Episode #8 | Additive Hype vs. Additive Reality

On this episode, we address an edgy topic that has caused more than a little frustration among customers and industry peers - “Additive Hype vs. Additive Reality.” To gain a broader perspective, we invited Kyle Harvey, Additive Manufacturing Business Unit Manager at Extol, to join us. He’s a self-proclaimed “recovering engineer” and outspoken educator in the additive space. Extol is a manufacturing technology company that provides plastic assembly technology, custom automation, and engineering services.

Don’t miss this conversation! Here are the timestamped highlights:

3:00
GUEST INTRO: Kyle introduces Extol and how they are working to shift the focus from parts to products

5:52
HYPE: Additive offers high value within a business for functional prototypes and end-use production (i.e., it’s easy)
REALITY: No one offers a game plan for making the value real (i.e., it’s difficult)

9:00
HYPE: You can buy a printer, push print, and catch the money as it prints out (i.e., it’s plug & play)
REALITY: The additive adoption process is full of hidden costs for design, downtime and scrap (i.e., it’s expensive)

19:11
HYPE: The value of additive manufacturing is low-cost parts (i.e. it saves money)
REALITY: Companies are offering below-cost pricing which is a race to the bottom (i.e., low cost = low quality)

22:52
HYPE: The fall of Fast Radius proves the additive industry bubble is bursting (i.e., it’s not as valuable as promised)
REALITY: Additive has long-term value when done sustainably, but we’re seeing business model failures driven by unreal expectations. (i.e., success requires a wholistic approach)

34:40
HYPE: Printer manufacturers focused on selling “all the latest” hardware will drive success for our industry (i.e., more technology = more success)
REALITY: Education about successful additive adoption must be pushed upstream to equipment suppliers and downstream to additive customers. (i.e., success can’t happen without education)

38:38
OUR ADVICE: Kyle, Carl & Brian offer words of advice to those getting started with additive

Watch the full episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/ImahP5gcGYE
More about DI Labs: https://dilabs.cc/