Friday April 21st, 2023 - Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

Meeting Recordings

• Figur – Digital Sheet Metal Forming for Prototyping and Production   
• AMUG Conference Review and RPC Lab Hardware Update
• 3D Printing + Foaming Process Enables Consistent Microstructure Across Giant Parts

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 - Continental Breakfast and Networking  

8:30 – 9:30 –  Figur - Digital Sheet Metal Forming for Prototyping and Production

Presenter:  Justin Nardone – Founder / CEO
 The Figur Digital Sheet Forming (DSF) technology is able to produce sheet metal forms on demand from a digital file. A wide range of metals, such as steel and aluminum, can be processed by the Figur G15 — eliminating the need for expensive tools, dies, molds or presses with long lead times. Figur’s breakthrough DSF technology maintains high precision with a flexible, incremental forming approach through a proprietary and patented dual sided process that reduces force distribution across the sheet during the build. Figur's unique solution eliminates high initial investment costs and long-lead time associated with traditional stamping technologies. By adopting Figur's process, manufacturers can unlock the benefits of digitization for sheet metal manufacturers, improving their business agility and making sheet metal forming accessible to new applications across a range of volumes.

9:30 – 9:45 – Networking Break  

9:45 – 10:45 – Printing + Foaming Process Enables Consistent Microstructure Across Giant Parts

Presenter:  Dr. Walter Voit, Senior VP - Polymer Materials at Desktop Metal
 Dr. Voit will describe the underlying materials phenomenon enabling FreeFoam consistency, a process called photo polymerization induced phase separation (photo-PIPS). This enables consistent closed cell foam pores (~40 microns) across a printed open lattice stabilizing the foam structure across giant parts. This enables the demanding properties space of complex parts in an open-air foaming process taking place at ~160°C in about 2 minutes without the need for cutting metal molds. Designers can translate ideas from CAD software into finished foamed goods in hours instead of months dramatically increasing cycles of learning to optimize transformative products made from lightweight, strong, tough durable foams. Foams are tough and stable across huge temperature windows from below -60°C to above 120°C. Come learn how your company can implement this approach today to rethink product development processes and deliver differentiated solutions to your end customers.

10:45 – 11:00 - Networking Break

11:00 – 12:00 – AMUG Conference Review and RPC Lab Hardware Update

Presenters: Jordan Weston – RPC Manager of Operations  
 The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference was held in March 2023 in Chicago and gave attendees the opportunity to discover the latest innovations and product launches, network with other users of additive manufacturing, and identify the latest industry trends.  Jordan Weston will provide a report of the highlights of this recent conference and lead a discussion on the latest industry trends.  Jordan will also provide an update on the latest additions of hardware and materials to the RPC that are available to our consortium members.

12:00 – 1:00 - Networking Lunch