Future Links February 3rd

3DPrinterOS increases efficiency in Duke University’s printing lab
3D printing labs are increasingly common on university campuses but managing a 3D printing lab has its challenges. A case study from Duke University provides insights into how connecting printers and computers via 3DPrinterOS can have a variety of benefits, including higher efficiencies and greater accessibility of the lab with 35 printers.
More at 3D Print

Documentary focuses on 165-year old print business
Print businesses are an important part of any country’s cultural history. They exemplify not only technological change but also societal trends and work ethics. Not many print businesses can look back on a 165-year long history but Field’s Printers and Stationers can and its owner, Bill Field, is the inspiration behind the documentary ‘The Printer’.
More at Irish Examiner

KBA’s drupa theme emphasizes the daily impact of print
Print applications are an indispensable part of our daily lives. The Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA) plays a decisive role here with its broad range of technological offerings for various print markets including banknotes, manifold packaging solutions, magazines and newspapers. This is why “Add More KBA to Your Day” is the press manufacturer’s slogan for drupa 2016.
More at Package Printing

Esco Technologies buys English packaging manufacturer
Esco Technologies has acquired a 35 million USD packaging manufacturer based in Tunbridge Wells, England. Plastique Group Limited will become part of Esco’s Thermoform Engineered Quality (TEQ) operating subsidiary. Plastique, which has manufacturing facilities in Nottingham, England, and Poznan, Poland, develops and manufactures plastic and pulp fiber packaging for the pharmaceutical and personal care industries as well as other specialty end markets.
More at St. Louis Business Journal

LDR takes minority stake in Poly-Shape
The medical market for 3D printing shows huge potential and implants and prosthetics are a significant part of this market. A new partnership could result in result in spinal implants with more complex geometries and unique features, which are free from the limits that may be associated with conventional manufacturing methods. To this end, LDR Holding Corporation, a global medical device company, has made a minority investment in Poly-Shape, SAS, a French manufacturing company specializing in laser sintering, and entered into an exclusive partnership with Poly-Shape for the development of spinal implants.
More at 3D fab+print

Mondi launches new recycled paper range
Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper is releasing a new range of 100 percent recycled paper, the Nautilus ProCycle paper. The new environmentally friendly paper was introduced to satisfy customer demand for eco-friendly paper. The new range comes with Blue Angel certification, one of Germany’s long-standing environmental certifications. Mondi says the partnership with Blue Angel will assure customers the new range meets high environmental, health and performance standards.
More at i-Grafix

UPM Raflatac polyolefin film increases recycling rates
Recycling PET bottles with shrink sleeves has been challenging since most PVC and PETG labels sink to the bottom of the caustic washing solution together with the PET bottles in recycling plants. Yet addressing the issue is urgent as shrink sleeves are one of the fastest growing label segments. A new study conducted by UPM Raflatac and Plastic Forming Enterprises has now shown that the supplier’s RafShrink PO MDO 40 HS product boosts recycling rates in full-body shrink sleeve applications on clear PET bottles when compared to the industry-standard film label for shrink sleeve applications.
More at Labels & Labeling