BigRep Hannover Messe Recap

BigRep - Hannover Messe

Hannover Messe over but we’re still buzzing with excitement, weeks later!

Held over the course of 5 days, between 1-5 April the world’s leading trade show for industrial technologies welcomed 215,000 attendees. Central themes included 5g mobile standards, autonomous systems, and integrating artificial intelligence.

“Hannover Messe 2019 showed that is the most important international platform for all technologies related to industrial transformation.” - Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG

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Over 6,500 exhibitors were spread out over 227,000m2. This year, BigRep showed up like never before, with partners, Bosch Rexroth to present their idea, Factory of the Future, enabled by BigRep 3D Printers. Together, the NEXT AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle), an Autonomous transport system, was presented, as well as the unveiling the NERA bike, alongside the BigRep PRO. With the help of 5G (a central theme of Hannover Messe) data-intensive processes such as quality monitoring in the multi-variant manufacturing can be outsourced to the cloud or production-related edge systems.

BigRep - Hannover Messe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven presided over the opening ceremonies, and even stopped by to see the 5G Robotic Hand presented with Bosch Rexroth and BigRep. Chancellor Angela Merkel said “I remain a big supporter of open markets and free trade.”

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The NERA bike was created in 12 weeks from sketch to a functional, driving prototype, using BigRep printers, and Bosch Rexroth technology.

“This is what we at BigRep called rapid innovation. In my opinion, what the industry is currently lacking the most, is innovation. And what we do best, is rapid innovation. So, in a very short period of time, we’re taking an idea from zero, to creating a working piece of equipment. This gives our customers a true competitive advantage in the market. With BigRep printers, we enable our customers to do the same. We’re not just selling a machine, we’re selling a reliable process.” said BigRep CEO Stephan Beyer.

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Top 5 Trends at AMUG

BigRep @ AMUG

BigRep recently debuted the PRO in North America at AMUG, one of the largest additive manufacturers user conferences.

AMUG (as it has been known since 2011) has been around since the late 80s with the mission to educate and advance the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. With more than 2,000 attendees solely dedicated to additive, BigRep was able to leave their footprint as the industrial leader in large-format 3D printing.
Here’s a look at the top 5 trends we saw at AMUG.

1. The Search for an alternative

Finding the best printer for your application is a challenge many companies face. At AMUG it was clear that attendees were looking for a new large-format solution. Attendees stressed the importance of open source material, faster print speeds and more precision. As one of only a few companies specializing in large-format 3D printers at AMUG, BigRep set itself apart as the industrial leader as it debuted the PRO with the new MXT® (Metering Extrusion Technology).

2. I Feel the Need for Speed

“I feel the need for speed” is an iconic line in the movie Top Gun, and it happens to be applicable to the additive industry as well. Users want speed, and are now demanding 3D printing companies provide it. The BigRep PRO delivers printing speeds that are 5 times faster than any FFF printer on the market. It's the difference between a part being printed in 1 day instead of 7 days. This means faster turnaround times and improved ROI.

3. The Future (or Now) is bright for end use parts

For years, people have been talking about 3D printed end use parts. The majority of additive users are still using 3D printing for prototypes, however there are some early adopters out there who are already mass printing end-use parts. Industry expert, Ajmal Aqtash from Boyce Technologies delivered a very eye opening presentation at AMUG about the value and uses of additive manufacturing. Boyce Technologies is already incorporating several end use parts in the digital kiosks they manufacture, which are located around New York City. These parts are all printed on the BigRep STUDIO. They are also printing molds for vacuum forming and exploring injection modeling. Learn more by watching a webinar on how Boyce Technologies is integrating additive into their manufacturing facility.

Boyce NY additive manufacturing 3d printing BigRep Berlin

4. I want to be in control of my materials

I want to be in control of my materials
Material suppliers are everywhere, which was made abundantly evident at AMUG. One comment we heard over and over again is “I want to pick my material supplier”. BigRep offers a full line-up of materials certified for the BigRep printers, but is also open source material. BigRep also partners with BASF, a leading material supplier who are constantly innovating to provide the best material value to additive users.

