Ruben Meuth worked at Fraunhofer before helping to start 3D Spark, a German startup that helps companies identify, cost, quote, and screen 3D printed parts. There’s a lot going on in the part screening, digital warehouse space, and we discuss this fast-developing part of the industry with Ruben. Where are the important choke points in additive and how can software help grow our market?

Jay Dinsmore founded the eponymous company Dinsmore years ago. Since then, he’s had many an adventure in hiring people, managing them, training them, keeping them, and getting the best out of them. Meanwhile, he’s wrestled machines across several technologies as well. We also discuss the takeover by ADDMAN of his firm and the path ahead. We really run the gamut here from finance to operations, and I think it’s an enlightening entrepreneurship and growth story.

Jacob Nuechterlein is back with us. Initially we go into Fortius Metals discussing the special materials that firm has for DED. But, the meat and bones of this episode is metals more generally. What’s is an oxygen dispersion steel, what about a superalloy? And what are refractories? When is something a metal matrix composite? And can we have things that fit into multiple categories? Rather confusingly, the answer is yes. Jacob helps guide us through a lot of often used but little understood terms which should help us all understand metals better.

Mark Skylar-Scott is an experienced bioprinting researcher now working at one of the foremost bioprinting labs in the world at Stanford University. We talk about inexpensive desktop bioprinters and their ability to do meaningful work, as well as various bioprinting technologies. We were very happy to get a lot of detail, but also a great overview into this rather murky market. We’re told about the future probable and the future possible, as well as the different challenges. This is a great primer for anyone on bioprinting, but also an insightful view into the sector for those already in the bioprinting market.

Kodiak Brush grew up playing football before working on crash testing. Sometimes someone’s career can seem like it is inexorably building up to one goal. And with Kodiak now making better football helmets through 3D printing, this is one of those cases. LIGHT Helmets is making affordable 3D printed helmets. Using desktop 3D printing and design optimization, special structures have been created that absorb critical impacts in the correct way. There are cheaper helmets out there, but starting at $649, this is probably the best helmet and a prime example of how 3D printing is set to revolutionize sporting goods and impact protection.

Dieter Schwarze is a true 3D printing icon. Here we get the twisting, arduous tale of Dieter’s journey into additive. Starting with inkjet, SLA and lots of other technologies, Dieter´s path was filled with telenovela-like plot twists. The Nikon SLM Solutions story is an important element of his tale, but the entire saga is much more complex. With a lot of candor, he talks about getting started, growing a business, selling to Nikon, and more. We get a real entrepreneurial vision here. Nothing has been straightforward in Dieter’s journey, and there is so much to learn. This is a must-listen for those who wish to be entrepreneurs or are already.

Spencer Loveless’ story is a compelling one. It’s a tale of a family business starting from nowhere and becoming successful. Then subsequently, it is a tale of manufacturing in the USA against all odds. This is a very topical story, but it is also a crucial story for 3D printing. His firm Merit3D uses a technology that most have only seen at trade shows, Photocentric. Furthermore, he’s not running a traditional service bureau. Spencer wants to do to true manufacturing, bridge manufacturing, and production in the hundreds of thousands of parts. Now, of course we’ve heard that vision before. The difference here is that Spencer and his team are producing millions of cost-effective parts in the US. And we’re not talking about high end rocket nozzles or turbo machinery, but regular things, such as stud finders, hangers for epoxy tubes, and much more. Spencer is showing us all how we could scale up to real production.

I really loved this episode of the 3DPOD with Howie Marotto, Additive Manufacturing Business Director at EWI. A Marine with deep logistics experience gets to tell us how viable 3D printing actually is for the military. If we look at the frontlines, the forward operating base, or large overseas bases—where will we 3D print what? Which technologies and machines will be used, and how will the U.S. ensure it has the best machines? Given his significant experience in setting up and supplying some of the largest bases in the world, overseeing aircraft maintenance supply, and implementing new logistics systems, Howie offers unique insight into the need for and realism of 3D printing in military logistics.

Executive Director for the Center of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials at Harrisburg University, Larry “LJ” Holmes is a pioneer in applying additive manufacturing to defense and other critical sectors. Part inventor, part educator, he is dynamic and a true force for change. LJ is now spearheading the J-DAMMIT military 3D printing event. But he’s also done exciting work in explosive technologies and beyond. From swarm manufacturing to aviation, and from tiny robots to some of the largest 3D prints in existence, LJ has played a key role. In this episode of the 3DPOD, Harrisburg University’s mission and approach will likely inspire you as well and deepen your appreciation for the polymath that is LJ.

Andreas Knoechel, Head of Program Management for Additive Manufacturing at Oechsler, is doing some real heavy lifting in production. German plastics manufacturer Oechsler was the pioneer behind 3D-printed shoes at scale. In this episode of the 3DPOD, Andreas speaks of this success as well as some lesser-known achievements of the firm. From the well-known bicycle seats to other newer applications, he highlights the firm’s progress. I’d definitely give this episode a listen—Andreas shares real pearls of wisdom on optimizing 3D printing, true additive manufacturing, and its applications. The conversation was valuable, and I’m confident that if you listen, you’ll come away convinced that Oechsler is much further ahead than you may have thought.