Additive Manufacturing Quotes

“When we're able to communicate in nature's language; when we're able to transcend the view that nature is a boundless entity; even transcending the building as the kernel of the architectural project; when we invite scientific inquiry and technological innovation, fusing atoms with bits and bits with genes - only then will the art of building enable new forms of interaction between humans and their environment. Only then will we be able to design, construct and evolve as equals.”
― Neri Oxman

“Additive manufacturing has a major role to play in the circular economy.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“For the first time in architectural history, we're approaching the resolution and complexity of the natural world by creating new technologies that will ultimately enable us to design a beam as if it were a branch or an HVAC and waste removal system as if it were a photosynthetic GI tract engineered to convert carbon into biofuel.”
― Neri Oxman

“Optically transparent, structurally sound and chemically inert, glass is a fabulous building material and has been for over four thousand years. Still, the production and use of hundreds of billions of glass facad components every year in the US alone begs the question; What if we can utilize this immense surface area for harvesting solar energy in efficient and effective ways? The 3D Printing of optically transparent glass points toward such a possible future.”
― Neri Oxman

“Optically transparent, structurally sound and chemically inert, glass is a fabulous building material and has been for over four thousand years. Still, the production and use of hundreds of billions of glass facad components every year in the US alone begs the question; What if we can utilize this immense surface area for harvesting solar energy in efficient and effective ways.”
― Neri Oxman

“There's magic at the intersection of quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence, and additive manufacturing.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“A system which integrates additive manufacturing at scale allows products to be produced in smaller quantities more often and much closer to where the product will be utilized. And there's a direct correlation to demand as opposed to estimation.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“It's important that we pair additive manufacturing with robust upcycling. It should be easy to turn items that were 3d printed right back into raw material to print something new.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“In a system that integrates additive manufacturing at scale, shipping will be less about getting products from one place to another and more about getting commodities from each place to the other.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“3d printers use less material, labor and energy yet they're more effective than substractive manufacturing machines. At full potential and systems scale, they achieve greater results in less time. When something does more with less, it's a good investment. And when that's employed on a systems level, theres a multiplicative benefit effect.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“When we apply additive manufacturing at scale and fully integrate it into society from a systems perspective, it can revolutionize the flow of products in the supply chains. Logistically, we can get products to their destination instantly and with greater efficiency.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr, CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth

“FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers There is no hard and fast classification of the FDM 3D printers
Cartesian 3D Printers: These are the most common type, operating on a straightforward Cartesian coordinate system with linear rails guiding movement along the X, Y, and Z axes. They are recognized for their simplicity and reliability.


Delta 3D Printers: Delta printers employ a triangular configuration of three arms attached to moving carriages at the printer's apex. The print head hangs from these carriages, executing precise movements to craft the intended object. Delta printers excel in speed and consistency, particularly in producing tall items.


CoreXY 3D Printers: CoreXY printers utilize a distinctive belt-driven mechanism to maneuver the print head across the X and Y axes. This design separates the print head's motion from that of the build platform, resulting in swifter and more accurate prints. Enthusiasts favor CoreXY printers for their speed and precision.


Polar 3D Printers: Polar printers feature a circular build platform and a print head that moves both radially and vertically. This configuration facilitates continuous rotation of the print bed, enabling the creation of objects with intricate geometric shapes. Polar printers are commonly employed for crafting artistic and sculptural pieces.

SCARA 3D Printers: SCARA (Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm) printers utilize a robotic arm mechanism to navigate the print head in a two-dimensional plane. This design offers rapid and precise movement, making SCARA printers ideal for producing small, intricate objects with exceptional accuracy.

Each variant of FDM 3D printer has its own strengths and is tailored to diverse applications, spanning from hobbyist endeavors to industrial-scale manufacturing.”
― Locanam 3D Printing

“What is Directed Energy Deposition in 3D Printing

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a term that encompasses technologies involving semi-automated powder spraying and wire welding for manufacturing. When applied to 3D shapes, DED is considered an additive manufacturing process. It typically results in a rougher surface compared to Powder Bed Fusion, due to the larger bead sizes and coarser powder used, which often necessitates additional machining.

DED systems generally fall into two categories: deposition systems and hybrid systems that combine a DED head with traditional machining equipment. The main advantages of DED include faster deposition compared to powder bed fusion 3D printing and the ability to create functionally graded material structures, especially when using powder. Additionally, since the feedstock and energy source move together, DED systems can manufacture very large structures, unrestricted by the size limitations of a build box. In some cases, DED can be more effective than traditional manufacturing methods or powder bed fusion.

Most DED systems consist of a deposition head that uses either wire or powder and is mounted on a robot or CNC system. Common energy sources include Arc, Laser, or Electron Beam, with lasers being the most frequently used for powder feedstock. The process involves offline programming to generate a tool path from a sliced CAD file. The motion system then follows this path, depositing material in layers to build the desired shape. DED is compatible with a variety of weldable alloys, such as aluminum, steel, nickel, and titanium. Depending on the chosen alloy and process, shielding gas may be applied locally or within an enclosed environment.”
― Locanam 3D Printing