Moving into the AM world

Moving into the world of 3D printing was daunting at first, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s been nearly nine months since I joined the team at Tri-Tech 3D, and, although I had a basic knowledge of additive manufacturing (AM), it wasn’t until I became part of the Stanford Marsh Group that I saw how the technology is transforming different applications and industries. I’ve learned so much already and it’s been great being part of such an experienced, knowledgeable team.

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By Hayley Giles, marketing executive at Tri-Tech 3D

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I first became aware of AM when I was a child — my dad had a friend who owned a 3D printer and one day he brought home a model to show me. It was a small sphere that was caged within another sphere. I remember him saying how it was printed layer by layer and it blew my mind. Over time, he kept bringing other 3D-printed objects back to show me, like spoons or puzzles, and I was always excited to see what else this machine could build.

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This was an important memory because it piqued my interest in manufacturing. After starting my career as a digital marketing apprentice at a small agency, I went on to work for the Hereford and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce as an events coordinator. Here, I looked after events for business leaders and members, including some of the area’s most notable manufacturing firms, such as CNC specialist Yamazaki Mazak UK and Worcester Bosch, a prominent boiler brand. ?

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In my role at the Chamber of Commerce, I ran a series of manufacturing forums, which involved hearing from local manufacturers to collaborate on ideas and share best practise. After each event, we’d go on a factory tour and, on multiple occasions, we would see 3D printers being used the members’ facilities. This is when I realised AM wasn’t just for hobbyists, it’s a viable production tool on the factory floor.

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Getting stuck in

The AM market is constantly moving. All the time, companies like Stratasys are releasing innovative, exciting technologies — and I’ve been busy getting my head around these! Because I didn’t come from a 3D printing background, I tried to soak up as much information about the different systems, materials and applications as possible. I felt this was important so that I could build a strong foundation for my role and convincingly market our productions to potential and existing customers.

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In my role, I help manage the marketing for multiple Stanford Marsh Group companies, including Tri-Tech 3D, Cadspec and 3D Print Bureau. There is a lot of synergy between these companies and, together, they can provide an end-to-end solution for customers. For example, Cadspec can provide the generative design tools and expertise in the early conceptual stages, and we can then either recommend a 3D printer from Tri-Tech 3D or refer manufacturers onto the bureau if they want to outsource production.

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Over the last few months, I’ve enjoyed organising and supporting Tri-Tech 3D at different trade shows, including MACH and TCT 3Sixty. At each exhibition, we always try to bring different colleagues from across the Stanford Marsh Group companies. We must demonstrate this synergy on the stand so that we can cater to a wider range of visitors — who are all at different stages in their 3D printing journeys.

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A forward-facing industry

The 3D printing industry is in a very strong position, and it’s accelerating quite quickly. This was just quite daunting at first, but I’m enjoying the thrill of it. More and more industries like automotive and aerospace are adopting AM, and we’re reading about it in the news. It’s taking time, but many companies are now seeing the benefits — and investing in this technology.

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It’s been interesting to see how awareness of 3D printing has changed. Most manufacturers (if not all) now have a basic understanding of this technology and what it does. So, the conversation is now shifting to how they can use these systems in their facilities — and how they can scale it up to support end part production on the factory floor. Again, this will take some time, but we are seeing huge progress.

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For anyone considering a career in engineering or 3D printing, remember that it’s an industry brimming with potential. It’s important to work in a strong, supportive team — which I’m incredibly grateful for — of industry and technology experts. This doesn’t mean having all the answers yourself but knowing who to go to and lean on. It’s more important that you bring the relevant experts into the conversation along with their insights. ?

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To find out more about Tri-Tech 3D’s support, visit the company’s website.?

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