AM & Health

AM Summit 2022 breakout session: The breakout session on Additive Manufacturing in the healthcare sector focused on how the technology can help doctors and patients, and how 3D printing can explore new design opportunities, enable mass customisation, and create greater production flexibility.

The session was moderated by Michael Mølmer, Chief Medical Officer at Nordsjællands Hospital. The panel participants were:

• Nadine Moises, 3D Print Production Consultant, Formlabs
• Anders Mølgaard Jakobsen, Clinical Engineer and Project Manager, Aarhus University Hospital
• Martin Gerth Andersen, Founder and CEO, Snapform
• Mads Tendrup, CEO and Founder, Exo360

1 size fits 1!

We were joined by three manufacturers of customised solutions for the healthcare sector – all with the same overall conclusion: 3D printing provides opportunities that were not previously possible. With the new technology, they can now offer solutions tailored to the specific customer’s needs, whether prosthetics, casts, or surgical tools. The need for customised solutions is significant in the healthcare sector, as every customer has a different anatomy. Previously, this was either addressed with an inefficient generic solution or with very expensive and complex customised solutions. 3D printing offers the possibility of customising new products for customers in a more flexible, cost-effective, and value-optimising way. In summary, across the three areas, they can now offer better and cheaper products to customers. What’s not to like?

Regulations are still a hurdle…

3D printing is still a new way of manufacturing products and components within the industry. Unfortunately, all the panel participants are using significant resources to address regulatory challenges related to the new technology – a problem we need to overcome to give 3D printing a broad and commercial breakthrough in the industry. At present, 3D printing is treated as equivalent to traditionally manufactured products, which in some cases does not make much sense. Nevertheless, the panel participants strongly believe that this will change in the coming years, as more and more companies and hospitals focus on the technology in their production.

Sustainable Materials

The AM Summit 2022 breakout session on Sustainable Materials focused on how we can decarbonize the supply chain by choosing and developing more sustainable materials. Additive Manufacturing is widely recognized for offering a range of sustainability benefits, such as reduced transport and less material waste. However, if the goods produced through Additive Manufacturing are not made from the most sustainable materials, we are not realizing the technology’s full potential. In this session, we focused on how to select and design new materials in order to achieve our sustainability goals.

The session was moderated by Ditte Lysgaard Vind, Managing Partner at Lendager. The panel participants were:

• Adrien Lapeyre, Global Market Manager, Arkema
• Markus Glasser, Senior Vice President EMEA, EOS
• Rasmus Kock Grusgaard, Innovation Consultant, The Danish Plastics Federation
• Niels Appel, Project Manager, Nordic Metals

Will bio-circular material become the new impact material?

Both Arkema and EOS presented their perspective on how PA11 made from castor beans is having a tremendous positive effect. PA11 has a low environmental impact, requires fewer non-renewable resources to produce, and has high thermal resistance. The material is used as powder in 3D printing production. In addition to the benefits in production, the material is also highly recyclable.

Traditionally, plastic is produced using crude oil. By rethinking how we produce plastic, we can both reduce pollution from the production process and stop using natural resources such as oil. As castor beans are grown in areas that are otherwise not suitable for cultivation, production creates new opportunities for farmers in these regions. Castor beans for PA11 are most often grown in India on fields that are otherwise unused, providing social benefits as well.

It is not only about how we produce goods, but also how we think about consuming them!

A key topic of discussion was also how we move from a linear system to a circular system. Nordic Metals collects scrap metal and turns it into new metal powder that can be used for 3D printing. A characteristic of metal as a material is that it does not degrade over time like plastic. Therefore, it is theoretically possible to recycle metal scrap repeatedly. Metal production is highly polluting today, but by recycling it in a smart way, we can mitigate pollution from production and stop using natural resources. According to a study from DTU, Nordic Metals’ method of producing metal powder has a 50% lower impact on global warming than the traditional method.

