TCT North America 7.4 by TCT Magazine

MAG NORTH AMERICAN EDITION VOLUME 7 ISSUE 4

3D Systems breaks the mold on plastic AM production.

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FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR SAM DAVIES

You can’t be what you can’t see

Increasingly, typing those seven words into your preferred search engine is returning more and more results. There are opinion pieces titled with the phrase, books and TEDx Talks too. And it’s a point being applied in several industries, from politics to the media to STEM. Though the phrase may be at risk of becoming cliché, it contains an abundance of truth for so many women, people of color and other typically underrepresented demographics in a range of environments. Through the work of groups like Women in 3D Printing, the myriad of articles that have carried the discourse in this publication and others, and the discussions at industry events, it won’t have escaped your notice that the additive manufacturing (AM) industry – like many others – isn’t as diverse as it might be. This edition of the magazine, while focusing on AM in heavy industry, looking at cultural applications of the technology and honing in on color 3D printing, also highlights diversity as an ‘industry challenge’. Previous editions have featured ‘business case justification’ and ‘standards’ as industry challenges, while future editions will look at ‘sustainability’ and ‘education’. We feel as though diversity is of equal importance in this space as all of those other issues.

Under the diversity banner within this magazine, MakerBot’s Manager of People and Culture Mina Lee does a great job of spelling out why that is, citing some worrying statistics relating to the number of women who leave STEM sectors after five years and pointing out that only around

one in ten of us working in AM are female. She also goes on to outline how companies can do more to retain women and people of color, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a sense of belonging for all. In a single company, she writes, that responsibility falls to the people at the top. But in an industry, it’s on all of us. Over the next 30 pages, you’ll be able to read about Shell’s application of AM, led by 3D Printing Technology Manager Angeline Goh (Page 9); the impact of Valeria Tirelli’s decision to integrate the technology into Aidro Hydraulics’ production methods (P13); and how Edwell John Jr, a Tlingit clan leader, is bringing together Native Americans, museums and the latest technologies to facilitate repatriation efforts (P14). We’ve also been speaking to several women who have been working in additive since the early days (P20); and there’s many more diverse voices across the rest of this mag’s heavy industry, design AM and culture content. In Mina Lee’s column, she emphasizes the importance of embracing difference, and the people who have contributed their voices to this magazine are testament to why that’s a good idea. If the environment is inclusive, talent will come. If talent is comfortable, then it can prosper. If the AM industry is diverse, then it has a much better chance – now and in the future – of breaking down the barriers of those other industry challenges.

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TCT VOLUME 7 ISSUE 4

COVER STORY

06. REDEFINING PRODUCTION

3D Systems highlights the progress being made with AM applications thanks to production-grade resins.

HEAVY INDUSTRY

09. SHELL, SPARE PARTS AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Shell’s Angeline Goh shares thoughts on the energy company’s use of AM.

13. EMBRACING CHANGE

Aidro Hydraulics CEO Valeria Tirelli discusses the company’s pioneering efforts with AM in the hydraulics sector.

19. INTENTIONAL INCLUSION

MakerBot’s Mina Lee outlines how AM companies can develop a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

20. THE ORIGINAL WOMEN OF 3D Head of Content Laura Griffiths speaks to several women who were developing technologies and using machines in AM’s early days.

DESIGN AM

25. SETTING THE TONE

We take a look at developments in fullcolor 3D printing.

CULTURE

Senior Content Producer Sam Davies talks to museums, researchers and Native American clan leaders about the use of digital technologies in cultural heritage.

RAPID + TCT

29. RAPID + TCT PREVIEW

A look at the technologies and talks coming to North America's most influential AM event.

Expert Column

32. STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT IS AN ACQUIRED TASTE ASTM’s Mohsen Seifi provides his insights into the development of AM standards.

14. REPATRIATIONS & RESTORATIONS

DIVERSITY

REDEFINING PRODUCTION AM production with high performance plastics and batch productivity.

SHOWN: TOYOTA GAZOO RACING MANUFACTURED THIS AUTOMOTIVE GRILL CNC FIXTURE USING 3D SYSTEMS’ NEW ACCURA AMX RIGID BLACK – ACHIEVING A LONG-LASTING PRODUCTION PART WITH SMOOTH SIDEWALLS & SUPERIOR ISOTROPIC STRENGTH

hile additive manufacturing has traditionally been used as a prototyping tool, its rapid maturation in recent years has encouraged many manufacturers to adopt the technology for end-use production parts across a range of applications. Much has changed with the technology, including the development of additive manufacturing processes and materials that are capable of meeting manufacturers’ standards for factors such as repeatability, reliability, accuracy, surface finish, and more. Specifically, advancements from 3D Systems are making it possible to rapidly iterate and produce durable, repeatable parts, not just using thermoplastics, but now also with advanced photopolymers with long-term stability of mechanical

06 / www.tctmagazine.com / VOL 7 ISSUE 4

properties in both indoor and outdoor environments, which was previously not possible.

such as consumer electronics, automotive and motorsports, healthcare, industrial goods, and aerospace and defense.

3D Systems’ materials scientists are engineering materials that are expanding the applications for additive manufacturing. Its rapidly growing portfolio of productiongrade industrial resins for the Figure 4 printing solution are designed specifically for both batch-run, end-use part manufacturing, as well as functional and design aesthetic prototyping applications. These materials feature long-term mechanical performance and stability – up to eight years indoor and one and a half years in outdoor environments – and are suitable for demanding applications in industries

These advancements go beyond the Figure 4 platform. 3D Systems is also bringing these new material capabilities to its stereolithography (SLA) platforms with new production-grade acrylate resin, Accura AMX Rigid Black, which was inspired in part by the advanced production application requirements of TOYOTA Gazoo Racing (TGR). This tough, long-lasting material is the first to produce large-scale additively manufactured parts with exceptional resolution, accuracy, and surface quality capable of withstanding the rigors of longterm mechanical use. According to Alexander Liebold, Group Leader, Production Engineering & Future

cover story

Technologies at TGR-E, Accura AMX Rigid Black allows TGR to deliver larger, complex stereolithography parts, including full-scale manufacturing aids. BELOW: 6

