Aniwaa, generally known as one of many largest and most complete 3D printer databases, has shut down its operations. This story leads off our 3D Printing Information Briefs at this time, after which we transfer on to the early entry launch of Print on Demand (PoD) performance on Thangs, which was acquired by Shapeways. We’ll finish with medical information, as ABCorp 3D introduced ISO 13485 medical machine certification of its AM heart in Boston, and researchers used 3D printed molds to create dissolving microneedles for veterinary drugs.
3D Printer Database Aniwaa Shuts Down Operations
French firm Aniwaa, one of many largest 3D printer databases, lately ceased operations. Because the database lined 440 3D scanners, greater than 1,900 3D printers, and over 150 post-processing techniques, its closure leaves a serious hole within the 3D printing info sector. Aniwaa was based as a aspect challenge in 2013 by Martin Lansard and Pierre-Antoine Arrighi, however developed into an influential B2B platform. The 2 needed to create accessible, structured details about the rising 3D printing trade, and Aniwaa grew to become a trusted useful resource for trade professionals and technical consumers with its comparative analyses, detailed technical specs, and complete market overviews. A number of makes an attempt have been made to monetize the database, however the platform was unable to construct a sustainable income mannequin. Its challenges mimic broad developments within the info providers sector: technical comparability platforms usually have challenges with offering precious free content material whereas making sufficient income to maintain themselves. So the corporate’s closure could make clear the necessity for brand spanking new fashions of AM info sharing and analysis.
“After exploring varied choices, I finally made the decision to shut the corporate. It was not a straightforward determination, however it was the best one,” Lansard wrote in a LinkedIn publish.
“Shutting down is a part of the startup journey. Everyone knows that stepping into. However when it occurs, it nonetheless looks like a failure. And emotionally, it took time to course of and overcome. I wanted to step again, replicate, and correctly shut this chapter.
“I’m extremely pleased with what we constructed, and deeply grateful to everybody who supported us alongside the best way: our staff, clients, companions, and the various pals we made within the AM neighborhood.”
Months in the past, the corporate’s Technical Advisor and Co-Founder Arrighi moved on to Sopra Steria Subsequent, the consulting agency of Sopra Steria Group. Lansard is now heading the Digital Platforms division for Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM Worldwide.
Shapeways Broadcasts Early Entry Launch for Print on Demand with Thangs
MCM Vase by Lofted Items
3D printing service bureau Shapeways introduced the early entry of Print on Demand (PoD) performance on 3D mannequin platform Thangs, which it acquired proper after its relaunch in late 2024. It is a main milestone in rebuilding Shapeways Retailers with a extra scalable and creator-friendly focus, and the second step in Shapeways’ multi-phase technique to assist creators in monetizing their work. The brand new PoD function can be deliberately restricted, with a choose group of designers invited to supply their bodily merchandise immediately by way of Thangs, powered by Shapeways. The subsequent step can be a self-service launch, with automated onboarding for eligible designers, and the ultimate part would be the full relaunch of Shapeways Retailers. Designers who’re within the early entry program proper now can promote dozens of merchandise, like mechanical elements and creative vases, by way of the intuitive Thangs interface. Shapeways is working with its Store Proprietor Council, and the broader design neighborhood, to co-develop the platform, utilizing suggestions to tell enhancements like IP safeguards and monetization instruments.
“We’re actually completely satisfied to be launching the Print on Demand function inside Thangs already and make good on the ambitions we had from the very begin of the journey. We’re at all times conscious that the progress we need to see will take time, and we try to place our clients first whereas driving developments forwards. This preliminary iteration of the Print on Demand button lets us show out the system, study from the implementation and make sure that we efficiently attain the final word aim for this a part of the journey: to carry again the complete Shapeways Store expertise and strengthen the Thangs neighborhood by providing further means to monetize on their designs and merchandise,” mentioned Marleen Vogelaar, CEO of Shapeways.