Changing Paradigms

The AM Summit breakout session “3D Printing Sustainable Cities” focused on how additive manufacturing technologies can help build the sustainable cities of the future. 3D printing houses, systems, and components can help create more affordable housing options and even entire residential areas. The session addressed how 3D printing technology is the future of construction, with its multitude of unrealised sustainable and economic opportunities.

The breakout session was moderated by Frank Rosengreen Lorenzen, CEO, Danish AM Hub. The panellists included:

• Morten Bove, Founder and CEO, WOHN
• Sebastian Aristotelis, Co-Founder and Lead Architect, SAGA Architects & 3DCP Group
• Paul Nicholas, Associate Professor, CITA, The Royal Danish Academy, School of Architecture
• Henry Glogau, Architect, GXN Innovation

The construction sector is one of the most environmentally damaging industries globally, and yet despite this knowledge it has been very slow to respond. New technologies such as additive manufacturing offer major advantages and have the potential to significantly improve the environmental impact of construction and architecture.

Demonstrate how AM contributes to sustainable construction

The panellists agree that it is important to showcase what is possible and demonstrate the potential of AM for sustainable construction. This includes documenting resource streams and value streams. Architects and designers are early adopters, but there is also a movement among other actors in the construction industry, where the approach to construction projects is multidisciplinary by nature.

The shift towards using and developing renewable materials is underway, for example through cooperation between industry and academia. Scaling up 3D printing for construction projects is also in progress. From the perspective of CITA, The Royal Danish Academy, School of Architecture, sustainability is increasingly a focus for students. For example, students grow new AM materials such as mycelium, design their own tooling, and generally use AM technology to move from traditional methods to a more integrated process.

A key point highlighted by the panellists in the move towards a more sustainable construction industry is to build smaller and to support design for disassembly. Changing expectations of buildings and materials is also significant, which leads to the issue of regulation.

Regulation is not adapted to AM and new materials

Demand for sustainable construction is increasing, but regulation is not keeping pace. A key challenge in realising the potential of AM in construction is to drive changes in regulation and standards. New materials need to meet standards, especially regarding moisture and fire safety, and consequently insurance becomes a barrier to using new materials. Attention should therefore be directed towards finding faster and alternative ways for materials to enter the market.

Changing Paradigms

The AM Summit 2022 breakout session “Changing Paradigms” focused on how Additive Manufacturing has impacted—and will continue to impact—different manufacturing industries. The session brought together industry leaders using AM as an industry disruptor to drive a radical new way of designing, innovating, and producing products and components.

The breakout session was moderated by Tim Frank Andersen, CEO and Co-Founder, Liveshopper. The industry-leading panellists included:

• Andrew Lamb, Innovation Lead – Global, Field Ready
• Stefan Larsson, Founder, Maker and Entrepreneur, Lostboyslab and Whatt.io
• Adam R. Pawloski, VP Manufacturing Solutions, Stratasys
• Federica Chinese, Sales Manager EMEA, Nano Dimension

Although AM technology has increasingly been adopted by the manufacturing industry in recent years—and there are examples of how it has disrupted the industry and led to new ways of designing and manufacturing products—the panellists agree that there is still work to be done for AM to reach the so-called “Spotify moment”. One way to support this shift towards changing paradigms is for industry leaders to share successful examples. Two topics in particular were discussed in more depth: sustainable materials and distributed manufacturing.

Sustainable materials and the cost challenge

One of the panellists, from Lostboyslab, uses 90% recycled materials in its 3D-printed products. Recycled material is generally more expensive than virgin material. However, they find that their customers are willing to pay extra for sustainability and the “story” behind the material. Recycled fishing nets collected in Indonesia—where local fishermen are paid to collect waste from the ocean—are one example of recycled material being used. This addresses one of the biggest environmental challenges: removing waste from the oceans while securing an income for local fishermen.

