The Fuse 1 brings powerful Surface Armor technology, a 30% powder refresh rate and new versatile Nylon 12 and Nylon 11 powders to deliver a simplified industrial 3D printing workflow at a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial SLS printers.

Formlabs, a leading 3D printing company, has launched the world’s first benchtop industrial selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer, the Fuse 1, to enable engineers, designers, and manufacturers at all levels to rethink product development, hybrid manufacturing, and end-use production. Additionally, the company launched Fuse Sift, a post-processing system for the Fuse 1, and Nylon 12 Powder, Formlabs’ first powder material for Fuse 1, to provide users with a straightforward end-to-end SLS workflow.

SLS technology has long been trusted by engineers and large manufacturers for its ability to print strong, functional prototypes and end-use parts, but its high cost and complex workflow have historically confined it to large companies. The Fuse 1 and Fuse Sift improve on the unique advantages offered by SLS, while bringing it within reach for companies of all sizes and types through unprecedented affordability and ease of use.

“The Form 1 redefined stereolithography (SLA) printing for the additive manufacturing industry 10 years ago, and now the Fuse 1 is bringing the same reliability and accessibility standard that Formlabs customers expect of industrial 3D printing,” said Max Lobovsky, CEO and co-founder of Formlabs. “SLS 3D printing shouldn’t be solely for those with big budgets, it needs to be accessible so all companies — from startup to big manufacturer — can benefit from the design freedom and high productivity SLS 3D printing provides.”

The Fuse 1 will enable Formlabs to substantially expand the market size for industrial 3D printing, unlocking truly production-ready 3D printing to an entirely new set of customers. Formlabs’ complete end-to-end SLS printing system takes the guesswork and challenges out of creating strong, functional parts all while minimizing costs, freeing many organizations from their reliance on expensive and slow external solutions.

“We previously used an outsourced injection-molding workflow to deliver prosthetic fingers to patients young and old, helping them improve mobility and increase functionality; but this process was extremely slow and did not allow for the personalization needed for each patient,” said Matthew Mikosz, founder of Partial Hand Solutions and Fuse 1 beta user. “Fuse 1 gives us the design freedom needed to truly customize our prosthetics and the high productivity and throughput necessary to quickly get this solution to our patients.”

After seven years of development, Formlabs is delivering on its promise to bring this powerful technology to market at an affordable price point without compromising quality. Engineers, product designers, and manufacturers choose SLS printers for their design freedom, high productivity and throughput, low cost per part, and proven track record. The Fuse 1 enables users to take control of their entire product development process, from iterating on your first concept design to manufacturing ready-to-use products in production-ready nylon.

Fuse 1 features include:

• A modular build chamber that enables continuous printing and reduces downtime;
• Patent pending Surface Armor technology that creates semi-sintered shell to protect the surface of the part as it prints;
• The capability to print with up to 70 percent recycled powder;
• A material refresh rate, the minimum ratio of fresh powder required to print, of 30 percent for minimal material waste.

For more information, click: https://www.emona.com.au/formlabs

RIGOL have released the new DS70000 Series StationMax Digital Oscilloscopes powered by the new UltraVision III platform. The DS70000 Series is available in either 3 or 5 GHz bandwidths and combines the new UltraVision III oscilloscope technology and UltraReal spectrum analysis technology into RIGOL’s most powerful test and measurement instrument ever.

The innovative UltraVision III platform combines updated oscilloscope and spectrum analysis technology with its custom front-end Phoenix ASIC chipset to expand RIGOL solutions into new applications. In addition to 3 or 5 GHz bandwidths, StationMax provides 4 channels, 20 GSamples/sec sample rate (10 GSa/sec on all channels), 1 million waveforms/sec capture rate, 2 Gpts maximum storage depth, and high resolution measurements up to 16 bits.

StationMax leverages technology to provide Real-Time Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer functionality. The DS70000 series delivers new performance, speed and analysis capabilities, as well as a completely new interface designed for the 15.6″ multi-touch display. Powerful analysis capabilities include real-time spectrum analysis, multi-domain analysis, eye diagram and jitter analysis, high speed bus compliance, and serial bus decoding.

“We are extremely proud to introduce such a dynamic technology set to engineers and excited for all of the new applications it fulfills”, stated Chris Armstrong, Director of Product Marketing for RIGOL USA.”StationMax allows us to provide outstanding solutions for high-speed analog and digital design verification. With our new probe solutions up to 7 GHz, engineers can now capture and analyze their most sensitive signals with an instrument that provides RIGOL’s well known combination of capability and value. Design and failure analysis engineers working in research, semiconductor, RF, and IoT markets can now utilize RIGOL solutions at the chip, device, and system level for their debugging and testing applications.”

StationMax is designed for ease of use and convenience. The 15.6″ display features an electronically controlled tilt function to optimize viewing and usability. This intuitive touch multi-panel display simplifies analysis by isolating important measurements in separate windows including real-time spectrum view, multiple FFT and math functions, jitter, and real-time eye. For engineers who prefer tactile control, the instrument has separate scale and position knobs for each channel and the horizontal. Channel controls are backlit and color coded with RIGOL probes.

