Glynn Fletcher is the President of EOS North America. Transitioning from the machine tool world to 3D printing has given him a unique perspective compared to many others in our industry. He is outspoken, direct, and clear in his views on both the immediate and long-term future of the industry. In this episode of the 3DPOD, we spoke with Glynn about the past, the current state of the market, downturns, and a hopeful future. He is very positive about the near-term outlook for EOS and optimistic about the long-term prospects for the industry. Strap in for this fun ride.

Matthias Schmidt-Lehr began his career at Laser Zentrum Nord, now known as Fraunhofer IAPT. He later became a researcher at the University of Hamburg before co-founding the startup Bionic Production. Afterward, Matthias decided to launch AMPOWER, a 3D printing consultancy that publishes research reports and assists companies in the additive manufacturing sector. In our conversation, Matthias shares his journey in additive manufacturing, explains how his company has evolved, and discusses the ways they have supported their clients. We also explore his insights on the market and the future of additive manufacturing.

Aleksander Ciszek co-founded 3YOURMIND and has helped build the business over the past decade. In this episode of the 3DPOD, he discusses pivots, strategy, software, defense, energy, growth, and more. We appreciated learning from Aleksander’s perspective on strategy and the market in general. He also shares insights on the future of maintenance, repair, and overhaul; the digital warehouse; and 3D printing. How should a company like 3YOURMIND position itself in the software market, and what does its future hold?

Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, who previously led Materialise’s medical unit, has transitioned into the CEO role at the 3D printing service and software firm. In our discussion, we explore what makes Materialise unique. We also delve into the potential of each of the company’s units, discussing opportunities for implants in the developing world, personalized implants, medical software, the cloud, desktop 3D printing, manufacturing, aerospace, and more.

Wei Jiang founded medicine 3D printing startup Craft Health as a Pharmacy student. I love it when practitioners and people from other backgrounds establish 3D printing companies. It often leads to user-driven companies that cater well to those trying to use additive manufacturing. In this episode of the 3DPOD, we follow Craft Health’s journey from inception to funding and the release of the firm’s 3D printer for pharmaceuticals. We discuss release kinetics, approvals, drug delivery, compounding pharmacies, dosage forms, polypills, delayed release, nutrition, dementia care, and much more. 3D printing for pharmaceuticals has significant potential, and not enough people are paying attention.

40 years ago today, on August 8, 1984, Charles Hull filed a patent application for stereolithography (SLA), the first additive manufacturing technique in history. We’re honored to have Chuck Hull on the 3DPOD podcast today. Chuck tells us how he started 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD), scaled the company, and shares some of the secrets of his success. We discuss how the industry is evolving, tough times, why he still comes into the office, and his fascination with bioprinting. We loved talking to Chuck!

Today, we have two guests on the 3DPOD: Bonnie Gurney of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Debbie Holton of Converge Consulting. Debbie has extensive experience in trade shows and has worked in communications for SME, America Makes, ASME, and AMT. Meanwhile, Bonnie is the Vice President of Strategic Content & Partnerships at AMT. Since AMT organizes the world’s largest event dedicated to manufacturing technology, the International Manufacturing Trade Show (IMTS), we delve deeply into this leading event, which is taking place September 9-14 in Chicago. We also discuss event organization in general, the state of events, and how to visit an event successfully as a professional or company.

Jon Porter started at Dyson, then worked at 3D RPT, Renishaw, Velo 3D, and now serves as Business Development Manager of Additive Manufacturing at Matsuura Machinery. His experience across the industry provides fun insights and an illuminating view of the field. Jon is wise and speaks his mind, which is a lovely quality. What follows in this episode of the 3DPOD is a super fun and entertaining talk that you can really learn from.

Sam O´Leary worked in making aftermarket components and reverse engineering before joining GE Power and GE Additive. Subsequently he went to SLM Solutions. He was there for a real resurgence of the company with SLM releasing ever larger models culminating with the large-format,12-laser NXG XII powder bed fusion 3D printer. Then the firm was sold to Nikon, to form Nikon SLM Solutions. Sam talks to us about the laser wars, about ever larger printers, strategy and how to run a business well. His focus on doing simple things right, driving the right innovations with and for customers, and executing has paid off handsomely for the firm. We talk as well about the future of additive and what will get us there.

Mohsen Seifi already had deep expertise in additive manufacturing and research before joining ASTM. Now, as Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing Programs, he heads up ASTM’s unified initiatives in additive manufacturing. 3D printing is significant at ASTM, and ASTM is influential in the field of 3D printing. We speak to Mohsen about how this synergy developed, what ASTM is doing in standards, what ASTM offers in terms of education, and other ongoing projects. Mohsen also shares his vision for the future of additive manufacturing and how to achieve it. While we delve deeply into standards and their impact, the conversation covers a broad range of topics.