Additive Manufacturing Research (AM Research) has released its latest report, Titanium Powder for Additive Manufacturing in 2024, projecting the market for titanium powders in additive manufacturing (AM) to grow from $214 million in 2023 to $1.4 billion by 2032.

According to the research organisation, the report offers data on market trends, tracking revenues across industries, regions, and printing technologies. 

It also identifies aerospace and medical sectors as key drivers of titanium powder demand, with additional contributions from jewellery and automotive applications.

According to the report, Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) accounts for the largest share of titanium AM applications, with revenues four times higher than those from Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and twelve times larger than Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ). 

The Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) market remains the smallest segment, estimated at half the size of MBJ.

However, the report forecasts MBJ will see notable growth by 2032, potentially closing the gap with DED.

The study highlights several companies active in the titanium AM market, including AP&C, Tekna, Carpenter, Praxair, Sandvik, 6K Additive, and IperionX. 

It also references manufacturing and technology providers such as GE Additive, EOS, Renishaw, Boeing, Safran, and Zimmer Biomet, among others.

The report, structured in two parts, combines market data with written analysis. It covers metrics such as material shipments, revenues by geographic region, and print technology trends. 

Additionally, it explores the role of Titanium Metal Injection Molding (MIM) within the broader titanium AM market.

The full report, including forecasts and industry insights, is available for purchase on the AM Research website. 

A free sample can also be requested.

For more details, visit: Titanium Powder for Additive Manufacturing in 2024.

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The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub is set to host an informative workshop on advanced manufacturing technologies on Thursday, 17 October 2024. 

This hands-on workshop aims to help Queensland manufacturers navigate the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing, essential for scaling their operations in an increasingly digital landscape.

The event will kick off with a welcome address followed by an introduction to the ARM Hub, renowned for its role in accelerating industry digital transformation. 

Attendees can look forward to a series of technology presentations, starting with a focus on collaborative robots, commonly known as cobots.

The workshop will then explore 3D printing and delve into the applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive demonstrations of each technology and gain insights from a panel discussion. 

The workshop will conclude with a summary and a networking session from 4:00 PM.

This event is tailoured for companies looking to scale operations, educators, and anyone with an interest in advanced manufacturing technologies. 

Specifically, it targets businesses that have already automated processes, those considering automation, and technology companies seeking to expand their capabilities.

The workshop is organised in collaboration with the Queensland Government Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing, and Water, aligning with the Queensland Government’s Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

For more details, click here.

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The Australian Department of Defence has expanded its collaboration with metal additive manufacturing company SPEE3D, purchasing three SPEE3Dcell post-processing units to assist in ongoing military operations supporting Ukraine. 

These units will complement the three WarpSPEE3D metal 3D printers that were acquired last year, enhancing the Australian Defence’s ability to support the maintenance and repair of military equipment for Ukrainian forces, SPEE3D stated in a news release. 

The SPEE3Dcell is designed to machine, heat treat, and test metal parts quickly, providing critical support in battlefield environments. 

The new units, along with the existing WarpSPEE3D printers, offer a comprehensive solution for on-the-ground manufacturing, helping Ukrainian soldiers maintain operational capabilities in the face of challenges such as damaged or worn equipment.

SPEE3D will also be showcasing their full Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU) at the upcoming Land Forces International Exposition in Melbourne from 11 to 13 September.

The EMU features SPEE3D’s XSPEE3D printer and SPEE3Dcell technology, housed in two mobile 20-foot shipping containers, designed to produce high-quality metal parts near the point of need.

The expo will mark the first time the EMU is displayed in Australia. Kennedy emphasized the importance of showcasing the technology at the Land Forces event, which brings together key defence stakeholders from Australia, the United States, and Europe.

“Land Forces is the premier exposition for defence in Australia, and we are excited to display our Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU) for the first time at the event,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D.

The Land Forces International Exposition serves as a vital platform for the Australian Army and defence industries worldwide, providing opportunities for interaction between Defence Force representatives, prime contractors, and technology developers.

Kennedy added, “We are also proud to continue our partnership with Australian Defence, with their purchase of SPEE3Dcells to complement existing WarpSPEE3D printers. Together, they offer a complete solution for military personnel to manufacture and test metal parts in real-time and at the point of need, helping Ukrainian soldiers stay in the fight.”

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In a significant boost to the Australian manufacturing sector, the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have jointly announced $53.95 million in funding to establish the TAFE NSW Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the Wetherill Park campus in Western Sydney.

The new centre aims to provide cutting-edge education and training in the engineering, transport, and renewable energy sectors, as revealed in a news release. 