Complementing this powerful instrument is a new family of high-speed precision probe solutions. These active differential probes are available in 3.5 and 7 GHz models delivering excellent 3 and 5GHz measurements to the probe tip. These probes also have automatic spacing controls with 3 user-defined settings at the touch of a button, a work light for easier connections, and automatic color-coded LEDs to match the signal on the display.

New StationMax oscilloscopes allow engineers to communicate, control and access their test data with ease, addressing a key challenge facing engineers performing advanced testing and analysis. DS70000 oscilloscopes include USB 3.0 host and device communication for storage and computer control, gigabit LAN for high-speed data transfer, all new and advanced web control, HDMI for external display, and onboard FTP data sharing. All of this makes it possible to move gigabits of data at high speed with less instrument downtime for offline analysis and data archival.

“The technology advances incorporated into our new UltraVision III platform empowers engineers to problem solve with RIGOL instrumentation even on their newest designs.” continues Chris Armstrong. “Our performance specifications, analysis capabilities, enhanced usability in both display and probes, as well as our improved data access compares favorably with the current market leaders. We are excited to deliver this high-performance system and we encourage engineers in these applications to consider the performance, reliability, and value that RIGOL can bring to bear on your high-speed design challenges.”

For more information, specifications and product video, click Rigol DS70000 Series.

Markforged’s New FX20 3D Printer and Proprietary Materials Increase Markforged’s Addressable Market for Bigger, Faster, Stronger, and Heat Resistant Parts.

Markforged, creator of the integrated metal and carbon fiber additive manufacturing platform, The Digital Forge, is advancing its position as a leader in point-of-need production of industrial-strength end use parts with the FX20 printer. This new production-ready hardware prints the flame-retardant, high-performance thermoplastic material with ULTEM™ 9085 filament in combination with Markforged’s proprietary Continuous Fiber Reinforcement printing technology for high-strength, heat resistant, and higher performance parts that can meet the needs of the most demanding industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and oil & gas.

Built to scale distributed global production, the FX20 is precision-designed and sensor-driven to deliver breakthrough accuracy, quality, and reliability to fabricate parts directly at the point-of-need with the simple click of a button. As the biggest, fastest, and smartest 3D printer Markforged has ever produced, the FX20 pairs size and throughput to make larger parts at incredible speeds. This new technology, alongside high-temperature printing capabilities, elevates the Digital Forge platform from accessible industrial-strength composite manufacturing to robust production applications. The FX20 has a heated build chamber capable of maintaining up to a 200°C temperature and the capacity to print parts up to 525 mm x 400 mm x 400 mm in size. The FX20 is up to eight times faster than the default print settings on Markforged’s existing line of composite printers and prints nearly five times larger builds than its next largest printer, the X7.

Bringing together ULTEM™ 9085 filament with Markforged’s proprietary Continuous Fiber Reinforcement technology will help manufacturers move from augmenting manufacturing operations with composite 3D printing to replacing entire segments of the supply chain by bringing strong, accurate parts that solve demanding, end-use applications right where needed.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S , a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, plans to use the FX20 with existing Markforged composite materials and the new ULTEM™ 9085 filament with continuous fiber reinforcement to print stronger, higher volume parts.

“The Digital Forge has given Vestas a powerful platform to circumvent expensive, multi-step, and time-consuming conventional manufacturing methodology,” said Jeremy Haight, Principal Engineer at Vestas. “When you factor in design iterations, these conventional parts are obsolete in a year or two. With the FX20 and ULTEM™ 9085, we will be able to design and manufacture larger, stronger parts, press a button and take that part right off the print bed to use it immediately with the confidence that it is very durable and robust.”

Printing the ULTEM™ 9085 filament with Continuous Fiber Reinforcement expands the advantages manufacturers can realize through additive technology. Adding the FX20 to the Digital Forge platform addresses a broader set of needs and applications.

Markforged continues to build on our innovative legacy and lead the way in composite 3D printing—the future of manufacturing. With the releases of the FX20 and Continuous Fiber Reinforced ULTEM™ 9085 filament, we’re now fulfilling that promise to manufacturers who previously, in the most demanding environments, were unable to experience the benefits of the Digital Forge and our unique materials,” said Shai Terem, President and CEO of Markforged. “By helping move composites toward robust production, we’ll unlock more functional parts, made of stronger materials of even more impressive size, with applications from the factory floor to flight.”

The FX20 and ULTEM™ 9085 filament are expected to ship worldwide in the first half of 2022. FormNext attendees can see the printer at Markforged’s booth, 12.0 D01, from November 16-19. To learn more, please join us for “Introducing the FX20” webinar on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. ET (USA time).

The ULTEM™ and 9085 trademarks are used under license from SABIC, its affiliates or subsidiaries.

For more information, specifications and an introductory video, visit: Markforged FX20 Specifications

In March of 2021, new legislation in Victoria demands that all residential tenancies be inspected and verified every two years by a licensed electrician to determine whether the installation and all of its accompanying equipment is in a safe condition for continued use.

