STLE, the technical society for individuals in the field of tribology and lubrication engineering, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a new, free podcast: “How 3D Printing Moves Us Toward Sustainability.”
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is a transformative approach to making prototypes, particularly those made from complex designs, enabling companies to manufacture products more efficiently and sustainably. Unlike conventional manufacturing methods that remove material from a substrate and dispose of it, 3D printing builds structures layer-by-layer to minimize waste.
While this technique works well for plastic resins, additive manufacturing can present challenges when it’s used for metal alloys. In this podcast episode, two experts conducting research on the 3D printing of metal alloys, Anthony Rollett, Ph.D. (Carnegie Mellon University) and Wojtek Misiolek, Ph.D. (Lehigh University), provide further insight on additive manufacturing, particularly on how it’s being used to reduce parts from metal alloys.
The new episode is third in STLE’s podcast series, “Perfecting Motion: Tribology and the Quest for Sustainability.” The program is hosted by Neil Canter, Ph.D., STLE advisor, technical programs and services and Tribology and Lubrication Technology (TLT) writer, and covers a wide range of tribology and lubrication topics — including additive manufacturing, lubricant additives, nano-lubricants, nano-additives, lubricant testing, graphene and more.
“Additive manufacturing is improving the efficiency and sustainability of industrial production across many industries, including metalworking, manufacturing, transportation and power energy,” says Canter. “But the benefits don’t stop there. This technique is also making a positive impact in non-industrial sectors like healthcare, enabling manufacturers to tailor-make prosthetic devices, implants, tissues and more.”
