Basics
To Succeed With Additive, See It As More Than Just Another Method of Making Parts
A fundamental challenge of AM relates to mindset: recognizing it as not just a manufacturing method but also a choice with far-reaching impacts.
March 25, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Metal AM
How a Solid-State Process Stood Firm Until Additive’s Moment
Early on, this company saw the promise of friction stir welding for building forms in layers. Few understood at the time. They understand now, in part because this process offers benefits such as blended materials and freedom from stress that other metal AM approaches can’t match.
March 22, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Design for Additive
Why Additive Manufacturing Needs the Executive Perspective
CEOs, take note! Adopting additive manufacturing is a choice likely to affect far more than just production. The paradigm still missing from the evaluation of AM in many cases is the view that sees the impacts in various parts of the enterprise.
March 18, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Production
Why Additive Manufacturing Needs the Executive Perspective
CEOs, take note! Adopting additive manufacturing is a choice likely to affect far more than just production. The paradigm still missing from the evaluation of AM in many cases is the view that sees the impacts in various parts of the enterprise.
March 16, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Tooling
Video: The Pella Corporation Is Succeeding With 3D-Printed Tooling
An engineering leader with the window and door maker shows examples of the tooling and machine parts now produced for the company's manufacturing processes using 3D printing.
March 15, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Production
Video: Additive Manufacturing as an Alternative to Casting
Daan Kersten of Additive Industries discusses the promise of metal AM for production. Cost per piece can be lower than many expect.
March 11, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Tooling
3D-Printed Tooling and the Mindset Change at Pella
For the window and door maker, 3D printing for tooling and machine components is “not just another tool, but a whole other toolkit.” However, winning widespread acceptance and understanding was the most important challenge.
March 8, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Metal AM
Call for Speakers: Present Your AM Application to Current and Future AM Users at the Additive Manufacturing Conference
The call for presenters is now open for the sixth annual AM Conference, to be held August 27-29 in Austin, Texas. Presentations from successful users are welcome, and in fact frequently are some of the best-received talks at the event.
March 7, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Design for Additive
Niche Manufacturer Discovers How Additive and Amazon Go Together
The economics of 3D printing allow for cost-effective production of niche products, and Amazon Prime offers a way to distribute them. The Periscope Case is one company’s first venture into an all-new model aimed at bringing products to market that would never have been profitable before.
March 6, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Aerospace
Video: How Additive Manufacturing Is Advancing the Space Industry
By making launch vehicles more efficient and easier to manufacture, AM lets small companies play a significant role in space. Here is a conversation with an aspiring startup.
March 4, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Videos
Video: Production Additive Manufacturing Is Coming
Additive systems are proving capable for cost-effective production even of parts that aren’t all that complex. This will be the next phase of AM.
February 25, 2019 - Peter Zelinski
Design for Additive
AM Brings Down the Wall Between Manufacturing and Design
In additive manufacturing, design and manufacturing blend together. They can’t be separate if AM is to realize its promise.
January 28, 2019 - Peter Zelinski