Emona Instruments’ Metrel InstalTest XD is an ideal tool for sparkies needing an intelligent solution to this new requirement. It tests the electrical installation up to standard but with a unique feature called ‘auto sequences’, the life of the electrician is made much easier.

Check out the Spring 2021 Electrical Connection article at: Rental Laws Spark Demand in Services

The PicoScope 6426E USB Oscilloscope is a high-performance software-driven oscilloscope. As most of Silicon Chip’s experience is with standalone/benchtop type oscilloscopes, the publishers were very interested in trying it out when we offered them an evaluation unit.

Check out the review at: Silicon Chip August 2021 “PicoScope 6426E USB Oscilloscope Review”

Digital multimeters are one of the most widely used and trusty electronic test instruments. With a wide variety of market retailers and an extensive range of advanced products to choose from, buying a digital multimeter can be a daunting shopping experience. So, to help your buying process consider the following eleven factors which can help you select the best multimeter for your application.

1.Digital Multimeters Vs. Analogue Multimeters

Although a multimeter can be digital or analogue, the digital multimeter is the most modern and extensively used model.

Digital multimeters are more accurate than analogues, but in the past, they were not ideal for measurements that change rapidly. This is because digital multimeters must first take in analogue data and then convert to digital data, resulting in a tiny delay in readings.

Despite this drawback, and especially with improved update rates, overall digital multimeters are a much superior product in the modern world. They offer better accuracy, much easier interpretation of readings and added functionalities over an Analogue. Modern DMM update rates now vastly improved and functions such as analogue bar graph mode to emulate an analogue meter on even fast-changing signals.

Due to the high demand for testing equipment and digital multimeters, there are dozens of digital multimeters brands in the market, making selecting the finest digital multimeter for your needs difficult. Even if you don’t need all the latest advanced features, it’s a good idea to invest in a high-powered digital multimeter from a reputable manufacture to ensure your digital multimeter will last for many years to come.

2. Auto Range Vs. Manual Range

When comparing the auto and manual range multimeters, the auto range multimeter is far more user-friendly. But if you’re a newbie or on a tight budget, a manual range metre is the way to go.

Auto-range will connect to the device automatically and pick the required parameter to measure, then switch it on to display the reading/value on the screen, choosing the range on its own, without requiring manual adjustment.

For a manual metre, one must turn the knob every time, which is inconvenient when working with several components and quantities for a project. Using this manual metre while working with several components and values for a project is unproductive. As a result, the auto range is the ideal option for a majority of activities.

3. Accuracy and Handheld vs Benchtop

When taking multimeter readings, accuracy is defined as the maximum allowable error. Although most multimeters, particularly digital multimeters, will offer accurate reading values, it is necessary to examine them thoroughly before utilising the device in a project.

For example, a 0.5% DC volt accuracy with 4000–6000 counts are acceptable for many applications, but anything less than this indicates the digital multimeter is unreliable for professional readings.

If high accuracy is required and field or battery use is not essential, then a bench DMM may be considered. As in general, the main benefit of a bench DMM vs handheld is better accuracy, higher resolution, better stability, and features such as connection to a PC and 4 wire resistance measuring capability for measuring low resistances not possible on a handheld 2 wire measuring DMM.This is especially valid now where good quality bench DMM offerings from companies such as Rigol and GW Instek etc., are relatively low cost for the performance they offer.

4.True RMS

A True RMS DMM is an essential feature for accurately measuring AC voltages and currents in the “real world” with non-sinusoidal waveforms. The real world is full of AC powered devices that generate non-sinusoidal waveforms such as variable-speed motor drives, electronic ballasts, computers, HVAC, solid-state environments etc. An average reading DMM won’t work for these now typical applications. A rule of thumb – if the DMM spec doesn’t clearly state TRMS, it won’t be – it will be an average reading DMM.

5. Range Limits

We have no idea what specifications you’ll need for your projects, but before acquiring a digital multimeter, you should be aware of the device’s range limits. For example, if the metre can’t measure current in milliamps, the device can’t detect particular sensor current levels. When shopping, you should make sure you get a digital multimeter with ranges that will meet the needs of both current and future projects.

The following are some suggested digital multimeter ranges:

• Range for Resistance – Low Ohm to 20 MOhm
  
• Current Range – 10 uA to 10 A
• Voltage Range – millivolt to 600

​6. Resolution or Display Counts

The digital multimeter’s resolution, also known as display counts, refers to the total number of digits displayed, from lowest to highest. The best digital multimeter has a larger number of digits.

Reading resolution on a spec sheet can be confusing, so what exactly does 3 or 4 ½ digits, 5 digit, 5 ½ digit mean?Basically, a 3 ½ digit DMM can read 1999 on the display. The ½ digit is 1 maximum, so 4 ½ digit is 19999, 5 ½ digit 199999.

Resolution may also be displayed as “counts”, such as a 4000 count or 40000 count DMM. This just means first digit maximum is a 4, and all others can go to 9, so a 4000 count DMM can measure up to 4999.

In general, a high count is preferred but is more expensive and may not be needed depending on the application.

7. Features of Safety

Anyone working with electronic gear should always prioritise their safety. When searching for a professional digital multimeter to measure greater DC or AC voltages, safety features, particularly CAT safety precautions, should be required.