HIGH-DENSITY VERTICAL STACKING IN 3D SYSTEMS’ 3D SPRINT ENABLES BATCH-RUN PRODUCTION ON ITS FIGURE 4 TECHNOLOGY

BOTTOM: 6

FIGURE 4 SOLUTION WITH 3D SPRINT STACKING FEATURE ENABLES BATCHRUN PRODUCTION AT DECATHLON

“Using Accura AMX Rigid Black we achieved 90% time savings and 60% cost savings in comparison to the previous handwork processes for a batch of 40 parts,” said Liebold. “Unlike other additive production technologies, parts in Accura AMX Rigid Black provide very smooth sidewalls and superior isotropic strength, critical for accurate jigs and fixtures that are in constant use. Now we can turn around any large-scale part and be confident it will perform as required, for as long as we need. This is a real gamechanger for production manufacturing.” Efficient Batch-Volume Production with Additive Manufacturing Even with these advancements, there is more to being production-ready than material properties. Production volumes are also a significant piece of the equation. 3D Systems has solved this as well with a software feature it calls highdensity stacking, and it has been tested and validated as a viable production technology by the largest sporting goods retailer in the world. When faced with a mold injection problem on a small component for shooting glasses that connects the frame to the lenses, French company Decathlon opted to test 3D Systems’ new 3D stacking solution to evaluate additive manufacturing for production. The stacking feature helps users print high-volume batches with an efficient file preparation workflow that results in more parts out of the printer in less time. Decathlon’s additive manufacturing lab (ADDLAB) uses 3D Systems’ Figure 4 solution across a range of applications, and according to Decathlon materials engineer Gregoire Mercusot, stacking has reduced print preparation time by as much as 80 percent: “By stacking parts we are able to print in batches of 100, and have reduced the time it takes to prepare a build from 30 to 60 minutes to just six to ten minutes,” said Mercusot. Additive Manufacturing Provides Depth and Breadth to Traditional Manufacturing While additive manufacturing is unlikely to entirely replace traditional manufacturing modes used for the highest production volumes, advances

“This is a real game-changer for production manufacturing.” in production-grade materials, technology and software have made it economically viable for manufacturers that require greater breadth of production; significant quantities of initial series production, post-series production, and spare parts production. This technology is also making it possible for manufacturers to increase the depth and flexibility of their production process, even as they are delivering parts with greater cost efficiency. The mold injection problems Decathlon was having during previous production runs of its shooting glasses component are something it is now equipped to avoid. After conducting a feasibility study on the Figure 4 solution and stacking feature, Decathlon’s teams confirmed the productivity and economics of additive manufacturing and decided that this solution could be considered for batch-run production of the final product. The high-density stacking capability of Figure 4 brings efficiencies of scale to post-processing as well as part building, allowing Decathlon to treat a batch of parts the same as a single part. This means the time it would take Decathlon to clean, cure, and remove the supports from a single part remains the same, even for a batch of 100 parts. Decathlon uses the Figure 4 Modular system to print stacks of 100 parts in 85 minutes, which is equivalent to just 42 seconds per part. For Decathlon’s safety glass application, it takes six minutes to clean all 100 parts, 90 minutes of hands-free time to cure them, and ten minutes to remove supports from the entire batch. “The combination of stacking and productiongrade materials makes Figure 4 ready for production,” remarked Mercusot. The growing speed, accuracy, and versatility of additive manufacturing positions it more and more as an ideal solution for modern industrial production needs — either for complex, multi-part assemblies or small yet vital single plastic components. With 3D Systems’ innovative additive manufacturing technology, as well as its wide portfolio of tough, durable, production-grade plastics, it’s time to consider incorporating AM into your production workflows.

VOL 7 ISSUE 4 / www.tctmagazine.com / 07

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HEAVY INDUSTRY

SHELL, SPARE PARTS & SUPPLY CHAIN WORDS: LAURA GRIFFITHS

equipment, may not be necessary if we could print the required parts with the same or improved quality. Spare parts stored in a warehouse require proper storage and preservation and do not provide agility when operating conditions change and the original spare parts may no longer be suitable.

SHOWN: 3D PRINTED PRESSURE VESSEL

TCT: How easy or challenging is it to get a new AM part from design to production and finally installed at Shell? AG: This is dependent on the type of spare part as well as location. We have a preference to source a 3D printed part for our end users closer to the site of the repair and maintenance. The distribution of qualified service providers could be limited in some regions.

il and gas giant Shell has been deploying 3D printing at its Lloyd’s Register-qualified Amsterdam-based facility since 2011. Here, Angeline Goh (AG), Shell’s 3D Printing Technology Manager speaks to TCT about supply chain, digital warehousing and introducing new technology to a traditional industry. TCT: Shell’s 3D printing focus is on spare parts, novel designs, and visualization. Can you talk about any particular components or projects that have shown the advantages AM affords? AG: The case we worked on in Shell Nigeria is an example of how one could extend equipment life by replacing just what is absolutely needed and in doing so, reducing production downtime and risk in performing the maintenance work. [Editor: For this particular case, engineers used 3D scanning and printing to replace the polymer seal cover on the mooring buoy of an offshore structure in just two weeks and achieved a maintenance cost saving of 90%.] At a different site, we experienced a few valves that were obsolete and

“Having a digital copy of the spare parts ensures that we have a way to produce what we need.” where repair kits were not available. We were able to successfully print the valve internals and continue to use the valves, instead of throwing these away as scrap metal. This presents an agility for us to respond to our operational needs as we have assets that are aging and reaching end of life. AM presents an option to extend the use of equipment and reduces precious resources to produce new spare parts. We are therefore very keen to review repairing parts via 3D printing. Another way that AM supports our operations with the shorter lead-time to obtaining parts, is that it creates a shift towards buying just-in-time as opposed to just-in-case. The traditional way of buying spare parts at the onset of installing new

For example, the non-critical and polymer part that we executed for Shell Nigeria took two weeks from scanning the part to printing, to testing and packing for shipment, even though no technical drawings or documentations were available. However, for functional parts with high criticality, we ensure rigor is built into starting with a build process qualification and this takes additional time in the process. The administration of the procurement process requires time, so the ideal situation is when this is already established upfront. TCT: Shell’s 3D printing strategy is not to manufacture parts itself. How are you qualifying partners and OEMs to source 3D printed components? AG: Shell has a quality management system in which we qualify vendors for materials that we use in our operations. This process already exists. In the case of 3D printing, we adhere to the build process qualification with vendors as per the DNV standard for additive manufacturing of metallic parts [DNV GL ST 203]. There are many service providers for 3D printing but not many with experience to print functional parts for the energy sector and it is important that we have confidence that the service providers can supply quality parts for our operations.