ABCorp’s AMC Receives ISO 13485 Medical System Certification
In 2021, ABCorp, which first started as safe printers for the First Financial institution of america, opened an Additive Manufacturing Heart (AMC) in Boston. The corporate has now introduced that the AMC obtained ISO 13485:2016 medical machine certification. The AMC is positioned with ABCorp’s safe facility, which is 125,000 sq. toes and options plenty of supplies; industrial and full-color 3D printers from HP; manufacturing printers from Desktop Steel; and AMT’s PostPro3D smoothing know-how. ISO 13485 is the internationally acknowledged medical machine customary for high quality administration techniques (QMS), and it protects shoppers by making certain high quality and uniformity in medical machine manufacturing. The usual outlines necessities that assist organizations create 3D printed medical gadgets that meet each regulatory and client calls for for security and efficacy. Reaching this certification signifies that the producer has applied a complete QMS, which improves its credibility, and there are lots of advantages to sufferers, akin to enhanced security, value and danger discount, and superior product high quality.
“Procuring ISO 13485 certification has been a prime precedence for ABCorp, and we’re thrilled to announce this achievement. Since its inception in 1795, ABCorp has prioritized high quality, security, and consumer service, all of that are considerably enhanced with ISO 13485 certification,” mentioned Neil Glazebrook, VP of 3D Options at ABCorp.
“ABCorp boasts a wealthy historical past of over 225 years, delivering important items and providers to main firms in addition to federal, state, and native authorities entities throughout greater than 120 international locations. The arrival of additive manufacturing, significantly 3D printing, grants our purchasers unparalleled design flexibility and is really revolutionary within the medical machine sector. This modern know-how encompasses prototyping, becoming, and even extremely personalized manufacturing — all of that are enormously enhanced by ISO 13485 certification.”
3D Printed Grasp Molds Used to Make Microneedles for Veterinary Drugs
The usage of DLP 3D printing in dissolvable patches manufacturing for a possible remedy of assorted circumstances in veterinary sufferers, together with gum illness, dermatological points, vaccine supply, and imaginative and prescient issues.
Lastly, microneedle (MN) know-how has many advantages over typical drug supply, however whereas there are many examples of MN purposes for people, not a lot analysis has been carried out into their use in veterinary drugs. A staff of researchers from Wrocław College of Science and Know-how and the Worldwide Institute of Translational Drugs in Poland describe of their paper how they used digital gentle processing (DLP) 3D printing to create grasp molds for dissolvable MN patches fabricated from PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). Whereas small, MNs show a lot of micron-sized needles, which painlessly transport completely different molecules—like vaccines—by way of micropores within the outermost layer of pores and skin. They’ve nice potential for veterinary use, as they’ve a sooner therapeutic course of on the utility website compared to hypodermic needles, they usually may even be utilized by pet homeowners. The analysis staff developed a repeatable course of through which the MNs made by way of a two-step molding course of can simply penetrate the outer layers of an animal’s pores and skin and rapidly ship a mannequin drug. An incredible future utility for that is treating animal gingival ailments, which have an effect on many canine and cats.
“In our analysis, we have now offered the usage of DLP printing in microneedles manufacturing devoted to veterinary options,” the researchers concluded. “Patches containing microneedles (conical or pyramidal) organized in a ten × 10 association with a top of 600 µm have been designed. The microneedle arrays have been replicated utilizing a two-step molding method. Step one used DLP 3D printing know-how to make the microneedles and mildew from PDMS polymer. Second step was to copy 3D printed designs through molding polymers into PDMS mildew to type dissolvable PVP/PVA microneedles. Comparative evaluation between microneedles printed utilizing DLP know-how and their counterparts comprised of polymers didn’t reveal any important variations in dimensions, floor, and sharpness. Pyramid-shaped needles carried out barely higher. Importantly, the replicas exhibited properties appropriate for medical purposes, together with veterinary drugs. Nonetheless, the comparability between the CAD mannequin and DLP (digital gentle processing) prints revealed a considerable discount within the top of the microneedles, which was roughly 100 μm. This remark is a vital issue that needs to be thought of when designing the CAD mannequin for future MNs preparation.”
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