Research and development is a key investment area for a growing industry such as additive manufacturing, which is why companies dipping their toes in this exciting marketplace are making full use of Econolyst, the UK-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing consultancy and research firm. Managing Director of Econolyst, Dr Phil Reeves, who will be speaking at TCT Show + Personalize this September, recognizes the importance of research and development, and series production.
In what is bound to be a grey matter-stimulating presentation, Reeves will discuss why he feels consumer and so-called ‘prosumer’ – the professional consumer – 3D printers are failing to hit the mark on a number of levels. Entitled Prosumer 3D Printing: Is it Really Production-Ready? Reeves will launch the debate by looking at the hype surrounding consumer 3D printing, including a review of business scale, worth and penetration. He will then investigate both the technical and economic shortcomings of the technology, before giving some “uplifting examples of where the technology has made a real impact on people’s lives.” The presentation will then look into the future landscape for prosumer 3D printing and the potential for technology convergence between entry-level technologies and their “commercial big brothers” which are being used by the industry.
Reeves stated: “This talk is likely to upset consumer 3D printing evangelists, nullify realists, and provide ammunition for the enlightened 3D printing professional looking to dispel myths and rumors with fact and science. I just want to put some facts and science against all the myths and hype surrounding consumer 3D printing. Although increased media interest is great, I feel we are being set up for a big fall. When people realize the limitations of the technology they will start to ‘cry foul’.”
“We need to apply realism now. Commercial additive manufacturing is amazing, but it is getting overshadowed by the consumer stuff. We need to redress the balance and make sure the industry understands the capabilities and constraints of the technology,” he stated, adding: “We need more airtime for industrial applications and business case studies – not just people making shapes and calling them products.”
Reeves is certainly qualified to hold these opinions, the expert recently worked alongside multinational technology and consulting corporation IBM on an in-depth study entitled The New Software-Defined Supply Chain: Preparing for the disruptive transformation of electronics design and manufacturing, which examined the impact of 3D printing, open-source electronics and intelligent robotics on 100 years of traditional manufacturing. The Managing Director is proud of this project, one of many involving big organisations and their future business and technology strategies.
Dr Reeves will be stepping behind the mic on September 26th on the afternoon of the final day of TCT Show + Personalize.
TCT Show + Personalize will take place 25-26 September 2013, Hall 3/3a, NEC, Birmingham, UK
For further information on the program please contact Duncan Wood, Rapid News Communications Group.
Phil Reeves
Dr Phil Reeves is the Managing Director of Econolyst Ltd, a global Additive Manufacturing & 3D Printing consultancy & research firm working across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Far East & Africa. Phil has worked in the field of additive manufacturing for nearly 20-years having gained a PhD in the subject from Nottingham University in the mid 1990s. Phil has worked in a number of AM related roles including R&D, business development and corporate strategy, before establishing Econolyst in 2003. Econolyst acts as an advisor on additive manufacturing & 3D printing to a number of government agencies around and provides strategic advice to private and institutional investors including venture capital partnership, hedge funds and banks. Econolyst organises the International Conference on Additive Manufacturing in partnership with the Additive Manufacturing Research Group at Nottingham University. Econolyst is also the technology partner behind the 3D4D Challenge to cascade 3D printing into the developing world. Dr Phil Reeves is a trustee of 3D4D charity Tech-for-trade.
TCT Show + Personalize
www.tctshow.com