The rule of thumb here is the higher the CAT rating, the better the insulation of the unit and leads, and safer the unit is measuring higher voltages or currents where there is more power – e.g. overhead mains line work typically requires CAT IV. Working on electronic circuits may only need CAT I or CAT II. Also, with a specified CAT rating, there will be a Voltage quoted next to it, e.g. CATIII 600V or CAT III 300V. Selecting a meter based on a CAT rating really depends on what is being measured and where the measurements are taking place.

8. Input Resistance

A digital multimeter’s input resistance is the resistance it provides to a connected device across the probes. When measuring Voltages, a digital multimeter will perform better if it has a greater input resistance as this allows it to measure signals with minimal loading to the circuit under test. In general, 1MOhm or above is specified on all DMM’s for an optimal value for a digital multimeter input resistance.

9. Battery Time

When using the digital multimeter daily, a battery life of around 1000 hours would be preferable for the greatest results.

10.Versatility

When choosing a Multimeter, you will also want to select a unit with additional measuring capabilities for your own measuring application.

Measurement capability of things like battery test, diode test, temperature measurement, transistor test, and continuity test and functions such as analogue bar graph, auto-range, true RMS, PC interface with logging software may make it far more useful than a multimeter without these.

11.Price

Digital multimeters are available in a wide price range, ranging from $10 to $3500, depending on the bands and features offered. In addition, a higher-priced digital multimeter will have more durable and accurate findings than a lower-priced digital multimeter. While also, a workstation multimeter will be more costly than a portable multimeter.

Check how often you’ll be using a digital multimeter to see what features you will require. If you’re just going to use the digital multimeter once in a while, go for a lower-cost option. If you expect to use the digital multimeter more frequently, go for a more costly, more durable design.

Source Your Next Digital Multimeter at Emona Instruments

No matter if you need a digital multimeter for hobbyist requirements or professional applications, Emona Instruments stocks an extensive inventory of high-powered digital multimeters from industry-leading suppliers to suit any customer requirements. The digital multimeters Emona Instruments stocks includes:

• Rigol’s DM3000 Series benchtop digital multimeters – DM3068, DM3058 and DM3058E – are designed for efficient and accurate bench testing with added features great for production line applications.
• GW Instek provides high precision benchtop digital multimeters with industry-leading response times. Models include the GDM-8261A, GDM-8245 and GDM-8255A.
• Metrel offers a wide range of digital multimeter models, all suitable for virtually any general-purpose or hobby work. Including a pocket digital multimeter MD-1150, a range of handheld digital multimeters MD-9020, MD-9030, MD-9040, MD-9050 and MD-9060. Plus, an insulation and continuity digital multimeter MD-9070.
• Time Electronics offers the benchtop digital multimeter 5075, designed for precision, performance, and functionality, making them ideal for automatic testing and fault diagnosis.
• LT Lutron offers a Watt Meter digital multimeter DW-6163 for direct readings of AC WATT (true power) value.

Whether you are looking for high-quality electronic test and measure instruments, test and tag instruments, state of the art 3D printers, 3D printer accessories or engineering teaching & research equipment, Emona supplies only globally trusted manufacturers.

Emona Instruments caters for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R&D professionals, production lines or the classroom. Each of our products, from digital multimeters, Markforged metal printers through to Formlabs SLA resin printers, the Emona team is ready to help you choose the best product for your application with expert advice.

Contact the friendly Emona staff for more information about our digital multimeter inventory or for any other technical support on (02) 9519 3933 or email testinst@emona.com.au

3D Printing is a popular and valuable technology in the hobbyist, design, and industrial worlds. As a dramatic departure from the traditional subtractive manufacturing technique, both at-home and industrial 3D Printers employ an additive manufacturing approach to create 3D objects layer by layer.

As a result, 3D Printing allows for quick prototyping, durable small-batch end-use parts and efficient tooling applications whilst lowering material and labour costs for both commercial and consumer applications.

But deciding on 3D Printers can be complicated, as there are various models available on today’s market – with each model offering unique features, positives and negatives depending on the user’s application. Significantly this article will dissect the few major distinctions between consumer desktop printers and lab-level industrial 3D Printers.

Hobbyist & Industrial 3D Printers: Ease of Use & Accuracy

Though home 3D printers are perfect for printing a few things like Baby Yodas. On a larger scale, hobbyist 3D Printers have print limitations (typically with tolerances of ± 0.5 mm), require frequent calibration, and frequent maintenance. For example, it’s common a user will have to reprint once, twice, three, or four times to get the 3D Printing 100% precise.

Thus, most home 3D printers can provide acceptable print quality; however, the results achieved are highly dependent on the abilities and experience of the person running the printer, and end-print models often take additional processing time.

Professional industrial 3D printers, on the other hand, are designed for reliability, speed, performance, and large batch printing. Even today, users of industrial 3D printers don’t require tons of complex training to operate the machine as most machines are so highly automated, they can run independently from the user.