For others, the cost of recycled materials—and, more broadly, the cost of 3D printing compared with other manufacturing methods—remains a barrier to wider adoption of AM in the manufacturing industry. To overcome this barrier, stronger collaboration across the AM ecosystem is needed. One point highlighted in this context is the need to produce and share data from early AM adopters to demonstrate that industry can adopt AM with low risk.

The untapped potential of distributed manufacturing

The potential of distributed manufacturing was discussed in connection with a question to the panel about what it will take for additive manufacturing to reach the “Spotify moment”. This requires changes to business models and the creation of distributed networks of partners or satellites to 3D print locally. For Field Made, a humanitarian organisation transforming aid logistics by manufacturing supplies in the field, there is an urgent need to map 3D printers across developing countries worldwide. Over time, this could make it possible to contract private makers and companies around the world to each deliver part of a single large order for 3D-printed devices. For this to become reality, it is also necessary to address regulatory implications related to quality control processes in distributed manufacturing.

More people than ever gather for sustainable 3D printing conference

The fourth time was definitely the charm for AM Summit 2022. This year set another attendance record with almost 450 visitors—an increase of just over 25% compared to 2021 and the highest attendance to date.

On Wednesday, September 7^th, Danish AM Hub held the annual AM Summit—Scandinavia’s largest conference on additive manufacturing (AM) / industrial 3D printing. Visitors were inspired by insights into the latest developments and innovations in additive manufacturing and 3D printing from 44 speakers and 45 exhibitors.

“We succeeded in addressing an important and timely challenge by focusing on more sustainable production, and by extension increased innovation and competitiveness among manufacturing companies. The growing interest and commitment from both Danish and international visitors demonstrate that Denmark has a leading role when it comes to new technologies,” says Poul Skadhede, Chairman of the Board of Danish AM Hub.

The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Additive Impact – additive manufacturing and 3D printing as a driver for sustainable manufacturing’. Under this theme, 44 speakers took the stage with concrete solutions and inspiration on how new technology such as 3D printing can help us produce more sustainably and competitively—with stronger and more circular business models and more robust supply chains.

Danish AM Hub works to strengthen the competitiveness of the Danish business community by promoting the use of AM and 3D printing, and helps companies take the first steps towards more sustainable production, with AM providing the opportunity for local on-demand production with less transport and lower CO2 emissions.

“The fact that we once again set a record in terms of the number of visitors at AM Summit confirms what we experience on a daily basis—that the ecosystem and interest in the technology’s potential and possibilities grow every day, and that more and more people are becoming aware of the technology. New technologies can change the way we design, develop, and produce, and 3D printing is a crucial technology for creating positive development and contributing to a green transition across our manufacturing companies,” says Frank Rosengreen Lorenzen, Director of Danish AM Hub.

Danish AM Hub is initiated and supported by the Danish Industry Foundation.

More people than ever gather for a green 3D printing conference

The fourth time is certainly just as lucky for AM Summit 2022, which once again set a record this year with nearly 450 visitors—an increase of just over 25% compared with 2021 and the highest number of participants in the conference’s history.

On Wednesday, 7 September, Dansk AM Hub hosted the annual AM Summit—Scandinavia’s largest conference on additive manufacturing (AM) / industrial 3D printing—where guests met no fewer than 44 speakers and 45 exhibitors, who inspired with the latest developments and trends in 3D printing.

“Many strong forces succeeded in addressing an important and timely challenge by focusing on sustainable production and, in turn, stronger innovation and competitiveness in manufacturing companies. The growing interest and engagement from both Danish and international stakeholders show that Denmark has a leading role when it comes to new technologies,” says Poul Skadhede, Chairman of the Board of Dansk AM Hub.

The theme in 2022 was ‘Additive Impact – additive manufacturing and 3D printing as a driver for sustainable manufacturing’. Under this theme, 44 speakers took the stage with concrete solutions and inspiration on how companies can get started with AM technology and leverage its many opportunities and great potential for more sustainable production.

