Martin Johnson

Well done on this article, John Barnes and Timothy W. Simpson. Although clearly nobody is at a ~$30mm annual revenue per SLM NXG XII 600, the comparative unit economics are spot on. AM is finally gaining that most basic of industrial force multipliers--economies of scale. My only criticism would be with respect to the statement that, "the materials and services are where the majority of revenue is earned." An airframe is not valued by its weight in aluminum, nor is an aircraft engine valued by its weight in nickel. At least in our industry, it's all about the engineering on the front end, and the quality system on the backend. But unit economics allow for the commercial buy-in by the customer--and that's what's changed. Still there are many, many pitfalls out there for people who use the technology to design, build, and sell into specific markets, but (as you mention obliquely in the article) there's no chance we're opining on that topic.

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Rapid prototyping ... ...we have heard that for years. 🥱 What I´m talking is #additivemanufacturing in serial production. 🚀 That requires automation, to be competitive. 💯 I´m excited about having been introduced to the automated print farm solution by DHR Engineering 😎 Systems like this allow for #3dprinting at scale. Great job Dimitar Hristakiev & team!! Kind regards, Mark stop warehousing, source on-demand with Replique 🩵 #digitalmanufacturing #supplychain #robotics #automation #maschinenbau

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Learn how new NX™ software features for Core Design streamline end-to-end workflows during the design process! We’ll be covering: 📝 Selecting, creating, and customizing datum planes for sketches 📊 Interpreting information from tabs and columns within Sketch Navigator 🤝 Converting Found Relations into Persistent Relations 🧑‍🤝‍🧑Chamfer clone finding for Delete Face command Find out more with the link below 👇 https://sie.ag/4pxYLr #NXMakesItReal

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Ever wondered how a simple design tweak can save thousands in manufacturing costs? 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗠'𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 "Can you share insights on DFX and validating a design for manufacturing processes? I've developed a process with spec, input, and product reviews but need help with design validation" 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆... In one of our recent projects, we were working on a complex manufacturing process for a new product. During the validation phase, we identified areas for improvement that weren't initially apparent. By conducting a thorough DFX analysis and collaborating closely with our customer's manufacturing team, we made significant enhancements, ultimately saving time and costs. This experience highlighted just how crucial a thorough validation process is. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 for validating your design with respect to manufacturing processes: 𝗗𝗙𝗠/𝗔 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀: Conduct a Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/A) analysis to identify potential manufacturing issues early on. Simplify complex geometries and ensure material consistency. 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝗨𝗽 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀: Perform a tolerance analysis to ensure that parts fit together as intended throughout the production process, preventing costly assembly issues. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Build prototypes and conduct rigorous testing, including functional tests, stress tests, and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), to identify and address weak points in your design. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: Use simulation software like finite element analysis (FEA) to model manufacturing processes and predict potential issues, allowing you to address them before real-world production. 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽: Create a feedback loop with your manufacturing team. Regular design reviews with input from the shop floor can provide practical insights and highlight potential challenges. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Engage with your suppliers early in the design process. Their expertise in material selection, manufacturing capabilities, and cost-saving opportunities can be invaluable. 𝗗𝗙𝗫 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀: Develop and use DFX checklists tailored to your specific industry and product to ensure all critical aspects of design validation are covered comprehensively. By integrating these steps into your design validation process, you can enhance both the manufacturability and overall quality of your product. Keep iterating and collaborating closely with your team to continuously refine and improve the process. Hope it helps to get a perspective!   Questions? Drop a comment! #ThoughtLeadership #ManufacturingExcellence #DesignValidation

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Discover how companies are staying ahead in today's market with 3D printing for rapid prototyping. See how the transformative power of additive manufacturing is driving innovation and accelerating product development in the real world. https://okt.to/xS2NiX #RapidPrototyping #3DPrinting #ProductDevelopment #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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Assembly line downtime can significantly impact production throughput, schedules, and profitability in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Common causes for system downtime: - Incorrectly loaded parts or out-of-spec components - Wear and tear - Inexperienced operators or inadequate training - Bottlenecks and machine performance issues: Learn what top manufacturers are doing to avoid assembly line and equipment downtime: https://lnkd.in/grXS3__W #ATSIndustrialAutomation #InnovateWithATS #everydaymatters #Manufacturing #ProductionEfficiency #MachineDowntime #Maintenance #OperatorTraining #qualitycontrol #batterymanufacturing #batteryproduction

