As additive manufacturing emerges from a long infancy, the industry is grappling with a key challenge: A file format and design tools from the 20th century are being asked to do 21st century jobs.
When you walk into the Redeye On Demand facility in Eden Prairie, MN, you enter into one version of the factory of the future. There you will see a bank of 100 high-end Fortus fused-deposition modeling (FDM) machines from Stratasys that provide the capacity to build real, functional parts with production-grade thermoplastics directly from CAD data.
Micro components continue to shrink in size, demanding ever-greater precision and improved handling of parts with sub-micron-sized features. New approaches in micro machining technology include higher-precision systems from traditional micro machining developers, as well as techniques using additive manufacturing processes and semiconductor wafer-scale technology on the smallest of micro parts.
Constant refinement of medical machining from tooling design to finished product requires not only the ability to handle a broad range of plastic and metal materials but also to achieve predictable results—particularly in the face of strict regulations.
Burrs, sharp edges, and rough surfaces plague even the most precise metal-cutting or forming process. Deburring and finishing can often be treated as the step-child of a manufacturing process, but its importance is growing as tolerances get tighter and precision devices become the norm.
German industrial machine manufacturer Trumpf posted €5.4 billion in sales as the company turns 100.
Smart Manufacturing talks to Professor Chinedum “Chi” Okwudire about vibration, additive manufacturing and why it’s so hard to get kids to play the piano.
Case Study: Cobots help better serve customers and improve environment for workforce
Discover how additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the defense supply chain. Learn how 3D printing is saving costs, enhancing military readiness, and ensuring rapid parts replacement. From the battlefield to maintenance depots, AM is reshaping military logistics and boosting supply chain security.
Discover how EDM, laser machining, and laser micromachining are reshaping the industry, allowing precision and efficiency without compromising material integrity.
