It’s my pleasure to introduce this edition of Voices AMplified, which shares the stories of a pair of exceptional leaders in additive manufacturing (AM): David Dean and Brad Kreger.

While their work experience and AM journeys are very different, each of them bring a wealth of experience to the additive community and continue to propel the industry forward with new initiatives, insights and guidance. They also have a biological connection—at least in the sense that they both have biology and medical backgrounds, which has been an early adopter and innovator of AM.

David is the director and principal investigator of Ohio State University’s Osteo Engineering Lab, as well as an associate professor serving two departments: Materials Science and Engineering, and Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. The engineering lab makes tools for the surgical reconstruction and regeneration of skeletal structures.

After earning undergraduate degrees in biology and anthropology, David went on to get a master’s and a doctorate in biological anthropology. The latter included a thesis on making a 3D image of a human skull from CT scans. Needless to say, he’s extremely qualified and puts his credentials to good use. One of his jobs at Ohio State involves the Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis program, which aims to develop and commercialize “live” replacement joints for people with degenerative joint disease. To improve the process, David and one his colleagues invented a magnesium alloy that improves durability and overall metallurgical properties.

David now is working with a plastic surgeon on implants that can go through a patient’s skin and attach to the remaining bone of an amputated leg or arm. The project is one of several that he leads as part of a National Science Foundation-funded testbed that focuses on point-of-care manufacturing—including warfare injuries—using simultaneous device and fabrication processes.

Brad, who holds degrees in molecular and cellular biology as well as an MBA, originally planned to be a microbiologist before starting his career in the 1990s as a production supervisor at a startup company that pioneered genetic analyses, a novel technology that he likens to the current state and potential of metal AM.

While it once took several years and cost millions of dollars to sequence the entire human genome, the process can now be completed in a day for less than a thousand dollars. Brad envisions similar advances for AM, and now is in a position to make it happen: Earlier this year he was named CEO of Velo3D Inc., a leading metal-AM company.

Following a volatile year and decades of hype about AM’s potential, Brad is taking a pragmatic approach to future growth. He acknowledges the switch from traditional manufacturing processes to AM has proven more difficult than many anticipated, including training workers to learn new skills and processes to optimize the technology. While AM continues to advance and evolve, companies must learn how to balance additive and subtractive processes, Brad notes, while leveraging AM’s benefits and value.

One thing is certain, both David and Brad are very optimistic about AM’s future and are leading the drive to advance the technology even further. As the founder of Big Metal Additive, I share their vision and passion for AM and advancing the U.S. manufacturing industry. To be successful, we must work together as a community, sharing our experiences, stories and insight to the benefit of all.


  

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