Only News & Gossip

The Atomic Layers: S7E26 (00204)

Atomic Layer of the Day:

Guys, today's newsletter will be a bit different than usual, and let me explain why.

Anna and I are working on a completely new awesome feature related to The 3D Printing World Guide. Our ambitious goal is to reveal it this Friday, so a lot of other things have been put on hold. But once it’s done, you won’t be disappointed! Especially those of you who have participated in previous editions.

The second thing is that a lot of interesting stuff happened today. None of it is groundbreaking enough for a dedicated article (well, maybe except for the 3DNatives news—that one is pretty special), but still important enough that I decided to list everything here.

So, without further ado—today’s newsletter is all about News & Gossip. But no worries—tomorrow, we’re back to our regular schedule!

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Atomic Layer from the Past:

02-26-2014: Netflix announced the acquisition of the documentary film "Print The Legend".

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GET FREE HISTORY BOOK: ‘2012 in AM’

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News & Gossip:

1. 3Dnatives has announced the departure of its CEO and founder, Alexandre Martel! Martel is leaving his website after more than a decade! He founded the company in 2013 and spearheaded its global expansion, establishing a strong presence in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and all the English-speaking markets. Under his leadership, 3Dnatives grew to attract over one million monthly visitors worldwide, serving professionals across the 3D printing industry.
   
   The announcement comes nearly two years after 3Dnatives was acquired by the Society of Plastics Engineering (SPE), which has now appointed Filippos Voulpiotis, who was Chief Business Officer since 2018, as the new CEO.

2. This is pretty interesting, and I wish I could tell you more about it… But 3D Printing Industry published the story, so at least I can recap what they wrote (but there’s a lot more under the table).
   
   So Intrepid Automation, a San Diego-based manufacturer of large-format resin 3D printers about you probably never heard of, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against 3D Systems, alleging that its PSLA 270 industrial resin 3D printer unlawfully uses Intrepid’s patented multi-projection DLP technology. Intrepid claims the PSLA 270, launched at Formnext 2024, is a “blatant knock-off” of its “Range” 3D printer, also known as “Valkyrie.”
   
   The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, accuses 3D Systems of corporate espionage, alleging a former employee stole trade secrets during a job interview at Intrepid. Intrepid seeks a jury trial, damages, and a ban on PSLA 270 sales, while 3D Systems has moved to dismiss the case, calling the claims “meritless” and accusing Intrepid of stealing its trade secrets.
   
   Sounds pretty intriguing, isn’t it? I tell you this: intriguing are the people behind Intrepid. That’s a story! (Maybe one day I'll get the green light to write this?)

3. Prusa Research has introduced "EasyPrint," a browser-based slicer requiring no installation. Designed for ease of use, it enables cloud-based slicing with a simplified interface. Users get 40 minutes of free slicing time per month, with an invitation system controlling server load. A premium version may follow.
   
   Useless for me.

4. EOS has introduced 100% recycled Aluminium AlSi10Mg, reducing CO₂e emissions by 77% compared to its previous version and 83% versus virgin aluminum. This sustainable material maintains the same mechanical properties, eliminating the need for requalification. EOS also offers initiatives like the VIRTUCYCLE take-back program and a Carbon Calculator, reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly additive manufacturing.
   
   Oh wow, amazing… Now let’s move on…

5. Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers have published research using Stratasys’ RadioMatrix materials and Digital Anatomy technology to create highly accurate 3D printed medical imaging phantoms. These patient-specific models replicate human anatomy with unprecedented precision, improving CT imaging, algorithm training, and surgical planning while reducing reliance on cadavers.

6. This is a bit weird: Shapeways announced it has added FDM technology to its 3D printing offer. Shapeways introduces five materials: ABS, ASA, Polycarbonate, PET, PETG.
   
   It is very 2013 news.

7. And speaking of which, I’m currently working on the second edition of my historical series – "2013 in AM". I have completed ~70% of the events for this edition, so if you would like to add something - now is the time...