Formnext, the international exhibition for additive manufacturing, and 3D printing has become an excellent business platform for rapid prototyping, 3D printing, mold manufacturers, and their supplier partners to connect with target customers.
As we announced before the exhibition (you can watch the video here), this year's exhibition in Germany has successfully concluded. 3DMART, of course, wouldn't miss this international 3D printing event. Now, let's follow our correspondent to see what new breakthroughs there are in the latest 3D printing technology!
The exhibition venue was vast, spanning two floors, with some setups making one feel transported to the future. Hundreds of companies competed, each showcasing their most impressive machines and technologies.
．Innovations in common 3D printing technologies
There are many forms of 3D printing. Currently, SLA resin 3D printing technology is not only used for industrial, jewelry, and dental purposes, but also for more intricate and complex finished products exhibited on-site. The thin and delicate textures and curved petal shapes are exquisite and astonishing.
In addition, a series of colored 3D printed products were displayed, utilizing a powder jetting principle to spray colored ink locally during printing, creating different color fusions. Black and white or transparent objects, such as medical anatomical models, can also be printed.
This technology is also widely demonstrated in architectural models, figurines, custom eyewear, and more.
The latest 3D printed electric car we previously shared also appeared at the Polymaker booth. All the white body parts were completed using 3D printing. For more detailed content and videos, you can find them here: Polymaker & XEV jointly create 3D printed electric car - LSEV.
At the same time, Polymaker also publicly displayed Polycast, a 3D printing filament designed for casting that can be completely burned out. After the model is completed with a 3D printer, metal components can be produced through investment casting! Compared to traditional manual molding, this process can be simplified to 2-3 steps, significantly improving efficiency and saving time and money. 3DMART will also release Polycast for sale in the future, so please stay tuned!
There was also a complete scene model made with the Polysmooth series, which can be used for alcohol polishing. The finished product after alcohol polishing can eliminate 3D printing lines, make the surface smoother, and enhance its texture.
Desktop SLS 3D printer manufacturer Sinterit also didn't want to be outdone. In addition to many movable mechanical samples, they also had a press-to-compare finished product chart for you to try out! 3DMART will also be simultaneously releasing the latest super soft Flexa Soft powder soon. Get a head start and learn more: 5 Major Features of the New Flexa Soft Powder.
In addition to various distinctive prints, we even saw other manufacturers producing external moisture-proof boxes specifically for the Ultimaker series. As Ultimaker's market share has grown continuously in recent years, it has created another peripheral market development, similar to the iPhone and iPhone case industry ecosystem. More third-party accessories will be released in the future.
Various products manufactured using 3D printers were in full bloom. Drones and UAVs, which have been popular globally in recent years, can also be manufactured using 3D printing. Both their visual appearance and structural strength can withstand scrutiny.
．CNC combined with additive manufacturing
Traditional CNC milling is a subtractive process, removing excess material to obtain the final object. This robotic arm, however, works in reverse for 3D printing, adding material layer by layer to form the object's shape, thus eliminating the need for support structures. While the current technology has limitations in precision and is expensive, we believe this concept will continue to improve in the future.
．Metal 3D printing technology
The highly anticipated metal 3D printing also shone brightly. HP, a major brand in flatbed printers, also joined the 3D printer battlefield, developing metal printing in addition to the aforementioned color printing. The current method involves printing with metal powder and adhesive, then high-temperature melting in an oven. The current shrinkage rate is 18%, and we eagerly await the results of future improvements.
Many manufacturers at the exhibition also showcased all-metal brake calipers, some using CNC machining, others directly using metal 3D printing. Among them, there were also model styles identical to ours. If you are interested in learning how to go from 3D printing to mold casting, you can refer to our article: Brake Caliper Metal Casting Results Revealed!
Finally, let's look at the latest metal 3D printing exhibits and equipment. While some large metal powder 3D printers have limited precision, these large-scale processing machines can repair fractured or partially damaged metal structures, such as ship propellers or large machinery, effectively saving the high costs of re-ordering small damaged parts.
The ultra-fine metal prototypes printed in other forms of 3D printing are very exquisite. By replacing solid bodies with internal structures, they can achieve multiple effects: sturdiness, lightness, and material savings. The internal and external transparent models, as seen in the photo, present stunning results.
This Formnext exhibition was truly eye-opening, with 3D printing technology evolving rapidly. 3DMART will constantly keep abreast of the latest technologies, expand into more areas, and continue to share relevant knowledge and first-hand information with everyone. We will also be introducing new materials and conducting 3D printing tests soon. Feel free to follow our Facebook page to catch the latest 3D technologies: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/