5. Bigger is better.

“But I’m not sure I need a printer with that big of a build platform,” is a comment we hear. But the question is do you sometimes need it? The value of large-format 3D printing isn’t always filling up the build envelope to the max, but having the option to utilize it when you do need to. Being able to print a full scale part is key when testing fit, function and feasibility. At AMUG, attendees mentioned different ways they were currently piecing parts together after printing in order to make the part whole. These additional steps add time, cost and labor to create. Rarely do we hear customers say that they wish they hadn’t gone bigger, it’s usually regret that they didn’t go bigger.

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Ready to Fly: The World’s First Fully 3D-Printed High-Tech Airline Seats to be Premiered by BigRep at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg

Two innovative aerospace seats envisioned with Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and the industry solution experience “Passenger Experience” / The Retro Seat saves 50 percent of original seat weight, while the cutting-edge bionic Aero Seat offers an all-new passenger experience.

Hamburg / Germany, April 1, 2019 - BigRep, the global leader in large-scale 3D printing (FFF segment) for industrial applications, will unveil the world’s two first fully 3D-printed aerospace seat systems with Dassault Systèmes at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg (April 2-4, 2019). Both prototypes have the potential to re-define aircraft interiors’ design as well as the passenger experience in air travel.

Opening a new dimension for Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the aviation industry, the prototypes, designed by NOWLAB, the BigRep innovation consultancy department, and manufactured on BigRep’s large-scale 3D printers, include the Retro Seat, an original airline seat which has been refurbished by using AM, and the Aero Seat, a bionic passenger seat. Strikingly elegant, both seats present visionary design unprecedented in 21st century aircraft interior composition.

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Both full-size seat systems were created using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and the industry solution experience “Passenger Experience”. Engineers use 3D printers to produce optimized parts by leveraging the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to design and simulate highly optimized parts based on space allocation, loads, constraints, manufacturing processes, and multi material requirements.

“Our Retro Seat saves 50 percent of weight, creating huge benefits for sustainable aircraft engineering and operational costs. Our prototypes demonstrate the massive benefits of 3D printing for manufacturers and airlines,” said Daniel Büning, co-founder and Managing Director of NOWLAB at BigRep. “In addition, jigs, fixtures and other cabin interior parts can be printed on site and on demand. In cabin interior design, 3D printing will push the limits of engineering creativity. For designers, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be a key tool in this process.”

“3D printing is in the process of re-defining the aviation industry, and we’re ready to fly! Our new 3D printer PRO offers an unprecedented level of precision, quality and speed, enabling us to use the high-performance, innovative printing materials the aviation industry requires.” said BigRep CEO Stephan Beyer, PhD.

BigRep and Dassault Systèmes will show how AM can be applied to any part of the cabin – from seat to armrest to sidewall panel as well as how AM enables design of individual end-use parts starting from lot size one to small series production.


Find out how industry leaders are using BigRep 3D printers to create affordable and secure investment shipping containers on demand for sensitive aerospace equipment in our case study with Airbus:
Read Now

Making full use of the unique technical possibilities of 3D-printing, the Retro Seat offers groundbreaking high-tech features such as inductive charging that permits wireless charging of smartphones. The back of the headrest is equipped with “Bring your own device” outlets to connect to tablets or other devices as well as multiple USB ports. The seat is also embedded with blue LED light panels, creating ambiance during night flights, while the arm rest is equipped with a smart cabinet solution to safely store laptops during takeoff and landing.

The Aero Seat presents a game-changing passenger seat for autonomous driving technology. This exciting seat shell design has an almost bionic touch, look and feel as the seat will adapt to the driver’s or passenger’s individual body shape: Using a 3D body scan prior to the seat production, the shell will provide its users with an unprecedented level of comfort to reduce stress and physical discomfort during long trips. Last but not least, flexible materials are being used for printing seat cushions (incl. softness factor).

