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AMUG Newsletter May 2015

By May 13, 2015October 26th, 2018

President’s Report

Mark Barfoot President

Mark Barfoot
President

I’m finding it hard to believe that the 2015 AMUG Education and Training Conference is now over and that we are starting to work on next year. It was great to see everyone and to meet the many new people that were there. I really want to thank everyone for your kind comments during and after the event. It helps the board feel like we are on the right track as we have grown this conference.

You will be receiving a survey shortly. I do ask that you complete it so that we can make next year’s event even better. Your opinions count.

Now that you are back from the conference, make sure you give a summary to those at your company on what you learned. They can benefit from the information others shared with you, and it will help you justify your request to attend next year. To aid you in the information sharing, the proceedings are now live and ready for downloading by the conference attendees (you should have received an email with the link and password). You can pull those presentations that you wanted to review or take a look at the things you missed that apply to your work.

The board is already starting to talk about next year and is excited to see what the group becomes over the next twelve months. We will be at RAPID next week so make sure you stop by our booth (#653) and bring a friend that needs to understand why attending next year’s conference is so important.

Thank you, everyone, for making this year’s conference an overwhelming success!

Regards,

Mark Barfoot
President
president@am-ug.com

Our Mission: Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies.

Vice President’s Report

Steve Deak Vice President

Steve Deak
Vice President

WOW – what an incredible Additive Manufacturing User Group Conference we had this year. We want to thank all of our sponsors and exhibitors for their participation and support. All exhibitors and sponsors truly showed off their capabilities during the AMUGexpo nights. From OEMs to materials to software companies to post processing to service bureaus, we had it all — even an ice rink and arcade room! There was so much excitement around the AMUGexpo nights that there was constant traffic throughout the evenings. We couldn’t have asked for a more successful event!

For those that have already committed to supporting the 2016 conference, thank you!

Dana Foster Vice President

Dana Foster
Vice President

For all others interested in exhibiting or sponsoring next year, please let your VPs (Steve and Dana) know. We are even more excited for what is ahead in 2016.

Cheers,

Dana Foster & Steve Deak
VicePresident@am-ug.com

Event Manager’s Report

Tom Sorovetz Event Manager

Tom Sorovetz
Event Manager

What an incredible 2015 AMUG Conference and AMUGexpo — record number of attendees, sponsors, vendors and speakers, which speaks volumes on what AMUG is all about. I have been on the Executive Board for many years and watched it grow from less than 100 attendees and a few vendors to 765 attendees and 77 vendors, and I am just in awe. The presentations were outstanding, and I think that Todd Grimm is ready for prime time TV and should start his own Technology Talk show; he was a natural interviewing Chuck Hull during the Innovators Showcase.

With 765 people and 436 first-time attendees, it was very difficult to talk to everyone. However, I hope everyone felt very welcome at the conference and that you were able to learn a lot that you could bring back to work, make new friends that will be able to help you when you get stuck with a technical issue and maybe even gained a few pounds.

The AMUG Board is an ALL volunteer team working many hours to bring you the best possible conference and AMUGexpo, so if you have any suggestions or constructive criticism, please make sure you respond to the survey that will be sent out or send a note to a board member.

It was a great 2015 AMUG Conference and AMUGexpo, and I hope to see everyone at the 2016 event. And if you are interested in volunteering, presenting, being a vendor or a sponsor, please contact an AMUG board member or drop us a line at info@am-ug.com.

Hope to see you in 2016,

Thomas A. Sorovetz
Event Manager
EventManager@am-ug.com

Secretary’s Report

Kim Killoran Secretary

Kim Killoran
Secretary

Registration Statistics from the AMUG 2015 Conference

The AMUG Conference continues to grow by leaps and bounds with a 44% increase in attendance in 2015 over 2014 and a similar increase from 2013-2014, as you can see in the bar graph.

2015_attendees

Here are some other interesting statistics about attendance this year:

  • 888 total registered
  • 765 full attendees (123 expo only / guests)
  • 57% first-time attendees
  • 28 countries represented

2015_technologies

Technologies owned/used by attendees at the AMUG 2015 conference.

As the VP’s said, “Wow, what an incredible year.”

Kim Killoran
Secretary
Secretary@am-ug.com

Winners of the Technical Competition

Congratulations to Mike Hascher of Eagle Engineered Solutions and Todd Reese of Realize, Inc. They brought home the top prizes in the Technical Competition.

Mike’s winner was in the Advanced Concepts category. The panel of five judges liked the creative combination of additive technologies for mold-ready investment casting patterns in his “Tomorrow’s Turbine Blade” entry. Mike combined Eagle’s Direct Print Ceramic (DPC) Core technology for the internal channels of a turbine blade with printed patterns for the balance of the part.

