AMUG July 2021

President’s report

Hello AMUG Members,

July marks the start of our new board of directors. Please help me in welcoming the new directors to the AMUG Board. We are excited to have them join yet saddened to see some of the past board members step down. However, this new team is working hard to keep our organization fresh and exhilarating. We appreciate your help in doing this.

It’s a very challenging schedule, considering our shortened time frame between conferences, where we address everything from our last event and build a great AMUG 2022. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we will work to incorporate all the improvements that we can. Should you ever have ideas to share, we are always eager to hear from you. All of our activities for 2022 have begun—we are already working to prepare another event that exceeds the last one. Based on the positive feedback on AMUG 2021, that may be very hard to do, but hey, that’s been said before.

Hopefully, you have had a chance to enjoy some summertime with family and friends. Summer is typically a time for vacations and relaxing…not so much if you sit on the AMUG Board. We hope you have more opportunities to get away and enjoy some of the return to normal. If you have travels coming up, please be safe and enjoy!

Enjoy the summer before it’s gone!

Sincerely,

Carl Dekker
President

Chris Kaminsky: 2020 Randy Stevens Scholarship winner

My AMUG 2021 Experience

In early 2020, I saw a post from Zac Holcomb on LinkedIn that talked about a scholarship for AMUG 2020, and while I only had a couple of days to submit my entry, I got to work. It sent me back in time through everything I have done in life, including my most recent position as the Lakeshore Fab Lab manager. When you’re in the day–to–day, you forget about the big picture, but by working on my entry, AMUG allowed me to see all the good that I’ve helped facilitate at the fab lab during my time there!

I honestly didn’t think I had a chance at winning, but I knew I wanted to attend the AMUG Conference, which wasn’t going to be in the budget for my department. A few weeks later, I found out that I had won, but then the victory was bittersweet because the world was shutting down due to the pandemic! I thought, “Just my luck!” Little did I know it would be a blessing in disguise.

The 2021 AMUG Conference offered me so much, including incredible friendships with the other 2020 and 2021 scholarship winners. Right off the bat, we all clicked. We arrived at the conference early in the weekend to start setting up and learning about what we would be doing throughout the week, and from the start, we bonded. When we weren’t volunteering somewhere, you would most likely see two, three, or four of us hanging out together. So thanks, 2020, for allowing us to all be together in the same year. Without the strife of 2020, we would not have bonded so closely, and the ‘Badge of Shame’ would not have been born! (The badge of shame, created by our little group, was awarded when someone accrued the most points for being late, forgetting something, or just dropping the ball).

I went to many sessions where I learned a lot about the additive world that I did not know before. I took back so much information and spilled it out to my team at the community college for weeks on end! One thing that we were told was to engage in everything; don’t just go to the workshops and sessions, also go to the social events and interact with everyone. I can say I was floating down the lazy river taste testing bourbon and whiskey with rocket scientists and leaders of this industry that I am passionate about. Nerd win.

Multiple times throughout the week, I would just be grabbing food, and people would come up from behind me and beg me to take their information because they wanted to help us at the fab lab. So, I now have direct contact info for some at SpaceX, NASA, and other places that are doing amazing things in additive. What other conference gives you those kinds of relationships?

We’ve all been to other industry conferences, and while great, there just isn’t this personal touch that I felt from AMUG. It truly is amazing. I want to thank everyone that made my AMUG journey possible through the Randy Stevens Scholarship. Randy’s passion and involvement in the AM community made it possible for me to go. And thanks to In’Tech Industries for keeping that passion alive via the scholarship. The education sector often gets left out of the professional world, and I think that is a huge mistake that we need to work on together.

Thank you to the AMUG Board and volunteers for truly an incredible event. I walked away with new friendships, industry contacts, and insights. And I got to live out a childhood dream of being in Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley holding a wizard’s wand!

Chris Kaminsky

Jordan Weston—Director, Education & Conference

I am both excited and humbled to be elected to the AMUG Board of Directors.

The very first AMUG Conference I attended was in Costa Mesa in 2012. The group had voted to expand the users group beyond SLA and SLS in the previous year, and the 2012 conference saw a then-record turnout of over 260 attendees. My, how things have changed!

Since that first year I attended, I was hooked. I was fascinated by the openness of the group, the networking, and the engagement through conversations. I was enamored with the sharing of information and knowledge, as well as the sense of community.

Each year that I attended, I was motivated to give back to the AMUG community what I had gotten out of attending. Over the years, I have volunteered as a speaker, moderator, track leader, liaison, and committee member. Along the way, I was privileged to work so closely with past and current board members, all of whom shared a passion for education and advancement in the AM industry. Through their mentorship, I was able to get a glimpse of the “behind the scenes” of AMUG, the year-round efforts, and incalculable volunteer hours that make it the success that it is, year after year. Through those interactions with the AMUG leadership team, it inspired me to continue increasing my contributions to this group that I’ve grown to cherish so much.

