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Metal 3D printing: Right at your desktop

From prototyping to tooling or batch production of end-use parts, the Studio System 2 from Desktop Metal brings metal 3D printing to any office, studio, or lab setting. This powder- and laser-free system consists of an easy-to-adopt two-step process: print using pre-bound metal rod feedstock and then sinter. It requires minimal training and operator intervention. Combined with next-gen Separable Supports and a software-controlled workflow, the Studio System makes metal 3D printing simpler than ever. This platform offers more materials than any other metal extrusion 3D-printing system on the market. They include Inconel 625, titanium (Ti64), copper, tool steels, and stainless steels.
View the video and learn more.

What is laser peening for metal components?

According to Curtiss-Wright, laser peening (also called laser shock peening) "drives deep plastic strain into a part that creates a high-magnitude residual compressive stress from 1 to 10 mm below the surface." This process involves hitting a part surface with a laser repeatedly through a stream of water, offering designers the ability "to surgically engineer residual compressive stress into key areas of components." Benefits include enhancements to fatigue strength, durability, damage tolerance, and resistance to stress corrosion cracking of critical metallic components.
Read the extensive Curtiss-Wright article.

Full-color 3D-printing Design Guide from Xometry

With Xometry's PolyJet 3D-printing service, you can order full-color 3D prints easily. Their no-cost design guide will help you learn about different aspects of 3D printing colorful parts, how to create and add color to your models, and best practices to keep in mind when printing in full color. Learn how to take full advantage of the 600,000 unique colors available in this flexible additive process.
Get the Xometry guide.

New lightweight compound for structural car parts

Following four years of collaboration with the University of Toronto, Axiom is proud to announce the creation of AX Gratek PP40 -- a groundbreaking lightweight, high-strength alternative to heavy glass-filled 40-60% PP components. This hybrid composite features graphene nanoplatelets with glass fibers. Patent pending, this material has achieved up to 20% improvement in tensile strength while achieving an impressive 18% weight reduction compared to commercial PPGF60% parts.
Learn more.

Quickparts making big moves for part making

Quickparts has expanded its Seattle HQ to create an Aerospace & Defense Center of Excellence, strengthening the company's long-standing expertise in high-fidelity casting patterns and advanced stereolithography (SLA). Simultaneously, the company is launching its Quick Mold solution across North America, bringing production-quality molded parts to market in as little as five days.
Read the full article.

Print parts in M300 tool steel: Starter kit

Take your 3D printing to the next level with M300 Tool Steel Filamet™ -- a high-strength and wear-resistant material. Virtual Foundry has released a brand-new M300 Tool Steel Kit packed with everything you need to get started, including: 0.5-kg starter filament spool, Filawarmer, 1 kg of steel blend, 0.5 kg of sintering carbon, and an alumina crucible. From the company that brought us 3D-printable lunar regolith simulant.
Learn more, including print instructions.

Tank cleaning: 360° corrosion-resistant option

For processes requiring efficient tank washing, BETE's HydroWhirl Poseidon offers a unique solution that cleans effectively in tanks containing harsh chemicals or stubborn substances. This slow-spinning tank cleaning nozzle provides complete 360° coverage with longer dwell time on target surfaces; ideal for use in corrosive chemical environments, chemical processing tanks, food and beverage processes, IBC Totes, and more. The unit's bearing-free design delivers a slow, deliberate spray that provides a more effective washdown than conventional rotating designs.
Learn more. Available from EXAIR.

When to use Multi Jet Fusion to make your parts

According to the experts at TriMech Advanced Manufacturing, "Multi Jet Fusion is an industrial 3D-printing technology that fuses powdered materials layer by layer into solid plastic parts. It was developed by HP and was commercialized in 2016." Learn the strengths and limits of MJF and key technology benefits in this thorough overview, which also includes: part optimization, standard materials (Nylon PA12) and specs, applications, and post-processing options.
Read the full TriMech article. A solid primer.

Fasteners Torque 101: The fundamentals of torque control

According to the experts at Mountz, "Whether manufacturing a pacemaker or repairing a jet engine, applying the correct torque to each screw and bolt is critical for success." In this on-demand webinar, learn methods for measuring torque, how to determine torque specs, how to understand torque formulas, variables that affect torque control, common fastening errors, and more.
Learn about torque control from Mountz.

ClampDisk micro fastener is new alternative for automotive and consumer electronics

Designed as a unique alternative in assemblies for the automotive and consumer electronics markets, the ClampDisk Press-on Fastener is a newer offering from PennEngineering that delivers a fast, simple way to achieve sheet-to-sheet clamped fastening while replacing the use of standard screws, nuts, and adhesives. ClampDisk eliminates over installation, cross threading, stripped screw heads, broken screws, and damaged product. This fastener can be removed easily with a sharp-edged tool.
Learn more and see how ClampDisk works.

