[3D Printing Exhibition] 2018 Formnext Exhibition Correspondent: 3 Innovative Technologies to Show You!

[3D Printing Exhibition] 2018 Formnext Exhibition Correspondent: 3 Innovative Technologies to Show You!

Formnext, the International Precision Molding and 3D Printing Manufacturing Exhibition, has become an excellent business platform for rapid prototyping, 3D printing , mold making manufacturers and their supplier partners to reach their target customers.
As we announced before the exhibition (you can watch the video here), this year's exhibition in Germany has come to a successful close. Of course, 3Dprint would not miss this international event for 3D printing . Now, let's follow our special correspondent to see what new breakthroughs have been made in the latest 3D printing technology!



The exhibition space is vast, spanning two floors, and some of the decorations make you feel like you've traveled to the future; the scene is a vibrant exchange of ideas, with each exhibitor bringing their most advanced machines and technologies.



Common 3D printing technology innovations

There are many forms of 3D printing . In addition to industrial, jewelry and dental applications, SLA curing technology is now being used to create more intricate and complex finished products. Thin and delicate textures and curved petal shapes are exquisite and admirable.



In addition, a series of color 3D printed products were on display, using a powder spraying technique to spray colored ink onto specific areas during printing, creating a blend of different colors. Black and white or transparent products can also be printed, such as medical mannequins.



This technology has also been widely demonstrated in architectural models, figurines, and customized glasses.





The latest 3D-printed electric vehicle we previously shared was also on display at the Polymaker showroom. All the white body panels were 3D printed . For more details and videos, please see here: Polymaker & XEV Collaborate to Create a 3D-Printed Electric Vehicle – LSEV .



Polymaker also showcased Polycast, a 3D printing filament specifically designed for casting. This filament can be completely melted, allowing the metal part to be created by lost-wax casting after the model is printed using a 3D printer . Compared to traditional hand-molding, this process is simplified to 2-3 steps, significantly improving efficiency and saving time and money. Sandyma will also be selling Polycast in the future, so stay tuned!



There are also complete scene models made with the Polysmooth series that can be used for alcohol polishing . The finished product can eliminate 3D printing textures and make the surface smoother and more textured.



Sinterit , a major manufacturer of desktop SLS 3D printers , is also making its move. In addition to many movable mechanical samples, they are also offering a press-type finished product comparison chart for you to play with! SanDiMa will also be releasing its latest ultra-soft Flexa Soft powder soon. Get a sneak peek at the 5 key features of the new Flexa Soft powder .



In addition to various unique printed products, I even saw other manufacturers producing their own external dehumidifiers specifically for the Ultimaker series. As Ultimaker 's market share has continued to grow in recent years, it has created another peripheral market, much like the industrial ecosystem of iPhone and iPhone cases. Other external accessories will also be launched in the future.



A wide variety of products are being manufactured using 3D printing machines . In recent years, drones and aerial photography drones, which have become popular all over the world, can also be manufactured using 3D printing . Both their visual appearance and structural strength can withstand the test.



CNC combined with additive manufacturing

Traditional CNC milling is a subtractive process, removing excess material to obtain the final object. This robotic arm, however, works in reverse in 3D printing . Because it adds layers to the object's shape one by one, no supporting structure is needed. Although the current technology is not very precise and is expensive, it is believed that this concept will become increasingly sophisticated in the future.



Metal 3D Printing Technology

The much-anticipated metal 3D printing has also made a splash, with major flatbed printer brand HP joining the 3D printing market; in addition to the aforementioned color printing, they have developed metal printing. Currently, the process involves spraying metal powder and adhesive, followed by high-temperature melting in an oven; the current achievable shrinkage rate is 18%, and we eagerly await further improvements.



Many manufacturers showcased all-metal brake calipers at the exhibition, some using CNC machining and others using direct 3D metal printing . Among them were models identical to ours. If you're interested in understanding how 3D printing is used to create casting molds , please refer to our article: Brake Caliper Metal Casting Finished Product!





Finally, let's take a look at the latest metal 3D printing exhibits and equipment. Although the precision of some large-scale metal powder spraying 3D printing is limited, these ultra-large processing equipment can repair broken or partially damaged metal structures, such as cargo ship propellers or large machinery, effectively saving the high cost of re-ordering even for small parts of damage in the past.



The ultra-fine metal prototypes printed in other forms are exquisite. By replacing solid bodies with structures for internal components, multiple benefits such as sturdiness, lightness, and material saving can be achieved. As seen in the photo, the internal and external perspective models present a stunning effect.





This year's Formnext exhibition was truly eye-opening, showcasing the rapid advancements in 3D printing technology. 3dmart will stay abreast of the latest technologies, expand into more fields, and continuously share relevant knowledge and firsthand information with everyone. We will also be introducing new materials and showcasing 3D printing demonstrations soon. Follow our fan page to stay updated on the latest 3D technology: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/