Recent #3D printing news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Leaked photos suggest a new collaboration between 3D printer manufacturer Snapmaker and laser company Xtool.
➁ Both companies have made multifunctional devices and standalone lasers, with Snapmaker's latest 3D printer being the Snapmaker Artisan.
➂ The leaked tool changer appears to be a four-color tool changer with a bed size similar to the Bambu Lab X1C.
➀ The IAMHH e.V. association is hosting its first AM conference in Hamburg in May 2025, aiming to provide insights into the technology and its industrial applications.
➁ The conference program includes talks by renowned speakers from research and industry, focusing on AM in polymers, materials, processes, and applications.
➂ The AM Pitch Night will provide a platform for startups and innovators to present their projects and seek investments.
➀ This article lists the top six online 3D slicers available for slicing models on the web.
➁ Each slicer is described with its features, user interface, and how to use it.
➂ It also highlights the benefits of using online slicers over local ones.
➀ MIT's CSAIL has developed Xstrings, a new 3D printing technique that simplifies the creation of cable-driven devices by embedding cables directly into 3D-printed structures, reducing production time by 40%.
➁ The system allows users to specify motion types such as bending, twisting, or coiling through a digital blueprint, enabling seamless design and fabrication in a single step.
➂ Demonstrated applications include robotic fingers, interactive sculptures, and gripping tentacles, showcasing potential in robotics, art, and wearable tech.
➀ This article introduces a Raspberry Pi Pico system designed for a sound-effect pedal for electric guitar;
➁ The system, called the Gesture Controller, uses three angles of control (Yaw, Pitch, and Roll) to manipulate MIDI parameters;
➂ It utilizes a 6-axis AHRS IMU sensor and 3D printing technology, with the software coded in Python using Adafruit’s MIDI library.
➀ The study introduces a new 3D printing approach for calcium phosphate structures using bone prenucleation clusters (PNCs).
➁ Researchers synthesized PNCs with an average size of 5 nm to enhance printing precision.
➂ The 2PP process was optimized for high-resolution printing, and structures as small as 300 nm were successfully printed.
➀ Prusa Research has introduced Prusa EasyPrint, a browser-based slicing tool for beginners;
➁ The tool serves as a bridge between Prusa 3D printers and Prusa Research’s Printables file sharing library;
➂ Prusa EasyPrint is aimed at making 3D printing more accessible for users with limited technical expertise.
➀ The Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max offers excellent details and high-speed printing capabilities, though some detail is sacrificed for speed.
➁ The printer boasts a large build volume and premium features like a heated vat and sensors, but its auto-refill system didn't work in the test unit.
➂ Despite its high price, the M7 Max is a powerful machine for large prints and is one of the best resin 3D printers available.
Clone Robotics of Poland has developed a new humanoid robot, Protoclone V1, that utilizes 3D-printed polymer bones and 1,000 myofibre actuators to achieve smooth, human-like movements. These actuators, which are pressurized mesh tubes, contract upon fluid intake to facilitate joint articulation with over 200 degrees of freedom. The robot's frame contains microchannels for water circulation, which dissipates heat and prevents overheating. Fused joints ensure stress point reinforcement for fluid motion, while sensors track all movements. Clone Robotics compares their creation to Tesla's Optimus hand, emphasizing the lighter, stronger, and cheaper nature of their robot, along with its softer and more huggable features.
The company plans to manufacture 279 robots and start taking pre-orders later this year.
➀ The Technical University of Ilmenau is launching a research project to enable direct, contactless measurement of human biosignals.
➁ The new sensor system, part of the ELFISENS project, is designed to capture biosignals without touching the skin.
➂ The technology aims to revolutionize the monitoring of biosignals in electroencephalography and provide gentle long-term monitoring, especially for newborns.
➀ Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed an eco-friendly 3D-printing ink;
➁ This ink is based on graphene and can be used in various fields such as consumer electronics, automobiles, and environmental cleanup;
➂ The ink is versatile and environmentally friendly, as it does not require any additives or chemical solvents.
➀ The article discusses the potential of manufacturing semiconductors in space, highlighting the advantages of low gravity and vacuum environments, which can lead to higher quality and more efficient chips.
➁ It mentions the challenges, including the high cost of launching equipment to space and the logistical difficulties of setting up and maintaining facilities in space.
➂ Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of space-based semiconductor manufacturing are significant, including reduced carbon emissions, improved chip performance, and the possibility of new technological advancements.
➀ Bambu Lab announced new security measures for its popular X1-Carbon 3D printers, causing concerns among the community about potential restrictions on third-party accessories.
➁ In response to the backlash, Bambu Lab issued an apology and clarified that none of the community's fears were true, including the removal of third-party filament usage.
➂ Bambu Lab plans to introduce a 'developer mode' in the new firmware, which will allow advanced users more control over their printers but may limit customer support.
➀ The Vertigo Mk1 3D printer is currently on Kickstarter and boasts auto-eject and bed-clearing features, priced at $2,250 for the Hardware Kit.
➁ It also includes other features like automatic bed leveling, rapid thermal bed, and active chamber heat soak.
➂ Despite being expensive, the Vertigo Mk1 aims to provide a solution for mass production with minimal human intervention.