In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld speaks with Arno Held, co-founder and managing partner of AM Ventures. Recording live from RAPID + TCT 2025, they discuss the current state and future outlook of the additive manufacturing landscape, touching on startup trends, the impacts of global tariffs, and increased defense spending. Arno shares insights into the industry's financial pressures, the growing significance of AI in additive manufacturing, and the challenges startups face in navigating financial turbulence. 

They also dive into the roles and missions of AM Ventures and its focus on hardware, software, and application-driven startups. Despite the hurdles, the conversation ends on an optimistic note about the transformative potential of additive manufacturing over the next few years.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

For more information about AM Ventures, visit their website and connect with Arno Held on LinkedIn. 

00:57 Current Financial Landscape in Additive Manufacturing

04:28 Impact of Political Changes on Additive Manufacturing

08:14 Overview of AM Ventures

09:30 Trends in Additive Manufacturing Startups

13:52 The Role of AI in Additive Manufacturing

21:02 Challenges Facing Additive Manufacturing Startups

27:43 Future Outlook and Regional Growth

33:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes guests from the University of Wolverhampton — Arun Arjunan, John Robinson, and Manpreet Singh. They delve into the university's significant contributions to additive manufacturing over the past 25 years, discussing their pioneering work in laser powder bed fusion, material science innovations, and the launch of their Center of Excellence for Additive Manufacturing. They highlight collaborative projects with industry, including groundbreaking developments in copper diamond composites, and address the integration of additive manufacturing in various sectors such as healthcare, electrification, and sustainability. The conversation also emphasizes the university's role in workforce development and the importance of reshoring manufacturing capabilities.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.  

For more information about the University of Wolverhampton, visit their website here.

01:52 Early Adoption and Innovations in Additive Manufacturing

04:36 Focus on Copper and Thermal Management

07:00 Sustainability and Healthcare Applications

21:37 Center of Excellence and Future Directions

33:27 Exploring Material Development in Academia

34:07 Innovative Copper and Diamond Research

35:23 Applications and Cost of Diamond Composites

35:51 Collaborations and Industry Impact

42:12 University's Role in Additive Manufacturing

49:19 Future of Additive Manufacturing

56:20 Reshoring and Sustainable Manufacturing

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld chats with Douglas Woods, President of AMT, about the evolving landscape of manufacturing. They discuss the significance of AI, robotics, and macroeconomic factors affecting the industry. Doug shares insights from his extensive background in manufacturing, including family history and personal experiences. They delve into the role of AI in optimizing manufacturing processes, the future of humanoid robotics, and the intersection of emerging technologies with additive manufacturing. The episode also explores the impact of reshoring and geopolitical shifts on global supply chains, offering practical advice for companies navigating the future of localized production. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on how advancements in technology are shaping the future of manufacturing.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

For more information about AMT, visit their website and connect with Doug Woods on LinkedIn. 

02:01 Doug Woods' Family History in Manufacturing

06:16 The Importance of Apprenticeship Programs

06:54 Challenges in Workforce Development

14:54 The Role of AI in Manufacturing

20:21 Generative vs. Agentic AI

22:50 AI's Impact on Additive Manufacturing

30:14 The Future of Digital Twins and Omniverse

37:42 Democratization of Manufacturing Technology

39:42 Sustainability in Business Practices

41:12 The Rise of Robotics in Manufacturing

43:18 Humanoid Robotics: The Next Frontier

50:51 Additive Manufacturing in Robotics

57:25 Geopolitical Shifts and Reshoring Manufacturing

01:09:17 Advice for Embracing New Technologies

01:14:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Feld welcomes Stefanie Brickwede to discuss the significant strides Deutsche Bahn and Mobility Goes Additive have made in additive manufacturing over the past decade. Stefanie details the journey from initial implementation focusing on obsolete parts to current innovations involving digital warehousing and collaborative networks. They explore the dramatic impact on lead times, cost savings, and the importance of partnerships and certifications. The conversation also delves into strategic developments, new material advancements, and future goals, showcasing how additive manufacturing transforms industries beyond rail, including aerospace, automotive, and lifestyle sectors.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.  

For more information about Mobility Goes Additive, visit their website and connect with Stefanie Brickwede on LinkedIn.  

01:43 The Journey of Additive Manufacturing at Deutsche Bahn

03:42 Strategic Approaches and Network Building

04:55 Challenges and Innovations in Additive Manufacturing

10:15 Success Stories and Impact

16:48 KPIs and Measuring Success

19:16 Digital Warehousing and Future Goals

29:11 Printing Flame Retardant Materials

29:59 Supplier Selection and Qualification

31:27 The Role of the MGA Network

33:53 Founding and Growth of Mobility Goes Additive

34:18 Expanding into Various Industries

37:51 Challenges and Collaboration Across Industries

43:37 Material Development and Innovation

46:25 Standards and Integration in Additive Manufacturing

53:00 Balancing Roles and Future Plans

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld interviews Stefan Seidel, Chief Technology Officer at Pankl Racing Systems. The discussion covers Pankl's innovative use of additive manufacturing (AM) in motorsports, aerospace, and high-performance sectors. Stefan elaborates on the transition to AM post-COVID-19, the stringent quality standards required in motorsports, and groundbreaking applications like the roll hoop and other high-stress components. Additionally, the podcast dives into Pankl's history, its vertical integration approach, and how it collaborates with partners and educational institutions to develop industry-leading solutions and nurture talent. The episode concludes with insights into future advancements in AM and regulatory changes in Formula One for 2026. 

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.  

For more information about Pankl, visit their website and connect with Stefan Seidel on LinkedIn.  

