Monthly Archives: January 2017

NIST Increases Awareness of Polymer-Based Additive Manufacturing

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Much of our previous discussion surrounding medical applications for additive manufacturing involves metal-based devices and implants. While metal compounds will continue to bring revolutionary opportunities to medical science, there is a growing interest in the use of polymers and other soft materials in additive manufacturing. Explore Polymer-Based Additive Manufacturing below.

About Polymer-based Additive Manufacturing

Polymer-based additive manufacturing is used for applications ranging from medical and aerospace to protective gear, tooling, and the development of functional prototypes. Sharing some of the same benefits as metal additive manufacturing, polymer-based creations reduce time-to-market, improve the quality of a product, and are developed at a fraction of the traditional cost.

Courtesy: NIST

A “Roadmap” for Future Development

As part of an initiative to increase awareness and commercial usage of polymer-based additive manufacturing, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the Measurement Science Roadmap for Polymer-Based Additive Manufacturing. The guide features the desired capabilities, foreseeable challenges, and priority research and development topics in using polymer for additive manufacturing.

The guide is a result of presentations, discussions, and group sessions that took place last June at the Roadmap Workshop on Measurement Science for Polymer-Based Additive Manufacturing at the NIST campus, in Maryland. The workshop brought together over 100 additive manufacturing experts, from both public and private entities, with the intention of developing a comprehensive plan to further the use of polymer-based additive manufacturing. Topics featured at the workshop included a need for materials categorization, in-situ process measurements, performance, process modeling, and more.

Additive manufacturing is a top research priority at NIST. Interest in polymer and other soft materials in additive manufacturing is growing, due to a range of properties and processability. NIST hopes the report will be able to guide and assist public and private entities in furthering the research and development of polymer based additive manufacturing.

What Workshops Like LAM 2017 Have to Offer

Like the Roadmap Workshop, LAM offers attendees the opportunity to meet with leaders, researchers, and innovators in additive manufacturing to discuss the present functions and future opportunities presented by additive manufacturing technology. Guests from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden, and South China University of Technology will be present at LAM, addressing the challenges faced by innovative additive manufacturing applications. While metal-based additive manufacturing is still largely a focus, those interested or involved with polymer and other soft materials may still benefit from the workshops, sessions, and vendors found at LAM. For a full list of sessions at this year’s event, click here.
LAM takes place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information regarding the conference, location, or to register, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam

LPW Technology & TRUMPF Team Up to Face Additive Manufacturing Challenges

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The 2017 Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) Workshop in Houston brings together top researchers and industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements in additive manufacturing. In preparation for this year’s event, Lasers Today takes a closer look at the workshop’s presenters and innovators.

The global market leader in state-of-the-art metal powder solutions, LPW Technology, are now the proud owners of a TRUMPF TruPrint 1000, an innovative metal additive manufacturing machine that produces small metal components through laser melted fusion. TRUMPF is the largest manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial lasers in North America, with an increasing focus on growing additive manufacturing needs, as evidenced by the TruPrint series of machines.

TRUMPF’s TruPrint 1000

What TruPrint 1000 Will Do for Additive Manufacturing Research

The TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 is expected to enhance LPW’s already impressive research and development capabilities. The machine will allow for greater novel alloy development, applications testing, the study of powder degradation, optimize processes and lead to new research projects. The TruPrint offers a standardized user interface and software program, covering all aspects of the production process from design to finished part. The TruPrint 1000 includes a 200 W Fiber Laser, capable of processing parts made of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel-based alloys, and bronze, just to name a few.

In simpler terms, the TruPrint 1000 will help LPW and the additive manufacturing community through a streamlined process and unprecedented data collection.  TRUMPF recognizes the growing need for accurate data throughout the additive manufacturing process. When companies, such as LPW Technology are able to harness this data, potential problems can be addressed before the parts go to print. As a result, parts are developed with greater integrity, and at a faster rate.

The addition of the TruPrint 1000 goes hand in hand with LPW’s development of a new metal additive manufacturing lab.  Acquiring new equipment, such as TruPrint 1000, enables LPW to further the development of the PowderLife system. Allowing for the strict control of risk and traceability for parts manufacturers, PowderLife is a combination of software, hardware, support, and testing pioneered by LPW Technology. Between the equipment solutions created by TRUMPF and the systems developed by LPW, valid metal powder control processes that benefit users of laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, are closer than ever before. Furthermore, the streamlining and simplification of these processes lay the groundwork for addressing other challenges, such as those posed by medical applications of 3D printed parts.