This year, I look forward to a new challenge. As Director of Education & Conference, I intend to work closely with the agenda committee, sponsors, and speakers to maintain the high-quality content and education that initially drew me into this group nearly a decade ago. I look forward to serving you and cannot wait to see you in Chicago next April!

Jordan Weston
Director, Education & Conference

Bill Macy—Director, Membership

AMUG has an important role in the maturation of 3D printing and AM. Early on, we gathered to discuss our challenges and collaborate on solutions. 30-plus years later, this mission is still being fulfilled!

In my roles as a user, consultant, and most recently an equipment manufacturer, this community continues to grow more important to me. It is critical that we are all accountable for the roles we support and the results we can produce as an AM community. Participation in a user community is vital; it was my time and my turn to contribute.

I am truly honored that the AMUG members gave me their vote of confidence to serve in this capacity. Thank you!

Bill Macy
Director, Membership

Tim Bell—Director, Business Development

Over the years of attending AM trade shows (about 15 years), I often found them to be nothing more than a way for the sales & marketing teams to generate leads. While there was always something new to learn and absorb, typically you were met in the booths by someone who can’t answer many technical questions. So, you would walk away with little more than a shiny brochure or trinket they printed.

And then I stumbled across AMUG—I think it was 2015 or maybe 2016—and I was blown away!

AMUG’s event is a gathering of people who share their experiences on success as well as failed builds, machine problems, materials they trust…and some they don’t. And I thought to myself, “WOW, this is amazing, and I want to be part of this!”

Well, here we are six years later, and I have gained the trust of the membership to take on the role of Director of Business Development.

I have spent many years doing business development. When I look at both the growth of AMUG and the members who attend the conference, I see many of the same people year after year. Wait, don’t get me wrong, I love these people and their support of the users group. But, I am positive that many users are hacking away at some 3D printer trying to solve problems in isolation. They need to know about us.

In my AMUG role, I am on a mission to bring those new members into our group to continue to build on the amazing work that has been done up until now!

Tim Bell
Director, Business Development

Webinar: LuxCreo 3D printing elastic polymer resins are achieving better performance than Pebax and redefining product performance

Technology advances in new polymers, resin-printing techniques, and 3D printing software are making an impact across multiple industries including footwear, medical, sporting equipment, and apparel. In footwear, 3D printing midsoles are achieving 80% energy return and keeping their shape after million cycles—that is over 30 marathons.

Hear how leading 3D printing elastic resins combined with software, such as generative design, are transforming applications for 3D printing and performance of traditional products.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, August 26, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). Register here to join us!

LuxCreo’s finite element analysis team designs elastic structures that achieve 80% energy return over 1M cycles.

TTM protects the factory floor from ESD occurrences with Essentium materials

In electronics factories like TTM Technologies, Inc. (TTM), one of the constant challenges is protecting products from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. TTM goes to great lengths to ensure that its factory floor is ESD-safe, including the procurement of electrostatically dissipative filament for all AM efforts.

Using its one-stop-shop approach to manufacturing, TTM needed an ESD-safe filament to print custom fixtures. Through trial and error, TTM discovered that most ESD-safe filaments on the market have a marring defect that results in scratching, streaking, or otherwise damaging parts or equipment during manufacturing.

Enter Essentium’s Z Collection of non-marring, electrostatically dissipative materials. These industrial-grade ESD-safe materials helped TTM ensure product quality to support its one-stop-shop manufacturing approach. Learn more here.

Filament being manufactured on Essentium’s production line.

Dyndrite named Technology Pioneer 2021 by World Economic Forum

On June 15, 2021, Dyndrite was pleased to reveal that the World Economic Forum had selected Dyndrite as a 2021 Technology Pioneer. Recognized for its contributions to the field of advanced manufacturing, Dyndrite, and CEO Harshil Goel, will be participating in World Economic Forum activities, events, and discussions while working with global leaders to help address key industry and societal issues for the next two years.

“Additive manufacturing has the potential to transform humanity but requires a new approach in software technology to fully deliver on the technology’s promise. Dyndrite is revolutionizing the way 3D geometry is created, transformed, and transmitted on a computer, empowering additive manufacturing hardware and software providers to deliver serial production at solutions at scale,” said Harshil Goel, CEO.

See more about Dyndrite’s Accelerated Computation Engine, designed to challenge fundamental assumptions on how digital manufacturing hardware and software can be architected and deployed.

Special focus on generative design

In the June Special Focus Issue of Digital Engineering, we take a look at generative design technology, its use in AM and lightweighting applications, its relationship to simulation-driven design, and how organizations like NASA and Hyundai are putting it to use.

You can download the issue here.

Special Focus Issue covers generative design.

You are the chAMpions! Nominate now for the 3DPI Awards

As we mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the 3D Printing Industry Awards are back.

We are grateful to our returning sponsors, AM Ventures, Protolabs, Marks & Clerk, 3ecruit, and TÜV SÜD, without whom the event would not be possible.

The format remains the same as in previous years. A two-stage process decides the winners. First, nominations (open until August 28, 2021) are accepted; then votes are cast for those on the shortlists of nominees.

You can nominate anyone or any enterprise. That includes yourself, your business partners, or even your own company. Please visit the 2021 3D Printing Industry Awards page to learn more and nominate today.

On October 21, 2021, we announce the winners. Subscribe to our new YouTube channel to watch the event live.

From semiconductor production to mass customization, get real in-depth insight in the new issue of Metal AM magazine

The Summer 2021 issue of Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine is out now and available to read for free in your browser, as a pdf download, or via our Metal AM app for iOS and Android. In-depth articles cover:

• Semiconductor fabrication using AI-enabled generative design
• Mass customization
• Materialise: Integrating manufacturing and software expertise to shape AM’s future
• Pedal to the metal at the DMC: Redefining what’s possible for AM in hypercars and beyond
• The future is AM – if we take a more holistic view of the design opportunities
• Radical collaboration and quality standards: A pathway to growing the industry
• Distributed manufacturing: Old concept, new relevance, new technology?

Get your free copy via the Metal AM website, or get the app today, for access to this issue and the whole Metal AM magazine archive.

Get Metal AM’s Summer 2021 edition online or via the app.

Does AM compete with conventional manufacturing? 3D-printed tooling says otherwise

Is AM in competition with other, more established manufacturing processes? Yes, because AM makes it possible to create shapes never before possible and to do so without the lead times and costs of many incumbent processes. But also no—in some ways, AM is actually advancing those conventional processes not by making parts directly but by providing the tooling these processes need.

3D printed tooling is the focus of the latest issue of Additive Manufacturing magazine, with stories covering its use for casting, injection molding, foam molding, low-temperature molding, assembly, and machining. Read the issue or subscribe.

One transmission plant saved Ford more than $1 million by 3D printing tools like this broaching fixture.

AM experts offer advice to shops on adoption

Most manufacturers have heard stories about the myriad capabilities of AM. But for shops new to the technology that are more interested in what AM can do for them than in gee-whiz tales about the technology, they need to know the best way to get started with 3D printing and successfully integrate it into their conventional manufacturing operations. Representatives from Forerunner 3D Printing, Jabil, and Markforged offer tips for these shops in an article posted on The Additive Report website. (Read here.)

Other interesting things on our website:

• Video: How 3D printing pioneer Stryker uses additive to build better prosthetic knees. (Read here.)
• The U.S. Army has ordered a metal 3D printer capable of printing parts up to 30 ft. long x 20 ft. wide x 12 ft. high.
• Blog: Will a new 3D printing process end wood shop as we know it? (Read here.)

If you don’t receive The Additive Report, please subscribe here.

Manufacturers considering adopting AM want to know what the technology can do for them. (Credit: Jabil)

Are you ready for TCT 3Sixty?

The countdown to TCT 3Sixty is on. After almost two years apart, we’re looking forward to reconnecting with our community, in-person, at the NEC Birmingham, UK.

TCT 3Sixty is the event for 3D printing and AM intelligence. With over 250 exhibitors, live demonstrations, and three unique content platforms, our fully CPD-certified program will have something for you wherever you are on your AM journey.

Hear from experts and end-users, including NHS England, Rolls Royce, Boeing, and Jabil, and see the latest technologies up-close across three days of exhibits and presentations focused on evaluating, adopting, and optimizing AM.

Register today to join us September 28-30, 2021. Registration is completely free, takes just a couple of minutes, and will provide you with an opportunity to start making the most of TCT 3Sixty’s networking features right now.

TCT 3Sixty will take place September 28-30 at the NEC Birmingham, UK.

3DMP summer issue recaps AMUG, details superalloy and semiconductor developments

3D Metal Printing magazine is readying for RAPID + TCT, coming in September in Chicago, IL, and also is preparing its technology-packed summer issue. We’ll detail AM efforts related to superalloys and semiconductors along with other AM developments.

And of course, we’ll recap the 2021 AMUG Conference, the first major North American AM event in more than a year, which brought together 1000-plus attendees along with dozens of exhibitors and top-notch presenters. AM for metals, especially material and software developments, represented a significant portion of the proceedings, with new formulations along with developments in workflow software of particular importance.

Employing superalloys in AM, such as producing this engine combustor from Hastelloy X, introduces a host of challenges. (Photo courtesy of Velo3D)

Working with stainless steel in 3D printing

More 3D printing vendors are introducing metal materials for their systems. One popular metal, in particular, is stainless steel. This material offers a number of benefits to designers. We interviewed Felipe Castaneda, Creative Director at MakerBot, on ways to make the most of it in your designs for 3D printing.

Hear Felipe’s thoughts here.

Method 3D printer used to make stainless steel parts.