Both designs are not a simple adaptation of existing, convectional airline seat frameworks, but were specifically envisioned for large-format FFF technology, setting a benchmark example for truly creative design by breaking the limits of traditional engineering. For example, both seats have a fully integrated design, i.e. any bearings or electronics can be integrated during the printing process.

BigRep will be present at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo at Dassault Systèmes’ booth 6C90E in the Hanse Pavilion.

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About BigRep:

BigRep develops the world’s largest serial production 3D printers, creating the industry benchmark for large-scale printing with the aim to reshape manufacturing. Its award-winning, German-engineered machines are establishing new standards in speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep’s printers are the preferred choice of engineers, designers and manufacturers at leading companies in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors. Through collaborations with its strategic partners – including Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways and Deutsche Bahn – and key investors – including BASF, Koehler, Klöckner and Körber – BigRep continues to develop complete solutions for integrated additive manufacturing systems, as well as a wide range of printing materials on an open-choice source. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices in Boston and Singapore. Leading the way in one of the world’s key technologies, our multinational engineering teams are highly trained, interdisciplinary and customer-focused.

For more information on BigRep and its solutions and to arrange an interview with BigRep CEO, Stephan Beyer, PhD, or BigRep CBO, Frank Marangell, and, please contact:

Juergen Scheunemann
PR & Communication
PR & Communications BigRep GmbH
T +49 30 9487 1430
E [email protected]

The BigRep PRO Makes its North American Premiere at AMUG

Powered by BigRep MXT® and state-of-the-art CNC control systems and drives by Bosch Rexroth, the PRO delivers unprecedented speed, precision and quality for industrial applications and full connectivity to integrate additive manufacturing with Industry 4.0.

Chicago, IL, March 27, 2019 - BigRep, the global leader in large-scale 3D printing, will debut its highly anticipated all new PRO at AMUG (Additive Manufacturing User Group) Conference in Chicago (March 31 – April 4, 2019). For the first time in North America, attendees from various industries can experience the PRO. Equipped with BigRep’s new MXT®, an exclusive Metering Extruder Technology, and a state-of-the-art Bosch Rexroth motion control system, the PRO delivers unprecedented speed, precision, quality and IoT connectivity that fully integrates with Industry 4.0. The PRO can be ordered now.

During AMUG, BigRep will offer two exciting presentations in partnership with industry experts. During the first session “Speed, Precision and Connectivity for Factory 4.0”, BigRep and Bosch Rexroth will team up to share their vision for the factory of the future, the vital role that additive will play and how to fully connect 3D printing into a manufacturing process. The second presentation “How Large-Scale Additive is Transforming Industries” will feature experts from Boyce Technologies and Ford Motor Company, as they share case studies for prototyping, tooling, patterns/molds and end-use parts. The experts will also discuss the added value for manufacturers and how and why leading companies are integrating AM into their production strategies.

“We are proud and excited to have our partner, Bosch Rexroth, and customers, Boyce Technologies and Ford, join us at AMUG to share their expert insights on the value and future of additive manufacturing,” said BigRep CBO, Frank Marangell. “Our latest technology offers customers complete solutions for integrated additive manufacturing systems, enabling companies to reimagine how they produce parts from design to production.”

All throughout AMUG, BigRep will be conducting live demonstrations of the PRO. During the demo, attendees will get to see up close the PRO’s one cubic meter build envelope and large, temperature-controlled spool chamber allowing for continuous printing with high-performance materials. Plus learn more about the software and state-of-the-art technology powering the PRO including the new CNC control systems and drives by Bosch Rexroth and BigRep MXT®.

“Our new groundbreaking MXT® system is something the industry has been waiting for, as it makes the PRO five times faster with greater precision and quality than current extrusion speeds,” said BigRep CEO, Stephan Beyer, PhD. “And AMUG, which encompasses a wealth of additive knowledge and industry leaders, is the perfect place to introduce the PRO to the North American market and demonstrate its full performance capabilities.”

