The year 2020 was not what any of us expected. As we clinked our champagne glasses at midnight, none of us anticipated lockdowns, a global virus or the shutting down of worldwide supply chains. When we refer back to 2020, we can focus on the chaos and unpredictability, or we can reach for the silver linings. The digital economy exploded. Teachers adapted to online learning models. And businesses and entrepreneurs invested in flexibility and found new and exciting pathways to growth.

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One option growing in popularity as a result of the pandemic is additive manufacturing (AM). Wohlers Associates reports industry expansion of 7.5% to nearly $12.8 billion last year alone. There is a common misconception that 3D printing or AM is limited to low-series, prototype capacity. We picture a guy in his garage 3D printing car replacement parts as a hobby. Today, however, AM offers a high response time for manufacturing production applications and can empower companies to quickly adapt. It can be an appealing alternative as traditional manufacturing supply chains are repeatedly disrupted and overexerted. As the president of an AM company, I have seen firsthand how AM has […]

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