Future Links December 4th
Today our news roundup from the printing industry covers Apple’s patent for multicolor 3D printing, a report on the main trends in commercial printing, a new 3D printer that can fix flawed prototypes, edible beer packaging and other green ideas, Xerox’s carbon emission transparency, Sun Chemical’s new advanced materials division and new on the drupa blog: A seasonal card that calls the sender when opened.
Apple’s patent application could change multicolor 3D printing
Apple has filed several patents for 3D printing technology, but one stands out. If it is developed and brought to market, it could result in something completely new for 3D printers. The theoretical printer would, essentially, paint your print while it is being printed. The system would involve two print heads – one for depositing material, one for depositing color.
More at 3D Print
Report: Commercial printing is in a state of flux
A new report from Smithers Pira, ‘The Future of Printer Demographics to 2020’, examines the current state of the commercial printing industry around the world, focusing on historic and current company and employment situation, as well as examining trends in terms of company size, printer revenues and other key indicators. The global commercial printing industry is undergoing a state of flux. There is growth in output in emerging markets, outside package and label printing. However, the rise of digital media has had a negative impact on the industry, in particular demand for print on paper.
More at Smithers Pira
New 3D printer can fix flaws in prototypes
Using 3D printing technology for prototyping has brought massive time savings to companies that use it. A new 3D printer now promises even more efficient prototyping. Researchers from the Hasso Plattner Institute’s Human Computer Interaction Lab have developed a printer that fixes flawed prototypes instead of reprinting them from scratch. The 3D printer includes a built-in 3D scanner, as well as a milling head, for making modifications to existing plastic prototypes.
More at Gizmodo
Edible beer packaging and other green ideas win awards
When the Carlsberg Group launched its competition “Cheers to green ideas”, there was no shortage of submissions, showing how to make beer brewing and packaging more sustainable. The three best ideas were awarded a prize, they include using microalgae to produce biomass, using spent brewers grain as a wood substitute and using the edible Ooho bottle to package beer.
More at Sustainable Brands
Xerox is recognized for carbon emission transparency
CDP, an international environmental organisation, has named Xerox as a leader in providing reliable information about carbon emissions and energy use to investors and the global marketplace. Xerox was named to the S&P Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) for the quality of its carbon emissions and energy reporting that it submits to CDP’s climate change program. The reported data has been independently assessed against CDP’s scoring methodology.
More at Graphic Repro Online
Sun Chemical creates advanced materials division
Sun Chemical has created a new division for advanced materials. The company uses its experience and new research and development to bring new or improved materials to a variety of markets, including inkjet printing, printed circuits, photovoltaics, printed electronics, and plastic cards.
More at Labels & Labeling
New on the drupa blog: Seasonal card calls the sender
Connecting the dots between electronic and print communication, Interone and o2 have developed a Christmas greeting card that calls the sender as soon as the receiver opens it. It is, the companies claim, the first greeting card in the world that acts like a mobile phone.
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