US army develops multi-polymer thread for manufacturing especially strong details on standard FFF printers.

The army research laboratory of the command for the development of military capabilities of the US army represented a new type of multi-polymer thread for table extrusion 3D printers.

Typically, parts made using FFF printers do not have high strength and rigidity. The new material will allow military personnel to use low-cost printers to create objects that, after several hours of heating, can achieve mechanical properties that meet the harsh conditions of field operations and are comparable to the properties of injection molded plastics.

A team of researchers from the U.S. Army’s Combat Capability Command laboratory used a new thermal drawing process to produce a filament consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS plastic) with a star polycarbonate core.

Now scientists are experimenting with new pairs of materials, printing conditions, and annealing protocols to further improve mechanical properties and reduce the processing time of finished parts. Their goal is to reduce the current annealing time from 24-48 hours to four or less.

The laboratory has filed several patent applications for the technology and has already received a license for one of them.

Picture Credit: Unsplash

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Rhythm & Hues, who filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, is easily one of the leading visual effects studios in the world. Its latest venture, the extra-ordinarily filmed LIFE OF PI, won several awards this year including the coveted Best Director Oscar for Ang Lee. This visually-stunning adventure 3D drama created a new benchmark in the film-world because of its special-effects, which was highly praised by critics from all quarters and was appreciated by audience globally. Besides that, it picked up all the technical and visual-effects awards all over the world including Best Visual Effects award at the Oscars.

But the R&H studio that made all this possible, took help from a lesser known 3D scanning service bureau called LeaderTek from Taiwan, which enabled them to take advantage of 3D capture to bring out the amazing and beautiful effects on screen.

Ang Lee, who previously won the directing Oscar for his coming-of-age film BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN back in 2005, bagged the coveted prize once again this year for his visionary thinking and imagination behind this tale of massive proportions. The director hired R&H studios to come on-board in his mission to do something which is “next-to-impossible”. The studio having offices across many countries including Taiwan, Canada, India, Malaysia and the U.S took the technical responsibility of producing several visual effects shots that needed to be presented in 3D stereo.

The movie garnered rave reviews because of its large-than-life portrayal of Richard Parker, the Bengal Tiger, who many believed to be as good and as real as a “living-and-breathing” version of it in the real world. Apart from that, the water and skies which got digitally recreated were just stunning along with the floating raft, Meerkat Island and other additional creatures that made one to believe in a world which is something that is beyond the control of the humans.

LeaderTek used the laser scanner FARO Focus 3D to capture digitally the raft and the lifeboat. They chose the software of  reverse engineering, Rapidform XOR, which was used to merge and optimize the data affiliated with point cloud scan and bring them together into an STL file. The software has the ability to combinine 3D scanning data process with CAD. Thus, it helps in creating feature based along with solid editable models with the environment of CAD.

LeaderTek’s Sales Engineer, Mr.Edward Yao was in full praise when describing the features of the Rapidform XOR. He hailed it to be the best and easily the most effective among its competitors, as it is capable of working with raw data in massive quantity along with Faro Focus 3D scanner, which easily makes him and the team very much satisfied and happy with the final outcome along with all the cine-goers around the world.

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Have you, at any point of time, faced an inclination toward the 3D scanning service? If the answer is yes, you should opt for EMS Steinbichler Comet L3D 3D Scanner. The dimensions of this scanning device are really small, but it very efficiently delivers the work assigned. The portability of this device coupled with its efficiency has formed enough reasons for the demand of this device in the markets. Indeed, the scanning of high resolutions can be done with this device using the targets or the mounting arm, photogammetry or rotary table. For scanning the objects that have large dimensions, the target having digital codes is preferred.

There megapixel models offered by the EMS 3D scanning service include 1, 2, or 5. The scanner is provided with interchangeable lenses. The accuracy achieved in the scans is up to 20 microns.

The usage of the L3D does not involve complicated processes. Blue LED is the technology that the scanner puts to use as that ensures capturing even the dark as well as the shiny places. The scanner can be previewed before it is set up and this procedure can be carried on when the objects fit well in the field. In case when the method doesn’t work, the targets are to be used so that the objects has the complete surface area captured.

The 3D scanning service by EMS is done through triangulation. According to the method, enough light is thrown on the area of surface and the camera takes the information immediately. This depends on one factor and that is distortion of light. When rotary table is used, scans are taken from various angles. This makes sure that full object is scanned. For capturing other side of the same object,the arm should be moved. The point to be kept in mind is that for a complete scan of the same object, the process should be thorough.

Reverse engineering, along with inspection, counts among the prime uses of this scanning device. 3D CAD data can be made from these scans. With this the onbject can be more closely looked at which helps you in taking the measurements with a greater precision.

When the task of scanning is over, they are required to be offered an alignment. For this the merging of these scans into a single file is done. On the basis of the markers they are lined up, which, again, is done in the software. When the scanning is done, scans are arranged in order according to a format that is desired.

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This company contacted EMS and assigned the task to it. EMS used its 3D scanner named Surphaser for the assignment. Mere 10 scans in high resolution were able to completely scan the entire vehicle. Due to minute detailed information, each scan occupied around 1GB in size. Z Corp Z 800 was then used for 3D scanning, which captured the interiors of the vehicles.

A 3D CAD model was then prepared with the captured data. RapidForm is software which was used to transform the captured figure into a model. It has to be mentioned here that it was not merely a wired model but quite a detailed one so that the client company can use it without further delays. The RapidForm software can capture surface as well as interior details. EMS was able to produce the model within 2 weeks through 3D scanning and printing. In comparison to time that is required for the formation of CAD model, the time required by EMS seemed negligible.

The sets of data are merged after they are properly aligned and organised. In this way a complete solution is derived for 3D printing. All data are fed into computer at high definition so that even minute details are preserved after getting captured by the system. Although manual data compilation into information has been the custom in the production industry, latest innovations have paved the way to conservation of considerable time. In the BMW vehicle case, both scale firm and EMS had their respective cheers.

While the client firm got its scanned model, EMS established the efficiency of 3D printing yet again. Like EMS, other firms would also have to have proper and high-end equipment along with expertise to bring the revolutionary change to the production industry.

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3D Systems Corporation announced today that the company’s first 3D printer for the home, Cube(R), has received the American Technology Award (ATA) for outstanding achievement in Technology Manufacturing. Also known as the Termans, in honor of Frederick Emmons Terman, the widely credited father of Silicon Valley, the ATA’s recognize products and services that have significantly advanced technology.

“The quality of nominees for this year’s Termans is a clear indication of the vibrancy of the American technology industry and we are thrilled to be able to recognize 3D Systems for their contribution to the industry and their outstanding achievement,” said Jennifer Kerber, President of the TechAmerica Foundation.

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