VOL 7 ISSUE 4 / www.tctmagazine.com / 09

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HEAVY INDUSTRY

4 RIGHT:

3D PRINTED MODEL OF A HIGH-PRESSURE ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPRESSOR

6 BELOW RIGHT:

ANGELINE GOH, SHELL

TCT: Can you talk about the benefits that digital warehousing and AM can provide within Shell's supply chain? AG: Having in-house 3D printing capacity was an advantage for us during the pandemic as we could support the community with printing medical devices required by front-line workers. Digital warehousing combined with distributed manufacturing will provide delivery time reduction for spare parts required by our operations and allows for buying and manufacturing what we truly need. Having a digital copy of the spare parts ensures that we have a way to produce what we need, and not run into obsolesces. TCT: Are there any challenges that may prohibit the acceleration of AM within the energy sector? AG: Standards bodies and organizations that are responsible for international standards and legislation are still playing catch up to provide the necessary guidance and approve for the use of 3D printed parts in energy sector. For example, work is still ongoing in our service conditions and pressure equipment, etc. As an industry, we do not yet have a standardized way to qualify AM service providers yet. TCT: Can you talk about the process of converting a traditional industry to a digital mindset? AG: Tremendous effort is taken to ensure a high level of technical assurance when introducing new technology, including 3D printing. We are a heavily regulated industry and introduction of technology needs to be done with a management of change process, and risk mitigation is detailed and thorough. We take our time where needed in implementing technology. Here is where knowledge sharing across the industry can help in providing a level of confidence on what has been investigated and proven to work. We pride ourselves on our engineering skills. We would rise to the challenge of commissioning the world's largest floating liquefied natural gas platform and apply the same penchant of detailed planning, analysis, and data acquisition to devise

a perfect solution. Diversity in the team and multi-disciplinary approach, including the involvement of external partners towards introduction and scaling up of new technology helps us to gain external perspective and ensure risks have been evaluated from different angles and managed. TCT: What opportunities for sustainability do you see AM bringing to Shell? AG: One may argue that in AM, transportation of the raw materials such as powder and wires are still required, so the emission issue remains. The game changer here is instead of shipping multiple spare parts to a warehouse only when we need it, only a fraction of the weight in powder is shipped to print what we really need. Ideally, the design has also been optimized so less material is required and higher integrity and performance of the part can be achieved. It is about extending the equipment life, being able to repair a part rather than to throw away a piece of equipment because a small spare part is not available. These steps add up quickly towards responsible use of resources. Additionally, we see AM as a possible technology to recycle materials, such as end of life windmills whereby blades can be grinded to create feedstock back to 3D printing instead of going to a landfill. This applies to electrical as well as organic waste material.

TCT: To date, Shell has installed over 50 3D printed spare parts. Can you give us a sense of Shell’s ambitions with 3D printing and how much you envision that number growing? AG: We move away from setting a hard target for 3D printed parts as we believe it should be value-driven and achieving the objective of solving problems for our operations. Right now, the demand and growth in the number of parts have grown exponentially [compared to] when we started and we are moving onwards digitalizing the inventory at our sites.

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HEAVY INDUSTRY

EMBRACING CHANGE Senior Content Producer Sam Davies talks to Aidro Hydraulics CEO Valeria Tirelli about the company’s five-year journey with metal AM.

n the office of a small Italian hydraulics manufacturer lies an American trade magazine, left open on a double page spread where one company has celebrated a special anniversary by placing two adverts, side by side, of the same product. One was from 70 years ago, the other from the present day, not that you would be able to tell the difference by the design of the part. This, along with a ‘spirit of innovation’, served as inspiration for Valeria Tirelli, the CEO of Aidro Hydraulics, as she looked to evolve the company’s manufacturing methods. Aidro, a team of just 15 people based in Italy’s Lombardy region, has been producing hydraulics products and parts since 1982. In 2012, Tirelli took the reins from her father, Paolo, and five years later she would make the bold move of integrating additive manufacturing (AM) technology into the business to produce some of its end-use products. “At that time, there were no other companies in hydraulics using 3D printing for hydraulics parts,” Tirelli told TCT. “There were companies using 3D printing for tooling or sand molds, for example, but to create functional parts with additive manufacturing was completely new. We were a kind of pioneer.” As the company – who for 35 years had used conventional means to manufacture its hydraulics products – blazed the additive trail, it pitched up at Hannover Messe. Its modestly sized booth, however, didn’t put off the wide eyes of some of the biggest industrial companies around. Tirelli’s rolodex grew by the hour, as attendees from the motorsports, robotics and energy sectors queued up to learn how the company was using AM to produce its parts. After nearly five years of using the EOS M290 platform, the company can now tell interested parties about its 3D printed hydraulic spools, hydraulic valve blocks, heat exchangers and high-pressure hydraulic manifolds. With redesigned products like these, weight reductions up to around 7585% are common, part consolidations too, as are a range of performance benefits.

“Since we introduced AM, we have faced a real transformation.” A pressure reducing valve body, for example, was consolidated down to one component with a 60% weight reduction and printed in stainless steel, maraging steel and aluminum. The stainless-steel version offered high corrosion resistance, making it suitable for the oil & gas and maritime sectors, while the maraging steel product provided extra strength and toughness. Meanwhile, the addition of new holes forms in a hydraulic spool product enabled the passing area of oil inside the spool to be increased, and newly integrated internal channels inside a hydraulic valve block ensured better flow and space savings. Aidro has also enjoyed designing curved channels with additive to replace

the 90-degree intersection angles that had to be produced with traditional methods. “When you have to connect to a channel in conventional machining, the intersection is at 90 degrees, and there is less pressure: some pressure drops, some dead zone,” Tirelli said. “With additive manufacturing, we are able to create the coolant channel exactly how we need, and we have a better performance, less pressure drops, and we avoid the auxiliary [drillings] that are normally a potential leakage of the oils in machining. So, we have a safer part.” These design changes, Tirelli believes, have resulted in products that are safer for the agricultural industry, because they’re less likely to leak; more environmentally friendly for the transport sectors, because of the weight reductions; and matching or bettering the performance of the traditional products across the board. The company has also committed to carrying out lifecycle assessment analysis to accurately measure the carbon footprint impact, while its ISO 9001 certification ensures the quality of each product it manufactures. Aidro is also exploring virtual warehousing and is part of F3nice’s efforts to recycle obsolete parts as raw material. Introducing AM into the business has been significant for Aidro, whose optimism for the future is rooted in the performance demonstrated by additive manufacturing over the last five years. It has helped to achieve important design changes and product enhancements; drawn the interest of the likes of Porsche, Equinor, Shell and Boston Dynamics; and resulted in the company signing more than 150 NDAs in five years. Oh, and it will mean that Aidro is never likely to be found advertizing the same product with the same design 70 years apart. “Since we introduced additive manufacturing,” Virelli finished, “we have faced a real digital transformation. This is our experience. But it’s not only a new way to produce parts, it’s really a new mindset and this changes the way we work every day.”

