3D Printing UAVs gets you closer to the customer

In this video, UAV Solutions, a small manufacturer who specialize in the design, supply and support for custom Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), explains how it uses Stratasys 3D Printers as part of its manufacturing mix.

This case study illustrates one of the important futures for AM .... allowing small manufacturers to take control of the design and production process in order to better serve their customers.

Liquid metal 3D Printing using magneto-hydrodynamics

If we've said it before, we'll say it again ... "3D Printing" is a set of niches within niches. Here is yet another emergent process .... liquid metal 3D printing using magneto-hydrodynamics  Think 'inkjet' with liquid metal.

Start up Vader Systems believes it can bring this technology to market just as has occurred with RepRap style fused deposition modelling (FDM) of thermoplastics. They intend to start with aluminium, and then copper and zinc.

Traditionally metals are 'sintered' from powders. By contrast Vader Systems process will produce fully fused objects. If this works it will be super-cool. The company is aiming for the under $10K market. Listen to one of the founders talk about the potential advantages:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetohydrodynamics

3D Printer market from $288m to $5.7b by 2017 - Gartner

Consumer and enterprise 3D printer shipments are growing at 95.4% and revenue at 81.9% from 2012 through 2017 according to IT industry analysts Gartner. 

In a new report Gartner predicts that "The 3D printer market will grow from $288 million to more than $5.7 billion by 2017 as consumer 3D printing hype accelerates 3D printer purchases by enterprises worldwide". 

Forecast: 3D Printers, Worldwide, 2013

A peek inside TCT Show + personalize 2013

Wonderful little film, courtesy of RepRap BCN3D with our thanks:



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