While hobbyist 3D desktop printers are not far behind, industrial 3D Printers facilitates the printing of complex structures and allows for a smoother surface unmatchable to the hobbyist models. Industrial 3D printers deliver high accuracy mass printing with a minor error tolerance of up to ± 0.15 mm.

Hobbyist & Industrial 3D Printers: Applications

Although the ease of use of desktop and industrial 3D Printers differ, it is important to understand when the hobbyist desktop printer may be utilised more successfully than the industrial versions.

Most home 3D Printers are insufficiently robust for fast prototyping in industrial applications. Hobbyists and home users who want to produce replacement parts, personalised goods, toys, and ornamental objects are the target market for desktop 3D Printer. Thus, if you want to make a prototype, you may utilise a desktop 3D printer with a print accuracy of approximately 1 to 0.5 mm.

In contrast, industrial 3D Printers offer almost an endless supply of industry applications currently utilised in the aerospace, defence, medical, consumer goods, automotive, and architectural industries. If you want to create an object with the best dimensional accuracy, repeatability, particular material characteristics (such as high strength, temperature and chemical resistance etc.), and large dimensions (more than 200 x 200 x 200 mm), you will need to utilise an industrial 3D Printer.

Hobbyist & Industrial 3D Printers: Cost

The cost of desktop 3D printers and industrial 3D printer prices are a significant distinction when choosing between the two devices. With the growth in popularity of desktop 3D printers, the cost of owning and operating a hobbyist printer has dropped substantially. But as a buyer, you must not only consider the cost of the machine, but by the materials and maintenance, it requires. For example, well-made, better materials are less expensive because they tend to be replaced less often.

Furthermore, the best 3D Printer for you should be determined by which printer will save you money in the long term. For example, there is a way to save money in the long term by spending more initially, with the Markforged Mark Two.

Designers and engineers will use the Mark Two to substitute machined aluminium tooling with stronger parts for a fraction of the cost. Incorporating commercial 3D Printing with unique continuous carbon fibre reinforcement and distinctive software with flexible parts that are ready to use right away and have up to 26 times the strength of normal 3D printing products like ABS.

Thus, the best 3D Printer price depends entirely on what you wish to achieve. For factory and production manufacturing, High Accuracy, large format printers would best suit. For engineering designs, you’ll need to decide if a higher performance printer is worth the extra few thousand dollars. For smaller-scale shops like jewellery designers or sculptures, resin SLA printers can produce fine and intricate details.

Why Choose a Consumer/Personal/Hobbyist 3D Printer?

Consumer 3D printing seeks to mimic the professional 3D printing experience on a smaller scale and for a lower price. For basic applications, where a user has the luxury of time and tinkering, these are a great way to get your feet wet with 3D printing.

When used in a professional environment, however, these printers may provide somewhat underwhelming results. Due to the limitations of personal/hobbyist 3D Printers, these businesses will eventually need to switch to a professional FDM 3D Printer.

Why Choose a Professional/Industrial 3D Printer?

When you upgrade to an Industrial 3D Printer, one of the biggest improvements you’ll notice is the simplicity of usage. These printers are intended to be trade tools, and as such, they are meant to function perfectly right out of the box, set up to operate with the proper material immediately, so the user doesn’t have to worry about print failures, part performance, melt temperature, build tray preparation, etc.

Sourcing Commercial 3D Printers and 3D Printing Materials at Emona

Over the last few years, 3D Printing has advanced tremendously. As a result, the consumer 3D printing sector has expanded, offering various low-cost choices for enthusiasts and home users.

Professional 3D printers, on the other hand, continue to improve in terms of speed, dependability, and quality. As a result of these developments, the 3D printing market is anticipated to expand at a rate of 20% per year.

Hence, the potential of 3D Printing is still in its infancy; in the coming years, almost all industries and companies will use the technology to enhance their manufacturing and supply chains. Emona Instruments caters for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R&D professionals, production lines or the classroom.

Whether you are looking for high-quality electronic test and measure instruments, test and tag instruments, state of the art 3D printers, 3D printer accessories or engineering teaching & research equipment, Emona supplies only globally trusted manufacturers. Emona caters for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R & D professionals, production lines or the classroom. 

From Markforged Carbon Fibre Composite and Metal 3D Printers printing in stainless steel, tool steel, copper and Inconel, through to Formlabs SLA 3D Printers printing resin, the Emona team are ready to help with expert advice and benchmark sample part printing. Contact the Emona team for more information or technical support on (02) 9519 3933, email testinst@emona.com.au or visit www.emona.com.au/markforged.

The cutting-end technology of commercial 3D printers can be a truly great asset to your business, but alike all technology, it may not suit every business…

If correctly utilised by small businesses, there are an abundant number of benefits that can ensure business success. From reducing costs, optimised business efficiency and enhanced product construction, providing a competitive advantage ahead of industry competitors.

3D printing can allow a business to climb its industry, but the common misconceptions surrounding 3D technology often discourages small businesses and entrepreneurs. While some believe the technology is too futuristic, expensive and hard to use – but in reality, 3D technology is becoming more accessible, better quality and cheaper. With commercial 3D printers, your business uses fewer employees, less equipment, and fewer resources – keeping most of your manufacturing line in-house.

