February 26, 2021 by Laura Griffiths

#55 Stratasys acquires RPS + office-friendly metal 3D printing developments

On this month’s Additive Insight editorial roundtable, TCT Head of Content Laura Griffiths and Senior Content Producer Sam Davies discuss February’s biggest 3D printing and additive manufacturing news stories.

Continuing the trend for consolidation, we discuss Stratasys‘s acquisition of RPS as it ramps up its ambition to be “the first choice for polymer 3D printing”, the launch of ExOne‘s new office-friendly metal 3D printer based on Rapidia‘s water-based technology, Desktop Metal eliminating the debinding step with its upgraded Studio 2 system, and the Digital Manufacturing Centre‘s integration of Enable Manufacturing‘s Additive Casting technology.

Read featured stories in full:

Thank you to our AI sponsor Ultimaker. Considering an in-house 3D printing solution with industrial-grade material options and trusted software employed by 2 million users? Request a quote here.

February 19, 2021 by Laura Griffiths

#54 Xerox’s Tali Rosman on 3D printing, workflows and supply chain

On this episode of Additive Insight, TCT Head of Content Laura Griffiths is joined by Tali Rosman, Xerox Vice President and General Manager for 3D Printing.

The well-known 2D print giant made its play for the additive manufacturing market back in 2019 with the acquisition of start-up Vader Systems and its Liquid Metal 3D printing technology. Since then, Xerox has gone on to introduce its first metal system, the Xerox ElemX, and recently announced the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) as its first installation.

We spoke to Rosman about Xerox’s history with 3D printing, which began long before that 2019 acquisition, Xerox’s commitment to being its own first customer with its AM products, and the company’s pragmatic approach to ensuring additive can be easily integrated into existing workflows and supply chains.

Commenting on those workflows, Rosman said: “I think we’re humble enough to understand that the vast majority of parts are not going to be made with 3D printing so we have to integrate into existing workflows and we have the obligation to make it easy for the customer to integrate it into their existing systems – that’s absolutely top of mind for us.”

February 5, 2021February 19, 2021 by Laura Griffiths

#53 AM-Flow talks demand for additive manufacturing workflow automation

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, our Executive Interview series continues with a conversation with Carlos Zwikker, Chief Commercial Officer at AM-Flow.

The Netherlands-based start-up is a developer of automation technologies which tackle the post-printing parts of the AM production workflow. Combining 3D-shape identification and a mix of hardware and software intelligence, AM Flow addresses those important end-to-end process steps which need to be considered in order to position additive manufacturing as a scalable production technology.

Speaking with TCT Head of Content, Laura Griffiths, Zwikker discusses the company’s latest developments, why these solutions will be necessary for 3D printing to reach its true manufacturing potential, and the readiness of the AM market for this level of automation.

January 22, 2021 by Laura Griffiths

#52 Desktop Metal buys EnvisionTEC + more 3D printing acquisitions

In the first of our new monthly editorial roundtable sessions, TCT editors Laura Griffiths and Sam Davies discuss some of the biggest and most-read 3D printing news story from the last month on the Additive Insight podcast.

On this episode we cover two big acquisition stories including Desktop Metal‘s takeover of DLP additive manufacturing pioneer EnvisionTEC, and Protolabs‘ acquisition of online 3D printing network 3D Hubs.

We also share two of our most read AM application stories from this month; Ford’s use of Formlabs‘ Form 3L systems in a European first at its Body and Assembly plant in Spain, and how wearable barcode scanner manufacturer ProGlove has achieved serial production runs of its latest product in collaboration with DyeMansion and FORMRISE.

Read featured stories in full:

January 8, 2021 by Laura Griffiths

#51 Stratasys EMEA President Andy Langfeld on polymer 3D printing ambitions, acquisitions & adoption

We’re continuing our executive interview series into 2021 with insights from Andreas Langfeld, President EMEA at Stratasys, who joins us on the Additive Insight podcast to discuss the last 12 months, future plans and that $100 million Origin acquisition.

Speaking to Andy towards the end of a last year, we discussed resilience, and how despite the challenges of 2020, Stratasys successfully launched and shipped a brand new PolyJet system, continued to make strides in healthcare and aerospace markets, and how the additive manufacturing industry has come even further than Andy could have imagined at the beginning of his decade long career in 3D printing.

