We’re kicking issues off at present in 3D Printing Information Briefs with some enterprise information, beginning with UK-based WB Alloys, which is able to construct its first U.S. wire alloy manufacturing facility in Virginia. AML3D is accelerating its entry into the UK and European markets by means of a brand new distribution deal, and CEAD is partnering with KCL to advance sustainable large-format 3D printing. Shifting on, Vibrant Laser Applied sciences and Haptron Scientific are collaborating to develop next-gen optical pressure sensors. Lastly, pro-cyclist Tadej Pogačar gained the Tour de France on a 3D printed saddle.
WB Alloys Establishing First U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Virginia
WB Alloys manufactures high-performance alloy wire for welding wire-based steel 3D printed elements, and develops superior closed-loop weld monitoring techniques and WAAM/DED additive manufacturing tools. Primarily based within the U.Okay., the corporate is investing $6.6 million to broaden operations with its first U.S. manufacturing facility, to be situated in Danville, Virginia. Operations will start in a ten,000-square-foot facility, with plans to scale as much as 50,000-square-feet. WB Alloys already has seven areas throughout the U.Okay. and one within the Center East, so this new plant is a significant milestone within the firm’s international progress technique. The Danville facility will focus on producing wire alloys for the U.S. Navy and the Division of Protection (DoD), which is sensible contemplating how a lot protection manufacturing already goes on within the space. The mission will create 30 jobs, and the Virginia Financial Improvement Partnership (VEDP) will help the creation of those jobs by means of the state-funded Virginia Jobs Funding Program (VJIP).
“We’re proud that WB Alloys has chosen Virginia for its first U.S. manufacturing facility. Their choice to ascertain operations right here not solely speaks to the power of our workforce and enterprise local weather but in addition displays Virginia’s rising management in superior manufacturing,” mentioned Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The governor authorized an $80,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Alternative Fund to assist the Metropolis of Danville and Pittsylvania County with this mission.
AML3D Pronounces U.Okay. Distribution Deal to Speed up Entry into Europe
AML3D Arcemy 3D printing. Picture courtesy of AML3D.
After efficiently coming into the U.S. protection market, Australian wire arc additive manufacturing (WAM) OEM AML3D Restricted is working to hurry up its entry into Europe. As such, it has introduced a distributor deal with Arc Additive Restricted, a Scotland-based provider of steel WAM options. The 2-year partnership appoints Arc as a non-exclusive distribution companion throughout Europe and the U.Okay. to assist speed up AML3D’s entry to these manufacturing sectors. After a profitable capital increase in late 2024, AML3D introduced that, as a part of its strategic progress plan, it might make investments AU$5 million to arrange a European expertise base. Appointing Arc as a distribution companion in Europe and the U.Okay. aligns with its progress technique, which incorporates leveraging its deliberate manufacturing capability in Europe, and present capability in Australia, to help AUKUS protection markets, in addition to different international vital manufacturing and protection markets.
“We’re seeing the identical demand indicators in Europe which are driving our phenomenal progress within the US throughout Defence but in addition Utilities and Vitality. We’re very a lot trying to roll out our US playbook in Europe. That features leveraging third social gathering distributors in Europe like Arc. It consists of establishing a Expertise centre in Europe like we did at Stow Ohio. It consists of supporting the AUKUS defence companions like we’re with our contract with BAE techniques within the UK,” mentioned AML3D CEO Sean Ebert.
“Whereas a lot of the thrill round AML3D’s progress has rightly been focussed on the US market we’ve continued to work on the numerous progress alternatives characterize by the UK, Australian and European markets. This distributor partnership with Arc is a good instance of this work. Constructing our distribution capabilities throughout the UK and mainland Europe will assist us to transform the robust demand in these markets to contract wins. My expectation is the alloy testing contract we’ve already signed with BAE Methods within the UK is only the start.”