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👀 It's not all that often you see something developed for industrial additive manufacturing make a leap to the maker world (though vice-versa happens all.the.time... ask me how many Bambus and Prusas I've seen in manufacturing facilities). But polySpectra is bringing its COR Zero photopolymer resin to nonindustrial users via Kickstarter. https://lnkd.in/gvauuRsy COR stands for Cyclic Olefin Resin and the Zero material is a new formulation that the company says is safe for an office or home workshop, and more affordable than its other COR products. It does have some unusual requirements, like needing to be stored in the freezer and preheated before printing, but in exchange offers properties such as biocompatibility, chemical resistance and durability. 👉 Why I find this move interesting: COR Zero is not an entry-level material, as the Kickstarter page makes clear. Instead it seems to me like a stepping stone. Some interested makers will probably use this material just for their own projects. But the resin could also be just the right thing for an independent inventor or a startup looking to launch a product, thus bringing more would-be manufacturers into the fold. #AdditiveManufacturing #3DPrinting

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Was asked about making Large Plastic Parts...think panels for an MRI machine. Injection molding is usually cost prohibitive, and volumes are usually much lower. Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) is a typical choice, Blow Molding or RotoMolding might be considered. But I had forgotten about Structural Foam molding, and frankly, how it differs in nuance to RIM. ChatGPT to the rescue. #hardware #plasticparts #reactioninjectionmolding #structuralfoam

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Azoth 3D’s use of Markforged metal binder jetting technology has made it to the cover of the latest issue of PIM International—and for good reason. This achievement marks the first-ever safety-critical part in an automobile that was 3D printed. Yes, you read that right. This isn’t just a breakthrough for Azoth 3D and Markforged; it’s a pivotal moment for the entire manufacturing industry. It demonstrates that 3D printing is moving beyond prototyping and tooling to become a viable method for producing mission-critical components in high-demand sectors like automotive. It’s time to rethink production and leverage additive manufacturing for speed, efficiency, and innovation in your supply chains. The conversation is no longer if 3D printing will revolutionize manufacturing, but how quickly your company can adapt and lead the way. (Full article here: https://bit.ly/4eBKkN1) #3DPrinting #AdditiveManufacturing #Innovation #Automotive #Manufacturing #BinderJetting #Markforged #PIMInternational

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Case Study: The Economics of Injection Molding vs. 3D Printing We often get asked at Fictiv: what makes more sense from an economic standpoint - #3DPrinting or #InjectionMolding? The fact is each provide a variety of benefits and they are not mutually exclusive. In other words, they can be leveraged together at various times of the product lifecycle, or sometimes one is better than the other entirely. Attached is a case study we developed to shed some light on the matter and help you make the right choices. BTW we have no bias here, we offer both services and do them equally well! Case study here: https://lnkd.in/g_YkRjeW #NPD #NPI #manufacturing

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Successful manufacturing requires all teams to be on the same page. Hear from leaders at First Resonance and Duro in this informative webinar on the need for improved collaboration between engineering and manufacturing teams, and the tools that make it happen: https://hubs.ly/Q02L0twv0 #webinar

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Have you watched our webinar with First Resonance yet? Five takeaways from the discussion with Michael Corr and Karan Talati 1️⃣ Hardware companies are moving to a best-of-breed approach that involves choice and fast integrations. Specialized software tools like Duro PLM and First Resonance Factory OS give engineers and manufacturers workflows that are uniquely tailored to their roles, improving efficiency. 2️⃣ API-first architectures, enable seamless integration and data flow between different platforms. This reduces the need for custom integrations and gives hardware companies greater flexibility to build the tech stack that makes sense for them. 3️⃣ The integration between Duro and First Resonance relies on events, enabling automatic updates to parts and BOMs across systems, which helps reduce errors and delivers better operational efficiency. 4️⃣ The ease of configuring and managing integrations directly within the application allows engineers and operators to troubleshoot and adapt the system without needing external consultants, promoting faster and more flexible workflows. 5️⃣ The future of all integrations will be bi-directional data flow, enabling feedback from manufacturing back to design, supporting agile hardware development practices.

