Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, and Twikit, a Belgian 3D software and application development company, have announced a new partnership. Their collaboration is a further extension of DSM’s ongoing commitment to build a 3D printing ecosystem, aimed at driving innovation in additive manufacturing and encouraging its adoption across industries, the companies report. Together, the two companies will co-develop new 3D printed solutions for medical, automotive and apparel applications. DSM and Twikit are currently working on an end-to-end production workflow for 3D printed orthotics and prosthetics, showcasing additive manufacturing's customizability. Combining DSM’s materials and…
PTC buys Onshape, betting on SaaS CAD Last week, a big acquisition that could reshuffle powerful CAD and PLM brands took place. PTC, known for its Creo CAD and Windchill PLM brands, has announced its intent to acquire cloud CAD provider Onshape for $470 million. In the press briefing, PTC CEO Jim Happelmann calls Onshape “the growth engine” and PTC wants to be “the big brother” that will bring lots of resources to bear. Onshape works like familiar CAD programs such as SolidWorks or Inventor, but runs SaaS-style, entirely from a browser without a local installation. PTC’s own products are…
The ExOne Co. and Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. have entered into a collaboration to advance tungsten-based metal 3D printing using binder jetting. The new ExOne-GTP collaboration focuses on the development of two metal matrix composites: cemented carbide (WC-Co), a material with high hardness and toughness that is used for the production of cutting tools and wear-resistant parts; and copper-tungsten (CuW), which is used in applications where high heat resistance, high electrical and thermal conductivity, and low thermal expansion are needed. “Binder jetting is the 3D printing method of choice for serial production of hard metal parts,” says Deborah West,…
Editor’s note: The following column by Luther Webb, vice president of data science for TREW, is part of Modern’s Other Voices column, a series featuring ideas, opinions and insights from end-users, analysts, systems integrators and OEMs. Click here to learn about submitting a column for consideration. ————- The ramp-up is almost gone, with only weeks remaining to tell how well your operation is prepared. Now is the time for near-term actions that will leverage those long-range plans and make the difference in throughput and performance. Below are 10 operational steps you can take to ensure every play is well-made and…
Tompkins Robotics, a leading provider of portable, scalable autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has announced a strategic partnership with PULSE Integration to deliver its t-Sort solution to clients in the manufacturing, 3PL and retail industries. Headquartered in Pittston, Penn., PULSE Integration leverages a blend of best-in-class digital and physical technologies to deliver customized, scalable supply chain solutions. As part of the alliance, PULSE will offer Tompkins Robotics’ t-Sort systems to help its clients streamline and improve fulfillment operations. “Tompkins Robotics’ t-Sort solution helps our customers keep up with growing fulfillment and shipping needs while achieving high speed and accuracy,” said Chris…
Dassault Systèmes announced that Lockheed Martin is deploying the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to support its digital engineering initiatives. Through this multi-year collaboration between the two companies, Lockheed Martin aims to build a digital thread that extends from design through manufacturing for its next-generation airplanes and helicopters. Lockheed Martin is using a variety of industry solution experiences based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as part of a larger suite of digital engineering tools. The company’s Aeronautics and Rotary and Mission Systems business areas are utilizing the platform for 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions in a…
SmarTech Analysis has released a new analysis model to address opportunities associated with metal additive manufacturing production and applications. Using an analysis methodology of metal additive technology adoption metrics and dynamics already tracked by other SmarTech analysis services, this latest report gives insight into the industries and applications driving metal AM, and expectations for what business cases and areas of application will grow. SmarTech expects that metal AM will continue to gradually amass more and more production-oriented business cases, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in impact to the global manufacturing market over the next decade. For more details…
Hosted by the analyst firm Greenlight Insights, xRS Week kicked off in San Francisco this month (Oct 16-18). A strategy conference on extended reality, the event brought together pioneers, heavy weights, and startups in the augmented reality and virtual reality (AR-VR) market. At the conference, Greenlight Insights released a report titled “Optics in Focus: The vital role of the optical interface in unlocking the true potential of AR.” “By not engaging our natural visual cues, we are limiting users’ ability to accurately gauge distance and interact with any degree of precision with nearby computer-generated assets or interfaces, focal rivalry, and…
Vargo, a leading provider of material-handling systems integration, warehouse execution software and equipment solutions for major fulfillment and distribution centers, is announcing the opening of a sixth office, this time in Mason, Ohio, and changes to the company’s leadership team. The growing company has also recently hired 11 new associates. Vargo has promoted Bart Cera, who joined the company in 2006, to president. Cera will retain the title of chief operating officer, as well. Since he joined the company, Cera has provided strategic financial and operational direction for Vargo’s business goals and has been responsible for developing corporate strategies and…
With an eye on advancing innovation in the logistics sector, Greenwich, Conn.-based XPO Logistics, a provider of global freight transportation and logistics services, said today it has formed a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), and last week it announced it has added Aris Kekedjian to its Board of Directors. XPO said it is the first global logistics company to collaborate with the MIT ILP, an organization that matches up what XPO called MIT ILP’s world-class resources with industry-leading corporations to solve global business challenges. “We’re excited to explore the latest developments in technology…
Honeywell has announced the creation of Honeywell Robotics, an advanced technology center of excellence focused on innovating and developing artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and advanced robotics for use across supply chains. Based in Pittsburgh, Honeywell Robotics is intended to help shape the warehouse and distribution center of the future, particularly as companies look to automated solutions, software and robotics to deliver increased speed, accuracy and throughput in complex material handling environments. “Honeywell has been at the forefront of warehouse automation technology for more than 25 years, helping customers improve productivity and efficiency,” said Pieter Krynauw, president of Honeywell…
SAE International has released additive manufacturing (AM) polymer specifications for the aerospace industry. AMS7100: Fuse Filament Fabrication Process and AMS7101: Material for Fused Filament Fabrication reportedly represent the first specifications released under the AMS-AM Additive Manufacturing Non-Metallic (AMS-AM-P) committee, according to SAE International. These standards were created after a request from airlines through the International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s EMG to be able to realize additively manufactured plastic cabin parts. “Both additive manufacturing users and producers will benefit from implementing AMS-AM standards,” says Paul Jonas, director of Technology Development & Programs at the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and…