AM Community Shows Off at RAPID + TCT Building an AM Network

Stacey DelVecchio Vice Chair, AM Technical Community President StaceyD Consulting

It’s official. Additive Manufacturing is thriving and continues to gain momentum with successes across diverse applications. In addition to ongoing technology advances, AM’s growth is fueled by a host of engaged companies, organizations, and dedicated professionals, all of whom are energized and passionate about developing, implementing—and sharing—new ideas and best practices throughout a collaborative community of innovators.

The growth of additive manufacturing (AM) in recent years has been astounding. And much of the success has been fueled by the cooperative, tight-knit spirit pervasive throughout our community, which we must continue to foster to spark further advances.

3D-printing services. At RAPID + TCT, she moderated a panel discussion on 3D printing for point-of-care medical applications. The panel was one of several during a special town hall hosted by the Medical AM Advisory Team.

At The University of Texas (UT) at Austin, Carolyn and her team are exploring—and in some cases inventing—emerging technologies such as reactive extrusion (REAM), volumetric powder-bed fusion, and high-viscosity stereolithography. Similar to fused-deposition modeling, REAM is much faster and flexible than desktop printers: It took less than three minutes to print UT’s iconic but complex Longhorn logo with the process.

The recent RAPID + TCT conference, which was held May 17

The technology itself is still relatively new, marked by a steady stream of innovations and breakthroughs from pioneering people, companies, and organizations. This makes networking among peers and exchanging ideas with other leaders even more important than it is for professionals in more established fields.

19 in Detroit, is proof positive as to how far AM has come in recent years. The 31st edition of the industry’s marquee event featured more than 400 exhibitors, hundreds of speakers and expert panelists, dozens of technical sessions, networking opportunities, and attendees from 38 countries.

TIPE 3D Printing, a global virtual conference held in January, is a great example. SME and Women in 3D Printing co-sponsored the immersive three-day event, which featured a lineup of more than 120 women speakers. While all the presentations were informative and inspiring, the networking opportunities were just as important, providing the perfect environment to connect and engage with an unprecedented group of thought leaders—including keynoters Marisa Lago, under secretary of commerce for international trade for the Commerce Department, and Bogi Lateiner and Anne Pauley from Girl Gang Garage.

The AM community took center stage throughout the show. This includes the passing of the baton in two key leadership positions. John Barnes assumed the chair of the Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee, succeeding Christopher Williams; and Sarah Rimini now chairs the Medical AM Advisory Committee, succeeding Amy Alexander. I’d like to thank Christopher and Amy, who provided exemplary leadership and vision during their tenures, and welcome their replacements.

The AM community took center stage throughout the show. This includes the passing of the baton in two key leadership positions. John Barnes assumed the chair of the Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee, succeeding Christopher Williams; and Sarah Rimini now chairs the Medical AM Advisory Committee, succeeding Amy Alexander. I’d like to thank Christopher and Amy, who provided exemplary leadership and vision during their tenures, and welcome their replacements.

It isn’t surprising that Carolyn was appointed the director of UT’s Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation (CAMDI) when the facility opened in 2020. Bringing students, researchers, and faculty together under one roof, CAMDI expands the school’s commercial AM capabilities.

Other highlights included the winners of the 2022 SME Additive Manufacturing Community Awards: Slade Gardner, founder of Big Metal Additive (Industry Achievement); VELO3D and IMI Critical Engineering (Aubin AM Case Study); and Virginia Tech students Daniel Chirvasuta, Nathanael High, Matthew Martin, Benjamin Nguyen, Omkar Shinde, and Nicolas Tomanelli (Digital Manufacturing Challenge).

To help foster the next generation of innovators, the SME Education Foundation’s Bright Minds Program welcomed nearly 1,000 middle and high school students to RAPID + TCT. There also was a special networking lunch for young professionals and a Career Forum Panel. The initiative is led by Ellen Lee and Jennifer Coyne, who are both advisors on the Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee.

There also was a special networking lunch for young professionals and a Career Forum Panel. The initiative is led by Ellen Lee and Jennifer Coyne, who are both advisors on the Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee.

The abundant opportunities and almost limitless potential of 3D-printing also are underscored by the two leaders— Carolyn Seepersad and Ahmed El Desouky—profiled in this edition of Voices AMplified. In addition to their own impressive accomplishments, Carolyn and Ahmed’s AM journeys are proof positive of the importance of partnerships and giving back to the greater AM community including students.

John, who heads The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powder Works, has been involved in metal additive manufacturing throughout a distinguished career. He’s led teams that qualified the aerospace industry’s first series production metal AM parts, and developed a pilot metal production facility.

John, who heads The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powder Works, has been involved in metal additive manufacturing throughout a distinguished career. He’s led teams that qualified the aerospace industry’s first series production metal AM parts, and developed a pilot metal production facility.

As senior manager of Ricoh’s Healthcare Center of Excellence, Sarah is developing a curriculum for the company’s Learning Institute that focuses on medical managed

As senior manager of Ricoh’s Healthcare Center of Excellence, Sarah is developing a curriculum for the company’s Learning Institute that focuses on medical managed possess awesome superpowers, the 3D-printed Baby Yodas (at left) and Groots (right) that Olga Ivanova gave to visiting high school students are unable to do so much as dissipate electrical charge--but they’re still very popular with the kids.

Ahmed also has no shortage of experience or success. In fact, he’s been in on the ground floor to help several companies launch their AM journeys, including stints at Eaton and Carpenter Technology before joining N.Y.-based Veeco Instruments Inc. in early 2021 as director of additive manufacturing. At Veeco, he’s helping the 75-year-old company apply the latest AM technologies to processing systems used in semiconductor and compound semiconductor manufacturing. Such applications could help solve current supply chain problems in the semiconductor industry. But there are also steep challenges, such as designing printed parts that can meet strict clean-room specifications—even the tiniest speck of dirt or a sub-micron-sized particle can wreak havoc a few months into a product’s life cycle.

SME Media also interviewed dozens of AM leaders during RAPID + TCT as part of its Voices AMplified initiative that showcases the people behind the technology. This month’s Voices AMplified report profiles two such visionaries: Olga Ivanova and Carl Dekker. Known as “Dr. O,” Olga has worked on innovative projects for the medical and defense industries, and is a tireless crusader for advancing AM.

SME Media also interviewed dozens of AM leaders during RAPID + TCT as part of its Voices AMplified initiative that showcases the people behind the technology. This month’s Voices AMplified report profiles two such visionaries: Olga Ivanova and Carl Dekker. Known as “Dr. O,” Olga has worked on innovative projects for the medical and defense industries, and is a tireless crusader for advancing AM.

That’s why it’s so important to have experienced pros such as Ahmed and Carolyn in leadership positions, and sharing their insights with others to continue to grow AM.

Carl puts the emphasis on people. He leads a talented team at Met-L-Flo, which produces a wide range of 3D-printed products. He also chairs the Direct Digital Manufacturing Advisory Team and moderated a panel at RAPID + TCT.

Carl puts the emphasis on people. He leads a talented team at Met-L-Flo, which produces a wide range of 3D-printed products. He also chairs the Direct Digital Manufacturing Advisory Team and moderated a panel at RAPID + TCT.

Carl and Olga represent the spirit behind Voices AMplified. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Carl and Olga represent the spirit behind Voices AMplified. I hope you enjoy their stories.