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This episode features a discussion between Justin Hopkins and Dustin Kloempken of AM Insider and their guest, Phil Arnold, founder of Endeavor 3D. The conversation focuses on the challenges and strategies involved in starting and growing a contract manufacturing business within the additive manufacturing industry. Arnold shares his experiences, highlighting the importance of rapid decision-making, investing heavily in equipment, learning from failures, and building a strong team. They also explore the potential impact of artificial intelligence and geopolitical factors on the future of additive manufacturing. The discussion underscores the capital-intensive nature of the industry and the need for innovation and adaptability.

• Challenges of Starting a Service Bureau: Establishing and maintaining a sustainable additive manufacturing service bureau is difficult, requiring the right team, equipment, business model, and sales strategy.
• Endeavor 3D's Founding and Strategy: The establishment of Endeavor 3D in 2020, Phil's "all-in" approach to initial investment in equipment (starting with polymers and quickly moving to metal binder jetting), and the rationale behind having capacity before securing high-volume business.
• Importance of Team and Decision Making: The critical role of a strong, trusted core team in a successful business, and the need for quick, data-driven decision-making, especially in a rapidly evolving industry.
• Learning from Failure: Phil's philosophical approach to business emphasizes the importance of having a high tolerance for failure and actively pushing boundaries to learn and evolve quickly.
• Impact of AI on Additive Manufacturing: The potential of artificial intelligence to address the challenge of designing parts specifically for additive manufacturing, particularly for engineers not trained in this area, and the idea of using AI to generate more design iterations ("at bats").
• Geopolitical Factors and Supply Chain Risk: The potential impact of political climate, tariffs, and supply chain risks on manufacturing, and how local additive manufacturing service bureaus can provide a solution to these challenges.

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This podcast episode of AM Insider features a discussion with Brent Ewald, a software development manager at Autodesk, about his diverse career journey within the additive manufacturing space. The hosts, Justin Hopkins and Dustin Kloempken, explore Ewald's transition from mechanical engineering and R&D in 3D printing at HP to software development. Their conversation examines the evolution of software in additive manufacturing, the importance of data analysis, and the future potential of technologies like implicit modeling and standardized file formats. They also touch upon the skills needed for those entering the software side of the additive industry and briefly discuss the emergence of AI in this field.

• Career Navigation in Additive Manufacturing
• The Crucial Role of Software in the Future of Additive Manufacturing
• Advice for Individuals Interested in Software in Additive Manufacturing
• Geometry Representation in CAD and Additive Manufacturing
• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Additive Manufacturing

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This podcast episode of AM Insider features a conversation with Derek McCurry, the owner of Stubby Nozzle Co. McCurry shares his journey from working in additive manufacturing marketing to establishing his own business designing, manufacturing, and selling 3D-printed car care products, specifically leaf blower nozzles for drying vehicles. The discussion covers his background as a mechanical engineer and marketer, the evolution of his business from Facebook Marketplace to his own website and major online retailers, and the benefits and challenges of using 3D printing for final product manufacturing. McCurry offers insights into the importance of marketing for small businesses, leveraging customer feedback for product development, and his experiences scaling his manufacturing through desktop FDM printers. He also touches on examples of other successful small businesses utilizing 3D printing and provides advice for individuals looking to start their own ventures in this space.

• The Leap from Additive Manufacturing to Real-World Product Development
• Derek McCurry's Background and the Genesis of Stubby Nozzle Co.
• Product Details and Manufacturing
• Evolution of Sales Channels and the Importance of a Direct-to-Consumer Website
• The Crucial Role of Marketing in Entrepreneurial Success
• Viability of 3D Printing for End-Use Products
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Additive Manufacturing
• Examples of Other Successful Small Businesses Utilizing 3D Printing
• Competition and Market Validation
• Future Product Development and Customer Feedback
• Marketing Strategies Beyond Online Marketplaces
• Skills Learned from Additive Manufacturing and Previous Roles
• Resources for Aspiring Entrepreneurs