From Bytes to Production: How Automation is Transforming Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing has advanced incredibly since stereolithography was introduced in the early 1980s, during a time when computing power was a fraction of what it is today. The rise of computational power and complexity has led to equally incredible advancements in automation in AM. These advancements can be broken down into four broad categories: (1) design automation, such as generative design and automatic adjustment of designs for printability; (2) AM machine operability, such as rapid development of optimized print parameters and in situ monitoring and closed loop control; (3) automation of post-processing, such as systems and machines to reduce or eliminate labor in post-processing; and (4) automation of job management and production management, using software for example to manage multiple jobs over multiple AM machines in a system. This panel of leading AM industry experts will discuss some notable examples of AM automation both past and present, as well as look ahead to how automation can transform AM in the future.