3D ADEPT MAG · November / December 2022

Download the 2022 Nov/Dec edition of 3D ADEPT Mag

Download the 2022 Nov/Dec edition of 3D ADEPT Mag

As 2022 draws to a close, 3D ADEPT Media looks back on a demanding year. Mergers, acquisitions, bankruptcies and unexpected milestones brought many emotions. Some moments called for careful risk assessment. Others, however, rewarded those willing to take a chance.

These changes show that the industry never stands still. Much work remains to make the most of AM in prototyping, series production and large-scale manufacturing. This final issue therefore invites you to reflect on your direction, as a person or as a company. Learn from failures and celebrate your successes. Above all, recognise the people who share that journey.

Season’s greetings from the 3D ADEPT Media Team.

Exclusive features

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Dossier

Rounding off another demanding year: what the AM industry should keep from 2022 to move forward in 2023

How should the AM industry remember 2022? We celebrated successes and recognised the difficulties that others faced. We also analysed the lessons that could help the industry move forward. This review brings together developments in business, manufacturing, end-use industries and standards.

AM Shapers | Education & Consultancy

Olaf Diegel and John Barnes on the little wins of the 2022 AM market, and questions AM users are asking themselves

Academic researchers and consultants bring distinct perspectives to industrial problems. Their experience can help explain the root causes. In addition, their close links with end users reveal practical lessons for technology suppliers and adopters. For this discussion, we turn to Olaf Diegel and John Barnes.

Event

Additive Manufacturing Events: ideas & tips for exhibitors and visitors

In 2022, in-person events returned across much of Europe and the United States, with new protocols and risk assessments. However, that recovery was uneven. Many parts of Asia still faced pandemic restrictions and event cancellations.

Despite these differences, some advice applies to everyone attending an AM event. We therefore share practical tips for exhibitors and visitors preparing for 2023. The aim is to help you make the most of your time and budget.

Formnext 2022: the killjoys, the elders and the kids of the “fAMily” reunion

At this time of year, for AM enthusiasts and specialists, Frankfurt becomes the global capital of industrial 3D printing. For many I talked to, it’s a bit like Christmas – the grey climate and the timing may have their part to play in this analogy, but I would rather say it’s a fAMily reunion.

Opinion

Thoughts on a changing investment landscape in the AM industry.

In 2022, more money is flowing into AM, even as investors exercise caution. I want to understand why, and where this could lead. The pandemic began changing this landscape two years earlier. It increased market volatility and created further obstacles to globalisation. Meanwhile, industry consolidation brought several IPOs, mergers and acquisitions.

In an attempt to understand the world of stock markets that most additive manufacturing companies were entering, I questioned this trend – with the standpoint of a potential company that could be interested in going public. At the recent Formnext, I discussed with a lot of investors, and found myself in a position where I could see the world just like them.

Interview of the Month

With a 2022 that saw an increasing number of lay-offs across AM companies – especially in the US, we were keen to discover where the labour market is headed. In case you didn’t notice that, recruitment in this industry is as passionate and driven as AM, hence the increasing number of specialized firms that pop up on the market. For this topic, we caught up with Kensington Additive, a division of Kensington Consulting Ltd, established in 2014 that exclusively focused on the Additive Manufacturing Market.

Guest Column

4 trends that hold the key to breaking down the barriers associated with AM adoption

It has become a sort of tradition for Materialise to pinpoint relevant trends that will shape the AM industry of each new calendar year. For 2023, the AM company points out 4 topics that hold the key to breaking down the barriers still associated with adopting AM.

Startup Area

10 3D Printing Start-ups you would probably want to keep on your radar

Ideas are easy. Putting them into practice is harder. In manufacturing and technology, new ideas appear every day. However, many founders work quietly until they have a minimum viable product (MVP). This approach helps them manage the risks. In 2022, ten startups stood out by introducing their products or services to the AM industry for the first time. Their reach was both global and local: “glocal”.