquarters (St. Paul, MN), Friday, April 13.