This move is expected to solidify Western Sydney’s reputation as a key hub for global manufacturers, while supporting apprentices in acquiring both traditional and advanced skills in manufacturing.

“The Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing will lead to the delivery of high-quality and responsive skills training in a sector critical to our economy,” said Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles.

The Centre of Excellence will offer degree-level learning while maintaining a focus on practical skills. Additionally, it will support microskills and microcredential programs that can rapidly adapt to emerging industry demands. 

The facility is set to feature cutting-edge equipment, including smart factories, 3D printing, robotics, and automated manufacturing systems.

NSW Premier Chris Minns emphasised the importance of this initiative in building a sustainable workforce. 

“This will create a pipeline of skilled workers so we have the fitters, machine operators, and welders needed to support a thriving domestic advanced manufacturing industry in NSW,” Minns stated.

The centre is part of a broader strategy by the Minns Government to enhance vocational education, with a commitment to providing fully subsidised training to an additional 1,000 apprenticeships annually in advanced manufacturing fields. 

Over the next four years, the Centre is expected to serve 10,000 learners, ensuring that the workforce keeps pace with the rapidly digitising manufacturing landscape.

“This Centre will shape workforces that can thrive in the modern manufacturing landscape,” said NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan. 

“Our investment will ensure graduates receive cutting-edge qualifications co-developed by TAFE NSW, industry, and universities.”

In total, the Australian Government is investing $325 million over five years through the National Skills Agreement to create up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence across the country.

The Centre of Excellence in Western Sydney marks the first of three planned centres in NSW, reinforcing both the state’s and the nation’s commitment to enhancing manufacturing sovereignty and building a skilled workforce for the future.

“Our area is already a manufacturing base, and this investment will cement our place in training and creating the jobs of the future,” added Chris Bowen, Member for McMahon.

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Markforged has launched the FX10 Metal Kit, which upgrades the FX10 3D printer to become what it claims as the first industrial model capable of printing both metal filaments and composites with continuous fibre reinforcement.

According to the firm, the FX10 Metal Kit enables users to seamlessly transition between metal and composite printing, addressing a long-standing gap in the 3D printing market. 

According to Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged, “Customers no longer have to choose between a metal and a composite printer. Years of R&D investment and field experience have come together to provide an all-in-one solution for 3D printing to provide immediate return on investment once installed on a factory floor.” 

Terem emphasised that the FX10 enhances the efficiency and productivity of other factory floor equipment, potentially reducing operational disruptions.

Originally launched in November 2023 as a composite-only printer, the FX10 has been well-received for its versatility and performance. 

The addition of the Metal Kit enhances the machine’s functionality, allowing it to print in both metal and composite materials. 

The FX10 Metal Kit includes a new metal-specific print head, material feed tubes, routing back, and dual pre-extruders. 

According to Markforged, the conversion process between metal and composite printing takes approximately 15 minutes.

The company has also introduced a new 316L stainless steel filament, with future plans to support additional metal filaments, including 17-4PH. 

“We designed the FX10 to be a modular platform,” Terem explained. “This allows us to release new innovations and upgrades without customers having to purchase a new printer every year.”

The FX10 Metal Kit features the 2nd Generation Metal FFF engine, which offers faster print speeds compared to previous models. 

Coupled with a print volume twice as large as earlier Markforged metal printers, the new system promises enhanced productivity. 

The metal prints are created using a combination of metal filament and a ceramic release filament, which facilitates easy removal of support structures. 

Post-processing includes washing and sintering with Markforged’s Wash-1 and Sinter-2 solutions, and Eiger, Markforged’s slicer and print management software, automates the process, including scaling parts for shrinkage during sintering.

The FX10 is part of Markforged’s Digital Forge, an additive manufacturing platform designed to integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing environments. 

The Digital Forge enables users to manage and monitor their printing operations from a centralised location and share parts across their organization.

Markforged will showcase the FX10 Metal Kit at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Illinois, from 9 to 14 September. 

Attendees can visit booth 432305 to see live demonstrations of the FX10 printing both continuous fiber-reinforced composites and metal.

For more information on the FX10 Metal Kit and Markforged’s suite of 3D printing solutions, visit Markforged’s website.

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Aurora Labs has launched its Australian-designed AL250 3D Metal Printer, now operational at the company’s Perth facility, marking a key milestone in its advanced manufacturing expansion.

According to the ASX-listed company, the AL250 has already produced parts in Inconel 625, a nickel-based superalloy widely used in aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial applications due to its exceptional thermal, corrosion resistance, and fatigue properties. 

The development of a new production printing parameter window tailored to the AL250 sets a baseline for printing parts in this high-performance alloy. 