KCL & CEAD to Advance Sustainable Giant-Format Additive Manufacturing
KCL, an open entry piloting service supplier, introduced a partnership with large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) supplier CEAD to assist superior sustainable LFAM expertise. CEAD is all the time trying to widen its supplies portfolio, and KCL’s biocomposites have been efficiently examined and confirmed with CEAD’s hybrid LFAM techniques for brand new alternatives in round, bio-based manufacturing. On the middle is high-performance biocomposite KCL Formi, developed particularly for LFAM. It makes use of sustainable, patented compositions of thermoplastics combined with positive bleached cellulose pulp fibers, which is totally different than conventional LFAM supplies that use carbon or glass fibers. This implies a decrease environmental impression throughout incineration, in addition to improved recyclability and efficiency. The bio-based materials additionally resists water and out of doors situations, making it extra sturdy, and its quick cooling and low shrinkage allow secure, sooner 3D printing. Lastly, KCL Formi is appropriate with numerous coatings, which makes milling and sanding simpler. As a result of CEAD’s hybrid LFAM techniques are absolutely appropriate with this biocomposite, producers can decrease their carbon footprint and scale back waste, whereas persevering with to supply high-performance options.
Eve Saarikoski, Improvement Supervisor at KCL, mentioned, “By changing conventional reinforcement fibers with cellulose, we’re enabling a brand new class of supplies that aren’t solely robust, sturdy and simple to put up course of, but in addition recyclable, and safer to course of.”
BLT & Haptron Scientific Collaborate for Subsequent-Gen Optical Power Sensors
Excessive-performance six-axis pressure/torque sensors are thought of, as Vibrant Laser Applied sciences (BLT) says, “important elements for secure and adaptive human-robot interplay.” That’s why it’s been working with Haptron Scientific to develop a brand new era of optical six-axis pressure sensors. The pair used BLT’s steel AM expertise and Haptron Scientific’s proprietary optical multimodal sensing expertise to create a full sensor suite that targets pressure measurement wants at vital robotic joints. The Photon Finger, which BLT calls the “world’s smallest” six-axis pressure/torque sensor, was structurally optimized for half rely discount, with a miniaturized design for tight finger joint integration, and printed utilizing 18Ni350 maraging metal powder on the A100. The PhotonR40 contains a central through-hole construction to simplify pressure sensing integration in humanoid robotic wrists, and BLT’s light-weight supplies enabled a 20-30% weight discount. The Ankle Joint Sensor, used to measure pressure and torque throughout human motions, was printed with BLT’s metal supplies, and options enhanced load capability and yield power. Lastly, the BLT A160 and 18Ni300 maraging metal powder have been used for the Photon Finger Max, with 23 instances extra load capability than its predecessor.
“With over a decade of experience in steel 3D printing, BLT helped Haptron Scientific break new floor by assembly its want for smaller, stronger, and lighter elements—setting a brand new benchmark for tactile sensing techniques in humanoid robots,” BLT wrote. “From fingertip-level micro-force sensing to high-load industrial sensors, the 2 firms are collectively advancing sensor manufacturing towards larger intelligence, scalability, and standardization. Trying forward, BLT and Haptron Scientific will proceed to discover cutting-edge purposes in robotics, additive manufacturing, and new supplies—accelerating the trail towards smarter, extra autonomous manufacturing.”
Tadej Pogačar Wins Tour de France on a 3D Printed Bike Saddle
Tadej Pogačar gained this years’ Tour de France using on a custom-made Fizik 3D printed saddle that was produced utilizing Carbon’s superior DLS 3D printing expertise
In 2024, additive manufacturing firm Carbon and biking accent model Fizik launched {custom} 3D printed bike saddles underneath the One-to-One label, developed in partnership with bike-fit specialists gebioMized. Final month, the saddle personalization program gained Gold within the Elements class on the 2025 EUROBIKE Awards. Now, considered one of their {custom} 3D printed saddles was first over the end line within the legendary Tour de France, which concluded on the finish of July with the standard finale on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Professional-cyclist Tadej Pogačar, using for the UAE Staff Emirates‑XRG with a short-nose Vento Argo 00 Adaptive saddle, was topped the general winner of this 12 months’s three-week race.
Throughout dynamic match periods, a rider’s biometric knowledge and stress mapping is captured, after which used to design a bespoke bike saddle with specifically tuned consolation zones. The saddle is tailored and optimized for every rider’s distinctive stress profile, and 3D printed utilizing Carbon’s resin-based Digital Gentle Synthesis (DLS) course of. Every saddle options advanced lattice constructions for rider-specific cushioning. Relying on what every rider wants, the saddle will be softer the place stress reduction is required, and firmer the place stability is vital. This helps enhance the rider’s stress distribution, help, and total efficiency, and in instances like this, propel them to a primary place end.
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