VOL 7 ISSUE 4 / www.tctmagazine.com / 013

REPATRIATIONS & The growing role of digital manufacturing technology in cultural heritage.

everal times a year, Edwell John Jr., the leader of the Tlingit Dakl’aweidí clan of the Alaskan village of Angoon, finds himself traveling to important ceremonies in other Native American communities. At these gatherings, speeches may be given, stories told, songs sung, and dances performed. Whatever is on the agenda, it is almost certain that John would take with him his Kéet S’aaxw (Killer Whale Hat), a sacred object known as At.óow that embodies the Dakl’aweidí’s history and ancestral spirits. But should that hat be damaged or broken in transit, not only would it cause much distress for John, but arrangements would have to be made for its repair or replacement. Per Tlingit tradition, a carver from an opposite clan would be commissioned to fix or create a new hat, giving them the opportunity to make modifications to the design to mark the hat’s next chapter, or to precisely mirror the original. “[For me,] the repair of that hat becomes part of that story, so it’s not necessary to make an exact replica,” John tells TCT. “I can’t speak on behalf of the Kaagwaantaan or the Kiks.ádi [two fellow Tlingit clans], I can only speak on behalf of my clan house. It’s up to the individual clan leader if they want something exact or if they want a slight variation. And the reason for the variations, for me, is there could be an added story to that hat.” It’s a principle that John has held ever since – as he became the caretaker of the Dakl’aweidi clan’s crest objects – he began working closely with the Smithsonian Institution to repatriate sacred items back to the Tlingit community. In 2005, a Killer Whale Hat was repatriated to John’s predecessor, Mark Jacobs Jr., who passed away just 11 days later. Seven years on, John took the hat back to the Smithsonian, allowing them to digitize and then fabricate a replica that would be exhibited in their National Museum of National History.

014 / www.tctmagazine.com / VOL 7 ISSUE 4

The replication of the hat using digital technology was highlighted by University of Brighton researchers Myrsini Samaroudi and Karina Rodriguez in a piece published on theconversation.com in 2019. The thrust of the article was to proffer 3D technologies as tools to support and facilitate repatriations, reuniting people with cherished items and replacing lost knowledge in affected communities, while still allowing museums to inform the public about the culture behind the objects. By repatriating and later replicating the Killer Whale Hat, the Smithsonian Institution hit on a couple of those values. Having managed to send the hat back to Jacobs, the then Dakl’aweidí clan leader was able to communicate through it with his ancestors before he passed. With the subsequent creation of the replica, the Smithsonian is also able to continue informing its visitors of the hat and Jacobs’ story. “I don’t remember exactly when, but we began having conversations about digitizing the hat and the multiple purposes that could serve,” Eric Hollinger, a Tribal Liaison for the Repatriation Office of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, says. “One, a level of security for Edwell in case something happened to the original hat and then we also asked Edwell for permission to make a replica to be able to tell the story in the museum of the repatriation to Mark, because in repatriation, we often don’t have anything physical left to put on exhibit.” With John’s permission, the Smithsonian used laser scanning to capture the shape of the object, photogrammetry to capture the color information and file processing to blend the data together. Using alder wood – the material the original hat was made from – supplied by the Tlingit, a replica was carved via CNC milling, with the object being placed in a freezer in between phases of machining to ensure

“We should approach the subject of decolonization and repatriation with an open mind, accepting other people’s voices and work towards the benefit of all.”

CULTURE

& RESTORATIONS 3 LEFT:

DAKL'AWEIDI CLAN LEADER EDWELL JOHN JR. (CENTER), WEARING THE REPATRIATED KILLER WHALE HAT IN 2013. PHOTO BY JON ALEXANDER

it didn’t crack or warp. It has been on display at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum ever since; talked about at Tlingit clan conferences; loaned to Tlingit dance groups to wear in performances in Washington D.C; and has helped to accelerate conversations between both parties around repatriation.

SHOWN: REPLICA KILLER WHALE HAT ON EXHIBIT IN THE SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. (CATALOG NUMBER E433020. DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.) PHOTO BY JAMES DI LORETO

NEEDS AND WANTS Such discussions are of increasing importance, with Samaroudi telling TCT that “museums have to evolve to remain relevant to society” and “enable people to make their voices heard.” Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK is one museum that has come under pressure from academics, authors and protest groups to address the origins of many of its exhibits. Recently, Pitt Rivers posted a statement on its website outlining its ‘commitment to change’ in which it will actively pursue repatriation and decolonization opportunities. Yet, the museum’s Head of Conservation, Jeremy Uden, tells TCT that there is some hesitance around the idea of using digital or 3D technologies to support those efforts. In a scenario where it is returning an artefact back to an affected community, the museum would prefer, if possible, to instead exhibit traditionally made replicas. Meanwhile, in an instance where the original cannot be returned, to send a 3D printed replica in its place, for example, may not suffice because the interest in the object is more to do ‘with the connection with their ancestors and the spiritual significance of the original object,’ than the look, feel or function. Just down the road, though, ThinkSee3D has different experiences. In the Basse Yutz Flagons – a set of Iron Age ceremonial drinking vessels bought legitimately by the British Museum in the 1900s – the Oxford-based company 3D scanned, 3D printed and finished two replica objects before sending the identical copies to a French salt museum who missed out on buying the artefacts some 200 years ago. A community in Donegal, Ireland has also accepted a 3D printed copy of an eighth-century pilgrim bell – which is exhibited in their community museum and taken with them on their annual pilgrimage to St Connell’s Island – because of damages to the original, while a Nigerian community agreed to take replicas of some rare eighth-century bronzes that were cast from 3D printed molds as they haven’t the means to look after the originals.

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CULTURE

SHOWN:

TLINGIT SPEAR THROWERS 'SHEE AAN' WITH 3D PRINTED REPLICAS (FAR RIGHT AND FAR LEFT). (CENTER, CATALOG NUMBERS E20771 AND E07899) SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY. PHOTO BY BRITANNY HANCE

While these projects may not quite do enough to be considered real repatriation – since neither the original artefacts, nor ownership of them, have been returned – the affected communities have at least been able to utilize the replicas in some of the circumstances that the originals would have been, as with the St Connell’s bell, or have been able to reclaim and retell the story of the object, as with the Nigerian bronze replicas. These efforts are more likely to be referred to as sharing surrogates with communities, while Hollinger has also leveraged 3D technologies for ‘a new form of cultural restoration’ in his role with the Smithsonian. A Tlingit Sculpin Hat project, like with ThinkSee3D’s Irish pilgrim bell, leant on digital technologies because of damages to the original, with a replica being milled by a member of a Tlingit opposite clan – as is custom in the community – and dedicated in ceremony to put spirit into the new hat, making it at.óow of the Kiks.adi, the clan to which the broken hat belonged. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian has also – as Samaroudi and Rodriguez suggested – used 3D technologies to replace lost knowledge in the Tlingit community by replicating a number of ancient spear throwers. The few known Tlingit spear throwers can only be found in museums or private collections, so the Smithsonian used laser and CT scanning to digitally capture the hunting tools, before 3D printing replicas in high-strength

there are set to be many more stories added to the heritage of the Dakl’aweidí, Kiks.ádi and other Tlingit clans. And as the discussion around repatriation intensifies, there may be many more opportunities for 3D printing and other digital fabrication technologies to satisfy both the source communities and the museums.

nylon. They have since been put to use in culture camps so Tlingit children can be reintroduced to the spear throwers’ use as hunting tools and carved artistry.

