Feb 15, 2018 | By Tess
Additive Industries, a Dutch pioneer of metal 3D printing technologies, recently announced the top six finalists of its Additive World Design for Additive Manufacturing Challenge 2018. The six finalists, selected from over 52 contestants, have each used metal 3D printing processes to redesign and improve an industrial product.
The Additive World Design for Additive Manufacturing Challenge, launched during Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven in October 2017, invited both professionals and student designers to submit their proposals for an innovative redesign which leveraged 3D printing.
This year’s challenge, which marks the third edition, saw submissions from across the world and from a range of different sectors, including the aeronautics, medical, high-tech, and automotive industries.
“This year’s redesigns demonstrate again how product designs can be improved when the freedom of 3D printing is applied,” said Daan Kersten, Additive Industies CEO. “It’s not only about topology optimization anymore, but about eliminating manufacturing difficulties, minimizing assembly and lowering logistical costs. These redesigns are really demonstrating a broad range of applications.”
Without further ado, here are the top six finalists. The first three—from the professional category—were Indian company Intech DMLS, France-based 3D-medlab, and Italy’s Aidro Hydraulics. Intech DMLS gained recognition for demonstrating how 3D printing could help the avionics sector reduce part numbers as well as increase part efficiency and reduce weight.
3D-medlab, for its part, got through for its 3D printed Medical Part Gripper, which Additive Industries said shows that “even when additive manufacturing is already applied to producing prosthetics in the medical field, there is still room for extended applications.” In its submission, 3D-medlab redesigned and 3D printed an impactor, which is used to hold such things as acetabular cups during surgery.
Left to right: Intech DMLS ‘Avionics System’; 3D-medlab ‘Medical Part Gripper’; Aidro Hydraulics ‘Hydraulic Manifold’
The Aidro Hydraulics team redesigned a hydraulic manifold part for 3D printing with reduced weight and optimized flow performance. In addition to the three professional finalists, an honorable mention was given to Fabian Baum from Germany’s EDAG Engineering company who designed the LightHinge+.
In the student category, Philipp Kaindl from the Technical University of Munich was selected for his 3D printed “Gasification Burner,” which integrates a coal swirling mechanism that increases the thermal efficiency of the burner.
Yogeshkumar Katrodiya from Germany’s Fraunhofer IGCV was recognized for his project which integrated conformal cooling channels into a shaft and gear part. By designing the part for 3D printing, the student was able to create better cooling efficiency and reduced the part’s weight by 50 percent thanks to topology optimization.
Left to right: Philipp Kaindl ‘Gasification Burner’; Yogeshkumar Katrodiya ‘Functionally Integrated Shaft and Gear’; Cassidy Silbernagel ‘Ultimaker 2+ Hot End’
(Images: Additive Industries)
Finally, Cassidy Silbernagel from the University of Nottingham in the UK was selected as a finalist for his upgraded “multi-filament Ultimaker 2+ all metal hot end.” This project, if you haven’t already guessed, consisted of upgrading an Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer. In addition to the multi-filament and all metal hotend, Silbernagel also enhanced the printer’s part cooling capabilities.
The winners of each category will be announced at the upcoming Additive World Conference Award Dinner on March 14, 2018 in Eindhoven.
Posted in 3D Printing Events
Maybe you also like:
- 3D4E at UCLA giving 3D printed ukuleles to nearby orphanage
- UnisBrands: Penn State student startup 3D prints customized shoes
- Rotterdam's The Chocolate Factory increases production, cuts costs thanks to 3D printing
- Marlin 3D printer firmware developer 'thinkyhead' seeking support
- The days of collapsing 3D printed concrete walls could be over
- Team USA aims to win gold with 3D printed sleds at Olympic luge competition
- 3D printed skulls to accompany Dippy the dinosaur on UK tour
- You need this giant 3D printed Optimus Prime gun
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
