Episodes

  • Beyond the Printer: Automation’s Role in the Next Generation of AM
    Jan 27 2026

    In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld is joined by Oliver Elbert, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Grenzebach, to discuss the pivotal role of automation in scaling additive manufacturing. They delve into Grenzebach’s extensive expertise in industrial automation and its recent ventures into additive manufacturing. The conversation covers the challenges and benefits of automating post-processing tasks, increasing equipment efficiency, and optimizing labor dynamics. They also explore notable projects like the Next Gen AM and the Polyline project, highlighting how automation can significantly enhance production availability and reduce manual intervention. Oliver provides insights into the integration of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robots, and job exchangers in additive manufacturing, and discusses the future potential of fully automated production environments.

    00:00 Introduction to Additive Snack Podcast

    00:18 The Challenge of Automating Additive Manufacturing

    01:07 Introducing Grenzebach and Oliver Elbert

    02:22 History and Evolution of Grenzebach

    06:33 Grenzebach’s Entry into Additive Manufacturing

    08:31 The Slow Adoption of Automation in Additive Manufacturing

    14:34 The Dual Setup Station and Its Impact

    19:25 Automation Solutions for Various Industries

    23:52 The Future of Automation in Additive Manufacturing

    24:48 Challenges and Opportunities in Automation

    34:13 The Role of Humanoids in Industrial AM

    36:20 Conclusion and Future Outlook

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    38 mins
  • How AM is Supporting the Grid
    Jan 22 2026

    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

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    38 mins
  • Education, Investment & the Additive Workforce with America Makes - Part 2
    Jan 6 2026

    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

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Policy, Innovation & Defense Additive Manufacturing: A Deep Dive with America Makes - Part 1
    Dec 16 2025

    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

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    55 mins
  • AM in Turbomachinery: Deep dive in Applications, Materials, Production & Qualification
    Dec 9 2025

    In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld delves into the technically demanding world of gas turbines with Dr. Ilya Fedorov, an R&D project manager at Siemens Energy. The discussion covers the transformative impact of additive manufacturing on turbo machinery, touching on innovations in combustion systems, turbine blades, and repair processes.

    Dr. Fedorov explains how Siemens Energy harnesses additive manufacturing to improve performance, strengthen supply chains, and embrace green fuels like hydrogen. The episode also explores the rigorous qualification processes for additive components, the development of new materials, and the potential future advancements in the sector.

    Long-Term Lifetime Validation of Hot Turbine Guide Vanes Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion | J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power | ASME Digital Collection

    00:00 Introduction to Additive Manufacturing in Gas Turbines

    01:47 Ilya Fedorov's Journey into Additive Manufacturing

    05:00 The Light Bulb Moment: Realizing Additive's Potential

    09:49 Siemens Energy's Additive Manufacturing Strategy

    15:03 Challenges and Innovations in Gas Turbine Environments

    19:25 Additive Manufacturing Applications in Gas Turbines

    25:11 Repair and Longevity of Gas Turbine Components

    36:52 Qualification and Testing of Additive Components

    44:57 Materials and Process Development in Additive Manufacturing

    49:39 Future Directions and Challenges in Additive Manufacturing

    59:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Breaking - Euler Launch: AI & the Future of AM Monitoring
    Nov 14 2025

    In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes Eythor Eiriksson, founder and CEO of euler, a company revolutionizing process monitoring and quality assurance in additive manufacturing. They delve into how euler leverages AI and data from existing sensors to improve print outcomes without requiring additional hardware. Eiriksson shares his journey from Iceland to founding euler, the company's objectives, and their strategies for problem-solving in the additive manufacturing space.

    The discussion also touches on the practical applications of AI, user experiences, and the future of additive manufacturing technology. Eiriksson talks about euler’s upcoming product launch at Formnext and its potential to transform the industry by providing real-time monitoring and predictive alerts, ultimately aiming to ensure high-quality prints and reduce costly failures.

