Interviews with 3D Printing Services #4
LAYERbyLAYER X Endeavor 3DA Conversation with the COO Janet Dickinson
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Welcome to LAYERbyLAYER: Interviews with 3D Printing Services, a unique series brought to you by BASF Forward AM. Through this collection, we dive into the stories of Digital Manufacturing Pioneers who are reshaping the industry with their innovative 3D printing services. These leaders have not only embraced additive manufacturing as a core element of their business but have also chosen BASF Forward AM as a trusted partner in materials and solutions. Each interview seeks to uncover the motivations, challenges, and triumphs behind their decision to pioneer in the 3D printing space, offering inspiration to others in the field.
Join us as we explore these narratives, layer by layer, to better understand the evolving landscape of digital manufacturing and the visionaries driving its future.
Interview #4: Meet Janet Dickinson, COO of Endeavor 3D, a leading provider of additive manufacturing solutions, specializing in product design, production, post processing, and quality assurance. Built from a core leadership team with over 20 years of experience, Endeavor 3D pride themselves in being partners, not just providers.
Getting to know Janet Dickinson
Marco: Let’s start from the beginning. Tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to open your own 3D printing service?
Janet: “Phil Arnold, CEO of Endeavor 3D, and I have worked together for several decades in manufacturing. We acknowledged that there is a new frontier for manufacturing and in 2020, opened the doors for Endeavor 3D to become the first major 3D printing service provider in the state of Georgia. The digital transformation taking place in the industrial landscape requires more flexible and agile solutions capable of solving new and unforeseen challenges. We believe 3D printing technology was born during this age of digitization and it’s the best opportunity to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities.”
An Introduction to Endeavor 3D
Marco: Can you tell us a bit about your 3D printing service? What makes it stand out in the industry, and are there specific sections you primarily focus on?
Janet: “Our 3D printing service starts, ends, and continues with one word – quality. We commit to solving some of the hardest problems on behalf of our customers by building strong relationships, delivering high quality results, and retaining that business by continuously improving on their behalf. We have invested in the most sophisticated hardware, software, and materials available on the market to give our customers best-in-class solutions. Today, we serve the healthcare, automotive, industrial, robotics, consumer products, and aerospace industries.”
“We have invested in the most sophisticated hardware, software, and materials available on the market to give our customers best-in-class solutions.”
Headquartered in Douglasville, Georgia, with a 65,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility, Endeavor 3D has the capabilities and expertise to be a reliable manufacturing partner for your next project.
Discovery of BASF Forward AM
Marco: How did you first come across BASF Forward AM, and what motivated you to be a partner?
Janet: “We have a strong legacy with BASF (decades) so we holistically understand the business objectives and have a shared vision to offer best-in-class quality products and solutions. When it comes to Forward AM, we believe that the same approach is understood and well implemented.”’
Deep Dive into BASF Forward AM's Ultrasint® TPU01
Marco: Let’s talk about materials. How have you benefited? What has your experience been with the quality and performance of these products? What’s the future of 3DP materials?
Janet: “We believe that material science is a clear strength of additive manufacturing. Specifically, Ultrasint® TPU01 for HP’s 3D Printers provides a flexible (pun intended) solution that opens the doors to new industries and applications. As we push the capabilities of design and unlock new opportunities, we see that there is a clear future for advanced products that product developers can take advantage of with changing design capabilities. AM is no longer an afterthought and as we integrate it earlier into the design phase then we also introduce new materials that have better mechanical properties compared to conventionally machined or injection molded parts. We must combine our material science knowledge with our design expertise to fully maximize the capabilities of 3D printing.”
“AM is no longer an afterthought and as we integrate it earlier into the design phase then we also introduce new materials that have better mechanical properties compared to conventionally machined or injection molded parts.“
Endeavor 3D is driven by the idea that 3D printing has the power to revolutionize the way we create. That’s why they have created an environment where providing better-performing parts and superior service comes natural.
Applications of TPU
Marco: In which applications do you find BASF Forward AM’s Ultrasint® TPU01 the most advantageous, and which specific use cases can benefit?
Janet: “By far, the most successful applications with TPU have been for consumer products (wearables), robotic arm fixtures, and custom healthcare solutions that require soft touch or custom compression capabilities. We have worked with several robotics’ companies for end-of-arm tooling and believe there is a massive opportunity for custom orthotics – whereas conventionally produced orthotics can be too manual, too expensive, or take too long to produce. We believe through 3D scanning and reverse engineering, we can produce custom solutions that are patient specific, long lasting, and affordable.”
Marco: Does Endeavor 3D offer additional services?
Janet: “Endeavor offers 3D scanning, reverse engineering, Design for AM, and boasts one of the most robust Quality Control labs on the east coast. As mentioned previously, our commitment to quality drives our business so nothing goes out the door without a full inspection and, if needed, a detailed report for our customers.”
“We believe there is a massive opportunity for custom orthotics – whereas conventionally produced orthotics can be too manual, too expensive, or take too long to produce.“
Ultrasint® TPU01 is a multi-purpose thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder, ideal for the production of parts requiring shock absorption, energy return or flexibility.
A light wrap up!
Marco: So, what’s the strangest 3D Printing job request your received?
Janet: “It’s not quite the strangest but it’s certainly one of the most interesting and useful. We see a big increase in functional health monitoring systems for industrial and personal devices. By combining new sensor technology with custom, 3D printed products, we can begin to develop tools to proactively identify high stress areas for industrial machinery and human wearables alike.”
Thank you, Janet!