Hesitancy around the use of such technologies is only natural, with many communities placing immense value in tradition. Yet, the Tlingit have ensured traditions and cultural protocols – such as the relevant clan participating in the creation of a replica or surrogate; the opposite clan witnessing it; and ceremonies for the objects being carried out – are upheld. As such, the community is embracing modern technology and the opportunities that come with it.

In the instances of the Tlingit clans – and the communities that ThinkSee3D has worked with – the use of 3D technologies to support repatriation, surrogate and cultural restoration efforts have been welcomed. But, in each Tlingit case at least, the process has taken several years. There are conversations aplenty to be had just to foster respect and relationships before the digital processes even get underway. Objects then have to be treated with care, cultural protocols agreed to, while there are also permissions to garner and ownership to be established. A further consideration is whether any replica object should be identical, or whether the community would prefer some distinction in the design between traditionally made objects and the digitally fabricated versions. ThinkSee3D has actively looked to make its replicas identical to the originals, and while John has his preferences, he can see both points of view.

Acknowledging these efforts, Samaroudi and Rodriguez suggest there is great potential in cultural heritage for 3D technologies, which are currently undergoing a ‘negotiation phase’ with regards to the range of their application and the establishment of best practices. Rodriguez also points out that, while museums need to keep pace with new technologies, 3D printing in particular needs to offer better materials, color and texture capabilities, while also being more accessible for museums. Should that happen, it opens the door, as the Smithsonian and others have demonstrated, for museums to use the technology to ‘engage and collaborate with diaspora communities and international communities; reinterpret collections; embrace missing voices; and open up access by sharing 3D data and facilitating interaction with 3D printed replicas of artefacts.’

“I think there are some clan leaders – and I haven’t heard, so I’m just guessing – who would want somebody to physically make a hat [for example] for them,” John says. “So, rather than having the machine make the hat, they want to commission a person to carve the hat and dedicate the hat. For me, in my clan, it doesn’t have to be exact. I would prefer it a little bit different because that’s the story building part of the hat. If it’s an exact replica, we don’t have the story. It’s like somebody getting a scar. Maybe in future technology, that can be repaired, but some people might say, ‘I don’t want that repaired because it’s part of my story now.’”

“As far as it concerns the physical manifestation of artefacts through digital fabrication,” Samaroudi finishes, “we have to understand that discussions should not only focus on ‘who owns replicas’ or ‘who gets what’, but on what the possibilities are to establish an honest dialogue with the communities while taking advantage of the potential of digital technologies to support and take that discourse further. We should approach the subject of decolonization and repatriation with an open mind, accepting other people’s voices, work towards the benefit of all and attempt to consider a variety of alternative solutions.”

A ’GREAT POTENTIAL’ As the work between the Tlingit community and the Smithsonian continues,

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the time, Monika was often the only woman in the room but believes change is evident, not only at EOS but customers too. Now, with a firm belief that diversity can “drive productivity and innovation,” the CEO envisions a team that’s inclusive but emphasizes a commitment to shaping a new future together" whilst recognizing that "we still have a lot to learn.” in healthcare, particularly bioprinting and regenerative medicine. “When I joined the industry, I never imagined the bioprinting applications like we’re doing today,” Diana said. “There are plenty of challenges both from the biology and 3D printing perspectives to make it both real and viable. […] We know so much about 3D printing now, we can bring all that expertise to bear on this new application. Biology and 3D printing coming together as 3D bioprinting is an amazing opportunity to positively impact human beings, and that’s the best thing ever.” THE NEXT GENERATION For EOS CEO Marie Langer, the origins of the AM industry were told in stories around the kitchen table as her father Dr Hans J. Langer, founder of EOS, brought home parts and anecdotes from early AM users. Now at the helm of the company, diversity is one of EOS’s strategic pillars thanks to Marie’s commitment to equity and inclusion. “Both academic and corporate research have shown that diverse teams lead to better outcomes, financially and professionally,” Marie told TCT. “Diversity for EOS is not just about male and female. It is much more.” Marie points to women like Monika Gessler who joined EOS’ material development department in 2000 as one of 18 women out of a staff of 110, just as the company had decided to exclusively focus on powderbased polymer laser sintering technology and, as Marie describes it, as customers “started to think bigger – beyond rapid prototyping and towards manufacturing.” At

How the wider industry achieves that, is largely down to education. For Elaine, who remembers being one of only a handful of women out of 70 members at early AM user group gatherings and even standing up and asking, “where are the women?” during maledominated department meetings, the key is to inspire at an early age: “We need to break the educational notion that boys are better at math and science and help young girls achieve competence in those skills. I firmly believe that the earlier a technology is provided to children and the more comfortable they become with using it, the more competent they become. Connecting 3D technology whether it be CAD, desktop printing or even basic manufacturing, girls will have a chance to break the cycle of male dominance in science and technology.” Hilde agrees and argues there’s an “evolution” happening across all engineering disciplines. It’s about encouraging all children, not just girls, and the company receives many requests from schools for tours around Materialise HQ. For Diana, the entry of more women into the AM industry has been a natural progression which reflects the industry’s growth, and while that 13% hasn’t drastically shifted, the idea of educating early is a common thread. “To encourage more women to pursue this path, it’s important to start early with good STEM education, making science accessible, interesting and fun,” Diana offered. “People who love those subjects will find the wonder of AM. It’s such an amazing combination of mechanics, electronics, light sources, software, and chemistry.”

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he turn of the millennium brought about many changes. While our airplanes remained in the sky despite fears of the Y2K bug, advancements in technology would see the rise of the internet, and with it things like social media and mobile apps. Buying music would become a thing of the past, as would our tendency to read words like these in print publications. It also coincided with the launch of color 3D printing, meaning rapid prototypers would soon have an alternative to building parts layer-by-layer in monochrome.