BigRep events at AMUG at a glance:

BigRep presentations

  • Tuesday, April 2 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm (Wilford A/B), “Speed, Precision and Connectivity for Factory 4.0” by Stephan Beyer, PhD, BigRep CEO, and Karl Rapp, Bosch Rexroth.
  • Thursday, April 4 from 3 – 4 pm (Wilford C), “How Large-Scale Additive is Transforming Industries” by Frank Marangell, BigRep CBO, Ajmal Aqtash, Boyce Technologies, and Lars Bognar, Ford Motor Company.

Live BigRep PRO demonstrations in salon C, room 3

  • Monday, April 1 from 3 to 4 pm
  • Wednesday, April 3 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm
  • And upon request

About BigRep:

BigRep develops the world’s largest serial production 3D printers, creating the industry benchmark for large-scale printing with the aim to reshape manufacturing. Its award-winning, German-engineered machines are establishing new standards in speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep’s printers are the preferred choice of engineers, designers and manufacturers at leading companies in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors. Through collaborations with its strategic partners – including Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways and Deutsche Bahn – and key investors – including BASF, Koehler, Klöckner and Körber – BigRep continues to develop complete solutions for integrated additive manufacturing systems, as well as a wide range of printing materials on an open-choice source. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices in Boston and Singapore. Leading the way in one of the world’s key technologies, our multinational engineering teams are highly trained, interdisciplinary and customer-focused.

For more information on BigRep and its solutions and to arrange an interview with BigRep CEO, Stephan Beyer, PhD, or BigRep CBO, Frank Marangell, and, please contact:

Juergen Scheunemann
PR & Communication
PR & Communications BigRep GmbH
T +49 30 9487 1430
E [email protected]
Abbey Delaney
North American Marketing Manager BigRep
M (989) 860 – 8210
E [email protected]

schedule a meeting at AMUG

Omni Platform by NOWLAB

NOWLAB, the Innovation Consultancy at BigRep, developed the innovative Omni Platform as a 360° mobile industry platform for highly flexible applications in automated manufacturing environments and smart factories.

The Omni Platform gets its name due to its mecanum wheels, which are omni-directional wheels, meaning they can move the platform in any direction without turning. The mecanum wheels are wheel hubs fitted with integrated rollers that move passively and independently. Depending on which wheels rotate in which direction, the platform will move forward, backward, sideways, diagonally, or spin in place. This range of maneuverability enables the Omni Platform to efficiently navigate any space, particularly around tight corners, narrow lanes, and complex pathways.

The benefit of 3D printing, including this case of the Omni Platform, is that it is 100% customizable to your specific needs. The body of the Omni Platform features a bionic design, intelligently modeled for strength and durability. It has an impressive load capacity of up to 200 kg and a load area of 100 by 80 cm. While this Omni Platform is an automated logistics carrier fitted with an acrylic top plate so that it can carry any number of objects, it can also serve as a platform for additional devices such as robots, for example, to be mounted.

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The 3D-printed platform has a fully integrated design, i.e. any bearings or electronics can be integrated during the printing process. The Omni Platform has a controller and battery housed in a customized 3D printed “heart” as well as integrated motors, transition belts, gears, and programmable LEDs.

The Omni Platform was printed on a BigRep ONE with an impressive build volume of one cubic meter. Therefore, the platform body could be printed as a single part. For this, BigRep’s Pro HT material was used because it is durable, reliable, and produces beautiful quality prints. The mecanum wheel rollers were printed with BigRep’s TPU filament, a flexible and robust material that ensures better grip and smoother rolling.


Find out how industry leaders are using BigRep 3D printers to create affordable and secure investment shipping containers on demand for sensitive aerospace equipment in our case study with Airbus:
Read Now

Omni-Platform-Diagram-web

NOWLAB works to make the most advanced, innovative, and yet unseen applications and technological solutions in the additive manufacturing domain. The Omni Platform is designed to seamlessly integrate into in the factory of the future, helping to automate and accelerate production in Industry 4.0.