“The advancement in terms of being a solid and reliable manufacturing alternative has been more than I would have expected 11 years ago,” Langfeld said. “But certainly as we have moved through the years we have actively influenced that development.”

This episode is brought to you in association with Ultimaker. Considering an in-house 3D printing solution with industrial-grade material options and trusted software employed by 2 million users? Request a quote here.

December 25, 2020December 24, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#50 The biggest 3D printing developments of 2020

TCT_podcast

For 2020’s last episode of Additive Insight (and our 50th episode to date), TCT editors Laura Griffiths and Sam Davies gather around the virtual mic for a round up of the year’s biggest 3D printing stories.

We reflect on exclusive interviews with industry leaders, significant launches and the impact of COVID-19 on the perception of additive manufacturing.

For a month by month rundown of the year’s must-read stories, visit Sam’s roundup of 2020’s biggest 3D printing launches, applications and industry developments.

Then, head over to our 2021 preview feature for conversations with those additive manufacturing companies with big things planned for next year.

December 16, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#49 SPEE3D CEO talks lightning fast metal 3D printing

TCT_podcast

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, TCT Head of Content Laura Griffiths speaks to Byron Kennedy, CEO of Australian additive manufacturing company SPEE3D.

Launched in 2017, SPEE3D is known for its supersonic 3D deposition process, an ultra-fast additive technique adapted from metal cold spray technology. With two machines now available on the market, both capable of producing fast, low-cost, near net shape parts, the company has gained a number of customers in a range of industrial sectors, most notably defence.

On this episode, we hear how the company’s technology is enabling manufacturers to create real production parts, its work in the field with the Australian Army and conservative push into the defence sector, and how its production cell is giving manufacturers all the tools they need to bring metal 3D printing in-house.

December 2, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#48 Dr Lee-Bath Nelson on AM, IP and distributed manufacturing

TCT_podcast

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, we speak to Dr Lee-Bath Nelson, co—founder and VP of Business at additive manufacturing software as a service company LEO Lane.

Since its founding in 2014, LEO Lane has been developing cloud based solutions which control, protect, and track 3D printed products and files.

On this episode we discuss increasing IP challenges as additive moves more into production, how the pandemic has forced companies to think more urgently about how they’re protecting their 3D printable part data, a how heightened attention on the benefits of distributed manufacturing have emphasised the need for products like LEO Lane.

November 13, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#47 3D printing highlights from Formnext Connect

TCT_podcast

On this weeks episode of Additive Insight, the TCT content team reflect on a busy week at Formnext Connect including the biggest launches from the virtual floor, interviews with exhibitors and highlights from the TCT Conference @ Formnext Connect.

Expect details on new additive manufacturing hardware from the likes of SLM Solutions, Additive Industries and Wematter, plus insight from conversations with Nexa3D, Solukon and more.

For more Formnext Connect content, check out:

October 30, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#46 Dan’s 3D printing highlights

TCT_podcast

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, The TCT Group’s outgoing Head of Content Daniel O’Connor gets his turn in the hot seat as the editorial team bid a fond farewell and gather his thoughts on eight years in the additive manufacturing (AM) industry including the biggest trends, changes and technology developments.

From starting out with “Thingi Thursdays” and Buzzfeed-style listicles on TCT Magazine’s Personalize brand amid peak “3D printer in every home” hype to travelling the world covering some of the most prolific adopters of additive for series production, we talk through Dan’s first articles, his favourite stories on the road (including a few now infamous travel mishaps), and what he believes have been some of the most significant advancements to happen to the industry throughout his AM career.

Reflecting on a valuable piece of AM insight shared by 3D printing consultant Dr Phil Reeves, Dan said: “I think we can all sit and do a cost analysis of 3D printing and say ‘oh I’m not sure if it covers the cost’ but it only doesn’t cover the cost when everything goes to plan and coronavirus is an example of that. When something doesn’t go to plan, 3D printing can step in and that is absolutely priceless for a manufacturing industry, to be able to say, ‘We’ve got this car on the line, we haven’t manufactured the arm rest, what are we going to do?’ The suppliers gone under, ‘Well we can 3D print it and have it done.’ … I think the ability for 3D printing to keep manufacturing going is absolutely astronomical.”