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Today’s USMTO report from AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology shows that manufacturing technology orders totaled $360.8 million in August 2024. This marks a 22.7% increase from July, though still is lower than August 2023. Despite the decline compared to last year, the industry continues to operate above historic levels, underscoring sustained demand for manufacturing capacity. Year-to-date orders stand at $2.81 billion, reflecting an 11.5% decline from the same period in 2023, yet with a positive outlook for the remainder of the year. The surge in orders from contract machine shops and aerospace manufacturers signals growing confidence and an expectation of continued production growth. What’s Next? As we move into the final months of 2024, we expect momentum to build, driven by rising capacity utilization, industry optimism, and potential rate cuts. The excitement at IMTS 2024 further reaffirms the need for innovation and efficiency in manufacturing. If you attend AMT's MT Forecast event last week you heard a lot of commentary on why optimism still abounds. Read the full press release here with insights from Christopher Chidzik https://lnkd.in/gqqZ-cr5 #ManufacturingTechnology #USMTO #IndustryTrends #ManufacturingGrowth #IMTS2024 #AMT #MarketTrends

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In this short update, CEO Al Whatmough shares how the Toolpath Part Comprehension Engine finds problematic geometry and automatically adapts the manufacturing strategy. Deviate and Notify https://bit.ly/3zPE99e

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Learn why it's often unnecessary to model threads in 3D and how to add thread callouts to your drawings to improve manufacturing efficiency. 📈 Today's Onshape Tech Tip covers everything from starting an external thread feature to adjusting thread options like chamfers and undercuts, as well as how to visualize threads in your drawings 👉 http://onshp.co/gS

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In advancing next-gen tech, engineers at OEMs are constantly pushing boundaries in optical molding. Anticipating design challenges helps stay on schedule and budget. Here are a few challenges I've seen. I'm currently writing an article for our website on how to address these in detail. Miniaturization - Since the mid-1990s, the field has evolved, driven by demand for smaller, complex optical components with added features like optical coatings and opto-mechanical sub-assemblies. Miniaturization spans multiple industries, crucial for medical devices and consumer electronics. Common challenges include designing for tight tolerances, complex optical structures, LSR optics, over-molding sub-assemblies, and handling micro parts. Engineering for Tight Tolerances - Maintaining tight tolerances is critical as devices shrink. Engineers push suppliers to innovate. Our engineers have micro-molded optics under 1mm in diameter, maintaining complex geometry to fit 0.125mm fiber, demonstrating the need for precision. Complex Micro Optics Structures - Modern applications require integrated optical surfaces and freeform shapes, like off-axis anamorphic aspheres. This complexity demands advanced manufacturing techniques and innovative solutions. Over molding and Sub-Assemblies for Optics - Over molding and creating sub-assemblies are vital. For example, over molding a glass mirror, adding plastic optics, AR coating, and final assembly requires precise coordination with micro molders and custom automation. Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) Challenges - LSR optics can flow into complex shapes without secondary operations to remove flash. They offer clarity, temperature tolerance, biocompatibility, and chemical resistance. Handling Micro Molded Parts - Handling, packaging, and assembly of tiny micro-molded optics are challenging. Sophisticated automation systems ensure accuracy and support high-volume production. Despite the challenges, success in micro-molded optics is achievable. Meeting tighter tolerances, advanced part handling, complex structures, and innovative materials enables engineers to push technological boundaries.

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If you’re in manufacturing… Consider your typical KPIs. Then ask yourself how you’re going to reach them without an automated, reliable, repeatable process post-print. The answer is: you can’t. That’s where we come in. PostProcess Technologies #manufacturing #additivemanufacturing #quality

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Allow me to be frank: If you're not thinking about Digital Manufacturing, you're already behind the curve, especially if you are in an OEM mixed-model scenario with too many product options and variants. DM, V-Mfg, DFM, DFA, and Process Simulate are essential tools for facilitating a successful NPI (New Product Introduction) launch. But why? Because they streamline the development process, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Implementing DM and V-Mfg helps get designs right the first time, pre-empting any issues that may occur during the production process. Not convinced? Consider that a single error in the early stages of production can have a huge impact on the entire process, leading to lost time, money, and resources. With DM, these risks can be identified and mitigated before they happen. So, next time you're planning an NPI launch, take a step back and ask yourself... "Am I ready for the era of Digital Manufacturing?" What would you say to a colleague who is skeptical about adopting Digital Manufacturing?

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