Industrial Automation Magazine India

As the demand for AM grows, the job opportunities expand as well

Published on : Thursday 01-10-2020

Eventually, a subindustry of 3D design providers will populate the market

Lothar Hohmann, Serial Entrepreneur, Leader and Strategist

Will the Covid crisis act as a boost or is it in fact causing a temporary setback to Additive Manufacturing?
The Covid-19 pandemic had and is drastically affecting the universal population in almost all aspects. The limited cross contact in traditional procedures such as in production assembly and supply chain, had negatively impacted various industries operationally and financially with delays. With delays, came uncertainty of when things are getting back to what was used to, which had taken away control on operations which businesses essentially need to ensure consistency and smooth flow of their systems.

Covid-19 has expanded the R&D of using Copper additives solutions. Companies are seeking alternative methods as in comparison to the traditional methods. We are currently heading into Wave 2 and with high probability of a Wave 3 then we need to be looking into this much more therefore it’s only highlighting why additive manufacturing is important and why development needs investment. Covid has boosted companies to the take on a more dynamic approach to finding solutions.

Additive Manufacturing or AM had been proving how it streamlines long-drawn out lengthy processes into self-sufficient procedures that will help a lot of operations become less reliant to outsourcing. Technologies in 3D printing has reduced time-to-market product development and had simplified manufacturing lines’ retooling by having the in-house control of designing and printing samples and parts. Gone are the days of waiting at least a month for an outsourced to deliver a part that doesn’t even come close to what is needed, when you can print a sample part in 2 hours, leaving enough time and more in-house controls in perfecting the sample.

The self-sustaining and streamlining features of AM, among many more advantages, has led more business of varying industries shift its attention to 3D printing. The pandemic had tremendously challenged traditional and tedious procedures that involve layers of external stakeholders that incur more time and resources and shed light to the digital transformation with AM. Overall, more and more opened their doors to discover the benefits of 3D printing during these uncertain times.

Additive Manufacturing is presently confined to low volume, high value, customised jobs. How can it become more broad based?

As the demand for AM grows, the job opportunities expand as well. Companies and individuals who found the advantages of shifting to AM had further engagements with educational resources for 3D design, post-processing techniques and mechanical troubleshooting. It’s giving a solution to a company who made need a niche item which is not readily available on the market and gives the flexibility to have on demand parts when required.

Chilean company Copper3D has won the NASA Nebraska Space Grant to study and develop antimicrobial 3D printed medical devices on the International Space Station (ISS). In terms of broad based its certainly competitive against traditional methods of how we go about seeking solutions.
The growth of the industry had led to the growth of design, technical and sales engineers certified to operate, troubleshoot, and sell machines and varying types of materials depending on the specific requirements of each user. Many companies build its own team of 3D printing experts to get started with its shift towards digital manufacturing.

Although 3D printing is not meant to replace mass production, the increase in number of printer owners and operators have broadened the career opportunities in AM. With the growing variations of 3D printers from plastic materials to glass fibres, the development is only moving forward with more people shifting into this industry as more solutions are available to be replace old age processes.

User industries are demanding open ecosystems for greater flexibility rather than being restricted by lack of choice with single vendor. Is this the way forward?
Variety and flexibility will always be the top criteria for users when selecting the 3D printer for them. This enables its users to make use and repurpose the technology for more objectives. Top 3D Printing brands, such as Ultimaker, pioneered with its reliability and its open-source technology, which allows the most types of filaments to be used with the printer. Its Material Alliance program sets the standards and allows users to select with confidence among trusted third-party filament brands depending on the printing objectives. Learn more about the Ultimaker Material Alliance here.

Will Additive Manufacturing lead to an era of ‘on demand manufacturing’ and revolutionise the supply chain with virtual inventories?
As businesses find the most effective way of operating and quickly adapting to uncertain situations like this unexpected pandemic, AM’s ability to enable ‘on demand manufacturing’ and eliminating supply chain bottlenecks are the best ways to go. Not only can industries limit high costs of tedious traditional manufacturing, streamlining with AM also reduces the need for external resources affected by the high cost and unexpected delays with supply chain processes. On demand manufacturing brought by digital transformation of outdated time and cost consuming procedures, companies are able to further control its resources, enabling them to growth in RoIs.