Pioneering that particular movement was Z Corp. By the time the company had been acquired by 3D Systems 12 years later, its color 3D printing technology was enabling the likes of LAIKA to apply color during the build rather than painting parts postprint. But LAIKA’s Director of Rapid Prototyping Brian McLean would tell TCT in 2018 that, even by the time it was working on Paranorman (2012), they found color 3D printing to be inconsistent ‘from print to print.’ It wasn’t just the users who had reservations. RIZE CTO Eugene Giller

worked as a Senior R&D Chemist at Z Corp between 2005-2010, and he too had been unsatisfied with the quality of the parts Z Corp’s color technology would output. “I always thought it should be a technology that could provide a fully functional color part, not just form,” the RIZE founder told TCT. “For me, it was all about strength.” Today, there are several suppliers of color 3D printers, including RIZE, Stratasys, HP and Mimaki. The latter launched the 3DUJ-553 platform with its capacity to print ‘more than 10 million colors’ in 2018. It boasts a build volume of 500 x 500 x 300 mm and uses a UV-curable inkjet process to print parts in full color. White and clear inks can also be mixed with colors to add

“Right now, color is nice to have, but we want to make it must-have.”

SHOWN: PACKAGING APPLICATION ENABLED BY STRATASYS COLOUR 3D PRINTING. CREDIT: KINETIC VISION

transparency, while water-soluble materials enable post-processing in minutes. Service provider Marketiger was among the first users of Mimaki’s color 3D printing technology. As of late 2019, the company was producing up to 20,000 custom figurines every year, though a second 3DUJ-553 was installed in early 2020. With the machine’s automatic cleaning sequence and queuing capabilities, Marketiger is able to print at up to 72 hours in a row without touching the printer, but generally sticks to overnight print jobs. Because of the nature of its core business – custom figurines based on 3D scans of people – the company targets 100% yield. To ensure everyone who scans themselves gets a 3D printed full-color model, Marketiger only starts manufacturing models once it has confirmed the quality of the scans and models. But once the print button is hit, it barely stops. “My company is built on this machine running 24/7,” Marketiger Director Maikel de Wit said at Formnext 2019. “It causes some issues because it’s a new technology, but we’re able to get above 80% utilization on a 24/7 basis.” Evidently, much progress has been made in color 3D printing over the years. With the brittleness of early color 3D printed parts, building a business around the technology as Marketiger has with Mimaki’s tech was hardly possible. Yet, those bringing the tech to market know there is still more to be done. Giller has always been of that mindset. He founded RIZE because, although he wasn’t happy with the quality of components coming off Z Corp machines, he has always had faith in color 3D printing's potential. With RIZE, Giller has aimed to deliver a printer that can operate in any environment to make functional parts in full color that require minimal post-processing. His answer is XRIZE, which uses the patented Augmented Material Deposition technology to build parts by jetting a formulated release agent between layers of extruded materials. While the extrusion process allows carbon composites to be printed, the jetting enables the voxel-level application of full-color graphics.

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For RIZE, the potential applications go beyond prototyping and figurines. Multi-colored medical models is a key play for this technology, as are jigs and fixtures. With the latter, the use of high-performance polymers and composites ensure parts can withstand the factory floor, while color can be used to indicate when a part needs replacing, as with the part pictured above. These are just some of the ways RIZE’s customers are using its full-color technology, and they’re not shy of telling the Boston-based firm how they can still improve.

“When it comes to mechanical properties, this is still in the works,” says Zehavit Reisin, Stratasys Vice President, Head of Materials Business and Design Segment, ROW. “When we discuss PolyJet materials, it’s about acrylicbased photopolymers and they behave differently versus, let’s say, thermoplastics. Their heat conditions or their dimensional stability is subject to change if you put the part under stress, under heat, under aggressive environmental conditions and that’s where durability is questionable. That’s where [there is a question mark around] manufacturing end use parts with PolyJet. But we are continuing to work very hard on improving the material properties of what you see today on the J Series, meaning the colors, the transparency, the mechanical and thermal properties are better to withstand the required environmental conditions.” As color 3D printing establishes itself in the medical and prototyping

sectors, there is now a glance towards other opportunities. For a surgeon or a designer, the benefits of color 3D printing are obvious, but in other markets the uptake is slower. That may not be a problem since there will always be medical procedures to carry out and parts to design and redesign, but in this industry, there is always an appetite to push the boundaries. And Giller remains optimistic about the impact full-color 3D printing can have. “The way I think about it, we all have color TVs, and nobody wants to go back to black and white,” says Giller. “But I’m old enough, I did have a black and white TV and I remember some people saying, ‘I don’t need color, TV is an art’, and now, no one thinks this way. If we can get it to a [lower] price point, I think people would get used to printing in color. Right now, color is nice to have, but we want to make it must-have.”

“They want new materials,” Giller says. “That’s why we are working hard to introduce a new set of materials. They’re really happy with [the current materials], but there are a subset of customers that want parts to go inside of vehicles where they are exposed to oil. They also ask for elastomeric materials.” As a result, RIZE is working to add such products to the Rizium One, Rizium GF (Glass Filled), and Rizium Carbon materials it already offers. Unsurprisingly, the company is not alone in building out its color 3D printing portfolio to meet rising customer demand. Stratasys now offers more than half a dozen full-color 3D printing systems in its J Series portfolio, with some designed specifically for the healthcare markets. In June, it introduced the J55 Prime, an office-friendly fullcolor system that operates as quietly as a refrigerator, alongside a range of new functional materials. The expansion of material products is seen as the primary way to nurture the company’s color printing offering. In line with the J55 Prime, Stratasys rolled out the Elastico Clear and Black rubber-like materials, the Vero ContactClear translucent Biocompatible material for prolonged skin or bodily contact, Digital ABS Ivory for high-impact designs, and ultra-opaque colors enabled by the VeroUltra family. Other colour material options include the flexible VeroFlex and the versatile VeroVivid. With advancements being made with the 3MF file format, the company is confident in its capacity to deliver the details and aesthetics that any designer could want, but like RIZE is continuing to push on the performance side through ongoing materials development.

