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For a long time, post-processing has been referred to as 3D printing’s ‘dirty little secret’. With so much focus on the first two stages of the additive manufacturing process — design and production — the post-processing stage has often gone under the radar.   While additive manufacturing is often lauded for its embrace of digital, …

The world of electronics is a young yet burgeoning area for 3D printing. From drones and satellites to laptops and smartphones, electronic devices are playing an ever-greater role in our lives. However, to operate, these devices depend on electronic components such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), antennas and sensors.   3D printing is redefining the …

Additive manufacturing is powering the shift towards distributed, digital manufacturing. The ability to produce parts from digital files opens up new and exciting opportunities for agile manufacturing, from virtual inventories to on-demand, localised production.    The agile, lean manufacturing approach facilitated by AM is understandably appealing. With traditional manufacturing, storing and maintaining physical inventories of …

Before and after: 3D-printed parts following post-processing using PostProcess Technologies’ automation solutions. Image credit: PostProcess Technologies   Post-processing is a vital stage of the additive manufacturing process – and yet perhaps the most time-consuming. According to one statistic, current post-processing methods account for between 30-60% of the additive manufacturing process.   One key reason for …

In a dynamic environment like Formula One, speed is key – both on and off the track. Since the difference between a win or loss could be a margin of mere seconds, perfecting the engineering of a racecar is a key imperative of any Formula One team.   But responding quickly to a world of …

HP is a company that is no stranger to making headlines: in 2016, it sent waves across the 3D printing industry with the launch of its Multi Jet Fusion technology.   Marking HP’s first foray into additive manufacturing, the new technology promised new possibilities for the production of industrial-grade functional polymer parts and prototypes on …

Metal casting may be one of the oldest manufacturing methods used to create metal parts, but it is also yet another sector that can benefit from 3D printing. With the high costs involved in producing tooling aids like moulds, cores and patterns, 3D printing is already proving to be a worthwhile alternative to the conventional …

In just a few days, Frankfurt will play host to one of the biggest events in the world of additive manufacturing: Formnext. From 13-16 November, the trade show will be showcasing the latest developments in AM, from new hardware systems to innovative materials and software solutions.      And while the AMFG team is busy …

When talking about workflow management for additive manufacturing, it’s quite typical to think solely in terms of the production steps: scheduling incoming requests and preparing machines, for example.  But what about managing the stage after production?   Surprisingly, post-production management is a frequently overlooked part of the additive manufacturing process. Many companies remain unsure as …

When thinking of 3D printing, the technology’s potential for the toy industry may not be the first thing that springs to mind. However, in today’s consumer-driven landscape, where maintaining a competitive advantage is a key concern for toy companies, 3D printing offers several benefits, including faster time to market, greater design customisation and the potential …