Initial results have been promising, with the Inconel 625 parts achieving a hardness of 315 HV10 and a density of 8.4 g/cm³.

“The AL250 3D printer is a significant advancement for our industrial printing service and machine-building capabilities,” said Rebekah Letheby, CEO of Aurora Labs. 

“It will meet the increasing demand for specialised materials as we expand our capabilities and scale up production for the Defence industry, reinforcing our commitment to developing machines tailored for practical industrial printing applications.”

The AL250 printer is also serving as a demonstrator unit within the print services facility. 

This strategic move allows Aurora Labs to showcase the full potential of its technology, providing real-world insights into 3D printing applications. 

The hands-on experience gained through this demonstrator unit will help the company better inform potential purchasers about operational parameters and enhance downstream customer support.

Equipped with multiple commercial features, the AL250 is designed to offer a user-friendly and seamless experience. Its compact, easy-to-clean build chamber supports a generous 250 x 250 x 300mm 3D print area, making it ideal for printing intricate, mid-sized geometries. 

This addition is expected to significantly enhance the company’s print services, particularly in the production of micro gas turbines and related parts.

“This strategy allows A3D to showcase the full potential of our printing technology, demonstrating the art of what is possible while gaining valuable insights into real-world 3D printing application,” Letheby noted. 

“By doing so, we can better inform potential purchasers about operational parameters, enhance downstream customer support, and ensure a reliable, high-performing product that meets their needs, thereby boosting customer confidence.”

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SPEE3D, a leader in metal 3D printing technology, is set to make an impact at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024, held from 9 to 14 September in Chicago. 

Organised by the AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the event will allow SPEE3D to demonstrate its groundbreaking advancements in high-speed additive manufacturing.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discover how SPEE3D’s mobile cold spray additive manufacturing technology can enhance supply chains with metal parts produced in minutes.

Moreover, IMTS 2024 will provide a platform for industry professionals, manufacturers, and technology enthusiasts to engage with SPEE3D’s team, gain insights into the future of 3D printing, and see firsthand how these advancements are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing.

SPEE3D’s participation underscores its commitment to leading the charge in advanced manufacturing technologies, offering practical solutions that address critical industry needs. 

For more information on SPEE3D’s appearance at IMTS 2024 and to schedule a demonstration, visit SPEE3D’s IMTS 2024 event page.

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The Callier Center for Communication Disorders at UT Dallas has unveiled a new clinical innovation lab on its Richardson campus, pioneering the use of 3D printing technology to produce custom earmolds for pediatric hearing aids.

Traditionally, the process of ordering custom earmolds could take two to three weeks. However, with the introduction of 3D printing, the Callier Center said it has reduced this time to under six hours. 

Since launching this initiative in August 2022, the centre has printed over 1,200 earmolds, serving more than 800 patients, the university reported in a news release. 

This rapid turnaround is crucial, particularly for young children who require frequent adjustments due to the rapid growth of their ear canals in the first five years of life.

Dr Andrea Gohmert, director of audiology clinical operations at Callier and clinical associate professor of speech, language, and hearing at the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, highlighted the importance of this innovation.

“As this innovation became a standard of care at the Callier Center, we identified that the 3D-printing lab needed a location and research space of its own,” Gohmert stated. 

She added, “We recognise this could also be the location for further Callier clinical innovation for the future.”

The establishment of the lab was made possible through generous community donations, which were celebrated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 29 May. 

Angela Shoup, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Callier Center Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the support. 

“Callier is committed to raising the standard of patient care through designing innovative solutions to improve health care efficacy and efficiency,” Shoup said. 

“With the help of generous donors, the newly opened Callier Clinical Innovation Lab is changing how earmolds for hearing devices are produced, providing training workshops for audiologists and clinics, collaborating with other departments at UT Dallas, and so much more.”

The Callier Center’s pioneering work has set a new benchmark among audiology clinics in the U.S., with leaders sharing these advances nationwide. 

In a groundbreaking move, the centre recently hosted a first-of-its-kind 3D-printing workshop, training over 20 attendees from six states in the intricacies of earmold production using 3D printing technology. 

This workshop equipped participants with the skills to advocate for and implement similar in-house labs at their facilities, potentially revolutionising care across the country.

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Metal additive manufacturing SPEE3D has completed its participation in Trident Warrior, the experimental segment of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, held at the Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. 

SPEE3D deployed its Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU), a mobile additive manufacturing solution, to produce 11 cast-equivalent metal parts from aluminium and stainless steel. 

These parts will undergo analysis to assess their material properties and suitability for repairing and replacing defence equipment in challenging environments.