00:41 Diving into Additive Manufacturing in Motorsports 

02:13 The Impact of COVID-19 on Additive Manufacturing 

03:27 Key Additive Manufacturing Components in F1 

08:39 Panko's Journey and Innovations 

20:38 Quality Assurance in Additive Manufacturing 

32:33 Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace and High-Performance Vehicles 

42:46 Talent Development and Partnerships 

48:00 Future of Additive Manufacturing in Motorsports 

50:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

In this episode of the Additive Snack podcast, host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Isabelle Hachette, CEO of Interspectral, to discuss the intersection of healthcare and additive manufacturing (AM). Isabel shares her journey from a 20-year career in medical imaging to pioneering in AM space. The conversation covers how Interspectral's software transforms sensor data into actionable insights, aiding engineers and improving production efficiency.  

The episode also delves into the application of AI in error detection and process monitoring, aiming to advance AM through innovative solutions and standardizations. Key highlights include the integration of AI into AM, the importance of data fusion, and the advancement of regulatory standards in the industry. 

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

For more information about Interspectral’s innovative solutions, visit their website and connect with Isabelle Hachette on LinkedIn. 

02:11 Isabelle's journey from healthcare to additive manufacturing 

06:29 Interspectral's role in additive manufacturing 

09:58 Data integration and error detection 

14:38 AI and future developments in additive manufacturing 

25:27 Closing remarks and outlook for Interspectral 

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld delves into the transformative impact of additive manufacturing (AM) on heat exchangers with guest Michael Fuller, founder and CEO of Conflux Technology. Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey from his early passion for motorsport to the founding of Conflux.  

The discussion covers the advantages of AM in creating high-performance, efficient heat exchangers, the challenges and innovations in heat transfer technology, and Conflux's plans for scaling production. Michael explains Conflux's unique approach to heat exchange design and its application across various industries, including motorsport, automotive, aerospace, and more. The episode highlights the market-oriented strategy of Conflux and their future vision of productizing their production processes for broader deployment. 

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

For more information about Conflux Technology, visit their website and connect with Michael Fuller on LinkedIn. 

00:25 Meet Michael Fuller: Founder and CEO of Conflux Technology

01:31 Michael's Journey: From Motorsport to Heat Exchangers 

04:16 The Role of Additive Manufacturing in Heat Exchangers 

07:29 Challenges and Innovations in Additive Manufacturing 

13:10 Conflux's Market and Customer Focus 

32:48 Design and Development Process at Conflux 

49:30 Future of Conflux and Scaling for Impact 

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers unique solutions for complex geometries and high-pressure die-casting efficiency in the automotive industry. As the two industries merge it creates a powerful synergy, elevating both technologies to new heights. 

To explore additive’s impact on the automotive industry, Fabian welcomes Wes Byleveld, Director of Additive Manufacturing at Exco Engineering. For 10 years, Wes has been connecting conventional manufacturing processes with additive innovations. The conversation ranges from eliminating waste, reduction of porosity, cycle-time reduction, and polishing-related downtime. 

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

Key Takeaways: 

[1:51] Wes's gap analysis advocated for an additive manufacturing proof of concept. 

[7:57] Integrating high-pressure die-casting and additive manufacturing. 

[19:46] Cost benefits of integrating additive with conventional manufacturing in automotive parts. 

[24:56] Adoption challenges of additive manufacturing in the die-casting industry. 

[32:38] Future innovative technologies that push additive manufacturing forward. 

Resource Links: 

EOS 

Follow the Additive Snack Podcast on Youtube 

Comments or Suggestions: [email protected] 

Wes Byleveld on LinkedIn 

Exco Engineering 

Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing industries like medicine, aerospace, and defense. To meet these sectors' stringent demands for minimal waste, precise welds, and efficient energy use, innovative solutions are essential. 

To explore the diverse benefits and challenges of laser usage in additive manufacturing, Host Fabian Alefeld welcomes Alex Kingsbury, AM Market Development Manager at nLIGHT Inc. They discuss cutting-edge advancements in laser technology, productivity gains realized with beam-shaping techniques and the challenges of specializing in innovative beam-shaping laser technologies. 

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

Key Takeaways: 

[6:04] Australian AM adoption flourished after early medical-related successes. 

[10:11] Technological opportunities drove Alex’s decision to work at nLIGHT. 

[14:32] How is nLIGHT distinct from other laser manufacturers? 

[17:45] Advantages of laser-powered additively manufactured complex parts. 

[37:50] Challenges of specializing in breakthrough laser technologies. 

[47:57] Innovative future functionality of lasers in additive manufacturing. 

 The current state of additive manufacturing is paradoxical. Its ability to create remarkable objects stands in contrast to the challenges of establishing a compelling business case for its universal use. 

To explore how and when additive will go mainstream, Host Fabian Alefeld welcomes the hosts of the 3DPOD podcast, Joris Peels and Max Bogue. Joris is the executive editor at 3Dprint.com and the VP of Consulting at AM Research. Max Bogue is Chairman and Founder of Wobbleworks and the creator of the innovative 3Doodler, the most popular 3D pen on the market. They discuss the current state of additive, the challenges of implementing AM in organizations, and the sweet spot for growth.  

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS. 

Key Takeaways: 

[2:18] Frictionless AM experiences help build a use case for other industries. 
 

[13:53] The sweet spot for growth in additive manufacturing. 

[25:05] Saying ‘No’ was the key to the successful execution of Wobbleworks’ 3D pen. 

[40:42] Advice for implementing additive manufacturing within an organization. 

[52:22] Additive must cross the chasm before general adoption. 

[56:20] Blending robotics with AM will drive big growth in the military-industrial complex. 

Resource Links: 

EOS 

Follow the Additive Snack Podcast on Youtube 

3DPOD Podcast 

3Doodler 

Joris Peels on LinkedIn 

Max Bogue on LinkedIn