For the second time in three years, Todd came out the winner in the Advanced Finishing category. His striking piece, titled “The Hunting Trophy,” brought an SLA Orc to life. The skill and artistry of his team with paint and air brushes was obvious in this grotesque, but oddly beautiful, piece.

Left: Mike Hascher's winning entry in Advanced Concepts. Right: Todd Reese's winner in Advance Finishing.

Left: Mike Hascher’s winning entry in Advanced Concepts. Right: Todd Reese’s winner in Advance Finishing.

Eight New DINOs

Congratulations to the eight recipients of the DINO (Distinguished INnovator Operator) award. This year’s recipients of this coveted and prestigious honor average nearly 20 years of experience in additive manufacturing. But as you are aware, tenure isn’t enough to get a DINO; you have to give back to the community and the industry, as these eight people have done.

  • Vince Anewenter, Milwaukee School of Engineering
  • Derek Ellis, Computer Aided Technology, Inc.
  • Andrew Graves, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
  • Steven Kossett, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
  • Stephan Ritt, SLM Solutions
  • Harold Sears, Ford Motor Company
  • Ed Tackett, University of California, Irvine
  • Mark Wynn, Yazaki North America
(Top row from left) Vince Anewenter, Derek Ellis, Andrew Graves, Steven Kossett. (Bottom row from left) Stefan Ritt, Harold Sears, Ed Tackett, and Mark Wynn.

(Top row from left) Vince Anewenter, Derek Ellis, Andrew Graves, Steven Kossett.
(Bottom row from left) Stefan Ritt, Harold Sears, Ed Tackett, and Mark Wynn.

Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship Recipient

Yaser Shanjani

Yaser Shanjani

The AMUG conference was an event that left memories I will hold on to in my professional life. Coming from an academic background, I viewed the AMUG Conference as a potential bridge to take me towards collaboration and involvement with AM technology in industry, and I would say that this happened. AMUG introduced me to a community in which I witnessed both exciting AM research and development going on today and the practical uses of such research outcomes.

One of the main features of the AMUG conference is the atmosphere and opportunities provided for professional networking. The welcoming atmosphere was fostered by the thoughtful design of the conference elements such as the technical exposition, meals, breaks, and social activities, and was repeatedly emphasized by the organizers and keynote speakers. I always have many unanswered questions about topics in other fields. Via meeting and networking with attendees who are specialists in different fields of AM, I was able to learn more about the aspects of the technology that I have less experience with. Also, through discussing with talented experts and exchanging ideas, I formulated many new innovative ideas for future research and collaboration and developed existing ideas to the point where they are now ready to be put into practice. I also learned from the experience of other AM equipment owners how to increase the efficiency of the machines we use at Stanford campus. In addition, I discovered possible opportunities to consider for the next steps in my career and benefitted from my conversation with the AM professionals for the commercialization of my research outcomes.

I tried to further contribute to the community and to the industry by sharing my research outcomes with the other attendees. I had the opportunity to deliver a talk in the medical track in which I presented on “AM in Regenerative Medicine”. I am glad that I received feedback that the topic was attractive for the attendees and the presented material was useful and inspiring for those who wish to learn how AM stands to exert a tremendous impact on the future of medicine.

All in all, I found attending the AMUG conference a unique opportunity to dramatically enhance my knowledge on many aspects of AM technology and for personal professional development in the field of AM. The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship enabled me to attend the conference to gain invaluable knowledge via access to the wealth of AM experience concentrated at the AMUG conference.

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Renee Bourdeau and the scholarship committee for making the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship possible and for selecting me as this year’s recipient. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor, and I am deeply appreciative of this committee’s support. I am confident that what I have brought back with me from the AMUG conference will help me make a positive impact in the field of additive manufacturing, which I hope will embody the late Guy Bourdeau’s spirit and passion for additive manufacturing. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank the AMUG Board, advisors and all the organizers for such an incredible job in organizing and providing an environment that has been truly enjoyable and fruitful for all of us. I hope that I have the opportunity to voluntarily help the organizers to run a future event and contribute to the AMUG community in any possible manner. Following the conference, I will inform other fellows and students about the benefits of attending the AMUG Conference and will encourage them to participate in it in the future.

Yaser Shanjani

Randy Stevens Scholarship Recipient

Lydia Nelson

Lydia Nelson

Opportunities such as the one I was given must be rare at best. Many of you know the story, but for purposes of this piece, I’ll start from the beginning. Because my students do not have the equipment to see an entire project from creative idea to manufactured finished piece, I rely on Gary Rabinovitz and Reebok to demonstrate for the students during field trips to Canton, MA.