Contact NOWLAB

About BigRep
BigRep develops the world’s largest serial production 3D printers, creating the industry benchmark for large-scale printing with the aim to reshape manufacturing. Its award-winning, German-engineered machines are establishing new standards in speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep’s printers are the preferred choice of engineers, designers and manufacturers at leading companies in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors. Through collaborations with its strategic partners – including Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways and Deutsche Bahn – and key investors – including BASF, Koehler, Klöckner and Körber – BigRep continues to develop complete solutions for integrated additive manufacturing systems, as well as a wide range of printing materials on an open-choice source. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices in Boston and Singapore. Leading the way in one of the world’s key technologies, our multinational engineering teams are highly trained, interdisciplinary and customer-focused.

For additional information, please contact:
To arrange an interview with BigRep’s executive management or NOWLAB team, and for more information on BigRep and its solutions, please contact:
Jürgen Scheunemann
PR & Communications BigRep GmbH
T: +49 30 9487 1430
E: [email protected]

1.2.0

  • Renamed Bigz into BigRep Blade
  • BigRep Pro: Flow rate and print speed can be set independently from each other.
  • Support is officially supported.
  • Dual extrusion is officially supported.
  • Better seams.
  • Auto-Orientation and Custom-Support added.
  • Better housing for BigRep One.

World-First Airless Motorcycle Tires, Featured on the BigRep NERA eBike

3D printed airless tire NERA eBike

An investment in new technology should do more than provide a business with an immediate boost to productivity and capability. It should promise a capacity for future applications as soon as they inevitably arise. It’s a simple consideration, but it could prevent unnecessary future investments and establish an early edge in new applications.

BigRep is dedicated to pushing its technology to the limit internally with our innovation consultancy agency, NOWLAB, to ensure our reliable large-format 3D printers can handle the wealth of future-applications that regularly become realities. NOWLAB designs and creates future-ready products to inspire and aid businesses developing their own innovations around the world. Through their work, NOWLAB dispels many of the assumed limitations of additive technology and demonstrate how an investment in additive manufacturing can not only meet businesses needs today, but open doors in the future.

Last week, BigRep was proud to win best Creative Use of 3D Printing at the 3D Printing Industry Awards for NOWLAB’s NERA eBike, the world’s first fully 3D printed e-motorcycle. The NERA was unveiled on November 13, 2018 at Formnext and it went viral! But one impressive innovation integral to the NERA can be easily overlooked: the crucial, fully 3D printed airless tires and rims.

Airless Tires Breaching the Consumer Market

Lead NERA designer, Marco Mattia Cristofori, poses with the innovative eBike.
Lead NERA designer, Marco Mattia Cristofori, poses with the innovative eBike.

Michelin and General Motors recently unveiled their brand-new 3D printed Uptis airless tire prototype at the at the Movin’On Summit for sustainable mobility. They announced research plans to validate the design and introduce it to the consumer market as early as 2024. Michelin says the tires will combat the waste generated by the approximately 200 million rubber tires that are prematurely disposed of every year due to damage from puncture, improper air pressure and other common forms of wear.

Michelin and General Motors’ announcement is the most recent in a long line of airless tires releases, but it does mark a divergence from applications focused on lighter or slower vehicles – like all terrain vehicles or tractors – by brands like Goodyear, Bridgestone, and Hankook.

Airless tires require careful consideration from design teams to ensure the safety requirements of a vehicle’s wheels are met. Factors from weight resistance to surface grip and a variety of associated properties need to be carefully balanced to ensure such an unconventional component will work in the demanding conditions of the real world. When designing the NERA’s airless tires and rims, project lead Marco Mattia Cristofori and NOWLAB’s design team needed to consider the appropriate balance of rigidity and flexibility with respect to both components to ensure their safety and functionality. The end-use materials had to be rigid enough to keep its form but flexible enough to have shock absorbing traits on obstructed terrain.

The design goal extended beyond simple functionality, however. Airless tires have functionally existed in niche applications, like space vehicles, for years. Since NOWLAB set out with the NERA project to demonstrate realistic consumer market item, the aesthetic of the airless tire and rim had to be considered – adding an extra layer of difficulty to the product’s design.

