Current 3D/AM news

Doubling powder manufacturing, expanding feedstock preparation facilities

6K Additive plans to increase production capacity for additive manufacturing (AM) powders with 20,000ft2 of additional production capacity with four new UniMelt microwave plasma systems and addition of a 15,000ft2 material feedstock preparation building.

In the past year, 6K Additive had rapid growth in the demand for their nickel, titanium, and refractory powders and this capacity increase will meet customers’ needs for the next 12 to 36 months.

Adding the feedstock preparation facility to the Burgettstown, Pennsylvania 45-acre campus provides 6K Additive with vertical integration of feedstock sizing for nickel and titanium in the same location, streamlining operations, providing faster delivery, and offering control and quality of the powder produced. The Burgettstown plant currently produces a full range of powders including nickel 718 & 625, titanium-64, stainless steel, and copper as well as capabilities to produce aluminum alloys.

Bioabsorbable elastomer platform demonstrates biocompatibility in vivo

Carbon’s developmental bioabsorbable elastomer platform has demonstrated biocompatibility in vivo, designated as non-toxic and exhibiting tunable times for full absorption, indicating the elastomer’s potential in biomedical lattice applications such as soft tissue repair, wound dressings, and nerve conduits.

“These intricate structures made with Carbon Digital Light Synthesis technology may hold the key to addressing the longstanding challenge of optimizing the mechanical properties and degradation rate of an implant. It’s a milestone, and we look forward to working with interested partners to further develop applications for this resin,” says Jason Rolland, SVP of materials at Carbon.