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Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing to Touch Down at RAPID+TCT 2021 It’s hard to express the collective adrenalin building up towards Rapid + TCT 2021. Over the course of three days this September, the muchanticipated event brings together the shining stars of the additive manufacturing industry. Undoubtedly one of the major players to keep your eye on this year is Massivit 3D, an emerging powerhouse in the world of additive manufacturing. Bigger and faster are the hallmarks of the Massivit 3D product lines and by developing and integrating innovative technologies and materials, they have launched their most impressive largescale 3D printer yet - the Massivit 5000. The new machine marks a fresh era in the scope of design and development applications available to engineers as well as large custom end-use parts. In a field where time is of the essence, this next-generation wunderkind enables lightningfast production of full-scale parts, prototypes, molds, and models for a constantly expanding range of industries. Photo Polymer Innovation for Speed and Scale Massivit 3D’s cutting-edge Gel Dispensing Printing technology (GDP) leverages proprietary, instantly curing photo polymer gel that cures on-the-fly with the help of UV light, enabling production of mega-scale, hollow models at

unprecedented speed. These unique and innovative printing materials provide a major advantage in speed and overall efficiency, allowing designers and engineers to push the boundaries of what they thought possible, especially when compared with the use of other technologies, such as FDM and SLS. A Ton of Features for Workflow Efficiency Furthermore, the Massivit 5000 employs a dual material system which allows it to print with a different material on each head, according to the specific application requirements. This enables cost-effective production of industrial-grade, large parts for a multitude of industries including automotive, marine, rail, and more. Massivit 3D’s proprietary GDP technology has been adopted across 40 countries to date.

other existing technologies. And with great benefits for producing full-scale parts in a single printing session, Massivit 3D facilitates production of large prototypes, such as a 5.9foot car bumper, in a mere 22 hours, instead of weeks. The benefits, in terms of almost-instant design iterations, are obvious. Massivit 3D printers have a build volume of 57” x 44” x 70” (145cm x 111cm x 180cm), meaning that they are capable of creating individual parts nearly six feet long/tall.

A Range of Layer Thicknesses & Materials The Massivit 5000 is not merely bigger and faster than existing additive manufacturing systems – it is also far more versatile, offering an increased range of available materials and layer thicknesses, as well as other new features intended to optimize workflow, resulting in a vast spectrum of potential applications. The uniquely resilient characteristics Wide Body Kits at obtained through AM provide Unprecedented Speed a major advantage over One example of its scale and traditional manufacturing and efficiency benefits is the wide body kit collaboration between prototyping methods and TJ Hunt, STREETHUNTER DESIGNS, and BCT Entertainment for the SEMA convention in Las Vegas, 2019. For this launch of the Toyota Supra MK5 tuning kit, 16 unique parts were 3D printed in just 64 hours using the Massivit 1800 Pro. This printing capability – 14 in/hr (35cm/ hr) – is up to 30x faster than

materials, benefits that are not overlooked by the marine and rail industries. In yet another example, a European nautical engineering firm, Velum Nautica, uses Massivit 3D’s new generation of 3D printers to produce uniquely tailored end-use parts all in less than one day, such as a yacht stern extension and a bowsprit that doubles as a boarding ramp for a 30-passenger yacht Full-Scale AM for Accuracy The reduction in the total number of components required for final assembly allows engineers to achieve much higher levels of precision by designing a single, integral unit that allows less opportunity for deviation. Additionally, Massivit 3D’s integrated, proprietary slicing software, remote monitoring capabilities, and new flat panel display show that the company has not forgotten the importance of a pragmatic and comfortable user interface. See MASSIVIT 3D printers in action at Rapid + TCT 2021 or contact us at +1 7706766116 www.massivit3d.com

RAPID + TCT

RAPID + TCT PREVIEW RAPID + TCT celebrates its 30th year on 13-15th September in Chicago. Here, we take a look at what you can expect from North America’s largest AM event.

fter two years, two rescheduled dates and too many Zoom calls and online conferences to count, RAPID + TCT returns in-person this September to celebrate three decades of additive manufacturing (AM) innovation, promising much-needed face-to-face connections and everything you need to know about the latest 3D technologies, all under one roof. Much like TCT 3Sixty in the UK, RAPID + TCT will provide a first opportunity for the AM community in North America to see first-hand the new technologies launched over the last year. From producing PPE and nasal swabs to major acquisitions and new machines, the technology breakthroughs have kept coming and, as always, there are plenty of launches expected to take place across the three days at McCormick Place. THE SHOW FLOOR More than 250 exhibitors are gearing up to bring their latest machines, software, materials and applications, with over 125 new products expected to be showcased at the event. AM software developer Dyndrite (E7219) will be offering demos of its AM tools and APIs tuned for serial production,

while nTopology (E6901), building on a collaboration with Stratasys announced last year, will be taking feedback on various parts it has been working on through the partnership. It will no doubt be a busy show for Stratasys (E8201) too which has had an exciting 12 months of launches, including its Selective Laser Absorption process and acquisition of Origin’s P3 technology. Large-format AM specialist Massivit (E7249) will be exhibiting its Massivit 5000 machine. Based on its Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) technology, the machine leverages an advanced thermoset photopolymer gel that cures on-the-fly to enable large parts to be produced within hours. For even more large-scale printing, BigRep (E8228) will be demonstrating the capabilities of its BigRep PRO with examples from automotive interior parts to jigs and fixtures and even a mold for a humansized drone. Fresh off the back of its 500+ machine install milestone, industrial laser powder bed fusion system manufacturer Farsoon Technologies (E7222) will be showcasing its flagship plastic production machine the Flight HT403P, as well as large-formatmetal industrial solutions. Digital manufacturing provider Fast Radius (E8901) will be showcasing the power of its Cloud Manufacturing Platform through end-use applications including recent 3D printed lattice inserts which are being manufactured at scale for Rawlings’ next-generation REV1X baseball glove.

LAURA’S PRESENTATION PICKS 13th September | 09:00-10:00 MAIN STAGE Keynote: How AM is Disrupting the Aerospace Industry: Opportunities and Challenges on the Road Ahead Melissa Orme, PhD | Boeing 14th September | 13:30-14:45 MAIN STAGE Panel: Hospital-Based 3D Printing: Better Patient Care Through InHouse Manufacturing? Andy Christensen, FSME | University of Cincinnati Jonathan Morris, MD | Mayo Clinic Peter Liacouras, PhD | Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Beth Ripley, MD, PhD | VA Puget Sound Health Care System Nicole Wake, PhD | Montefiore Medical Center 15th September | 12:30-13:30 SME ZONE THEATER Career Development Forum: Career Pathways of AM – A Panel Discussion Jennifer Coyne | The Barnes Global Advisors Ellen Lee, PhD | Ford

Having first introduced the technology back in April, Essentium, Inc. (E7625)

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“The conference will focus on evaluation, adoption & optimization.”

