Optimizing Design for Additive Manufacturing

As more organizations explore additive manufacturing (AM) solutions such as industrial 3D printing, design optimization for AM has become a top priority. As manager of the Additive Minds consulting group at EOS North America, I’m on the front lines of helping organizations explore their AM design capabilities.

Organizations in many industries now understand how AM can enable new material efficiencies, reduced cost-per-part, and advantages in product performance and sustainability. Now, they want to know how to do it: Best practices that make AM success come to life.

For many companies, that journey begins with design optimization for AM. I help organizations unlock creativity, adopt an AM mindset, and navigate their big opportunities for success. My work involves in-depth training and guidance for companies at every stage of AM exploration and adoption. That includes helping design engineering teams explore the opportunities AM provides for performance, material efficiency, and sustainability.

EOS is unique because we provide mature end-to-end AM solutions that create long-term success for businesses. From start to part, we help organizations strategize, develop, deploy, and optimize successful AM programs. Our exceptional 31-year legacy is evident in our diverse technology portfolio, which was founded on our mastery of laser, material, and process. Our extensive sister organizations and industry alliances make our tribal knowledge unique in the industrial 3D printing world.

Here’s one real-world example of our impact: We worked with a company in the aerospace industry to explore AM applications in their parts portfolio. The result was a 3D printed latch – which may not seem like the most exciting application. However, that latch was significantly cheaper to produce via AM and lighter in weight. When you measure its impact across an airline fleet, it saved the customer around $20 million while reducing CO2 emissions by 8,000 lbs. per plane annually.