USA — Titanium has been a challenging material for bound metal 3D printing because it is both extremely reactive in powder form and difficult to sinter. Desktop Metal has now qualified Titanium for manufacturing with the Studio System 2, becoming the first company to commercialise the material for additive manufacturing.

Zeiss came up with a unique quality assurance process to manufacture 3D printed pistons for the high-performance engine of Porsche's 911 model – the GT2 RS. Numerous solutions were used by the company to analyse the quality of the powder, identify defects and examine the final quality of the components.

UK — In order to boost supply chain capacity in the UK and help customers manage costs, Protolabs launched a new CNC Flexible Lead Time option.

Italy — In the mid-90s CRP Technology set out to be the first industrial company in Italy to use 3D printing processes. Since then, the family-run company has been making its mark with the development of high-performance 3D printing materials for demanding applications.

Successful experiments show for the first time that additive manufacturing with special processes also works under lunar and Martian gravitational conditions. Thus, 3D printing could also find its way into space travel in the future.

UK — A subcontractor from Northern Ireland worked with HBO Studios and Tourism Ireland in the creation of beech wood doors for the sixth series of Game of Thrones TV. Cutting machines from ITC were integral to this project.

Germany — A new 270-square-meter metal binder jetting facility and showroom have been opened at Ex One’s European headquarters in Gersthofen, Germany. The centre now offers European manufacturers end-to-end binder jetting adoption services, including benchmarks, design support, and materials, process, and work cell development.

UK — Stratasys announced the installation of a Neo450s 3D printer at Belfast-based service bureau LPE, bolstering its range of stereolithography 3D printing solutions for its UK and Ireland client base.

France — High-tech industrial group Groupe Gorgé, through its subsidiary Prodways Group, acquired 100 percent of Creabis, a German company specialising in 3D printing services for plastic parts.

The tension increases: Moulding Expo 2017 is almost here. Two years have elapsed in which companies had time to develop new products and innovations. In only a few weeks, the halls in Stuttgart will open their doors to a trade fair "by the industry for the industry".