Solving Challenges within Medical Additive Manufacturing

With stronger processes to synthesize data, as well as systems in place to control risk and traceability, the future for medical additive manufacturing applications is bright.

Laser Metal Fusion, sometimes referred to as Selective Laser Melting,  is a preferred additive manufacturing method for parts intended for medical use. The method allows for complex features, with nearly unlimited design capabilities. Parts created using laser metal fusion are typically low-weight, stabilized, and inexpensive, making them excellent candidates for artificial hips, and other implants.

The TruPrint 1000 gives the flexibility and feasibility for elaborate parts to go into production quickly and cost-effectively, through its laser metal fusion capabilities. The time from design to prototype is fractionalized, giving greater opportunities for research of medical applications.

Learning More at LAM 2017

Representatives from LPW Technology and TRUMPF will be presenting at LAM 2017. Be sure to catch Nathan Kistler of LPW discussing “Characterizing and Managing Metal Powders in AM Service” as part of the Materials for Additive Manufacturing Session. Frank Geyer of TRUMPF will present “Metal Powder Based AM- New Applications” as part of the final of two Additive Manufacturing Applications sessions. Plan your visit to LAM with the advance program here.  

Want to learn more about the recent developments within the world of additive manufacturing? Registration is still open! For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam. 

Weekly Lasers Wrap Up – Week of January 23, 2017

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What happened this week in Lasers? Our LasersToday.com Weekly Wrap-Up aggregates industry news, conference updates, & LIA happenings.

Here are the latest updates: 

Laser Industry News

According to New Scientist, a plasma tidal waves may tell us if black holes destroy information. That’s right – a laser-driven tidal wave could test a question that has long plagued physics: is the information inside a black hole lost forever or somehow preserved through the mysterious machinations of quantum mechanics?

Courtesy: New Scientist

Around the world, interest in additive manufacturing is growing. This week, we took a closer look at the ways additive manufacturing is applied in China. From educational programs to successful 3D printed transplants, to innovators in the field, learn about China’s additive manufacturing initiatives here.

LIA Updates

As lasers become increasingly prominent in medical procedures and applications, there is a greater need for safety training among medical professionals. Nurses make excellent candidates for Medical Laser Safety Officer (MLSO) training. Check out the four ways they benefit from laser safety training here.

Learn everything you need to know about Laser Cutting: Our Laser Institute of America Guide to Laser Cutting has been reduced by 50%. Get your Copy Today.

LIA will be in attendance at SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, California, this weekend. Stop by Booth #3060 to say hello!

Conference News

The Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) is just a few weeks away! LAM® features a wide variety of additive manufacturing applications, such as metal feedstock, process monitoring, selective laser melting, and more! Check out the advance program for details on sessions and presentations for this year’s event here.

Registered for LAM, but still need to figure out transportation around the Houston area? Visit the LAM® transportation page for airport information, and rental
car discounts.

Time is running out to register for LAM 2017, taking place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam


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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Find us at www.lia.org

Additive Manufacturing & Applications in China

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With the Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) just around the corner, Lasers Today is taking a closer look at some of the topics presented at this year’s event.

LAM Applications in China: Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology.

LAM 2017 brings researchers and industry leaders together to discuss advances in the world of additive manufacturing. Around the world, exciting innovations are coming to light, many of which will be discussed at this year’s event. One country that is seeing significant progress within its additive manufacturing initiatives is China.

Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology. The use of additive manufacturing for medical purposes is a growing area of interest for many. While there are still significant challenges and obstacles ahead, the work performed at the South China University of Technology (SCUT), and across the nation, is notable to anyone involved with, or intrigued by, the possibilities presented by additive manufacturing within the medical field.

About Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is being used by researchers to 3D print medical implants. SLM is used both for coating and completely creating the implant parts. Materials used usually include platinum, nickel titanium, and in some prototypes, stainless steel. One of the biggest challenges faced by researchers and developers is the risk of infection and/or rejection of the implant within the body.