At Emona Instruments, we sincerely believe that most small companies should invest in 3D printing immediately, but don’t just take our word for it! We have put together this helpful guide to bust some of the myths surrounding the technology so you can discover if your business is suitable for 3D printing.

Since 2015, Emona Instruments has offered industry-leading Additive Manufacturing Products and 3D Printing Materials to industries Australia-wide, we know exactly how small companies could benefit from this form of technology.

For more expert knowledge, check out Emona’s recent article to discover how five early adopters of Industrial 3D Printers improved their business models and optimised their scope of production.

Optimised Production Lines

Without a doubt, 3D manufacturing makes production lines more efficient, 3D printing does not require a mould to create a product, so if a product requires any modifications, it can be completed easier with Production 3D Printers.

3D manufacturing makes mass-producing products possible with near-zero manual labour, thus creating the overall scope-of-product a much more affordable process. With no need to go through multiple middlemen and consultants to achieve a finalised product with commercial 3D printing. Soon the initial costs of a 3D printer will pay its self-off.

In addition, if in the rare situation where something goes wrong with your machine, replacing or fixing the broken parts of a 3D printer is a much quicker process than with traditional machinery, overall saving money and time.

More Advanced & Specialised Product Manufacturing

If your business is primarily based on creating customised products, 3D printing is the most beneficial type of technology for your business. With a build-on-demand business model, you can allow your customers to customise their product at any batch size, without many extra costs.

Product specialisation is one of the most significant advantages of additive manufacturing. Unlike traditional methods, the customisations of products are less expensive and take much less time with 3D printing. Achieving such mass-customisation into your production line expands the opportunities of your business.

Final products can be made more specialised with the accuracy of additive manufacturing which can create anything you can think of, and not just default designs. Even more complex geometries with impressive unique designs and special joints are easily accessible to 3D manufactures. For example, commercial 3D printers can create complex jigsaw-like structures which not just look good but allows your product to gain extraordinary strength and resistance.

In addition, Production 3D Printing can easily make your object weigh less, and innately your product will be lighter as the technology uses more lightweight raw materials to form the product. But other design tricks can be included in production to make the product even more lightweight – such as hallowing out your objects to make them less dense.

Better and More Affordable Prototypes

Often prototypes are essential marketing materials for businesses as they are used to attract investors and potential customers. Usually, this phase is costly and time-consuming, but Additive Manufacturing can fully optimise this process quicker and more efficient.

Prototypes are specifically beneficial to bring at trade shows and for in-store displays. Having a product sample allows your prospective clients to get a physical feel for your brand, helping you stand out from the competition. Showcase the functionality of your product without spending too much money with 3D printed prototypes.

Furthermore, with commercial 3D printers, you can create small-batch specialised products to bring with you to trade shows; for example, you can sell merch or create 3D business cards to give to potential buyers. Such little additions can make a big impression on clients and investors, ultimately representing your business as out-of-the-box creative, impressive, and a step ahead of your competitors.

Additive manufacturing will considerably improve your R&D process. The prototyping process is made more accessible and can significantly accelerate your whole product development. As a small company, you will be able to develop your project without wasting time and money.

Storage and Resource Reduction

In contrast to traditional manufacturing where the process begins with a large amount of resources requiring an ample space for storage, and then created into a product. Additive manufacturing only requires the exact amount of resources needed to create a product, optimising overhead costs and less physical storage space required.

Notably, for small businesses, storage is a common issue with expensive costs and the problem of sourcing enough physical space. Commercial 3D Printers allow for a mostly digital inventory and on-demand manufacturing, permitting a lot more feasibility within supply-chain management.

Sourcing Commercial 3D Printers and 3D Printing Materials at Emona

Particularly from a small business perspective, your customer base will be more satisfied with the benefits of 3D printing mentioned in this article, including the excellent quality of your product and the hyper-customisation when you work with additive manufacturing.

The potential of 3D printing is still in its infancy; in the coming years, almost all industries and companies will use the technology to enhance their manufacturing and supply chains. Be an early adopter of commercial 3D printing with a state-of-the-art 3D printer and high-quality 3D printing materials from Emona Instruments.

Emona Instruments caters for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R&D professionals, production lines or the classroom. From Markforged Carbon Fibre Composite and Metal 3D Printers printing in stainless steel, tool steel, copper and Inconel, through to Formlabs SLA 3D Printers printing resin, the Emona team are ready to help with expert advice and benchmark sample part printing. Contact the Emona team for more information or technical support on (02) 9519 3933, email testinst@emona.com.au or visit www.emona.com.au/markforged.

When selecting a material to use for your 3D printing project, there are many options to choose from, and this can be a daunting experience. As each of the materials has its own unique features, strengths, and weaknesses, the best 3D printing material depends on your specific project and what kind of printer you have.

Before reading on, we suggest you learn more about the different types of 3D printers available on the market, in Emona’s previous article, Everything You Need to Know About Emona’s Top 3D Printer Brands. Emona Instruments offers industry-leading additive manufacturing products and materials, trust us – we know 3D printing. So, let us help you find the best material for your next 3D printing projects based on your type of printer.