Southco R4-15 Rotary Latch: One ergonomic key to access multiple heavy machinery panels

The R4-15 Rotary Latch from Southco brings master-key convenience to heavy machinery. The versatile design of this latch allows it to secure many different types of panels. This lets operators open any panel they need with a single key. If manufacturers opt for hand-operated functionality, the R4-15 can also permanently affix its key, creating an ergonomic experience with every turn.
Learn more.

SOLIDWORKS 2026 assembly updates: GoEngineer

In this GoEngineer video, you can learn how SOLIDWORKS 2026 is making assembly workflows smarter, faster, and more efficient. Explore the latest enhancements to assemblies, including: streamlined display and configuration tables, AI-assisted fastener mating, improved performance for lightweight components, and more.
View the GoEngineer video.

How to select a linear bearing pillow block

When it comes to choosing a pillow block style to help provide a secure foundation for a rotating shaft, the engineers at Lee Linear suggest using something called "P.O.S.T.L.U.D.E.S" as your guide: Precision, Orientation, Speed, Travel, Load, Unknowns, Duty Cycle, Environment, and Safety. Learn all about pillow block types, construction, and applications.
Read the Lee Linear blog.

3D-printed aftermarket carburetor

Faced with increasing international competition, Tecron, a provider of manufacturing and engineering services to automotive companies across Europe, began researching ways to defend its market position -- and found that metal additive manufacturing was key to their success. Learn how the company used Markforged 3D-printing equipment to make discontinued automotive parts.
Read the Markforged blog.

Stratasys launches iAM Marketplace

Stratasys' iAM Marketplace is an independent new platform set to accelerate adoption of additive manufacturing as a core manufacturing capability. The hardware-agnostic marketplace offers the polymer additive manufacturing industry's widest selection of high-quality polymer materials, engineering services, and products to scale AM-enabled production across a wide variety of applications. It unites under one umbrella the materials expertise of iSQUARED, Forward AM, and assets from Nexa3D. The platform aims to streamline purchasing and support more agile and robust supply chains.
See what iAM Marketplace offers.

New laser-cutting tech pushes limits for steel cutting thickness under water

The KIMM research developed laser-processing equipment simulating environments deeper than 10 m under water. From right: Senior researcher Ryun-Han Kim, principal researcher In-Deok Park, principal researcher Su-Jin Lee, senior engineer Jung-Soo Choi, and researcher Dan-Bi Song. [Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials]

 

 

 

 

Researchers in South Korea have created and tested an new, innovative laser-cutting technology for nuclear dismantlement under water. This system ensures safety in underwater conditions while minimizing contamination. Furthermore, a water tank that simulates laser cutting in an underwater environment for nuclear dismantlement has been developed and patented for the first time globally.

The development team, led by Dr. In-Deok Park, principal researcher at the department of Industrial Laser Technology of the Busan Machinery Research Center at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), successfully developed the underwater laser-cutting technology, which is capable of cutting stainless steel specimens with a thickness of over 100 mm in a simulated 10-m water-depth environment.

During nuclear power plant dismantlement, structural cutting methods include mechanical and thermal cutting. The technology developed by KIMM falls under the thermal cutting category, employing high-power lasers to perform underwater cutting that is both safer and generates minimal contamination. The research team achieved a breakthrough by successfully cutting a 100-mm-thick stainless steel specimen, the primary material used in nuclear pressure vessels, at an actual water depth of 10 m. Currently, laser cutting under water is usually limited to cutting 50-mm-thick steel max, although that figure can be achieved at depths to 200 m.

The team optimized the kerf width (cutting gap) to approximately 2 mm, and reduced the flow rate of cutting gas used in the laser process to 600 l/min. A cutting speed up to 50 mm/min. was also achieved, demonstrating the efficiency of the technology.

10-m-grade pressurized underwater tank and cutting head. [Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials]

 

 

In preparation for full-scale nuclear dismantlement, the team developed and patented the world's first 30-m-grade underwater laser-cutting pressurized tank, replicating actual field conditions. They also designed a compact multi-nozzle system optimized for high-pressure underwater environments, for which a patent application is currently underway. Additionally, they independently developed an anti-collision device to prevent accidents during the underwater laser-cutting process caused by collisions between the specimen and the nozzle.

"The underwater laser-cutting technology developed is significant, as it directly simulates the nuclear dismantlement environment, greatly minimizing secondary contamination during the dismantling process," said Park. "With the number of nuclear facilities expected to permanently shut down continuing to rise until 2050, we plan to further advance and conduct demonstration research based on this technology."

The research was supported by the project "Laser Decontamination and Underwater Laser-Cutting Technology Development Project for Safe Nuclear Dismantlement," with collaborative efforts from Pusan National University and Korea Maritime & Ocean University and funded by a major project of KIMM. Follow-up demonstration tests are being conducted through the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy's Advancement and Demonstration of Laser Cutting/Dismantling Technology (Nuclear Dismantlement Competency Enhancement Technology Development Project).

Source: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials

Published November 2024

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