Scaling AM in Oil & Gas: ExxonMobil’s Strategy with Christopher Beeson
In this episode of the Additive Snack podcast, host Fabian Feld interviews Christopher Beeson from ExxonMobil, exploring the integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into the oil and gas industry. Christopher shares his personal journey from traditional welding to 3D printing and outlines ExxonMobil's strategic initiatives in adopting additive manufacturing. Key topics include the company's partnerships with universities, the deployment of advanced technologies like laser powder bed fusion and wire DED, and the establishment of a digital supply network to streamline production. Christopher also highlights the role of the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association in workforce development and discusses the challenges and future potential of scaling additive manufacturing within the sector. The episode concludes with details about the upcoming Additive Manufacturing Oil and Gas Summit in Houston, and the significance of industry collaboration in advancing these technologies.00:46 Guest Introduction: Christopher Beeson from ExxonMobil01:36 Chris's Journey into Oil and Gas and Additive Manufacturing04:53 ExxonMobil's Additive Manufacturing Initiatives07:45 Scaling Additive Manufacturing Across ExxonMobil14:35 Field Node and Industry Collaboration21:07 Applications and Future of Additive Manufacturing28:26 Urgent Need for Replacement Parts28:48 Understanding Bubble Caps29:13 Machinery Anti-Wicking Device30:24 Additive Manufacturing Projects33:52 Workforce Development and Partnerships37:34 Scaling Additive Manufacturing42:28 Future of Additive Manufacturing in Oil and Gas43:00 Challenges and Solutions in Additive Manufacturing51:22 Additive Manufacturing Summit52:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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AM Meets AI, Robotics, & Beyond: A Conversation with Dr. Mohsen Seifi
In this episode of the Additive Snack podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes Dr. Mohsen Seifi, Vice President of Global Advanced Manufacturing Programs at ASTM International. This insightful conversation covers the convergence of additive manufacturing with adjacent technologies such as robotics, AI, and quantum biotech. Dr. Seifi discusses the initiatives led by ASTM to push additive manufacturing forward, the importance of standards, and the role of ASTM in shaping global manufacturing dynamics. The episode dives into the historical and current role of ASTM, the transformation and strategic acquisitions like that of Wohlers Associates, and the global adoption of additive manufacturing across various regions. The episode also highlights the significant impact of defense sectors on additive adoption, upcoming trends in the industry, and a preview of the 10th-anniversary ICAM conference. The discussion underscores the importance of standardization, workforce development, and the strategic role of data in advancing additive manufacturing. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 03:14 Overview of ASTM and Additive Manufacturing 07:32 The Role of AI and Data in Additive Manufacturing 23:14 Global Adoption and Regional Dynamics 33:03 Collaborative Technology and Industry Challenges 34:03 Hurdles in Additive Manufacturing Adoption 38:20 Opportunities in Additive Manufacturing 44:28 Defense Sector's Role in Additive Manufacturing 53:09 Global Investments and Resilience in Additive Manufacturing 57:29 ICAM Conference and Industry Collaboration 01:02:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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NASA Update: Master Class, Alloys, AI & the Future Engineering Generations
In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes back Paul Gradl, Principal Engineer at NASA, for a deep dive into the latest advances and challenges in additive manufacturing. Paul shares how NASA has expanded the range of available materials, pioneering alloys like GR COP and GRX 810 for extreme environments, and how these innovations are now being used in industries beyond aerospace. The conversation covers the rapid acceleration of material development through advanced modeling and early AI adoption, the technical hurdles of scaling up to larger parts, and the realities of additive manufacturing in space—from lunar construction to the potential of asteroid mining. Paul also discusses the importance of learning from failures, NASA’s commitment to public data sharing, and his passion for mentorship and STEM education, both at work and at home. Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to additive, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Sign up for the NASA Metal AM Master Class today: Metal AM Master Class with NASA | EOS Store - US 2:00 - The Evolution of Additive Materials NASA is expanding material options and redefining what’s possible with additive. 7:45 - Material Highlights & Cross-Industry Applications Paul discusses GR COP, GRX 810, and their applications beyond aerospace. 13:45 - AI, Machine Learning & Accelerating Alloy Development AI and modeling are accelerating how new alloys are developed. 17:50 - Scaling Up: Big Parts & NASA’s Role NASA is driving the shift toward larger, room-sized additive parts. 23:45 - How Much of a Rocket is Additive? Additive plays a growing—but complementary—role in rocket manufacturing. 26:30 - Additive in Satellites, Space, and In-Space Manufacturing Additive is key to building satellites, landers, and lunar systems. 32:00 - Lunar Regolith, Moon Dust, and Asteroid Mining NASA explores using Moon dust and asteroids for future construction. 36:50 - Learning from Failure: Engine Test Stand Story A test stand failure highlights the importance of understanding the process. 43:45 –Metal AM Master Class Announcement Details on Paul and Omar’s upcoming metal AM master class. 46:30 - Mentorship, STEM, and 3D Printing at Home Paul shares how he supports STEM education at NASA and at home.
