In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes Kristin Mulherin, the Director of Additive Manufacturing Technology at Hubbell Inc., to discuss the creation and development of an additive manufacturing center of excellence within a 150-year-old corporation. Kristin shares her extensive journey through various roles in the additive industry, from Northrop Grumman to HP, and her significant input in initiatives like Women in 3D Printing. She discusses Hubbell's historical background and the strategic decisions behind establishing the AM center, including technology choices, cost management, and internal education to drive innovation.

The episode covers specific applications, the challenges of shifting from prototyping to production, and the importance of cross-departmental education within the company to leverage the full potential of additive manufacturing.

00:00 Introduction to the Additive Snack Podcast

01:40 Meet Kristen Mulherin: A Journey in Additive Manufacturing

05:07 Kristen's Role at Hubbell Inc. and Industry Insights

06:11 Women in 3D Printing and Leadership

07:46 Building Hubbell Inc.’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

15:25 Technology Stack and Future Plans at Hubbell

19:30 Exploring New Opportunities in Additive Manufacturing

21:38 Balancing Cost and Lead Time in Additive Manufacturing

22:08 Value Drivers in Additive Manufacturing

In the second part of this two-part episode series of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian welcomes Dr. Edward Herderick, Director of Education and Workforce Development at America Makes, to discuss the maturation of additive manufacturing. They delve into the evolution of the technology, its impact on the industry, and the importance of specialized education to foster a capable workforce.

Dr. Herderick shares insights on the integration of creative and engineering disciplines, the need for hands-on experience, and the role of the investment community in driving the industry's growth. The conversation also touches on the significance of industry partnerships in reshaping education, making additive manufacturing more accessible, and preparing the next generation of skilled professionals.

01:33 The Evolution of Additive Manufacturing

02:12 Integration of Art and Engineering

05:00 Specialization in Additive Manufacturing

08:44 Industry Trends and Workforce Development

15:25 Additive Manufacturing in Education

39:50 Hands-On Experience and T-Shaped Expertise

50:55 Investment and Market Segmentation

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Kimberly Gibson from America Makes for the first part of a two-part series focusing on the advancements and policy drivers in additive manufacturing in the U.S. Kimberly dives into the history and mission of America Makes, provides insights on policy innovation, industrial resilience, and how these factors are converging to reshape U.S. and global manufacturing landscapes.

Highlighting the critical roles of workforce development, digital manufacturing, and ecosystem integration, Kimberly also discusses the importance of diversifying the industrial base's focus beyond defense and shares updates on current legislative initiatives like the National Defense Authorization Act. Don't miss this in-depth discussion on the transformative potential of additive manufacturing.

00:30 Meet Kimberly Gibson and Ed Herrick from America Makes

01:26 Kimberly's Journey and the Evolution of America Makes

03:35 The Role of America Makes in US Manufacturing

06:28 Challenges and Opportunities in Additive Manufacturing

11:49 The Importance of Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity

19:22 Government's Role in Accelerating Additive Manufacturing

25:07 Diversifying Beyond Defense Contracts

28:54 Congress Signals Support for Advanced Manufacturing

29:33 Senate Bill 2214 and the Additive Industry

31:44 Challenges in the Additive Manufacturing Sector

33:41 Right to Repair and Sustainment Issues

35:53 Unprecedented Demand for Additive Manufacturing

37:54 Additive Manufacturing in Various Sectors

43:39 Energy Sector and Additive Manufacturing

46:32 Additive Construction and Future Prospects

49:14 Teaming and Collaboration Opportunities

50:23 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook