Worldwide interest and adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) in industry continues at an astounding pace with the prediction that sales of products and services will double in the coming years. Starting this June, SME’s Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series will roll out a number of industry-focused events designed to help businesses gain an understanding of the latest advances in additive manufacturing.
Additive Manufacturing Applications
June 7, 2018
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Additive Manufacturing Materials
August 9, 2018
Knoxville, Tennessee
Additive Manufacturing Design Considerations
October 11, 2018
Youngstown, Ohio
Quality Processes & Regulatory Considerations for Metal AM
October 17, 2018
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Metal Additive Manufacturing Developments
October 18, 2018
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We caught up with Carl Mitroff, event manager for SME’s Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series and conference manager for RAPID + TCT, to talk about the state of additive manufacturing (AM) and the first in a series of seminars, titled ‘Additive Manufacturing Applications’, in an exclusive AMazing® Q&A conversation.
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AMazing®: Carl, thank you for your participation. This is an extraordinary time with the unprecedented growth of additive manufacturing (AM) in industry. How has the AM market evolved in the past several years? What advice would you offer businesses interested in the integration of AM in their manufacturing processes or commercialization of additive technologies?
Carl Mitroff: Additive manufacturing continues to evolve and produce quality and reliable parts. Competition is bringing quality up and price down. Thinking about the big picture, consider this: According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), “Manufacturing industry experts forecast that additive manufacturing will reach $50 billion between 2029 and 2031 while reaching $100 billion between 2031 – 2044. This explosive growth will undoubtedly disrupt how large and small manufacturers think about, plan and execute their existing manufacturing operations.”
With the constant emergence of new technologies, machines, and materials, additive manufacturing is evolving so quickly that if you do not stay up to speed, you will be left behind. Metal additive manufacturing is also quickly rising in adoption which is why we’re focusing on metal applications in our first seminar.
The Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series are important events for manufacturers to consider attending. They are cost effective full-day seminars to help groups prepare their business for the future. For the June 7th event specifically, we are fortunate to have GE Additive partner with SME and offer their Customer Experience Center facility tour to our attendees.
AMazing®: With regard to the Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series who should attend these seminars? What benefits do seminars offer over more conventional conferences and expositions?
Carl Mitroff: SME’s Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series featuring Additive Manufacturing is targeted for small to medium sized manufacturing companies who are looking to begin their journey into additive or who are looking to increase their exposure to the technology to optimize their production. Attendees can expect to hear from leaders in the industry who are using the machines or producing parts. They also get a chance to interact directly with thought leaders and peers to discuss challenges, successes and future potential.
This venue is an amazing opportunity to network, build new connections and professional relationships. The first seminar in the series, titled ‘Additive Manufacturing Applications’, will offer two facility tours, facilitated by GE Additive and LPW Technology to help bring to life what was learned in the seminar. Seeing the machines in action in “real-time” creates a unique value-added experience.
AMazing®: The topics of discussion for the upcoming seminar titled ‘Additive Manufacturing Applications’ range from specialty alloys, metal powders to functional and final parts. How do these topics reflect the maturation of AM in industry?
Carl Mitroff: Major manufacturers have begun to crack the code on metal AM. Today’s materials and machine printers are increasingly capable to produce high quality parts that are meeting stringent product specific performance requirements. Quality and performance continues to improve and machine costs are decreasing. Companies like HP, Concept Laser and Desktop Metal are offering a range of metal machines that are shaping the industry.
AMazing®: As noted earlier, two facility lab tours (GE’s Customer Experience Center, LPW’s Materials Lab) will be offered to seminar attendees. What can attendees hope to learn and experience by attending these tours?
Carl Mitroff: Seeing the machines and technology in action really helps to drive home an attendee’s experience. At GE Additive’s Customer Experience Center, registered attendees will see and experience the latest in GE additive (Concept Laser and ARCAM) machines and learn about the current state of AM metal materials and the recent advances in design and understand the GE strategy for industrialization of Additive.
At LPW’s Technology’s Commercial Reconditioning Facility, registered attendees will see and learn about the analytical and processing capabilities used to restore reused powders from laser powder bed processes to original specifications. Understand how full traceability is maintained through the process…all done at a fraction of the powder’s original cost.
AMazing®: Finally, what insider tips and/or event strategies would you like to offer attendees to maximize their event experience?
Carl Mitroff: Be prepared to learn about new ways to improve your manufacturing operations by leveraging AM. Have an open mind and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be prepared to meet new contacts who may be in a similar situation. This is a great opportunity to walk out with a better understanding of what the technology can and can’t do. Building new contacts and connections are critical to help manufactures move forward and stay relevant in this changing landscape.
Attendees who invest their time at this seminar should consider attending RAPID + TCT 2019 in Detroit, MI May 21-23. RAPID + TCT is North America’s preeminent event for discovery, innovation, and networking in 3D manufacturing.
This concludes our interview. Carl, thank you very much for your participation. We are very grateful for the opportunity to learn about the latest news involving SME’s Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series.
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About SME
SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With more than 85 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through an education foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at sme.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.
Contacts
Ashley Areeda
Senior PR Representative, SME
aareeda@sme.org
Source: SME/AMazing
