28 - Production at Scale Is Revealing Additive Manufacturing's Next Challenges
Release Date: 10/24/2022
AM Radio
We are trying something new on the podcast! Whenever one of us on Additive Manufacturing Media pays a visit to a manufacturer for the first time, we want to talk about the trip as soon as we return. Why keep this recap to ourselves? In this episode of AM Radio, here is Stephanie Hendrixson getting the full download just after I paid a visit to Innovative 3D Manufacturing in Franklin, Indiana. Innovative does contract production using 12 laser powder bed fusion machines, all from Renishaw. Just part of what struck me is this company’s connection to foundry work — not just in terms of...
info_outline 48 - Making Sense of Qualification, Certification and Standards in Additive ManufacturingAM Radio
What is qualification, and what does it entail for additive manufacturing applications? In this episode of AM Radio, Dr. Tim Simpson joins Additive Manufacturing Media editors Pete Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson to talk about various issues around qualification in AM, including: the difference between qualification and certification; the expense of qualification activities; how standards are developed; and the opportunities additive can realize with qualified procedures. Find related links and the transcript for this episode . This episode is brought to you by . ...
info_outline 47 - The Rise of AM Factories, Metal 3D Printing, Machining Synergy and Our Favorite Stories from 2023AM Radio
In the last episode of AM Radio for 2023, hosts Pete Zelinski, Stephanie Hendrixson and Fiona Lawler look back on Additive Manufacturing Media's top 10 stories by pageviews for the year. The list reveals some interesting trends including the ramp up in additive manufacturing "factories," additive adoption that necessitates more sophisticated downstream processing, and a heavy emphasis on metal 3D printing. In the second half of the show, the hosts share their favorite stories, regardless of ranking, written by someone else. This episode is brought to you by Additive...
info_outline 46 - Copper, New Metal Printing Processes, Upgrades Based on Software and More from Formnext 2023AM Radio
The world's largest trade show for additive manufacturing technology featured more than 800 exhibitors across the entire AM value chain. Additive Manufacturing editors Peter Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson discuss what they learned and discovered at the event in this episode, including the rise of copper, the introduction of new processes for 3D printing in metals, equipment upgrades that don't rely on hardware, reduced barriers to entry for AM and much more. Find photos, related links and the transcript for this episode . This episode is brought to you by . ...
info_outline 45 - Additive Manufacturing for Production Can Thrive in a Purpose-Built Space (But It Doesn't Need One)AM Radio
Additive manufacturing "factories" and other facilities that have been built from the ground up to serve this process are becoming increasingly common, but a purpose-built space is not a necessity for successfully applying AM. Stephanie Hendrixson and Fiona Lawler discuss Fiona's recent trip to visit a newly established Protolabs facility dedicated to laser powder bed fusion, and swap stories of other AM spaces--from a 3D printer tucked under the stairs to a rented office space all the way to buildings acquired or built just for production additive manufacturing. This episode is...
info_outline 44 - Lightning Round: Sporting Goods, Integration with Conventional Processes and MoreAM Radio
Sporting goods, tooling, integration with conventional processes, multi materials — in this episode of AM Radio, Jodee McElfresh and Pete Zelinski discuss the topics that have been popular on the Additive Manufacturing Media website and social media recently. Mentioned in Episode: Snarr3D's 3D printed golf putter shafts and ActivArmor's 3D printed casts and InssTek's made through DED in the advance of additive manufacturing Airtech's Humtown's sand 3D printed and Bauer Hockey’s RePliForm's electroplating of polymer 3D printed parts and Subscribe to , our...
info_outline 43 - The AM Ecosystem, User Journeys and More from Formnext Forum AustinAM Radio
Formnext Forum Austin, the first Formnext event to be held in the United States, concluded August 30 after two full days of conference programming dedicated to industrial additive manufacturing. The event is jointly organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT—The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media, the publisher of Additive Manufacturing Media. Along with sessions on additive end markets, production applications, AM technology and design for additive manufacturing (DFAM), Formnext Forum included a lively expo featuring nearly 80 exhibitors plus The Cool Parts...
info_outline 42 - How to Organize for Additive ProductionAM Radio
Succeeding with additive manufacturing from a technical perspective has to be followed by succeeding with AM from an organizational perspective. Additive is a different production process entailing different enterprise, workflow and costing considerations, not to mention different personnel, communication and cultural considerations as well. Dr. Tim Simpson and Peter Zelinski talk about all of this: how to organize for success when additive manufacturing is the production process. This episode of AM Radio is brought to you by . Mentioned in this episode: Additive manufacturing...
info_outline 41 – Data: The Dark (and Light) Side of Additive ManufacturingAM Radio
As a “born digital” technology, additive manufacturing intrinsically relies on data, more so than any other manufacturing process. That data reliance potentially exposes AM users to data security and cybersecurity issues; efforts are underway to help these users protect designs, print parameters, machines and even 3D printed parts. But beyond the dark side of data, figuring out secure ways of storing and sharing data also opens the door to more freely distributing manufacturing, sharing material and print profiles, and flexible, secure supply chains. Stephanie Hendrixson and Dr. Tim...
info_outline 40 - How Acquisition and Investment Activity Affects AM Users and AdoptersAM Radio
Additive manufacturing is a dynamic space for various reasons: The technology is advancing and application possibilities are still being developed, and as a direct consequence, the landscape of AM companies is subject to change due to investor moves; mergers and acquisitions; and startups emerging from “stealth mode.” On this podcast, and in related reporting for Additive Manufacturing Media, we serve manufacturers by covering AM technology and applications — the corporate and financial moves are not the focus. And yet, one realm affects the other. The company moves shape what we cover...
info_outlineAdditive manufacturing (AM) has overcome many obstacles to become an accepted production method in spaces where it makes sense. But the work is not done yet. Manufacturers who are now applying 3D printing for ongoing production at scale are discovering how issues that seemed small at first are now growing into problems that need solutions. In this episode, hosts Stephanie Hendrixson and Peter Zelinski discuss six of these challenges. Want to tell us yours? Email [email protected] and we might feature your comment in a future episode.
This episode is brought to you by The Cool Parts Show.
Mentioned in this episode:
- How scaling into production revealed sustainability challenges at Sintavia
- More on the method for passivating condensate developed by Sintavia, KBM and AMGTA
- Inside the GKN Additive production facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Additive Industries’ Powder Load Tool
- Single build with over 2,000 parts on Nexa3D photopolymer machine
- AM WTF: Why the Failure? video series with Dr. Tim Simpson
- Growing pains Tangible Solutions has faced, including adapting an ERP system for production 3D printing of spine implants
- How RP+M’s ERP choice differs from that of the injection molding business that launched it
- How Evco used email capability to automate a print cell with a cobot
- How Ford developed and deploys Javier, a mobile cobot
- 3D printing for production at Siemens Energy
- Stephanie's encounter with Solukon at Formnext 2021
- Eaton's investment in metal additive manufacturing including GE Additive equipment for both printing and depowdering
- The DMG MORI 3D printed machine tool adapter which required a special depowdering strategy