RIMPAC, the largest international maritime exercise globally, includes Trident Warrior, which tests cutting-edge technologies like additive manufacturing. 

Engineers from the Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) utilised SPEE3D’s EMU to print replacement metal parts for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. 

The use of SPEE3D’s proprietary cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) technology aimed to demonstrate that additive manufacturing can reduce the delivery time of critical parts from days to hours, providing solutions directly at the point of need.

“SPEE3D is thrilled to be included in RIMPAC, the largest distributed advanced manufacturing demonstration the Department of Defense has ever conducted,” said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D. 

He continued, “Additive manufacturing has been a major area of interest for the Department of Defense (DoD), and we share the same goals of training the military and implementing additive manufacturing to produce crucial metal parts at the point of need, supporting modernization and warfighter readiness.”

Lt Col Michael Radigan, a member of the Marine Innovation Unit and the government lead for the CAMRE team at Trident Warrior 24, further explained, “CAMRE facilitates getting the latest in advanced manufacturing into operational settings and finds ways to unlock additional capabilities. SPEE3D worked side-by-side with our joint participants to further research on cold spray additive manufacturing and helped us uncover best practices to apply its unique capabilities in expeditionary environments.” 

SPEE3D’s EMU, designed for expeditionary use, integrates the company’s XSPEE3D metal 3D printer with the SPEE3Dcell post-processing and testing unit. 

This combination enables the production of cast-equivalent metal parts in hours, reducing the cost of disruption and downtime. 

The system, housed in two 20-foot containers, includes a ruggedized mobile metal 3D printer capable of producing high-density metal parts in various materials, alongside a fully-equipped post-processing shop featuring a heat treatment furnace, CNC three-axis mill, tooling, and testing equipment. 

The entire EMU setup can be transported on a single platform, such as a truck trailer, ship, or plane.

The RIMPAC and Trident Warrior exercises involved approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel who trained and operated in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

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The New South Wales Government is embracing cutting-edge technology to address the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis by using 3D printing to construct social housing. 

This innovative approach promises to cut construction time in half and significantly reduce costs, marking a major step forward in the delivery of affordable housing across the state, the government said in a media release.

The first social housing property of this kind in New South Wales will be built using 3D printing technology. The new construction method is expected to cut building time from the traditional 40 weeks to just 16 weeks, offering a much faster solution to the escalating demand for social housing.

“Using cutting-edge technology for this project is a prime example of the NSW Government’s commitment to ‘think outside the box’ by exploring every possible option when it comes to delivering more housing for those who need it,” said Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson.

“Utilising Modern Methods of Construction like this 3D printing technology is critically important to delivering social and affordable homes sooner, especially in regional and remote areas.”

The NSW Government has partnered with Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) and Contour3D to bring this project to life.

The collaboration will transform a vacant block of land in Dubbo into two two-bedroom duplexes, providing secure housing for tenants under the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO).

This partnership highlights the government’s commitment to incorporating innovative solutions into housing construction, particularly for vulnerable communities.

According to the government, 3D printing not only accelerates the building process but also offers significant environmental benefits.

The technology produces less waste, and the concrete mix used is composed of eco-friendly, high-recycled materials.

This results in energy-efficient homes with lower maintenance costs, presenting a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the housing crisis.

“The success of this project will help to determine whether this construction method becomes one of the many ways we can deliver more social housing right across the state in a bid to help us tackle the growing crisis,” Jackson added.

“Our government is leading the way with this project. The construction of a 3D social housing property is the first of its kind in the country.”

Construction of the 3D printed social housing is set to begin in late September 2024. The project’s outcome could pave the way for broader adoption of this technology in addressing the housing shortage, particularly in regional and remote areas.

“This trial by the state government of 3D printing of social housing is very exciting,” said Stephen Lawrence, Member of the Legislative Council.

“The results will be carefully examined and used to guide future use of the technology where appropriate.”

Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Mathew Dickerson expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting the potential for this project to boost housing availability in the region.

“Dubbo Regional Council is supportive of this project that is embracing new ways of construction with the objective to boost housing availability in our region,” he said.

Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH) Managing Director Brad Draper shared his enthusiasm for the project, praising the AHO for their forward-thinking approach.

“ASH is delighted to be involved in this project and applaud the Aboriginal Housing Office for pioneering new ways to deliver social housing,” Draper said.

“As an Aboriginal company, we are proud to deliver these quality homes that will have far-reaching benefits for residents long into the future.”

Contour3D Founder and CEO Nick Holden emphasised the innovative nature of the project, stating, “We’re excited to showcase our innovative building method that prioritises sustainability, design freedom, and efficiency by bringing automation to the forefront of housing construction.”

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