By Lauralyn McDaniel

2021 was a busy year for additive manufacturing machine manufacturers. New 3D printers were launched covering every process and material category as well as size. From creating parts that are 4’ tall down to 15 microns, new options became available for the AM/3DP community covering applications in aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, and more.

With a focus on increasing productivity and expanding applications, AM machines released in 2021 included application and material-focused printers, increased speeds, post processing automation, and cloud connectivity. Take a look at some of the new solutions that debuted in 2021.

Fuse 1: Continuing their focus on benchtop convenience, Formlabs expanding their AM process solutions with the introduction of the Fuse 1, an industrial powder bed fusion machine. MORE

High Speed Fusion 3D Printing System: 3D Systems announced a High Speed Fusion(HSF) industrial 3D printer platform and material. Developed in collaboration with Jabil Inc., the HSF^TM platform is an industrial fused-filament machine. MORE

6-Axis 3D Manufacturing: nScryptreleased their “3Dn-Axis” Factory in a Tool (FiT). With 6-axis capability for all of its tool heads, the FiT can microdispense with its SmartPumpTM tool head, 3D print with its 3Dn material extrusion tool head, mill or polish with its nMill tool head, and integrate electronic components with its pick and place tool head. MORE

J5 DentaJet 3D Printer: Stratasys released J5 DentaJet™ 3D printer, a multi-material dental PolyJet 3D printer, enabling mixed trays of dental parts. MORE

Calibur3: Wayland Additive released a metal Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion Technology, NeuBeam, in the Calibur3 additive manufacturing machine. The platform includes built-in, real-time in-process monitoring control system. MORE

Smaller LSAM Machines: Thermwood released smaller additive manufacturing machines using the same technology as their large-scale machines for reinforced composite thermoplastic polymers. The new LSAM Additive Printers have table sizes of 5’x5’ and 5’x10’ and can print parts up to 4’ high. MORE

TruPrint 3000 3D Printing System: TRUMPF released TruPrint 3000, a metal laser melting powder bed system that can be equipped with a second laser to increase production speed. MORE

Three Technologies, Three Machines: Stratasys released three machines, each using a different additive manufacturing technology:
- Origin® One 3D printer uses proprietary P3™ technology, a vat photopolymerization process, and a software-first architecture including cloud connectivity for feature improvements.
- H350™ 3D printer, the first 3D printer in Stratasys’ new H Series™ Production Platform uses Selective Absorption, SAF™, technology, a binder jet powder bed system.
- F770™ 3D printer uses industrial-grade FDM technology and has a build volume of over 13 cubic feet.
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J55 Printer: Stratasys released the J55™ 3D Printer. The PolyJet™ printer can simultaneously print five materials in nearly 500,000 colors with PANTONE™ Validation. MORE

IDEX 3D Printer: Essentium launched a High Speed Extrusion (HSETM) 280i HT 3D Printer with independent dual extrusion system (IDEX) whereby each head is fully independent on both the X and Y-axis. MORE

J5 MediJet Medical 3D Printer: Stratasys released the J5 MediJet™ 3D printer for 3D anatomical models and drilling and cutting guides with approved third-party 510k-cleared segmentation software. MORE

Micro Aerosol Jetting: Optomec was granted patents for the use micro aerosol jet to create 3-deminsional microstructures. The process can achieve a resolution down to 15 micron features and has been demonstrated for a range of materials, including polymers, metals and composite structures. MORE

xWASH Washer: Nexa3D announced availability of xWASH, an automated washer that works exclusively with its sustainable xCLEAN washing detergent to streamline post-processing operations. The fully automated washer is designed to readily accept a full build plate from the NXE400 3D printer at volumes of up to 16 litters per print job. MORE

Automated Post Processing Solution: Mimaki announced an automatic support structure removal for the Mimaki Full-Color Inkjet 3D Printer. Developed with AM Solutions, the process uses chemical, mechanical, and thermal effects to remove supports. MORE

A530 Prototyping Workstation: fabWeaver™ working in partnership with Sindoh Co debuted the fabWeaver type A530, a prototyping workstation. Using dual nozzles, the FFF open design enables mixing and matching of common FFF materials. MORE

XM200G: Xact Metal launched of a new g the XM200G, a galvanometer-based powder bed fusion machine. The XM200G includes an optional glovebox to minimize contact with powder, inert gas housing for filter changes, and an open. MORE

Quantum X bio: Nanoscribe and CELLINK unveiled the Quantum X bio as part of the Nanoscribe Quantum X platform, a 3D bioprinter. The Quantum X bio enables submicron printing resolution using y Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP). MORE .