Encouraged to apply for the scholarship, I was honest about what I am able to do (and not do) with my students. Yes, the school has been awarded a small grant from the Massachusetts technology teachers’ group, MASSCUE, to use towards equipment. However, many things have to fall into place before my students are able to see benefits from this grant. I was vocal about my needs during AMUG; not shy to ask for your help.

The Randy Stevens Scholarship provided me an opportunity for exploration during an exhausting week of presentations, (food) keynote addresses, (food) hands-on workshops, (food) vendor exhibits, and social networking opportunities (more food)! The organizers are to be commended. During the business meeting, I was impressed with the openness of conversations. I also appreciate the inclusiveness of women in AMUG.

Being recognized on the van ride over from the airport to the hotel, as my picture was in the promotional emails, helped to open the door for conversations about AMUG. I appreciated how friendly everyone was to me. I was nervous because of the unknown. As it turned out, this was totally ridiculous! I spent some time volunteering at registration and giving out lunch numbers, which had been my pleasure.

Networking during the vendor expo evenings and every time we had a food break, was fun. Having to pick a number for lunch is a terrific idea. With so many people to meet, I did not have enough cards. I enjoyed using my QR reader. I look forward to following up with my contacts and hearing back from those I have met.

Returning to school with my bag of “souvenirs” and finished projects from AMUG, I am sharing the week-long experience with my students and colleagues. My students were impressed that I knew about Legacy Effects. In spite of an imperfect job during “Foundry in a Box,” Steve and Jack both encouraged me to share with my students. When one of the students used the word, “casting,” I was thrilled! He and I now have something in common. I knew he understood about that which I was speaking, and he clearly enjoyed seeing my finished goods. During the Mimics training, everyone was patient. I had never used this software. I gained confidence as concepts began to make sense. The other workshops I attended yielded equally appreciated final products.

And so it was, I experimented, listened, networked, asked for equipment, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience for which I am very grateful. Thank you for including this high school teacher at the AMUG Conference.

Lydia Nelson

Sponsor News – GE

GE90 Engine Takes Off with First Additively Manufactured Part

The GE90 engine, which was the first jet engine to utilize composite fiber polymeric material on the front fan blades 20 years ago, achieved another milestone—becoming the first GE engine to incorporate an additive manufactured component for the housing on the T25 sensor.

The U.S Federal Aviation Administration granted certification of the T25 engine sensor for the GE90-94B engine in February. The upgraded T25 sensor, located in the inlet to the high pressure compressor, is being retrofitted into more than 400 GE90-94B engines in service. The T25 sensor provides pressure and temperature measurements for the engine’s control system.

Click here to read more.

T25 sensor for GE90 engine.

T25 sensor for GE90 engine.

Sponsor News – SLM Solutions

Thank You Everyone for a Successful AMUG 2015!

Thank you, and we hope to see you again soon in Long Beach to explore the flagship additive manufacturing system for high-volume metal part production.

As a Diamond Level Sponsor, SLM Solutions NA was pleased to host well-attended conference sessions from citim AM, Linear Mold & Engineering, MB CalRam, and FIT West Corp that focused on various applications of Selective Laser Melting® at AMUG 2015 in Jacksonville.

Here’s a quick recap of our week at AMUG 2015:

  • SLM Solutions NA vice president of sales & marketing, Jim Fendrick, gave an in-depth systems overview and demonstration of the SLM product portfolio; specifically the SLM®280HL.
  • Likewise, SLM Solutions NA applications manager, Michael Wais, detailed various system parameters and material applications.
  • Andreas Berkau, citim AM president and CEO, discussed the applications, cost structure and options to increase productivity through metal additive manufacturing.
  • Geoffrey Doyle, president of FIT West Corp., outlined the significant weight reduction and increased surface cooling area achieved by applying additive design and manufacturing to an F1 cylinder head.
  • To address technology transfer, education and the Center of Excellence capabilities, Paul Parzuchowski, training and business development director at Linear Mold & Engineering, spoke about the full potential of AM support training.
  • Dave Ciscel, vice president of additive manufacturing at MB CalRAM, also shared their developments in meeting customers’ increasing demand for aluminum parts.
  • …And finally, Stefan Ritt, head of global marketing and communications at SLM Solutions Group, was honored to receive AMUG’s Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) award for his contributions and years of service to the additive manufacturing industry.

If you missed a presentation or would like more information regarding Selective Laser Melting systems and technology, please call 248.243.5400 or email us at info@slm-solutions.us.

