Advancements in Additive Manufacturing

There are constant advancements being made in the world of additive manufacturing. From printers parts to cloud systems, the industry is always looking to advance the capabilities of 3D printing. One of the latest advancements comes from Desktop Metal, a metal binder jetting manufacturer. Desktop Metal has recently launched Forust, a branch company that will specialize in high-volume production of sustainable wood products using recycled wood waste. These products will include consumer goods, car interiors, as well as building materials for homes and high-end architectural pieces. 

Sustainability

In a time when sustainability is a major concern for a large number of people, many companies are being championed for their efforts to reduce their environmental impact, especially in the building industry, which has been historically known for having high amounts of material waste. With Forust, Desktop Metal hopes to reduces the need for deforestation as a way to source wood material. Rather, they will be utilizing byproducts from the wood manufacturing industry, such as sawdust and cellulose dust, as well as those from the paper industry, like lignin. These materials are combined with bio-resins and converted into functional wood parts. This gives architects, developers, and manufacturers a new opportunity to produce projects with a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

Additional Advantages

In addition to increased sustainability, there are a number of other advantages that Forust can provide. In the vein of additive manufacturing, the 3D printed wood will allow the chance to create much more complex geometries that wouldn't be possible with traditional woodworking practices. This will allow much more freedom for designers to create with wooden materials. Further, the materials produced by Forust will be comparable to conventional wood materials, in terms of strength and functionality. These materials can also mimic a wide variety of wood types, such as oak, teak, and walnut, and can even be produced to include various grain textures. 

With new technologies like this being introduced everyday, it is becoming more and more evident that we are progressing towards a world of additive manufacturing. Although 3D printing has been around for nearly 30 years, it has only been in recent years that we are beginning to truly explore and develop it's potential applications. That is why it is so inspiring to see companies, like Forust, leading the charge towards a more sustainable, efficient, and affordable future. As a company trying to do the same, we at Slant3D appreciate the efforts being made.

Happy printing.