    00:00 Welcome to Additive Snack Podcast

    00:10 Guest Introduction: Eythor Eiriksson and euler

    01:21 Eythor's Journey and Background

    03:03 Challenges in Additive Manufacturing

    04:43 Founding of euler and Initial Steps

    05:41 Comparison with Tesla's Autonomous Strategy

    07:22 euler's Mission and Vision

    09:35 Product Launch and User Experience

    15:00 Technical Insights and Failure Detection

    28:59 Future of AI in Additive Manufacturing

    42:24 Closing Remarks

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    44 mins
  • Recent Policy Changes Affecting AM, Gen Z & New AM-Adopting Industries
    Oct 21 2025

    In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld delves into the intersection of journalism and additive manufacturing (AM) with Matt Kremenetsky, an analyst from 3Dprint.com. They discuss various aspects of AM, from its breakthroughs and challenges to its role in broader manufacturing ecosystems and supply chains. The conversation covers significant topics including the impact of recent policy shifts, next-wave applications, and changes in the media landscape relating to AM. Matt shares insights on the evolving nature of workforce development and its importance in the manufacturing sector, as well as the future potential for strategic R&D partnerships and investment incentives.

    Listeners gain an in-depth understanding of emerging market applications in defense, data centers, satellite technology, and power grids, highlighting the importance of thermal management as a unique benefit AM can offer. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of current trends and future outlooks in the AM industry.

    00:25 Meet Matt Kremenetsky: Analyst for 3DPrint.com

    00:52 Diving into Additive Manufacturing Journalism

    02:15 Matt's Journey into AM

    03:55 The Evolution of AM

    06:54 Challenges and Opportunities in Additive Media

    10:44 The Role of Additive in Modern Manufacturing

    17:26 Workforce Development and Policy in Additive

    29:54 Respect for Manufacturing in Germany and Japan

    30:44 The Rise of Trade Careers in the US

    31:37 Gen Z's Work Ethic and Technology's Impact

    34:34 AI's Threat to Entry-Level Jobs

    35:42 Policies Supporting Manufacturing Investments

    41:42 Strategic R&D Partnerships and Tax Implications

    46:23 Future Applications of AM

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    51 mins
  • Scaling AM in Oil & Gas: ExxonMobil’s Strategy with Christopher Beeson
    Sep 30 2025

    In this episode of the Additive Snack podcast, host Fabian Feld interviews Christopher Beeson from ExxonMobil, exploring the integration of additive manufacturing (AM) into the oil and gas industry. Christopher shares his personal journey from traditional welding to 3D printing and outlines ExxonMobil's strategic initiatives in adopting additive manufacturing. Key topics include the company's partnerships with universities, the deployment of advanced technologies like laser powder bed fusion and wire DED, and the establishment of a digital supply network to streamline production.

    Christopher also highlights the role of the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association in workforce development and discusses the challenges and future potential of scaling additive manufacturing within the sector. The episode concludes with details about the upcoming Additive Manufacturing Oil and Gas Summit in Houston, and the significance of industry collaboration in advancing these technologies.


    00:46 Guest Introduction: Christopher Beeson from ExxonMobil

    01:36 Chris's Journey into Oil and Gas and Additive Manufacturing

    04:53 ExxonMobil's Additive Manufacturing Initiatives

    07:45 Scaling Additive Manufacturing Across ExxonMobil

    14:35 Field Node and Industry Collaboration

    21:07 Applications and Future of Additive Manufacturing

    28:26 Urgent Need for Replacement Parts

    28:48 Understanding Bubble Caps

    29:13 Machinery Anti-Wicking Device

    30:24 Additive Manufacturing Projects

    33:52 Workforce Development and Partnerships

    37:34 Scaling Additive Manufacturing

    42:28 Future of Additive Manufacturing in Oil and Gas

    43:00 Challenges and Solutions in Additive Manufacturing

    51:22 Additive Manufacturing Summit

    52:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    54 mins