Show Notes
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 Simpson discuss all things AM data on AM Radio. This episode of AM Radio is brought to you by Formnext Forum: Austin. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 37 on sustainability CyManII and its efforts to protect an additive manufacturing company NIST introduces a new "dictionary" for data definitions in AM VeriTX's Fortis platform for data assurance Senvol industrial AM machine and material database TRACEam program from Mike Vasquez 3DOS decentralized manufacturing marketplace model Xometry distributed manufacturing network | episode from sister podcast Made in the USA featuring Randy Altschuler, CEO Dr0wned hacked drone video Chris Williams and the Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems (DREAMS) Lab at Virginia Tech (VT is now also a managing member of CyManII) ANSI manufacturing standards for anticounterfeiting Work with InfraTrac and Sharon Flank to embed different materials via DED for authentication Shape Matrix system created by Shape Operating Systems The Cool Parts Showcase 2021 featuring a 3D printed barcode in the Bespoke category (Meet the 2023 finalists and VOTE) Subscribe to The BuildUp, Additive Manufacturing Media's newsletter on 3D printing for industrial production
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Postprocessing is a necessary part of the additive manufacturing (AM) workflow in almost every instance, because 3D printing alone rarely yields a finished part ready for use. Depending on the materials and processes they choose, AM adopters have to account for depowdering, curing, heat treat, cleaning, dyeing, tumbling, machining and many other post-print operations. Coupled with the high-mix, low-volume production typical in AM, such steps are difficult to automate or optimize — leading many companies to develop innovative and often secretive internal processes.
A question from an audience member about competing production rates for a forged metal part that might be made through additive manufacturing instead got Pete Zelinski thinking about production rate in general, and what this rate does and does not tell us about productivity overall. Additive can win a production "race." An example involving a 1,000-piece production run of parts otherwise made through molding was documented by Formlabs (more info below). However, is a head-to-head comparison like this the measure by which additive must succeed? Pete explores this question. Find photos, related links and the transcript for this episode on AdditiveManufacturing.Media. Mentioned in this episode: From Formlabs, 3D printing vs. injection molding for a 1,000-piece run. Our report at Big Metal Additive on directed energy deposition for Navy projectiles. Subscribe to The BuildUp, our twice-weekly Additive Manufacturing newsletter.
Formnext 2024 lived up to its reputation as additive manufacturing's largest trade show, attracting more than 34,000 attendees to 54,000 m2 of exhibit space. It was also large in the sense of showcasing just how big 3D printing can go, with plenty of showpieces and demos running to illustrate the current scale of large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) technology. But beneath the robotic arms and towering prints, there were also plenty of new machine introductions, software advances and application examples. Over the course of their time at the show, AM Radio cohosts Peter Zelinski and Stephanie Hendrixson noted more semiconductor applications than ever before, an increased use of tungsten, software developments aimed at solving AM's design bottleneck, various approaches to cutting cost per part, and indications that additive manufacturing has crossed various tipping points expanding where the production method makes sense, and is on trajectory to continue that advance. In this episode of the AM Radio podcast, hear observations from the show floor and takeaways for additive manufacturers. Find photos, related links and the transcript for this episode on AdditiveManufacturing.Media. This episode is brought to you by Additive Manufacturing Media. Never miss a story.
Additive manufacturing and robots are parallel technologies, both digitally enabled tools for manufacturing that are advancing in adoption. But they also enable each other. 3D printing can provide the grippers, end effectors and other specialized tooling that robots require to serve production. And robots are driving AM forward as well. Collaborative robots or cobots are being used to tend 3D printer farms, sometimes mounted on autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for a fully mobile, as well as automated, solution. And robots are opening opportunities for larger and more complex part production, by providing the motion for a growing number of large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) systems. In this episode of AM Radio, Gardner Business Media Robots & Autonomy editor Julia Hider joins Stephanie Hendrixson and Pete Zelinski to discuss how AM and robots interact, and specific examples of this interaction.
The 2024 edition of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show welcomed more than 89,000 attendees to Chicago last week. While only a portion of the show's 1,500 exhibitors were offering additive manufacturing equipment or services, AM nevertheless had a significant footprint at this show. Conversations with speakers, exhibitors and attendees revealed insights about where additive is finding traction now, and where it is heading next. In this episode of AM Radio, I talk with Pete Zelinski about equipment launches during the show, advances in usability and accessibility, AM's role in the casting supply chain, the increased presence of service providers, and how the next "phase" of AM will look different.