New Manufacturing Innovations For 3D Printing

3D Systems hosted an investor and analyst day, announcing its recent innovations in high-speed printing and materials, as well as use of metals and manufacturing. 3D Systems revealed a video of its fab-grade, “racetrack” 3D printer that is still under development and enables continuous printing of higher functionality polymers that are at speeds 50x faster than all existing jetting technology. 3D Systems plans to showcase this next generation production platform at Euromold 2014.

The applications for 3D printing are wide spread and are now reaching into the medical field. Current applications include computer models that help pre-visualize building development. The above photo was a ten-foot long, fully detailed, 1:160 scale model of a Dubai apartment building seeking investors.

3D printers can colorfully and dynamically produces three-dimensional architectural and engineering models in shorter time and, in most cases, at far less cost than traditional handcrafting. Because of their fine, multi-colored detail, the models enable engineers to vividly communicate their unique vision. The printer’s ability to print image-files on surfaces gives the models a realistic touch, an especially important factor when presenting infrastructure projects. Engineers can map textures such as brickwork onto a wall, or map aerial photos onto terrain models.

3D printers are worth keeping an eye on moving forward. 3D Systems purports they’re developing printers that are measurably faster and printing with newer, more stable materials every 18 months.