AMT Tech Report: Issue #150

Additive technology in wind tunnel testing for Formula One. 3D-printed parts for German railways. Alternatives to reinforced concrete beams – from recycled plastic? Additive-made microneedles in the battle against COVID. 3D-printed homes: putting the “real” in real estate.

Here's the latest tech article roundup from this week's Tech Report.

1. Williams Racing Goes Additive

Williams Grand Prix Engineering Ltd is the latest Formula One team to partner with an additive manufacturing firm. They’ve partnered with Nexa3D to leverage their technology to produce rapid prototype parts for use in wind tunnel testing.

https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/nexa3d-and-williams-racing-partner-to-advance-formula-1-with-3d-printing-technology-186070/

2. 3D-Printed Parts for German Railways

“We needed to reduce the downtime of the railcars drastically to get them back into service quickly and economically. So, we decided to 3D print the components using the wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process.” The part in question is the secondary roll stop, a heavy steel component bolted to the underside of each passenger car that limits lateral play on tight curves to ensure safe cornering.

https://www.pesmedia.com/wire-arc-additive-manufacturing-09032021/

3. Alternative to Reinforced Concrete Beams Made from 3D-Printed Recycled Plastic

For three years now, a team at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in Spain has been working on a lightweight additive replacement for reinforced concrete beams made of recycled plastic, weighing up to 80% less.

https://www.core77.com/posts/106803/A-Lightweight-3D-Printed-Alternative-to-Reinforced-Concrete-Beams

4. Additive-Made Microneedles for COVID-19 Vaccines

Carnegie-Mellon University researchers are developing what could be a revolutionary way to solve the vaccine capacity and production problem: use less vaccine. How much less? As much as 99% less! The key is to use “microneedles” produced by BMF, which are far smaller than normal syringes.

https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/bmf-investigating-production-of-3d-printed-microneedles-for-covid-19-vaccines

5. Housing Development in East Austin Offers Printed Homes

There’s been chatter of 3D-printed homes since as far back as 2018. Well, now you can own one for yourself in Austin, Texas. They start at $450,000, and there are only four planned for construction right now, but they’ll be ready by this summer.

https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/11/22325004/new-3d-printed-homes-austin-price-icon-housing

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