Last week a large part of the 3D printing industry gathered in Frankfurt to visit Formnext, an immense additive manufacturing trade show. In this episode, recorded in the hallway outside the Formnext show floor, we bring you interviews with three authorities on 3D printing: Joris Peels, editor-in-chief of 3DPrint.com; Nora Toure, founder of Women in 3D Printing; and A. John Hart, associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT and co-founder of Desktop Metal.
The Digital Factory Conference is returning to Boston on May 7, 2019. Jeff Immelt hosts, and speakers include the CEO of Align Technology, CIOs of FedEx and Baker Hughes, the head of manufacturing at Ford Motor, CTO of GE, and CEOs of Formlabs and Desktop Metal. Visit thedigitalfactory.com to see the program, and register soon; prices increase as the conference approaches.
Joris Peels
The editor-in-chief of 3DPrint.com talks about the new emphasis on post-processing within the additive manufacturing industry, whether anyone is buying high-end metal 3D printers (they are), why it’s difficult to do mass customization with metal printers, and why the world-changing stuff is the boring stuff.
Favorite tools: Wera Joker wrench, Wiha Precision screwdrivers
Nora Toure
The founder of Women in 3D Printing sees the democratization of technology coming to manufacturing, as the same emphasis on accessibility that’s become common in software moves into hardware. “You do not need to be an engineer to 3D print today,” she says. “All you need is to have a good idea.” Her advice to managers who want to build a more diverse workforce: focus less on formal degrees and credentials, and more on what people want to do.
Favorite tool: WordPress
A. John Hart
As 3D printing becomes an essential tool for engineers, John Hart has developed a curriculum at MIT that introduces the next generation of engineers to its capabilities and applications. His Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes courses draw students from across the university, especially MBA students interested in digital transformation for manufacturers. Hart has also developed an online course and training programs through MIT’s ADAPT consortium that are available to industry.
Favorite tool: an Epson document camera that projects manufactured artifacts in the classroom