Courtesy: Open Biomedical Initiative

Additive Manufacturing in China

China’s history with additive manufacturing begins in the early 90’s, where a push for research on additive manufacturing processes, equipment, applications, as well as education began. Schools, such as SCUT, emphasize hands-on practice and application within their programs. For over two decades, universities and other higher education facilities have given students opportunities to “compete” in various design competitions, pushing innovation as part of the learning process.

In partnership with specific industries, especially the companies within them, various programs have given students the opportunity to pursue specialties and specific interests within additive manufacturing, providing relevant work experience. In doing so, additive manufacturing is now considered one of the biggest areas of market growth within China, in decades. In fact, the undergraduate programs have lead to an overall increase in the quality of programs in science, engineering, mathematics and more.

However, there is a call for more progress within the medical applications of additive manufacturing, particularly with implants and tissue engineering. The longevity of the prototypes created pose unwanted side effects, rejection, and infection risks that still stand to be solved.

A Successful Implant at South China University of Technology (SCUT)

When thinking of 3D printed implants, it is easy to assume that the applications are only for human benefit. However, this is not always the case. Last summer, SCUT in collaboration with Leader Animal Hospital and Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company outfitted an injured red-crowned crane with a new, 3D printed beak.

After a fight with other birds led to a severe beak injury the crane was unable to eat.. Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company, which specializes in designing molds for 3D printing, passed their mold design to SCUT, who printed the new beak out of titanium. Titanium has shown promise in other instances as a preferred material for implants for humans, due it its biocompatibility.

The procedure in which they attached the new beak was successful, allowing the bird to eat shortly after the process. The red-crowned crane received the first successful beak transplant in China, joining a growing list of successful 3D-printed implant procedures on birds.

These successful procedures increase the likeliness of 3D printed implants becoming a viable solution for more than just birds. Advancements within additive manufacturing, including selective laser sintering, are opening many doors for the future of the medical industry.

Be sure to catch the presentation at LAM 2017 as part of two exciting additive manufacturing application sessions. Check out the advance program for LAM here to plan your visit to this year’s event. LAM 2017 will take place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, click here.

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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications and laser safety worldwide.

 

 

 

 

Weekly Lasers Wrap Up – Week of January 16, 2017

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The Laser Institute of America LasersToday.com Weekly Wrap-Up aggregates industry news, conference updates, and LIA happenings.

Here is the latest:

Laser Industry News

Laser Technology expert Peter Thompson passed away on January 4th. Thompson was known for his expertise in laser processing, a career that spanned over 40 years. He will be missed by the laser community. See the official article here.

Researchers at Colorado State University are using compact lasers with ultrashort laser pulses to recreate conditions found inside stars. Previously, these conditions could only be created with larger laser systems. Learn more about what this means for high energy density physics, and more here.

Courtesy: Photonics Media

LIA Updates

LIA is proud to introduce a fully-online Medical Laser Safety Officer Course. The online format allows you the freedom to expand your laser safety knowledge at a time and pace convenient for you. Spend more time in the operating room, not in the classroom. For more information and to register, click here.

January’s Featured Corporate Sponsor is LaserCoil Technologies, LLC. Launched in 2011, LaserCoil Technologies, LLC took a new approach to laser blanking from coil stock. Since then, the company has continued to innovate the laser blanking process. Learn more about the company here.

LaserCoil Facility, Courtesy of LaserCoil Technologies LLC

Conference News

The Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) will take place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. LAM® will represent additive manufacturing applications in industries such as oil & gas, aerospace, automotive, powder production, biomedical, and more.

The event will be held at the Hilton Houston North. Find hotel information here.

LAM is brought to you by Bronze sponsors Trumpf, LPW Technology, Optomec, Inc, ORLaser, and Praxair, Inc, Silver sponsors Laserline and Fraunhofer USA, Gold sponsors IPG Photonics, and American Cladding Technologies, and last but not least, Platinum Sponsor Alabama Laser.

LAM is a month away and there is still time to register! Don’t miss out on this premier laser additive manufacturing event. For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam

Sign up for LAM 2017 in Houston today.

Don’t miss a single laser industry update! Sign up today to receive the latest in lasers delivered straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow LIA on Facebook and Twitter for even more laser news.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Find us at www.lia.org