Future Links April 18th

How 3D printing will change the future of fashion
So far, 3D printed fashion has drawn accolades at fashion and design shows but it hasn’t entered mainstream yet. The materials available for 3D printing are limited and not a wide variety of textile-like materials are used at present. However, that is changing and experts predict a future in which people will 3D print their customized clothes at home.
More at Bloomberg

Functional printing market expected to show strong growth
The functional printing segment is one of the most exciting segments in the printing industry. Technical innovations and new application are driving growth in this area. According to a new report by Research and Markets, the functional printing market was worth 6.9 billion USD in 2015. The market is expected to grow from 8.2 billion USD in 2015 to 25.4 billion USD by 2020 with a CAGR of 25.3 percent.
More at Business Wire

Sensient introduces digital inks for all textiles
Sensient announced what it calls the only independent ink range capable of digitally decorating any textile. The Xennia and Elvajet ranges of digital textile inks are designed for high-performance production printing and are compatible with major high production digital textile printing machines. The combined product offering across the Sensient brands gives customers the potential to digitally decorate any textile substrate.
More at Inkworld Magazine

McDonalds uses 3D printing in ‘Always Working’ ads
McDonalds may not be known for its healthy meals but the fast-food company is known for its creative ads. The newest addition, a TV ad in the UK, features 3D printed characters who explain how McDonalds is ‘always working’ to make its meals better. The agency responsible for the ad was Leo Burnett London. Especially interesting: The making-of video of the ad that shows all the work behind the scenes to bring 3D printed characters to life.
More at 3ders

Graphene 3D: 1st phase of research with mysterious partner success
The announcement is intriguing but short on details. After Graphene 3D announced last year that it had partnered with a Fortune 500 company, speculation abound without real evidence of who the mysterious partner may be. Graphene 3D Lab did disclose that when the research phase was completed, the results would need to receive the approval of the US Food & Drug Administration, and that any developed materials would be used to manufacture a consumer retail product. Now, Graphene 3D said the first phase of the research was a success, again without giving further details.
More at 3D Print

QuadTech to debut four new products at drupa 2016
QuadTech, a leader in color and inspection technology for the printing industry, will debut four new product offerings at drupa 2016. Among the new products are a color quality product for packaging & converting that will allow press operators to collect and process color measurements, and will facilitate the correction of ink formulations. The company has also secured leading industry experts to participate in a Print Performance Speaker Series at the QuadTech stand.
More at Graphic Repro Online

New on the drupa blog: NASA scientists take bioprinting to new heights
Conventional electronic components have some disadvantages: They add weight and have the tendency to break. While this is not a huge problem on earth, the need to bring replacement parts can add significant costs to a space mission. Dr. Lynn Rothschild from NASA is now working on a solution that uses microbes as bioink and a printer to recycle spent electronics.
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