Standard Filaments for 3D Printers

A filament material is a thermoplastic and is the most common material used in 3D printing. For best application, it is best practice to store filaments in an airtight container in order to reduce humidity damage from the air. Filaments have endless amounts of applications, with a filament to suit any task at hand, from functional objects like industrial tools and medical prosthetics, to fun hobbyist objects like jewellery and figurines.

Most standard 3D machines utilize Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), where the 3D Printer melts the plastic, and via a nozzle, the desired object is formed layer by layer. At Emona, we sell Nylon White FFF Filament by Markforged. Nylon is the most common plastic material; as a synthetic thermoplastic, nylon is popular for its high-quality flexibility, chemical resistance and strength. A good choice for a wide range of applications from engineering to the arts, offering excellent mechanical strength. Nylon prints have a rough surface and should be polished smooth.

More advanced machines use a Continuous Filament Fabrication (CFF), a process solely developed by Markforged, working in addition to FFF printers. In CFF, the printer has a second nozzle that lays continuous strands of composite fibres inside a convention FFF thermoplastic parts.

At Emona Instruments, we supply:

• Markforged’s Carbon Fibre CFF Filament, which has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any fibre cartridges. It is six times stronger and eighteen times stiffer than Onyx alone. Most commonly used for parts to replace machined aluminium.
• Markforged’s Fibreglass CFF Filament, is a high-quality specialist 3D printing material capable of making parts ten times stronger than ABS and is more affordable than carbon fibre.
• Markforged’s Kevlar CFF Filament is lightweight but possesses excellent durability and has the most flexible fibre material in the range. Making it the best-suited material for parts that experience repeated and sudden loading, often used in gripper technology.
• Markforged’s Onyx FFF Filament is the flagship Composite base material, offering high toughness and chemical resistance. Applications are quite varied, from plastic part replacements, housing, sensor mounts and cosmetic prototypes.

HSHT Fibreglass CFF Filament for 3D Printers

High Strength, High Temperature (HSHT) Fibreglass by Markforged is a material designed uniquely for users who need to print hard-wearing objects for higher temperature environments (over 105°C, with a heat deflection point of 140°C). This type of 3D printing material is most widely used for the automotive and aerospace industries, because load-bearing parts are continually expected to withstand higher temperatures.

Onyx ESD Filament for 3D Printers

The Onyx ESD Filament by Markforged is the most advanced polymer on the market, most suited for professional engineers. Onyx ESD is best suited for tooling, jigs, and fixtures that must be ESD-safe and for parts that cause processing difficulties when charge builds up. Some examples include assembly fixtures, test fixtures, custom hand tools, enclosures, component trays, and robotic end-of-arm grippers.

Resin for 3D Printers

Resin or Photopolymers are a range of 3D printable liquids that solidify when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The 3D Printer uses light to form the desired object as the resin congeals layer by layer to create the solid outcome. Resin is the best choice for producing functional prototypes and small-scale concept models for a cost-effective means.

Resin is a popular 3D material, mainly because SLA printers require resin. Still, resin is a very high-quality material that produces large objects with a high degree of detail in a short time, obtaining excellent speed and accuracy. However, these amazing benefits come at a cost and are one of the more expensive printing materials.

At Emona, we have an extensive range of resin cartridges available in various colours and prices, proudly supplied by Formlabs, used for SLA printers.

Metals for 3D Printers

Metal 3D printing materials are suited to industrial applications in the prototyping and production of end-use metal parts. Unlike Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) technology – which melts and fuses material powder together by either a laser or electron beam – Markforged uses Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) technology which fuses metal powder bound in a plastic matrix, eliminating the safety risks associated with powder handling in the PBF process. ADAM metal materials also enable new features like closed-cell infill for reduced part weight and cost.

3D Printer Copper by Markforged is greater than 99.8% pure copper, and it is the first metal material with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity and high ductility. Copper is mostly recommended for low-volume production parts, tooling and functional prototypes.

The 17-4PH Stainless Steel by Markforged is a multipurpose steel used for industrial applications. Heat-treatable to 36 HRC and possessing 95% wrought strength, Markforged 17-4 PH enables you to print high-strength, robust metal parts for a wide variety of applications. Some examples of applications include end-of-arm tools, lightweight brackets & more.

H13 tool steel is an extremely versatile material to work with; it is stronger than 17-4 PH Stainless Steel and capable of maintaining material properties at high temperatures. Used by Markforged customers for tool bodies, brazing fixtures, mould inserts, wear-resistant tools and other parts where hardness or heat resistance are required.

Markforged Metal Ceramic Support Material for 3D Printers

The ceramic support material is used as a support material when 3D printing with metals on the Markforged Metal X; you can easily separate the component from the support material after sintering. This material is only compatible with a Markforged Metal X 3D printer.

Sourcing 3D Printers and 3D Printing Materials at Emona

The potential of 3D printing is still in its infancy; in the coming years, almost all industries and companies will use the technology to enhance their manufacturing and supply chains. Be an early adopter of 3D printing with a state-of-the-art 3D printer and high-quality 3D printing materials from Emona Instruments.

