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Additive manufacturing is a process in which a three- dimensional solid object is created from a digital model. Also known as 3D printing or rapid prototyping, among a host of other names, the process involves adding successive layers of materials to build objects of various shapes and sizes. Prototyping has been the technology's most widespread application to this point. The fastest-growing use, however, is in the actual manufacturing of parts for final products. "If you are working in component manufacturing and you aren't aware of this trend, you are putting your company at risk," Brinkman warned. Additive manufacturing will impact your business one way or another! How you are impacted will be up to you! Additive manufacturing allows companies to quickly respond to changes in demand from customers and to address ever-shrinking product life cycles. Parts also can be created using far fewer resources through additive manufacturing, since there tends to be fewer processing steps, less assembly, lower amounts of waste material and requires less energy. Other benefits of additive manufacturing include small lot production; optimized design; reverse engineering; and complex part manufacturing. A major upcoming manufacturing conference will focus on additive manufacturing. Greg Morris, strategy and business lead for additive technologies at GE Aviation, will present a keynote address on the topic at the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference, to be held Oct. 22 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Morris works closely with all of GE's businesses to promote and integrate additive manufacturing into a broad array of products and processes. Although the concept is new to many, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, through its Rapid Prototyping Consortium, has been involved in the additive manufacturing effort for nearly two decades. "The goal for us is to help leverage this technology," the consortium's director Sheku Kamara said at a recent Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Lunch & Learn. The Northeast Wisconsin Technical College addresses additive manufacturing through its Prototype and Design program, which provides students with a unique combination of hands-on skills and fabrication techniques, focusing on the construction aspect of the design and engineering process. All program graduates were employed within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $44,197, according to NWTC. The program at NWTC has existed since 1968. "Manufacturers need to get off the sidelines and figure out how additive manufacturing can move their businesses forward. WMEP can help connect manufacturers with the resources and partners they need to get in the game." Brinkman said. Brinkman urged manufacturers not to delay in learning more about additive manufacturing. Call today and find out more: 877-800-2085 Rapid Prototyping Education Additive Manufacturing Production Parts From Midwest Prototyping, LLC A m e s s A g e f r o m W m e P