Current 3D/AM news

Metal 3DP market grows to $5.4B in 2023

The “Metal AM Markets: 2023” report analyzes global markets for the challenges and opportunities facing metal additive manufacturing (AM) stakeholders. From the $5.4 billion topline 2023 market size, the report sees $3.2 billion for contract services, $1.3 billion for hardware, and $920 million for materials. The report anticipates a contraction in hardware investments may be partially offset by growth in opportunities for materials and contract services. The metal 3D printing (3DP) market expects significantly more growth in 2023 compared to the total AM market (which would include polymers and other materials). Growth is expected to be powered by use of metal AM processes rather than by R&D.

Companies profiled and considered in the report include EOS, GE Additive, Velo3D, SLM Solutions, Trumpf, Farsoon, Renishaw, 3D Systems, EPlus3D, AddUp, Additive Industries, BLT, 6K Additive, IperionX, Carpenter, and others.

https://additive manufacturingresearch.com/reports/metal-additive- manufacturing-markets-2023

3DP software integrates 3D manufacturing format

CoreTechnologie (CT) has joined the 3MF industry consortium and optimized the latest version of 3D printing software 4D_Additive for the 3D manufacturing format (3MF). The integration of the 3MF open-source file format into the 4D_Additive software is another step to strengthen the increasingly important industry standard for additive manufacturing (AM).

The 4D_Additive software is a modern technological bridge between CAD and AM supporting all major 3D printing methods. The tool reads and writes the modern 3MF data format. The open 3MF printing format sends 3D models and production data for AM independently as well as cross-platform to different software, hardware, and service providers.

4D_Additive also enables reading and writing of all common 3D data formats and offers automatic functions for 3D nesting as well as high-precision slicing of tessellated and accurate CAD B-Rep models. The software was developed for professional use and is suitable for experts and beginners with a user-friendly, intuitive, and ergonomic graphic interface.

https://www.coretechnologie.com

Support-free 3D printing

Improvements to TRUMPF’s 3D printing (3DP) software – TruTops Print – means users can print parts with extreme overhang angles as low as 15° without requiring support structures. Previously, users had to print support structures together with the part to anchor the part to the build platform. These structures also serve to dissipate heat from the printed part and prevent internal tensions and deformations during printing. But new technology means many 3DP applications can now be done without supports, even when tackling hard-to-process materials such as stainless steel.

TruTops Print enables the 3D printer to optimize the printing strategy for each area of the part. Meanwhile, the improved gas flow of TRUMPF’s 3D printers caters to uniform processing conditions and support-free printing.