One of the significant issues is managing the IP rights and payments – how do original designers get compensated. Can this be resolved?
The AM industry is growing along with the number of 3D designers and technicians that has created various communities for sharing open source designs. Original designers have now developed its craft and are able to generate business by acting as external consultants to companies that don’t have an in-house team.

Designers and technical experts alike will eventually grow and become empowered by the demand for 3D printing, balancing the availability of free, open-sourced files and the urge for more companies to invest in monetised, original design files from talented individuals. Eventually, a subindustry of 3D design providers will populate the market and will lessen the need for companies to build its own team, further streamlining its operations and lowering operating costs and reducing trial-by-error costs by relying from experts. This kind of outsourcing will not be affected by supply chain bottlenecks as the transfer of services can all be made digitally.

Are there adequate procedures presently to regulate the industry in terms of standards and traceability?
Many governments have included AM as part of its visions for the coming years. The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for example, have placed strategies stretching forward to 2030 for immersing 3D printing applications into its various local initiatives. Along with these initiatives are regulatory standards to make sure community compliance is present and the technologies are utilized for the greater good.

With many novel initiatives comes the need for a deeper understanding about its nature to better develop regulations and standards. The community of experts in 3D printing, local and global, are working with governments to support on technical know-how and expertise to help create and maintain regulations applicable for the industry. PRECISE 3DHub, the pioneer in 3D printing solutions in the GCC headquartered in Dubai, is one of the founding members of the Dubai 3D Printing Alliance, in partnership with Dubai Future Foundation. These founding members are experts in various fields of Additive Manufacturing, helping each other to build a better and more educated community of next generation 3D printing champions.

Get started with 3D printing by speaking to our experts across the GCC, write us [email protected] or visit our website at www.precise3dhub.com Lothar Hohmann is a passionate entrepreneur, leader and strategist who drives his business with excitement and enthusiasm. Almost 3 decades in the UAE, Lothar has created a million- dirham company with 6 business verticals with a strong MENA-wide accessibility. An expert in business development and sales negotiation, he has managed to grow a diversified network, by being the reliable go-to partner of nation leaders, government and private corporations, educational institutions, and highly specialised clients.

More about Lothar Hohmann in his own words:

My vision for PRECISE is to constantly grow as an all-inclusive solutions provider for all our existing and current business verticals, all continuously growing through time and experience. Our Crystals and Metal Premiums business had grown from being the first to intro 3D crystal laser engraving technology in a retail kiosk in the Dubai Duty Free to creating hand-crafted high-quality crystal replicas of museums for world leaders.

Merchandise Development has turned into a comprehensive turnkey solution offer from PRECISE where we add valuable support in the collection development of merchandise collections and supply into the best attractions and landmarks within the region. Our Retail distribution networks had grown from the retail kiosk in the Dubai Duty Free to maintaining strong relationships with retail giants such as Virgin Megastore within the UAE and KSA. We develop our portfolio by understanding the market and bringing in technologies that generate its own market demand aiming to be an organic yet sustainable market leader.

Our 3D hub has been the one-stop solutions shop for a wide spectrum of users and innovators – from Maker Spaces to manufacturing conglomerates that are discovering the wonders yet practicality of 3D printing applications. PRECISE’s reliability as a solutions-provider had us consistently gain the trust of the major 3D printing manufacturing companies to carry their brand under our portfolio. Building a dynamic company, I aim to not only grow my business further but to also make sure that I am contributing into developing a market with conscious efforts for sustainability initiatives. By taking in products that not only offer solutions but ultimately making practical contributions to society is a major factor into our business model.

Working together with companies like Colossus, the world’s largest transportable 3D printer utilizing recycled materials from waste such as PET bottles and caps, which are currently an enormous environmental concern within the UAE and GCC, into practical everyday items like furniture and construction materials, increasing the utility longevity of these recycled waste. My goal is to continuously reach and collaborate with visionaries that share the same passion and business ethics which I have developed and grown through my years of experience. I’m driven to constantly work on sustainable solutions which will act as a catalyst for bigger and better initiatives.