The State of Additive Manufacturing: Trends, Markets and Tech

Dayton Horvath, Director of Emerging Technology at AMT (the Association for Manufacturing Technology)

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Additive manufacturing (AM) is reshaping industries from aerospace to consumer goods with unprecedented speed. Dayton Horvath, Director of Emerging Technology at AMT, joins us to break down the key trends, market shifts, and cutting-edge technologies that are defining AM today. What’s fueling the industry’s rapid evolution, and where are the biggest opportunities? Dayton has answers—and insight you won’t want to miss.

In this episode...

  • The role of application-focused companies in driving additive’s next phase of growth
  • Emerging hybrid manufacturing models that combine additive with traditional methods for advanced production capabilities
  • Current challenges and opportunities in funding for AM technologies
  • How AMT’s unique data services help businesses keep a competitive edge in the AM market
  • Future applications for additive manufacturing in consumer goods, healthcare, and beyond

Quotable Moments:

On the shift to application-focused investment:
“More and more investment in the last two, two and a half years, has shifted...towards these application companies, because they recognize that there’s value in the productization...of the additive capabilities.”

On hybrid manufacturing:
“Hybrid manufacturing, which is loosely defined as additive manufacturing combined with subtractive manufacturing in the same motion control platform… has opportunities for short to medium run production.”

On the importance of data for decision-making in additive manufacturing:
“The AM industry needs reliable data more than ever to make informed decisions, especially with the current challenges in venture capital.”

3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:

  1. Application-focused growth is driving additive manufacturing’s evolution: AM is transitioning from tech-focused development to applications that integrate seamlessly into specific industries, like aerospace and automotive. Investors are prioritizing companies that apply additive tech to real-world solutions, expanding the impact and utility of AM.
  2. Hybrid manufacturing is the next phase in the growth of AM: By combining additive and subtractive processes on the same platform, hybrid manufacturing is enabling greater precision and efficiency. Companies leveraging these mixed methods can cut costs and improve product quality, making AM a more accessible solution for diverse industries.
  3. Additive manufacturing offers unique advantages for small and midsize manufacturers: Dayton highlights how AM can help smaller companies compete by reducing lead times and improving production flexibility. With additive processes, they can explore new market opportunities and tailor products to specific industries without the high upfront costs typically associated with traditional manufacturing.

Resources in this Episode:

To learn more about the Association for Manufacturing Technology, visit: amtonline.org

Other episodes & resources mentioned here:

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Connect with Dayton on LinkedIn

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