3MF new file format
Four industry heavyweights have joined the recently launched 3MF Consortium, the industry association that introduced the new 3MF file format for 3D printing.
3D Systems, Materialise, Siemens PLM Software and Stratasys have now become members of the standards association that already includes leading software, hardware and service providers, Dassault Systèmes S.A.; FIT AG/netfabb GmbH; Microsoft Corporation; HP; Shapeways, Inc.; SLM Solutions Group AG; and Autodesk Inc.
The recent partnerships highlight the increasing interest in businesses moving towards additive manufacturing solutions. This is an opinion shared by Executive Director of the 3MF Consortium, Adrian Lannin; "The addition of 3D Systems, Materialise, Siemens PLM Software and Stratasys to our membership ranks further demonstrates the significant industry momentum behind the adoption of 3MF.”
3MF is capable of detailing specific colours
Lannin believes this is a move which will benefit these newly united companies; “By participating in the 3MF Consortium, our new members will ensure that their customers get all the advanced capabilities and productivity benefits of the 3MF specification. We welcome them and look forward to their contributions.”
The motive behind the development of 3MF was to bridge the gap between modern additive technology and outdated file formats such as the widely used STL format. 3MF provides better functionality than preceding formats, thus allowing companies to focus more on innovation in future projects.
For more insight into how 3MF can be used to improve the 3D printing process, take a look at the report by 3MF Consortium CEO, Adrian Lannin and netfabb CEO Alexander Oster, exclusive to TCT.