“We realized that large-format additive manufacturing and airless tires are a powerful combination,” said Cristofori. “Full customizability is necessary to adapt different design parameters, and with additive the same machine can produce different scales, patterns and other customizations without changing settings or hardware parameters.”

NOWLAB's 3D Printed Airless Tire Design Process

3D printed airless tire NERA eBike
A 3D printed airless tire is placed into the NERA eBike.

NOWLAB dove into designing the airless tire's internal structure by considering biomimicry engineering. A strategy in many NOWLAB projects, biomimicry makes use of functional designs found in nature to create similar properties in human-designed products. In the case of NERA’s tires, a honeycomb design was chosen to provide the tire internal stability for its efficiency in balancing the required rigidity and flexibility. The geometry proved strong enough to take full advantage of a flexible material, BigRep’s TPU filament, which has proven capable of keeping shape under weight with the chosen geometry but maintains its properties well enough to mimic the soft function of a traditional tire.

After choosing the honeycomb pattern that would be the design’s basis, the team needed to ensure the product’s overall properties would meet their needs. Mirek Claßen, NOWLAB Head of Innovation and Generative Design Applications, helped apply algorithm-based parametric design to ensure the tire would meet its requirements for the specific customized range of weight-resistance and size that was needed for its function on the NERA, a process that also ensures the airless tire is easily adaptable for future applications with different functional requirements.

“Combining the possibilities of generative and parametric design allowed us to unlock the full potential of large-format 3D printing,” said Claßen. “Within our algorithm-based design model we could iterate unlimited design variations to find the perfect version to suit our needs and fulfill all technical requirements.”

Both the NERA’s airless tires and rims are fully 3D printed, demonstrating the functional and impressive ability of BigRep’s TPU and Pro HT materials to withstand a vehicle and driver’s weight. BigRep’s NERA was designed to hold passengers over 110 kilograms, but the design can be altered to support even more weight for heavier vehicles or heavier loads like multiple passengers.

Pro HT was an apt choice for the NERA’s rims for the same reason TPU was suited for the tire – it has the perfect balance of rigidity and flexibility for its application. Overall the rims require far more rigidity than the rubber-like tires, of course, but striking a balance ensures the rims remains solid and sturdy but aren’t so brittle as to crack under weight. The material’s marginal flexibility also adds an amount of shock absorption to the wheels, making for a smoother ride.

Beyond the airless tires, BigRep’s materials like TPU allowed for embedded functionalities in a unique way. The NERA’s bumper, seat and handles were all printed with TPU to fulfill functions that usually require complex mechanical constructions like hydraulic suspension systems.

Market-Viability of Airless Tires

3d printed e-bike
NERA eBike parts printed with BigRep's TPU filament.

To the average consumer airless tires might seem like a novelty, but beyond the innovation’s charm and environmental benefits there are practical applications that extend beyond the niche uses observed so far. For one, an average rubber tire weighs about 10 kilograms whereas the NERA’s 3D printed airless tires only weigh six kilograms, a 40% weight reduction. Complicated supply chains can make acquiring new tires an expensive challenge in remote locations, but with access to a large-format 3D printer the tires can be created locally without the costs and environmental impact of shipping.

Most concerning for the average consumer, however, is the durability and additional safety the technology provides. Removing the need for air-filled tires eliminates the risk of blow-outs that can create dangerous scenarios on the road. The exponentially improved durability of airless tires also eliminates the egregious expenses associated with regular tire changes, not to mention the fuel-economy that comes with a significantly reduced vehicle weight. Overall, airless tires on the consumer market would be a joyful innovation for all concerned.

“Coming out with the idea was pretty natural,” said Cristofori. “We researched the possibility of airless tires, read about what exists so far and their future potential. It was absurd to us that no one else had 3D printed one for bicycles or motorcycles before.”

As vehicles rapidly evolve to meet modern environmental requirements, now is the time to rethink every aspect from the ground up to redevelop everyday technology with the modern tools that enable novel designs and processes. BigRep understands the importance of the re-thinking process to innovative designers and industrial manufacturers. By taking on inspirational projects like the NERA eBike, NOWLAB not only proves the prowess of BigRep’s large-format additive technology but also gains the expertise to consult on innovations even before they’re fully realized by prominent manufacturers; ensuring our tools and training position our partners for success.

