Popular clicks: The 10 most read Additive Report stories of 2019

When it comes to what visitors to The Additive Report website found most interesting in 2019, the short answer is 3D printers and their application. Of the 10 most popular stories posted to the AR site in 2019, seven focused on additive equipment and how it is used by manufacturers.

Here are AR’s Top 10 stories of the past 12 months:

1. Standards institute adopts Bitcoin security methodology to block cyberthreats. A report from NIST details efforts to safeguard additive manufacturing and other smart manufacturing systems from cybersecurity threats.

2. University acquires world’s largest 3D printer and builds record polymer boat. In October, the University set three Guinness world records: operating the largest polymer 3D printer, building the largest solid printed object, and printing the largest 3D-printed boat.

3. From 3D-scanning to 3D-printing to inspecting parts. 3D scanning and printing combine to speed and improve the reverse engineering of parts.

4. How lasers for 3D printing differ from cutting lasers. Experts at TRUMPF, Amada, EOS North America, and 3D Systems discuss the differences and similarities of lasers for additive and subtractive manufacturing.

5. The world’s largest metal 3D printer is being used to build rockets. Additive manufacturing is reaching new heights as Relativity Space uses building-size, custom-built 3D printing equipment to manufacture spacecraft.

6. High-performance, 3D-printed heat exchangers. United Technologies relies on additive manufacturing to make it easier to design and build heat exchangers.

7. Bicycle design program rethinks manufacturing education. Minnesota college to teach advanced engineering, fabrication through bike production while helping bridge skills gap.

8. How metal additive manufacturing has changed over a decade. Experts from HP, Elementum 3D, Sandvik, and Praxair Surface Technologies weigh in on the evolution of metal 3D printing.

The No. 1 story on The Additive Report website in 2019 is about NIST adopting Bitcoin security methodologies to block cyberthreats to 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies.

9. One state’s solution to the skilled labor crisis. How a robotics training center boosts modern manufacturing, economic development.

10. To 3D-print or not to 3D-print? Software identifies parts for AM. 3YOURMIND technology analyzes inventories to verify when its best to shift from traditional manufacturing to additive manufacturing.

Slide Show | 5 Images