Dansk AM Hub works specifically to make Denmark a global leader in applying additive manufacturing for more sustainable production—where less waste is generated, less material is used, there is less need for transport, and less CO2 is emitted.

“That we are once again setting a record for the number of guests at AM Summit confirms what we experience every day—namely that the ecosystem and interest in the technology’s potential and opportunities are growing almost daily, and that more and more people are discovering the technology. New technologies can change the way we design, develop, and produce, and here 3D printing is a crucial technology for creating positive development and contributing to the green transition in our manufacturing companies,” says Frank Rosengreen Lorenzen, CEO of Dansk AM Hub.

Dansk AM Hub is initiated and supported by Industriens Fond.

Live from AM Summit 2022: Guns N’ Roses rocks on a 3D-printed guitar

You have probably never considered what rock music would sound like on a guitar that is 3D-printed from recycled sawdust. But if you are even the slightest bit curious or interested, Dansk AM Hub invites you to a concert at AM Summit 2022 – Scandinavia’s largest conference on Additive Manufacturing (AM) / industrial 3D printing – on Wednesday, 7 September in Copenhagen.

Here, we will experience how music emerges from 3D printing with a visit from Olaf Diegel, who has developed and printed an electric guitar from recycled sawdust: The Green Axe. At the conference, the guitar and its sound will be tested by Peter, Michael and George from Europe’s best Guns N’ Roses cover band – GNR-Jam – who have promised to rock out with the biggest solos on the guitar.

“I design my guitars to push the limits of what additive manufacturing can do. That’s why my designs are purposefully geometrically complex, so they could not be manufactured any other way”, says Olaf Diegel, who is a professor of AM at Auckland University and the man behind the design:

“My latest guitar – the Green Axe – is 3D printed out of wood. And, to me, that is amazing because we are taking waste material that would, otherwise, go to landfill or incineration, and transforming it into high-value products. That’s proper sustainability”.

This year, AM Summit focuses on how new technology such as 3D printing can help us manufacture far more sustainably and competitively, with stronger and more circular business models, more resilient supply chains, and more sustainable production with less waste, less material, less transport, and lower CO2 emissions.

AM technology opens up entirely new and limitless opportunities to design products in a new way, both in terms of visual expression and tailored to the individual user – or in this case, perhaps a particular sound.

“And you can design products using different materials that may be more sustainable. That is the fundamental, remarkable and still unrealised potential of AM: that through the technology we can be so incredibly precise in the way we design and produce that we can get very close to how nature would grow it. The Green Axe is probably the greenest 3D-printed guitar,” says Frank Rosengreen Lorenzen, CEO of Dansk AM Hub.

At the conference, a wide range of speakers will take the stage and share their views on what the future of manufacturing will bring, how leading players in the field are already working with AM, and how to get started with the technology. Among other things, we will hear how Boeing is incorporating 3D printing into the aviation industry, how CELLINK works with bioprinting – i.e., 3D printing of living tissue for the production of bones and living tissue – and how Danish company Create it REAL 3D-prints insoles within a circular business model. We will also be inspired in a panel debate on how we can leverage new technology to make Denmark the greenest manufacturing country in the world, including by former minister and EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

To make room for even more inspiration, the programme will also include more breakout sessions than in previous years, addressing the development of AM technology across six themes: new materials for more sustainable production, how 3D printing challenges different manufacturing industries, gender diversity in industry, sustainable construction, developments in our healthcare sector, and a session with some of Denmark’s leading experts in the field.

The conference is for everyone interested in the development and impact of AM technology and who wants to learn more, be inspired, and network. With exciting speakers and the large AM exhibition, the conference is a forum for exchanging knowledge and experience, and a unique opportunity to let creative stakeholders present their qualified perspectives on the latest technology, trends and developments, as well as the future of the AM industry.

Read more about AM Summit here.