THINKING ADDITIVE: Additive Manufacturing as heart of the fourth Industrial Revolution

Thinking Additive as a way of life, the mantra behind a new way of thinking about industry.

A change of vision and perspectives, the one promoted through the Thinking Additive approach, which was made in an all-encompassing way by our co-founder Ilaria Ardizzoia: "The scientific economic progress resulting from the use of additive manufacturing will bring more well-being, new worlds, new approaches to deal with our everyday life. Especially since Valeria Tirelli and Elena Palieri invited me to be part of the Italian committee of Women in 3D Printing, to talk about Additive Manufacturing, together with Cinzia Milioli and Elisa Salatin, my vision has changed. I think it is most important to spread the culture behind 3D printing, always keeping in mind that the common good and ethics are inextricably linked. Technology must be at the service of human value, not forgetting that, as Francois Rabelais ruled back in the 1500s: science without conscience, is the ruin of man."?

A new chapter of technological progress in which there are so many opportunities to make improvements and innovations through an ever-growing sector such as Additive Manufacturing: "I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to work in this sector that is fervently growing and yet to be discovered! We have recently moved from the third to the fourth Industrial Revolution and to be part of it is something fantastic and exhilarating. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is based on the adoption of technologies called enabling technologies: connection between physical and digital systems, fast and complex analytics through big data and real-time adaptations. That is, use of intelligent machines interconnected and connected to the network, thus leading toward a new concept of mass customization, becoming of interest to the entire manufacturing sector."?

Additive Manufacturing stands out or rather "rocks" because there is no sector where it does not exist!

The patent for 3D printing was "filed"( never has a term been so appropriate!) in 1982. The patent, but certainly not the idea of 3D.

"I am sure that before 1982 most of you had already discovered and experimented with the concept. Let me see if I am wrong: how many of you in the first 9 or 10 years of your life went on vacation at least once to the mountains? How many have gone to the sea?

For those who have gone to the beach: all of you at least once in your lives will have made sand castles by getting liquid rena down your hand, what could be more additive than that??

Sorry for those only went to of the mountain, you can do this experiment at the sea next weekend, nothing is lost!"

If you can imagine it, you can do it.

"Back to us: if the first mention of an efficient and flexible machine capable of depositing layer upon layer of megatronic plastic to build a spacecraft following only a drawing refers to a science fiction story from 1945, then the saying that If you can imagine it you can do it is true! Yet in 2022, AM, despite no longer being science fiction, has not yet reached its full exploitation."?

In this phase of constant change and strong innovation, 3D printing is confirmed as one of the most exciting, rich and certainly driving technologies toward a different future. "There are all prerequisites for Additive Manufacturing to take off as there is no sector in which it is not present and for which it cannot be useful." While in the beginning 3D printing was used exclusively for prototyping, today, thanks to 3D printers and increasingly high-performance polymers, its use in production is the norm. It is not enough, however, to own a 3D printer; what is important is that it be used, taking full advantage of its capabilities: we need to change the way we think. Thinking Additive is not only our new claim, but it must be applied, taking full advantage of the merits and pluses of this technology that no other system possesses. We must use innovation to grow."?

Innovation that must go hand in hand with sustainability, two aspects both guaranteed by the 5 fundamental qualities offered by additive technology:?

• Producing only what is needed when it is needed: digital warehouses help eliminate inventory and reduce consumption due to logistics
• Freedom to change the product at any time, eliminating obsolescence
• Flexibility in customization: tailor made, on demand and just in time
• Reduction of waste, depositing material only where needed and thus obtaining products optimized for cost and weight
• Geometric freedom that is difficult to achieve with CNC machines

"At 3ntr we have always had an eye for the environment, a focus that fully reflects our philosophy and ethical codes of sustainability. We design and develop well-insulated systems, such as our latest Sequoia printer presented at Mecspe 2022. The print volume of 110x120x90 cm makes Sequoia the world's largest printer with a temperature-controlled chamber. Thanks to the new PTAM (Perfect Temperature in Additive Manufacturing) system, energy consumption has been optimized, print quality has been improved, and so has speed. All of our printers do not require water or compressed air systems for operation, resulting in significant energy savings. With Diamond print trays, the use of glues, adhesives or disposable sheets is eliminated. Constant collaboration with universities, research centers and material compounders allows us to test and offer our customers innovative and truly recyclable materials. Finally, thanks to Industry 4.0, we can concretely talk about Sustainability and Circular Economy."?

In short, we can conclude by saying that industrializing production does not mean disrupting or denying company traditions, but simply renewing what we already do well, optimizing and improving the entire supply chain through new processes.?

A revolution in which our entire team participates enthusiastically and, inspired by the quote of Cartesio, creator of the Cartesian axes that we use precisely in 3D printing, "Cogito ergo sum" we now say, "Thinking Additive!"

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