P.S. We are also pleased to provide you with a free exposition-only admission to join us at RAPID 2015 (Booth #1110); taking place May 19-21 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. Come and see live demonstrations of the SLM®500HL—our flagship additive manufacturing system for high volume metal part production. Click here to register for your free expo pass and be sure to use your unique promo code 15465479.

Stefan Ritt, 2015 DINO recipient, delivers an SLM Solutions presentation during the general session.

Stefan Ritt, 2015 DINO recipient, delivers an SLM Solutions presentation during the general session.

Sponsor News – SLM Solutions

Thank You Everyone for a Successful AMUG 2015!

Thank you, and we hope to see you again soon in Long Beach to explore the flagship additive manufacturing system for high-volume metal part production.

As a Diamond Level Sponsor, SLM Solutions NA was pleased to host well-attended conference sessions from citim AM, Linear Mold & Engineering, MB CalRam, and FIT West Corp that focused on various applications of Selective Laser Melting® at AMUG 2015 in Jacksonville.

Here’s a quick recap of our week at AMUG 2015:

  • SLM Solutions NA vice president of sales & marketing, Jim Fendrick, gave an in-depth systems overview and demonstration of the SLM product portfolio; specifically the SLM®280HL.
  • Likewise, SLM Solutions NA applications manager, Michael Wais, detailed various system parameters and material applications.
  • Andreas Berkau, citim AM president and CEO, discussed the applications, cost structure and options to increase productivity through metal additive manufacturing.
  • Geoffrey Doyle, president of FIT West Corp., outlined the significant weight reduction and increased surface cooling area achieved by applying additive design and manufacturing to an F1 cylinder head.
  • To address technology transfer, education and the Center of Excellence capabilities, Paul Parzuchowski, training and business development director at Linear Mold & Engineering, spoke about the full potential of AM support training.
  • Dave Ciscel, vice president of additive manufacturing at MB CalRAM, also shared their developments in meeting customers’ increasing demand for aluminum parts.
  • …And finally, Stefan Ritt, head of global marketing and communications at SLM Solutions Group, was honored to receive AMUG’s Distinguished Innovator Operator (DINO) award for his contributions and years of service to the additive manufacturing industry.

If you missed a presentation or would like more information regarding Selective Laser Melting systems and technology, please call 248.243.5400 or email us at info@slm-solutions.us.

P.S. We are also pleased to provide you with a free exposition-only admission to join us at RAPID 2015 (Booth #1110); taking place May 19-21 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA. Come and see live demonstrations of the SLM®500HL—our flagship additive manufacturing system for high volume metal part production. Click here to register for your free expo pass and be sure to use your unique promo code 15465479.

Stefan Ritt, 2015 DINO recipient, delivers an SLM Solutions presentation during the general session.

Stefan Ritt, 2015 DINO recipient, delivers an SLM Solutions presentation during the general session.

Sponsor News – Stratasys

Stratasys at AMUG 2015

This year’s AMUG Conference provided us with another chance to get close to our customers – and show our appreciation.

In addition to our exclusive customer reception, several of our customers presented their applications and learnings. Stratasys also held several educational presentations on applications for FDM and PolyJet, new materials, maintenance, hands-on workshops and more.

Highlights included a keynote presentation by Joe Allison, CEO of Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, as well as an expert panel on “The State of the Industry” that included Tim Gornet from the University of Louisville, David Leigh from Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, Dr. Lonnie Love from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Harold Sears from Ford Motor Company, and Todd Grimm as moderator.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

See a blog post by Stratasys Direct Manufacturing on 4 Takeaways from the AMUG Conference.

Attendees get hands on with finishing of FDM parts.

Attendees get hands on with finishing of FDM parts.

Sponsor News – Concept Laser

Thank You AMUG Attendees

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for stopping by our demo suite at the 2015 AMUG Conference. Your feedback and participation in the Concept Laser-specific presentations and training sessions was invaluable.

As AMUG prepares for next year’s users group, we will be working with our customers to develop and build new programs and training sessions for the conference. Building a mini users group within a users group is a unique and valuable interactive platform for owners and operators of additive manufacturing equipment. We support this strategy that AMUG has built and look forward to expanding our own users group strategy for next year.

For the attendees that were unable to join our session, please look for our presentations on the AMUG proceedings or contact us directly to discuss further.

On another note, congratulations to our very own Nora Cibula on becoming an AMUG Ambassador. She joins Graham Tromans and Stefan Ritt in this honor.

You can also find us at RAPID in Long Beach (booth 624) where we will have our new M2 cusing on display and the Mlab cusing producing live at the show!

We look forward to hearing from you (info@conceptlaserinc.com or info@concept-laser.de)

John Murray and Oliver Edelmann deliver an address to the general session.

John Murray and Oliver Edelmann deliver an address to the general session.