“We're happy to see that we inspired other companies,” Cristofori added. “That’s what we do at BigRep. Besides producing reliable 3D printers, we innovate and make sure their full capabilities can be taken advantage of. We research and develop innovations to inspire while we are also inspired by others.”

GRADUATE FROM DESKTOP. GET INDUSTRIAL.

The BigRep STUDIO G2 gets 3D printing off your desk and takes it to the next level. Operating with the same ease as a desktop 3D printer and with 10 times the build volume, the STUDIO G2 provides large-scale industrial manufacturing capabilities in a compact “fits everywhere” build.

Explore the STUDIO

GRADUATE FROM DESKTOP. GET INDUSTRIAL.

The BigRep STUDIO G2 gets 3D printing off your desk and takes it to the next level. Operating with the same ease as a desktop 3D printer and with 10 times the build volume, the STUDIO G2 provides large-scale industrial manufacturing capabilities in a compact “fits everywhere” build.

Explore the STUDIO

Airless Motorcycle Tires FAQs

Integrating CAD and Additive Learning into General Education

Digital design and manufacturing has become increasingly relevant in a, sometimes surprisingly, eclectic mix of industries. In dentistry, fashion, manufacturing itself or any other of the plethora of industries that have evolved with the integration of 3D printing, it’s apparent that an understanding of additive manufacturing and the skills to create 3D printable designs in CAD software are now a necessity.

It's important, then, as industries increasingly depend on digital design that students are given the opportunity to learn this crucial aspect of many industries as they study.

Interested in BigRep's upcoming events?

Find Out More

Enterprising educators are already getting ahead of the curve. At TH Wildau – Wildau, Germany’s Technical University of Applied Sciences – instructors have developed structures to teach non-technical students the fundamentals of CAD and additive manufacturing. They secure students’ understanding of what has become a cornerstone in many industries at a crucial time in their education. Under the instruction of teachers like Dr. Dana Mietzner, students from disciplines as broad as business management, law, and business informatics learn about CAD and additive manufacturing processes in detail.

“Students start to think about future fields of application of 3D technology,” Mietzner said. “They try to figure out what the status of the technology is today and what could be future fields of application. For that purpose, it’s very important for the students to understand the technology – how it works and what is behind the concept of 3D printing.”

Understanding 3D printing as a physical process is incredibly important to learning CAD software. Designers using CAD need to understand what the various kinds of 3D printers are physically capable of to ensure that even the complex geometries, achievable only with additive, are designed with best practices in mind for an optimal outcome. This kind of understanding can inform designers about which method of additive manufacturing they should use for an application, like deciding between FFF and SLA technologies for an application, or when it might be better to opt for traditional reductive methods like CNC instead.

Not only will understanding the best production method for a CAD model help in designing processes, creating a design that’s conducive to successful printing, but it will help future business leaders in the disciplines Dr. Mietzner teaches understand when a process can be done with more cost and time efficiency. For example, introducing additive in favor of traditional supply chains can drastically alter how a business chooses to source parts. As more businesses move to additive manufacturing to produce end-use parts, this is increasingly important.

There’s a wealth of other disruptions additive manufacturing is causing to traditional business models and it’s vital for future leaders to understand these implications to make choices for their success. Accessible manufacturing is enabling businesses with smaller financial backing to enter production without massive investment, highly personalized products can enter the market without prohibitive price tags, and traditional workflows are being optimized with 3D printed tooling.

Clearly, it’s paramount to the future of successful businesses that there is a healthy understanding of the additive process, and therefore CAD, in a wealth of disciplines.

Learn the benefits of Large-Format Additive with our
Guide to Integrate Large-Format Additive Manufacturing.

