CMTS keynote looks to the future of manufacturing

When investing in manufacturing technology we tend to think of traditional subtractive manufacturing machines, new tooling, quality and measurement equipment, and software. But thanks to additive manufacturing (AM), a new technology – and a new way of thinking about part creation – has emerged.

Before his keynote speech at CMTS (to be held Monday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m.), Canadian Metalworking (CM) asked Ric Fulop, co-founder and CEO of Desktop Metal, for his thoughts on AM as a disruptive technology.

CM: AM and Industry 4.0 technology usage is growing rapidly. Is the adoption of this technology inevitable?
Fulop: Absolutely. These are technology avenues that I would say right now are unstoppable. Maybe some folks are dragging their feet, but it's coming.

CM: What will your CMTS keynote focus on?
Fulop: I'm really excited to share information about true state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies that are available to metalworking shops that traditionally operated with CNC machines. I no longer think the reason shops haven't adopted metal printing before is that they aren't familiar with the technology. While there’s clearly many shops that don’t have any experience with metal printing, they probably have been reading about it for a couple of years now.

CM: I would say there's probably less than 1 per cent of metalworking shops that have metal additive systems. How will that number grow?
Fulop: Oh, yes. I would say far less than 1 per cent, so it’s definitely an aspirational technology as of yet. And I think the reason for that is that shops understand the ROI of a $200,000 machine tool, but don’t yet understand how to calculate the value metal printing can have for their business.

Others see the original types of metal additive system as simply too expensive. And so it sort of has remained this elusive thing that you see in aerospace and some medical applications, but not in a typical shop.

However, now you can install metal additive machines that are affordable enough and easy to use that a wide base of metal shops can consider them for the first time.

That idea lines up with one of the core competencies of our company, which is to make this technology easy to use and accessible.

CM: Will this technology ever replace traditional subtractive machining?
Fulop: Never. Smart shops are using this technology for a variety of things, not just jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids. They are creating actual parts that are impossible to machine. This technology works hand-in-hand with subtractive machining. There is no such thing as one eliminating the other.

CM: What would you say to companies that think this technology is not for them?
Fulop: Metalworking is a very large market. They don't have to adopt this technology. But, for those people that want to lead and innovate and take market share and grow their business, this is a technology that can make them more profitable by expanding the type of parts they can make. It also can revolutionize the way they create existing parts for current customers.

Adding metal printing to their offerings can even free up capacity on other machines, which again leads to more profits. Also, there are thousands of shops all chasing the same parts. When you get into this technology, there's a lot less competition.

CM: How important is training to the successful use of AM technology?
Fulop: It requires the development of a skill set. It's not hard to learn, but it does require training and it is a specialty machining process.

Learning how to design for additive, how to print additive parts successfully, and how to market them successfully is definitely a skill that can be learned, and it can become a huge competitive advantage for shops.

CM: How will a new generation of younger manufacturing workers view this technology?
Fulop: When you're in university today, you have access to 3D printing all the time. I don't know of a major university at which mechanical engineers, for example, don't have access to 3D printers. Ten years ago it wasn't the case, but today it is.

CM: Do you see your role as being about education as well as selling this equipment?
Fulop: Absolutely. My advice to manufacturers is to just listen. It may not be for you right now, but manufacturing constantly evolves and, at some time down the road, they may want this technology.

I also try to explain that metal printing can enable shops to enter new market segments that they may not be into today. At the end of the day, it simply is a huge growth opportunity.

Desktop Metal, www.desktopmetal.com