Future Links September 11th 2015
Here are our daily links with the most important news from the printing industry. Today they feature 3D System’s inclusion on the GSA supplier list, Fastrax’s attachment that turns CNC mills into 3D printers, XYZ Printing’s new handheld scanner, a fresh look at print’s impact, Cardtek’s new platform for chip card printing, Spoonflower’s plans to expand into Europe and Sun Chemical’s direct glass-printing inks. New on the drupa blog: A 3D printer that makes memories tangible for blind people.
US General Services Administration includes 3D Systems in supplier list
This is a major coup for 3D Systems: The U.S. government just made it much easier for all its agencies to purchase 3D printing material and services. The General Services Administration (GSA) included 3D Systems in its list of approved vendors. On top of the offering of equipment and software, the GSA is hosting a portal for 3D printing and manufacturing that will allow government customers easy access to the cloud-based manufacturing services offered by 3D Systems.
More at 3D Print
Fastrax’s attachment turns CNC mills into 3D printers
The Californian engineering firm Fastrax has found a way to make 3D printing accessible to a broader user base that is already experienced in a related field. The company has developed a 3D printing attachment that can be added to many CNC mills, without sacrificing the milling function itself.
More at 3ders
XYZ Printing unveils handheld 3D scanner
XYZ Printing has unveiled a handheld 3D scanner that gives users the tools to be able to print full-color 3D objects. The scanner’s unique shape allows users to scan any object that fits the current maximum size of 23.6 x 23.6 x 11.8 inches, although the company may increase the dimensions before the device’s official release.
More at Tech Times
Print’s impact may not be easy to measure but can be efficient
A marketing expert warns not to confuse the ease with which metrics can be measured with actual efficiency. Just because print is difficult to measure doesn’t mean it isn’t efficient. “There are so many factors that makes print efficient, more than we might like to believe in this digital time,” he says.
More at Chief Marketer
Cardtek offers platform for faster cost-efficient chip card printing
Cardtek, a Chicago-based software developer for the financial industry, has introduced a platform called CHIPXpert – Issuance. According to the company, the platform offers financial institutions a faster, less expensive option for chip-enabled card printing than alternative that may take companies weeks to set up.
More at Credit Union Times
Spoonflower secures investment to expand into Europe
Spoonflower, a leading provider of on-demand digital textile printing, has raised 25 million USD in capital to expand its service offerings to Europe. The minority investment was led by North Bridge Growth Equity and Bull City Venture Partners. According to InfoTrends, the digitally printed textile market is estimated to be worth more than 12 billion USD worldwide.
More at FESPA
Sun Chemical showcases inks for direct glass printing
Printing directly onto glass has been a challenge and inks that have been used to achieve this in the past sometimes contained heavy metals and volatile organic components (VOC). Now, Sun Chemical has introduced new inks that are heavy metal and VOC free. The conventional and UV curing screen inks and effect varnishes are suited for direct glass printing.
More at Ink World Magazine
New on the drupa blog
3D printing has many applications but some distinguish themselves by having a real emotional impact on people’s lives. The Singapore-based company Pirate3D together with the Madrid-based agency Lola has come up with a solution that makes photographs come to life for blind people. Photographs printed in 3D make memories tangible and let visually impaired people preserve their favorite memories in a way that was impossible before.
More at drupa