SAM'S PRESENTATION PICKS 13th September | 10.30-11.45 MAIN STAGE Breakthrough to Manufacturing with AM - What you need to know Jerone Anderson | General Motors Nic Sabo | GE Additive Callie Zawaski, PhD | Virginia Tech Todd A. Grimm | T.A. Grimm & Associates 14th September | 9.00-10.00 MAIN STAGE An industry 30+ years in the making Terry Wohlers | Wohlers Associates 15th September | 13.00-13.30 AM CLASSROOM A 3D printing emissions and their impact on health and indoor air quality Qian Zhang, PhD | Underwriters Laboratories

will make the first public demonstration of its Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSE) 280i HT 3D Printer. Equipped with an independent dual extrusion system (IDEX), the machine has been designed to meet the ‘demands of the factory floor’. Big Metal Additive (BMA) (E8050) will be presenting prototypes made from its unique metal hybrid additive manufacturing process. The booth will have several parts on display and visitors can learn about a challenging full-scale 50” x 64” x 26” eVTOL optimized airframe component. Visitors will have a chance to see parts printed in XJet’s (E7401) recently launched alumina ceramic material and Indo-MIM (E7652) will also be showcasing components from its metal component manufacturing services which utilizes binder jet and DMLS printing, and now ceramics. Nexa3D (E7428) will be presenting its end-to-end validated workflow for the first time. The booth will feature the NXE400 3D printer and NXD200 dental system, alongside postprocessing equipment plus its ultrafast thermoplastic production system, the QLS350. Bodycote (E8749) will be sharing its expertise in thermal processing services and solutions, such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP), EDM and heat treatment, and visitors can also get a look at Materialise’s (E7813) new Process Tuner software which is now being made available to U.S. customers. The company will also be running a competition that invites visitors to show why they are an “AM Champion”.

SHOWN: THE RAPID + TCT CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE OVER 150 AM LEADERS

On software, AlphaSTAR (E8241) will be on hand to discuss the latest instalment of its GENOA3DP platform and its ability to model various additive

manufacturing processes and materials. Meanwhile Roboze (E7231) will debut its latest Prometheus software and will also be providing live demonstrations of industrial end-use parts made from super polymers and composites like PEEK and Carbon PEEK with its ARGO 500 and Roboze One+400 Xtreme 3D printers. CONFERENCE Adopting a similar approach to our UK event, the RAPID + TCT Conference will focus on the three themes of Evaluation, Adoption and Optimization with over 70 presentations planned from 150+ speakers. On the Main Stage, visitors can hear from a trio of industry-leading keynote speakers including Melissa Orme, Boeing; Terry Wohlers, Wohlers Associates; and Mark Wehde, Mayo Clinic. The Main Stage will also play host to 11 thought-leadership panels covering topics from “Breakthrough to Manufacturing with AM – What You Need to Know” to “Supply Chain Transformation”. Across four classroom stages, attendees can take in real-life examples of AM adoption and case studies that show how the technology is transforming traditional manufacturing from design to post-processing and casting. There will also be an entire track dedicated to one of AM’s fastest growing areas of application: medical. Throughout, speakers will present on topics ranging from personalised implants to dental devices and bioprinting headlined by a keynote from Mayo Clinic on “How Technology is Changing Healthcare.”

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Expert Column

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT IS AN ACQUIRED TASTE Words: Mohsen Seifi, ASTM INTERNATIONAL

tandards development is an acquired taste. Often a dry topic, it can be as exciting as one makes it to be and sometimes go beyond expectations. I first stepped into the world of standards development for additive manufacturing (AM) back in 2013 as an observer in the ASTM International committee on AM. There were lots of technical discussions between expert members who seemed to be in their own world. While it did bore me initially, I soon realized the deepdive nature of such discussions on various topics. There are subcommittees such as Test Methods, Design, and Materials and Processes, to name a few. I switched gear and attended discussions in the Test Methods subcommittee, where my forte and interests lie. Hearing and observing firsthand information sharing from practicing engineers around the world amplified my senses. Unknowingly and naturally, I participated in some of the discussions as an observer. That became an uh-huh moment for me, and the rest is history – I wanted to contribute and shape this industry. I see this as an exciting platform to advance my knowledge beyond just what I am good at. Progressively, I saw myself becoming an active member participating in other subcommittees such as Materials and Processes. It allows me to interact with like-minded members, to discuss standards needs and how they can be addressed. Although there were some heated discussions, they always get resolved over a drink at the end of the day. The ASTM standards development journey I have experienced is more than standards development. The professional membership provided me opportunities to influence and lead the development of world-class, highquality, market relevant standards. Being a part of standards development for AM means you become disruptive rather than getting disrupted.

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Additionally, I was provided training and education in the form of workshops, professional training, short courses and capacity building. Along the way, I further built leadership skills and expanded my network. I started as a volunteer member and eventually joined ASTM International full-time because I believe so much in its mission – helping our world work better. That’s our motto. Yet, it is not without its challenges. Industry can only get true value from standards when the pace of development is on par with the advancement of AM technologies. This spurred us to think of a mechanism to accelerate standards development. One such mechanism is conducting focused R&D projects targeted at closing standards gaps. We call it research to standards (R2S). One thing led to another and eventually we established the ASTM AM Center of Excellence (AM CoE) in partnership with some worldclass organizations. Beyond research, the ASTM AM CoE is a vehicle to disseminate knowledge to the global AM community via education and workforce development programs, support development of certification services, and provide advisory services on AM technology implementation. Evidence of the AM CoE success is compelling. Over the past three years we have demonstrated that conducting effective R&D can significantly accelerate and improve the development of standards. The results and data generated from R&D projects can lead to new standards being developed and contribute to the revision of existing ones. The same process can be adopted for other emerging technologies that we are actively supporting such as exo technologies, robotics, commercial space flight and many others. That is the beauty of the ASTM R2S model. Now you can understand why standard development

is an acquired taste. Enthusiastic and passionate members keep the pot boiling at each ASTM committee. Yet, it is the very same passion that results in ASTM’s heavily scrutinized, consensus-based process that goes into the publication of a standard. Research articles in peer reviewed journals usually undergo three to four reviews by subject matter experts before they can be published. For a standards document, it will undergo review by more than a hundred experts with diverse perspectives across the industry. The comments from all of these experts need to be addressed before such a document can be accepted for publication. A single negative comment could stop the publication of the standard until it is resolved. Imagine the level of focus required and efforts that go into drafting a standard. Being a part of drafting such a document is certainly an amazing experience.

TCT North America 7.4

Articles inside

REPATRIATIONS RESTORATIONS

INTENTIONAL INCLUSION

EMBRACING CHANGE

SHELL, SPARE PARTS AND SUPPLY CHAIN

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT IS AN ACQUIRED TASTE

RAPID + TCT PREVIEW

THE ORIGINAL WOMEN OF 3D

SETTING THE TONE