Read the Guide

As industries continue to evolve additive manufacturing is becoming more pervasive, making many niche applications require very specific expertise. The boom of 3d printing within the medical field serves as an excellent example of this. The medical industry was an early adopter of additive manufacturing, leveraging SLA long before it was an accessible technology. Today, a plethora of companies are racing to develop 3D printable replacement body parts as intricate as organs. To achieve such a novel goal, the initial model’s designer would not only need extensive practice with CAD software but also with anatomical design, likely benefitting from a background as a medical practitioner or as a medical illustrator.

While less demanding artistically than the design of anatomically correct organs, a common use of mainstream FFF additive technology is the design and creation of highly customizable orthopedics. Here, an extensive background in kinesiology is a must-have for any designer creating the model. For a brace to be effective, extensive knowledge of the part of the body being mended is completely necessary – form the position that best aids the healing process to the potential risks of an incorrect placement.

Without experience in additive manufacturing and CAD software, the design of these products would require extensive extra steps and risks design instructions being lost in translation.

A plethora of prominent institutions have developed prototyping-focus’ within their courses, with classes and labs being used as an accessible space for learners to transform their ideas into reality. The most effective utilize technologies that allow for broad applications – a goal that large-format additive is uniquely positioned to address. For future-ready institutions that prepare learners for careers of dynamic change with relevant knowledge and life-long skills, additive manufacturing has proven to be an effective investment for those taking aim at superior teaching and experimentation, for a variety of disciplines.

Find out how prominent institutions like TH Wildau, targeting additive learnings beyond engineering students, and other are using BigRep’s additive technology to prepare their students in BigRep’s Guide to Large-Format for Education and Research.

About BigRep
BigRep develops the world’s largest serial production 3D printers, creating the industry benchmark for large-scale printing with the aim to reshape manufacturing. Its award-winning, German-engineered machines are establishing new standards in speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep’s printers are the preferred choice of engineers, designers and manufacturers at leading companies in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors. Through collaborations with its strategic partners – including Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways and Deutsche Bahn – and key investors – including BASF, Koehler, Klöckner and Körber – BigRep continues to develop complete solutions for integrated additive manufacturing systems, as well as a wide range of printing materials on an open-choice source. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices in Boston and Singapore. Leading the way in one of the world’s key technologies, our multinational engineering teams are highly trained, interdisciplinary and customer-focused.

For additional information, please contact:
To arrange an interview with BigRep’s executive management or NOWLAB team, and for more information on BigRep and its solutions, please contact:
Jürgen Scheunemann
PR & Communications BigRep GmbH
T: +49 30 9487 1430
E: [email protected]

BigRep’s COVID-19 Response

Covid-19 Face Shield

Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, we at BigRep believe the response should be nothing less than all hands on deck. Fortunately, additive manufacturing technology is uniquely capable of tackling the supply chain challenges the world is currently faced with.

Here you'll find an updated post about how we're working to support COVID-19 relief efforts, and any resources we can share that will help you contribute too.

If you're part of an organization responding to COVID-19 and could use BigRep's help, please reach out to [email protected] with requests.

For up to date information about the ongoing pandemic, visit the World Health Organization at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Protective Face Shields for Local Communities

BigRep is donating face shields to local organizations to provide protection from the novel coronavirus. In our recent post we shared the face shield's file (also found here below) and asked the additive manufacturing community to participate in their production and distribution.

We're asking our network of partners and customers to get involved and are offering a complementary 2.3kg spool of PLA in exchange for video footage of the face shields' production on BigRep 3D printers that we’ll use to continue our call for action, getting more and more people involved in this movement.

Without stacking, BigRep's large-format AM systems are able to print up to 24 of the masks at once and we're currently testing methods for optimal stacked production - so check back!

READ THE FULL POST
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Download (Generic) Files: BigRep Face Shields (130 mb)

Connectors for Improvised Ventilators

Innovators around the world are devising creative ways to combat the shortage of ventilators and fill the gap between need and supply.

To help implement one solution, these BigRep 3D-printed connectors are off to the German Red Cross to help convert full-faced diving masks into improvised ventilators.

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That's all for now!

But we're working on more! Keep an eye on the BigRep blog and all our social media channels to hear how we're helping next.

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