Shape optimization for 3D printing: five industrial examples
A bracket 71 percent lighter, a manifold of one part instead of three, a gripper finger 82 percent lighter and two molds with a 22 percent shorter cycle....
Topics
Tooling and moulds
Analysis by Svetozar Kolesar
What does SLS for wire harness tooling really cost?
An analysis of replacing CNC tooling with SLS printing at a Tier 1 wire harness manufacturer with five plants: which technology, what the equipment costs,...
Latest news
CMS to show robot-based large-format polymer printer Krearob at Formnext
Italian machine builder CMS will present Krearob at Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt. The six-axis system is a large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) platform for thermoplastic materials. CMS targets applications such as molds, production tooling and parts for the aerospace and automotive sectors. Unlike gantry-based printers, Krearob moves its extrusion head with a robot arm, which allows a different reach and orientation of the deposited material. The teaser does not give build volume, pricing or availability, so these details remain open for now.
Peopoly opens sales of Giga 800 pellet printer with 800 mm build volume
Peopoly has released its Giga 800 large-format printer for general sale. The machine uses plastic pellets instead of filament, a process known as Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF). Its build volume measures 800 by 800 by 800 millimetres, which targets users who need large functional parts or tooling. The report gives a starting price of 15,000 US dollars. For industrial users, the launch adds a pellet-based option for oversized parts, where filament feedstock is often a limiting factor.
Stratasys to reveal new series production polymer system at Formnext, F870 debuts in Europe
Stratasys will unveil a new polymer system aimed at series production on 17 November at Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt, but has not yet named it or given specifications. The booth in Hall 12.1 will also show the F870 large-format FDM printer for the first time in Europe, along with tooling applications from Toyota and GM.
Stratasys launches F870 large-format FDM system, with Toyota and Rivian as early users
Stratasys has introduced the F870, a large-format FDM system with a fully heated chamber, aimed at factory-floor tooling, fixtures and production-support parts. Toyota Production Engineering in Kentucky and Rivian in Michigan are evaluating units ahead of commercial availability. The machine will be shown at IMTS 2026 in Chicago from 14 to 19 September.