Human beings are known for a myriad of different things, but most importantly, they are known for getting better on a consistent basis. This tendency to improve, no matter the situation, has empowered us to hit upon some huge milestones, with technology emerging as a pretty major member of the stated group. The reason why we hold technology in such a high regard is, by and large, based on its skill-set, which guided us towards a reality that nobody could have ever imagined otherwise. Nevertheless, if we look beyond the surface, it will become clear how the whole runner was also very much inspired from the way we applied those skills across a real world environment. The latter component was, in fact, what gave the creation a spectrum-wide presence, and as a result, started what was a full-blown tech revolution. Of course, this tech revolution then went on to scale up our experience through some outright unique avenues, but even after achieving a feat so notable, technology will somehow continue producing all the right goods. The same has turned more and more evident in recent times, and assuming a newly-formed partnership shakes out just like we envision, it will only put that trend on a higher pedestal moving forward.

3D Systems has officially partnered with TE Connectivity, a world leader in connectors and sensors, to develop an additive manufacturing solution for the production of electrical connectors that meet stringent UL regulatory requirements. According to certain reports, the solution will leverage 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Modular, Figure 4 material, 3D Sprint software, and other services, to meet TE Connectivity’s unique requirements for material performance, high tolerance, and reliable printing. Aiding this pursuit of meeting the stated requirement is a newly-developed photopolymer, which is the first known photopolymer to complete a UL-recognized long-term thermal aging (RTI) study. Such a substantial material, when placed through a streamlined printing procedure, should pave the way for these companies to realize that quality expected from TE Connectivity’s products. Marking the first time this sort of a production mix has been employed to manufacture appliances, cellular and data-center applications, the solution also gives TE Connectivity a shot at creating complex geometries that would be difficult to create using injection molding. To explain the same, we must acknowledge how it is expected to increase flexibility for low volume, quick turn production runs, and tooling avoidance, thus empowering TE in terms of quickly demonstrating its capabilities and its customers to meet demand rather efficiently.

“Customer-centric innovation is at the core of everything we do,” said Reji Puthenveetil, executive vice president of industrial solutions at 3D Systems. “The collaboration with TE Connectivity provided the understanding and requirements of the unique application being addressed and enabled the development of the solution. Our materials scientists and print process experts worked very closely with the TE team to formulate a material that, when used in conjunction with our Figure 4 technology, delivered on the high quality, high-reliability standards their customers have come to expect.”

“As 3D printing technology evolves, we’re seeing more opportunities for using it to manufacture products for customers who need a low volume of parts in a short timeframe,” said Philip Gilchrist, VP and segment chief technology officer for Communications Solutions at TE Connectivity. “Our work with 3D Systems enables us to provide our customers with functional parts in just weeks instead of months.”