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Why Ursa Major is Betting Big on Additive Manufacturing
In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Thomas Pomorski, Director of Additive Manufacturing at Ursa Major. Tom discusses his extensive background in additive manufacturing, including his work at Bechtel Plant Machinery and Penn United. He shares insights into Ursa Major's journey in scaling propulsion manufacturing for space and defense, emphasizing the importance of insourcing, quality systems, and the iterative approach in additive development. Tom delves into the challenges and solutions in scaling additive manufacturing, including complex parameter strategies, automation, and flexible manufacturing. He also highlights Ursa Major’s products, such as the Hadley and Draper engines, and the company's innovative approach to solid rocket motor manufacturing. The episode concludes with Tom's advice for companies looking to scale additive manufacturing operations and a look into the future of the industry.01:46 Tom's Journey into Additive Manufacturing02:04 Early Career and First Additive Roles04:38 Joining Ursa Major and Initial Challenges10:11 Vertical Integration and Scaling Challenges20:14 Advanced Additive Strategies and Collaborations26:28 Automating Build Setups with Python26:58 Challenges in Hiring Additive Process Engineers28:06 Building a Passionate and Skilled Team29:30 Leveraging Local Talent and Resources31:17 Collaborating Across the Aerospace and Defense Industry32:50 URS's Product Portfolio and Additive Manufacturing35:34 Flexible Manufacturing for Solid Rocket Motors39:07 Future Developments in Additive Manufacturing41:35 The Importance of Material Development46:29 Scaling Operations and Advice for Newcomers
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What the Wholers Report & ASTM Reveal about the Industry's Future
In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Mahdi Jamshid and Scott Sevcik of the ASTM Additive Manufacturing Community to discuss significant trends and insights within the additive manufacturing industry. They delve into the history and evolution of the Wohlers Report, various advancements in different sectors like defense and consumer products, and the impact of geopolitical factors such as trade policies on the industry. The discussion also covers the maturity of additive manufacturing, the role of standards and certifications provided by ASTM, and future growth projections. Mahdi and Scott offer a comprehensive view of how the industry has evolved and what to expect in the coming years. 01:47 History and Evolution of Wohlers Report 02:54 Wohler Report's Acquisition and Transformation 06:35 Consulting and Advisory Services 13:46 Emerging Trends in Additive Manufacturing 30:28 Challenges and Slowdowns in the Industry 38:01 Scalability in Hardware vs. Software Investments 39:07 Impact of Politics and Trade Policies on Additive Manufacturing 39:55 Complexities and Uncertainties in Global Supply Chains 46:18 European Union's Defense Spending and Additive Manufacturing 52:50 Role of Standards in Additive Manufacturing 01:02:44 Future Trends and Industry Growth Projections 01:14:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Join host Fabian Alefeld and a range of guests as they discuss all things additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing news, with interviews and real-world stories to educate and entertain. Each episode, Fabian talks to AM experts, professionals in specialist fields, and 3D printing users from all walks of life to deliver a well-rounded view on the state of AM.
Cut through the confusion surrounding polymer and metal additive manufacturing solutions with our digestible, down-to-earth discussions that deliver insights into common mistakes and best practice tips so you can get a clear understanding of AM — layer for layer.
Whether you’re curious about 3D printing technology for the aerospace industry, a deep dive into post processing, or applications of injection molding — we leave no spare parts behind. We want to provide you with the additive insight needed to stay laser focused and leverage every opportunity 3D printing materials have to offer.
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