This episode is brought to you in association with Ultimaker. Considering an in-house 3D printing solution with industrial-grade material options and trusted software employed by 2 million users? Request a quote here.

October 23, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#45 Xometry CEO on the power of distributed manufacturing

TCT_podcast

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, we’re joined by Randy Altschuler, CEO of on-demand manufacturing marketplace, Xometry.

Earlier this year TCT spoke with Randy about importance of localised manufacturing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and in this conversation, we elaborate on that idea by discussing the benefits of distributed manufacturing can provide going forward, how Xometry is enabling that with a network of over 5,000 manufacturing partners, and how it’s looking to one of the next big challenges facing the industry – climate change.

This episode is brought to you in association with Ultimaker. Considering an 3D printing solution with industrial-grade material options and trusted software employed by 2 million users? Request a quote here.

October 9, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#44 nTopology CEO on empowering engineers to make transformative products

TCT_podcast

This week, nTopology CEO Bradley Rothenberg joins us on the Additive Insight podcast.

Last year the New York-based software company brought its TCT Award-winning nTop platform to market, promising the next generation of engineering design tools for advanced manufacturing. With hundreds of users already said to be working with the technology and global expansion underway, TCT spoke with Brad shortly after nTopology announced the raise of $40 million in a Series C funding round to help further its growth.

Coming up we discuss the power of optimised workflows, how nTopology’s nTop platform is helping engineers create new and previously impossible products, and the role of software in additive manufacturing’s push to production.

October 2, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#43 CEO Steve Chillscyzn on Evolve Additive’s next STEP

TCT_podcast

On this episode of the Additive Insight podcast, Steve Chillscyzn, CEO of Evolve Additive and inventor of STEP (Selective Thermoplastic Electrophotographic Process) technology joins us to discuss additive manufacturing (AM) for production.

Evolve Additive is an AM start-up which spun out from Stratasys in 2018. With investment from Stanley Black & Decker and the Lego Brand Group supporting its research and development efforts, Evolve’s STEP technology, of which Steve is co-inventor, is focused entirely on production manufacturing, promising a viable alternative to injection moulding.

Here, Steve talks about the development of the technology, how Evolve is approaching production grade applications, and the company’s next phase as it gears up to deliver first machines to customers.

This episode is brought to you in association with TCT 3Sixty, the event for 3D printing and additive manufacturing intelligence.

September 25, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#42 BCN3D CEO on new era and next-gen 3D printers

TCT_podcast

On this this episode of Additive Insight, TCT Deputy Group Editor Laura Griffiths speaks to Xavier Martínez Faneca, CEO of Barcelona-based 3D printing company BCN3D.

BCN3D is manufacturer of polymer extrusion-based desktop 3D printers, which spun out of the Polytechnic university of Catalonia. From automotive to fashion, the company is said to have an install base of around 5,000 machines employed by a wide range of professional and industrial users, and just recently raised €2.8 million in funding to expand its 3D printing hardware and materials portfolio.

On this episode Faneca discusses BCN3D’s origins in the RepRap movement, its unique IDEX (Independent Dual Extruder) technology and the latest iterations of its Sigma and Epsilon family of 3D printers.

This episode is brought to you in association with TCT 3Sixty, the event for 3D printing and additive manufacturing intelligence.

September 18, 2020 by Laura Griffiths

#41 Formlabs CEO Max Lobovsky on becoming a leader in 3D printing

TCT_podcast

On this week’s episode of Additive Insight, TCT Deputy Group Editor Laura Griffiths is joined by Max Lobovsky, Co-founder and CEO of leading 3D printing company Formlabs.

From its origins as a Kickstarter success story which grew out of the MIT Media Lab back in 2012, Formlabs has gone on to become one of a handful of unicorn status companies in the additive space with its popular desktop stereolithography systems and earn itself an install base of more than 70,000 printers worldwide.

On this episode we discuss the company’s rise an an industrial player against the backdrop of 3D printing’s hype years, a new dental machine build on its large-format Low Force Stereolithography platform, and we get an update on the long-awaited Fuse 1 desktop SLS system.

This episode is brought to you in association with TCT 3Sixty, the event for 3D printing and additive manufacturing intelligence.