Emona Instruments cater for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R&D professionals, production lines or the classroom. Each one of our products – from Markforged carbon fibre composite and metal printers printing in stainless steel, tool steel, copper and Inconel, through to Formlabs SLA resin printers, the Emona team are ready to help with expert advice and benchmark sample part printing. Contact the Emona for more information or technical support on (02) 9519 3933, email testinst@emona.com.au or visit www.emona.com.au/markforged.

3D printing has already changed the production scope of many industries; notably, this article explores how five early adopters of supply chain digitalisation have improved their business models.

Industrial 3D printing requires industrial level 3D printers to produce prototypes, end-use parts, architectural components and much more. The value of incorporating 3D printing or additive manufacturing into supply chains can achieve rapid prototyping, serial digital production and innovative product geometries, which achieve lower costs and faster return rates.

3D Printing in the Aerospace and Defence Industry

The Aerospace and Defence (A&D) industry were one of the earliest adopters of 3D printing, with a current 16.8% hold in the additive manufacturing market. One of the main benefits of industrial 3D printing is that prototypes can be developed much faster, A&D 3D printing is so finely tuned that 3D printed-parts are functionally used in modern aircrafts.

As the manufacturing of planes is expensive, optimising cost-effective production is a significant aim for the A&D industry. With commercial 3D printing, complex aeroplane parts can be created in small batches avoiding the need to invest in expensive tooling equipment.

3D printers also create lighter parts than conventionally made parts overall reducing the weight of an aircraft, resulting in fuel savings, reduced carbon emissions and faster plane travel with optimised engine performance.

3D Printing in the Automotive Parts Industry

The Automotive parts industry is the largest growing user of additive manufacturing, slowly changing the entire supply chain of traditional automotive designs. To highlight this growth, profits related to additive manufacturing in the Automotive industry are set to reach $5.8 billion in 2025.

Like the A&D industry creating lightweight and durable vehicle parts is one of the biggest benefits from 3D printing, allowing complex geometries to be quickly produced. Although unlike A&D, prototyping is the main application of 3D printing in the automotive industry. Allowing for a quick and cost-effective examination of parts before they are manufactured on a large-scale, dramatically accelerating the traditional product development processes.

In addition, additive manufacturing produces excellent design flexibility, as changes and modifications can be altered in a fast turnaround. Which also makes customisable vehicles easier to create, as the technology can quickly produce personalised parts in both the interior and exterior parts of the vehicle.

3D Printing in the Consumer Goods Industry

Key players in the Consumer Goods industry are increasingly using 3D printing in their manufacturing and product development, in order to remain competitive and keep up with current consumer demands and industry trends.

In recent times, 3D printers have become more affordable due to their wide-spread demand, allowing small-scale designers and engineers to break into the competitive market by creating products that are of equal quality to the mass-produced products. Hence, creating equal opportunities within the industry and avoids the risk of one company holding an exploitative monopoly.

Again, 3D printers have enhanced the manufacturing of prototypes in the consumer goods industry. Not only allowing products to hit the shelves quicker but enabling products to be cheaper to produce, as manufacturing is in small batches which are tailored to the custom demands of consumers.

3D Printing in the Medical & Dental Industry

The Medical and Dental industry is also one of the fastest-growing adopters of additive manufacturing, 97% of medical professionals agree 3D printing will continue to increase within the sector, from medical devices, prosthetics and even bioprinting.

As commercial 3D printing allows for quicker and more cost-effective product processes, the ability to provide personalised patient care is the most significant benefit for the medical industry, enhancing the solutions of patient care. For example, medical devices such as prosthetics and implants can be produced faster and more affordable than conventional manufacturing methods, improving the health of individuals quicker and at a lower price.

As well, prototyping and manufacturing of new medical products are optimised, producing products onto the market faster, providing wide-spread and afford medical solutions to people who are in pain or who are suffering.

3D Printing in the Industrial Goods Industry

From the production of machinery components, tooling and equipment used in the manufacture of other goods, designers and engineers in the industrial goods sector have increasingly incorporated 3D production printing to maintain innovation, operational agility and keep costs down.

As 3D printing requires no tooling, manufactures can produce rapid prototyping, reducing the time needed to create individual parts and costs can be cut by shorter labour times. Designs with complex geometries which are impossible to produce by human labour can be easily manufactured with 3D printers with simple on-demand production.

Where to Source 3D Printers

The potential of 3D printing is still in its infancy; in the coming years, almost all industries and companies will use the technology to enhance their manufacturing and supply chains. The best industrial 3D printer depends entirely on what industry and what products you produce. For example, mass-produced products are best suited to FDM 3D printers, and small-scale designers would best suit a resin SLA printer.

We cater for a range of budgets, functions and technologies, suitable for R & D professionals, production lines or the classroom. Each one of our products – from Markforged carbon fibre composite and metal printers printing in stainless steel, tool steel, copper and Inconel, through to Formlabs SLA resin printers, the Emona team are ready to help with expert advice and benchmark sample part printing. Contact the Emona for more information or technical support on (02) 9519 3933, email testinst@emona.com.au or visit www.emona.com.au/markforged.