Episode #21 | When to Consider Additive Manufacturing for Production

In this mini-episode of the Solutionology Podcast, we’re addressing some of the most common questions we get about volume production using additive manufacturing. In fact, these questions were the driving force behind a technical presentation that Carl Douglass, DI Labs CEO, created and will be delivering at the Medical Device and Manufacturing tradeshow in Minneapolis. We’re just getting warmed up and hope to see you there!

Common questions about volume production with additive manufacturing:

• What types of applications and projects are the right fit? 
• What reasons should drive the decision to use additive?
• What reasons should drive the decision NOT to use additive?
• What does the production part approval (PPAP) process look like?

Takeaways from Carl’s presentation:

• To successfully leverage additive for production, build it in early
• High-tolerance parts are possible
• Additive shouldn’t be considered the end-all-be-all
• Additive can be a superpower if used in the right applications

Related Content: 

• MD&M technical presentation details
• Article in "Plastics Today" about the presentation

Chapters & Topics:
00:00 Intro
00:15 Welcome
00:40 MD&M presentation takeaways
02:27 Go & yield applications for additive
04:51 Organizational limitations
05:34 Need a champion and stakeholders
08:28 Keys for successful production
09:27 Developing a production part approval process
11:37 Validating biocompatibility for medical device
13:35 Biggest shortcomings in preparing for additive
14:06 See you at MD&M

More about DI Labs:
https://dilabs.cc/