entry 5/17/21
This blog entry will recount of my origins with additive manufacturing, some recent developments at AMPEL, and a roadmap of the future. I share some poetry written at the Cleveland Public Library. Finally, a comment about the Food for Change project.
AMPEL to date
Standard disclaimer: “additive manufacturing” = “3D printing” in industry terms.
My journey in additive manufacturing started after finding The Pan-Industrial Revolution in mid-2018 on a recommended reading list. Reading this book changed my perspective of the possible. Though I knew that I wanted to be involved with the field, I decided that before I invested in any equipment I would attempt to learn the process and master the software.
The first step was the purchase and digestion of a copy of 3D Printing for Dummies, a book which I still keep and reference today. This was followed by the purchase of a beginner’s 3D printer off Craigslist, then the purchase of a more significant machine. In the next 18 months I would experiment with as many methods and materials as was possible on my primitive machines, documenting the process along the way.
The idea of AMPEL was conceived after relevant literature suggested that many of the greatest strengths of additive manufacturing lay in functions which were methodically possible but lay outside the current practical knowledge base. Thus the necessity of an investment in research and deeper knowledge. Additive manufacturing represents a system which has the potential to significantly improve the lives of humans on Earth (and in extraterrestrial environments)… but we just aren’t quite there yet.
An important facet of AMPEL is the emphasis on the value of data. In reality, AMPEL only rarely sells physical products. AMPEL’s primary product is the knowledge base which has been hard-earned through experimentation and research. AMPEL provides structured and concise documentation for clients attempting to a) understand 3D printing, b) integrate AM into their operations, or c) integrate AM into their supply chain. AMPEL also provides expertise in navigating the network of the online community. This network of designers, engineers, students, and professionals serves as a source of inspiration, education, and professional labor.
In the future, I intend that AMPEL serve as a platform which connects the full-cycle of the manufacturing process as an integrated network. This should serve as a data management for a host of “makerspaces” as well as a resource professional firms. This vision is the foundation for a real-time, data-driven, open-sourced (?) platform for makers and contributing members of the community. The scope is immense, connecting all aspects from supply chain, design and engineering, logistics, consumer preferences, and more.
AMPEL - May 2021
The period of April to May 2021 featured more printing projects than any month before. Notable about this period was the implementation of a system of iterative design. The AMPEL network was strengthened with more community building contests. Testing was performed on alternative machinery More Internet of Things devices were integrated with the 3D printing process.
The system of iterative design applied concepts learned from Functional Design for 3D Printing by Clifford. These techniques build on the strengths of the additive methods and provide correction for weaknesses. Thus, a decrease in project diversity but an increase in prototype volume. This method provides great research and improvement to product design.
Community building was performed through the platform at freelancer.com using principles of crowdsourcing learned from Bold by Diamandis. Here projects are run as “contests” and encourage entries by the community. Not only does this result in great models, but it also builds the professional network. With more than a few entrants we have exchanged email/WhatsApp information and gone on to work on more projects.
Resin printing was attempted again with mild success. The process is increasingly frustrating as the method requires “resetting” the machine and performing a recalibration with nearly each program (with FDM printing, I recalibrate the machine once every 25-30 projects). However, recognizing the professional applications of resin printing, we will continue to pursue this method.
Perhaps the most important trend which must be acknowledged is the Internet of Things. Developing systems which integrate data from and contribute to the IoT is a value driver in both physical products and knowledge base. Thus, designing smart, functional, integrated devices for 3D printing is a key investment. Currently, efforts in this area are focused on establishing watertight web security to all devices in play.
AMPEL acknowledges the great migration of the 21st century: the digital migration. In contrast to historical human migrations which occurred due to persecution, plague, or war, this will be a migration from a plain, natural world into a vibrant, digital one. Technologies which assist creators and builders in this digital world are ones in which we readily invest. Ingestive applications such as 3D scanning and digital reconstruction are key parts of the architecture of the digital world. Interactive applications like VR and AR are enormous value drivers if effectively paired with real world operations.
Next Moves
Recent speculation has revealed insight into the path forward. Literature and market analysis has shown me that the true power of additive manufacturing will not be applied for some time yet (roughly 5-8 years by my reckoning), mainly due to research and application development, and partly due to the industry’s resistance to change. With the ultimate goal of establishing an industrial platform to connect future additive manufacturing operations, a few bridges must be crossed to get there. Chief among these obstacles are a) industry education and b) population mindset.
Education. In the current system, a lack of talent bars current progress. Because the technology is new and experts are still unsure of its applications, few jobs are available to encourage the most qualified designers/engineers to graduate into the field. Unfortunately, because of the low number of graduates, research stagnates and these jobs are only created in small numbers. A vicious cycle ensues.
To put it bluntly the population is not yet ready for 3D printing in industry, much less ready for it in the home. However, as a new generation of actors ages into the work field and the present generation ages out, we will new ideas and capabilities creep in. Notably, this new generation is ultimately composed of “digital natives” who are familiar with computer processes and how to manipulate them. Further, they have been shown to wield a deeper understanding of “spatial reasoning”, a skill important to designers and crucial to the engineers. They are better equipped to meet the challenges of the digital frontier.
Certain steps can be taken to hasten the solution of these two obstacles, but keep in mind that time along will be the most powerful factor.
Food for Change
The Food for Change project emerged following the COVID pandemic and the massive change which it initiated in the almost all levels of society. This project is based around the idea that our world is rapidly evolving, more rapidly, in fact, than any other period of human history. The Food for Change project is further built upon the notion that documentation and consideration is necessary to establishing direction through the field of uncertainty. Though certain moments will necessitate action akin to a “shot in the dark”, we realize that this can be intentional study and deliberation will help us to plan and execute a strategy forward.
Contribution to this program is shared between myself and my colleague Will Fistek, another innovator and producer. In our first executable in partnership with the Cleveland Teaching Collaborative, we are set to release a pilot episode of a podcast series which will discuss the changing world of education. As an education professional, Will has been personally effected by the shift to remote learning/teaching and provides tremendous insight. As an activist investor and technology visionary, Grant brings insight which invites the integration of collaborative and creative technologies to the conversation.
Conclusions
As questions are answered at AMPEL, dozens more sprout up. In the face of uncertainty, action and thorough documentation is necessary.
