In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes Brad Rothenberg, CEO and founder of nTop, formerly known as nTopology. They discuss the evolution of additive manufacturing and nTop’s role over the past three to four years. Topics include the founding story of nTop, the concept of implicit modeling, and how design tools have rapidly changed. Brad shares insights on using nTop for aviation design, thermal management, and heat exchanger design, pointing out the shift from traditional CAD to innovative parametric modeling for effective engineering solutions. They also explore the future impact of AI on engineering and how nTop is integrating AI to enhance design processes. The episode closes with a look at educational resources and training for engineers new to nTop. 

1:37 The Founding Story of nTop 

05:07 Implicit Modeling and Design Evolution 

10:22 nTop's Impact on the Aviation Industry 

19:32 Thermal Management and Heat Exchangers 

31:05 Recreating Existing Models in nTop  

2:16 Intern Projects: Building Gliders and Drones 

33:44 Understanding Process Knowledge in 3D Printing 

34:59 Custom Blocks and Design Rules in nTop 

37:08 N Top's Role in Legacy and New Designs 

38:17 Future Roadmap: Integration and Simulation 

44:16 AI and Machine Learning in nTop 

57:54 Lowering Barriers for Engineers