EOS, a supplier of additive manufacturing (AM) solutions for industrial 3D printing, has secured a contract to support the US Navy’s ‘Maritime Industrial Base (MIB)’, an initiative that provides end-to-end LPBF (laser powder-bed fusion) training for MIB suppliers.

MIB aims to strengthen AM efficiency and bridge the maritime AM education and workforce gap. Commencing last month, the training programme is taking place at the Additive Minds Academy Center in Novi, Michigan. It combines online coursework with hands-on experience to equip MIB suppliers with critical skills in AM software, LPBF system operation and ASTM machine certifications free of charge.

“The programme helps the US Navy offer suppliers skilled personnel trained in new technologies like LPBF, which will enable us to fill critical component gaps that our traditional manufacturing base can’t provide in a timely fashion,” explains Dr Justin Rettaliata, MIB program additive manufacturing lead. “Through initiatives like this, the programme is advancing more agile and responsive manufacturing technologies in the US Navy’s supply chain to produce parts quickly.”
 

Notably, the initiative aims to strengthen AM efficiency and bridge the maritime AM education and workforce development gap. All courses will be led by EOS and ASTM-certified Additive Minds Academy trainers. Upon completion, participants will earn industry-recognised certifications for metal AM data preparation and metal machine operation, certified by ASTM.

“In recent years, the need for faster, more adaptable manufacturing processes to meet the US Navy’s production objectives has become increasingly evident,” says Fabian Alefeld, director of business development and the Additive Minds Academy at EOS. “Bridging this manufacturing gap demands innovative thinking, advanced technologies and, most critically, a skilled workforce equipped to leverage these new tools effectively.”

More information www.eos.info

Renishaw has collaborated with Metalpine, an Austrian producer of metal powders, to develop additive manufacturing (AM) solutions for marine applications. The partnership is focused on creating copper-nickel alloy (CuNi) powders for AM, to enable a major European naval force to manufacture replacement parts in-house using Renishaw’s RenAM 500Q Flex system.

Operating in saltwater environments presents challenges for naval operations, with hydraulic components and other essential parts subject to accelerated wear and corrosion. Rather than relying on extensive supply chains, the naval force in question chose to additively manufacture replacement parts in-house, opting for CuNi powder parts manufactured on a Renishaw RenAM 500Q Flex system.

Created with a blend of copper and nickel alloy, CuNi powders create a protective layer on the surface of components, preventing degradation. This characteristic makes them highly durable in the challenging marine conditions where parts are constantly exposed to moisture and sea elements. Engineers from Renishaw and Metalpine partnered to develop process parameters tailored to two specific copper-nickel alloys: CuNi 10, a combination of 10% nickel and 90% copper; and CuNi 30 using 30% nickel and 70% copper.

The powders were used in the RenAM 500Q Flex, a metal AM system designed for R&D and pre-production applications. With an open-loop powder system, the machine allows for efficient powder swapping, making it suitable for developing and optimising material properties, part designs and process parameters. With the Reduced Build Volume (RBV) accessory fitted, material prove-out can take place with as little as 0.25 litres of powder, with the same processing environment and optics as the full-scale production system.

More information www.renishaw.com

The high-speed, high-volume CBAM 25 3D printer is now available to European customers following its release last year by industrial-level 3D printer and materials manufacturer, Impossible Objects. With the CBAM 25, users can print a 60 µm thick part layer every four seconds, representing a significant milestone in the transition of 3D printing from prototyping to mass production.

“We’ve already had some very strong interest from manufacturers in key vertical sectors, including major automakers, who are impressed not only with the machine’s speed but also its ability to produce strong precise parts without warping and shrinkage – and with unrivalled flatness,” says Steve Hoover, CEO at Impossible Objects.

Producing composite parts using carbon fibre, fibreglass, nylon and PEEK to tolerances of 100 µm – at low cost for volume production – the CBAM 25 is opening large new markets for additive manufacturing.

“With the CBAM process, the speed of the CBAM 25, our superior materials and lower cost, we’re fulfilling the 3D printing promise,” says Robert Swartz, founder and chairman of Impossible Objects. “We’ve invented a whole new way of 3D printing that is radically different to legacy methods – one that’s changing the way things are made.”

He adds: “Our goal is to make better parts that rival CNC machining at lower cost and faster throughput so that we can meet production needs. Our success in markets such as aerospace, defence, transportation and others have demonstrated the superiority of our approach.”

Impossible Objects customers include Siemens, Honeywell, Electrafly, Boeing, Ricoh, US Air Force, RIT, UAMMI, US Navy, NIAR, US Army and many others.

More information https://impossible-objects.com/

UltiMaker has introduced its S6 3D printer, a new addition to the company’s portfolio that combines speed, ease-of-use and flexibility. While UltiMaker continues to innovate across its ecosystem, much of the company’s focus is on enhancing productivity. The S6 delivers print speeds of up to 500 mm/s and 50,000 mm/s² acceleration with the new UltiMaker Cheetah motion planner, optimising every move for up to four times faster print times than its predecessor.

Dual extrusion capabilities add even more efficiency, enabling seamless multi-material printing. Moreover, with both print heads supported by a single material station, users can maximise the uptime of their system even further. The S6 also offers a choice of two build plates: a flexible plate for broad application versatility, and a glass plate for medical or food-packaging prints where enhanced hygiene is essential.

Designed for versatility, the S6 is fully backward compatible with the UltiMaker S5, ensuring a seamless evolution from a platform that has sold more than 40,000 units globally. Material stations, air managers, print cores and materials are interchangeable across the entire S series. And for larger manufacturing operations, previously sliced parts can be reused, keeping production flowing without the need to recreate files.

The familiar interface and ecosystem, designed for a shallow learning curve and ease-of-use, help teams get up and running quickly. Engineered for consistent, reliable results, this is the first UltiMaker printer backed by an extended 24-month warranty – double the standard – for peace of mind.

More information https://ultimaker.com/