Are You Too Late to Adopt Additive Manufacturing?

3D printing is now a core solution for many industrial applications. Companies that wait to explore Additive Manufacturing (AM) run the risk of falling behind competitors in their respective markets. Plus, the earlier organizations become familiar with AM, the more data and expertise they will gain. Expertise is very important when explaining the key value propositions of AM as well as the reliability to customers and users. As soon as an organization adopts AM as a fundamental tool the more design engineers and the general workforce will embrace the opportunity to solve problems with innovative technologies and materials. In this episode, Host Fabian Alefeld speaks with Matthew Parker, Director of AM Engineering at Senior Aerospace SSP about how to successfully navigate an AM journey. Senior is a company that designs and manufactures some of the most demanding and complex parts for the military space.

The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key Takeaways:

[1:31] Matthew describes his role at Senior, recounts when they decided to adopt AM as a production technology and shares the applications they launched first.

[8:39] How Matthew faces the challenge of client doubt and resistance toward AM and proves that Senior has the experience to help them through their AM journey.

[10:42] Scaling AM into an organization begins with educating engineers and keeping up with the ever-changing technology.

[13:32] Cost is not the only driver when it comes to companies embracing AM in production opportunities.

[17:51] Hesitant customers who lack confidence in AM technology may be left behind in the sustainable applications market and green technology opportunities.

[20:30] Matthew’s advice for companies on the fence about AM, start early and invest.

[23:37] With a solid business case, design engineers will get the ear of senior decision-makers when introducing AM.

[28:02] How to get people excited about AM and how to spread AM expertise throughout a workforce.

Shareables:

“Additive Manufacturing allowed us to design ducting that would squeeze through very tight sections of this aircraft which allowed us to provide our customer with a solution that would not have been possible otherwise.” — Matthew Parker, Director of AM Engineering, Senior Aerospace SSP on The Additive Snack Podcast

“Initially engineers like to think that everything can be additive. And, that is also a challenge — educating the engineering workforce on what are viable candidates for AM, what are better kept traditional, or what are better as hybrids.”— Matthew Parker, Director of AM Engineering, Senior Aerospace SSP on The Additive Snack Podcast

“If you don't invest ahead of the need, then you will not be ready when the customers come in asking.”— Matthew Parker, Director of AM Engineering, Senior Aerospace SSP on The Additive Snack Podcast