Essentium is a leading provider of industrial-scale 3D printing solutions. Their core activities focus on designing and manufacturing advanced 3D printing platforms, high-performance materials, and software that empower industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer goods and medical to achieve new levels of efficiency and productivity. Essentium is focused on developing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies that overcome supply chain issues, enable rapid testing of new ideas and produce final parts to offer manufacturers a competitive advantage.
Interview with Blake Teipel, Ph.D., CEO of Essentium.
Easy Engineering: Which are the most futuristic products / solutions from your portfolio?
Blake Teipel: Among our most futuristic products and solutions are the Essentium High Speed Extrusion (HSETM) 3D printing platforms. These systems include the 280i HT 3D Printer, the first true independent dual extrusion system (IDEX) designed and developed for the demands of the factory floor. Unlike other IDEX 3D printers on the market, the HSE 280i HT 3D Printer features true independent dual extruders whereby each head is fully independent on both the X and Y-axis. Essentium HSE 3D printing platforms deliver rapid print speeds and industrial-grade reliability, enabling manufacturers to produce large-scale parts at unprecedented speeds. Additionally, our HSE platforms integrate seamlessly with our innovative materials, offering superior mechanical properties and unprecedented cost-effectiveness.
E.E: Tell us about the company’s long-term goals / prospects?
B.T: Our long-term goals are centered around driving a new era of additive manufacturing. We aim to drive the adoption of 3D printing as a mainstream manufacturing process across various industries. By enabling a new level of production speed, scale, and cost efficiency, we envision a future where businesses can manufacture complex, customized products on-demand, empowering supply chain decentralization and localized production.
E.E: Tell us about product innovation and how does it impact the future?
B.T: Product innovation is at the core of our company’s mission. We constantly invest in research and development to push the boundaries of 3D printing technology. For example, we recently launched Duratem, the industry’s first high-impact and high-temperature thermoplastic material, enables rapid production of end parts meeting industry reliability, repeatability, and performance standards. Duratem offers five times the impact resistance of PEI 9085, with comparable pricing, and is flame, smoke, and toxicity resistant. We also recently introduced Altitude, an innovative polycarbonate filament that can withstand extreme cold temperatures as low as -60°C without cracking. It is ideal for outdoor applications requiring cold resistance, ultraviolet resistance, and flame resistance.
This innovation impacts the future by democratizing manufacturing, providing agile solutions for various sectors, reducing waste, and minimizing carbon footprints. As we continue to refine our materials and platforms, we anticipate further advancements that will revolutionize industries and drive sustainability.
E.E: What’s moving your company forward?
B.T: Our unwavering commitment to innovation and continuous improvement moves our company forward. We prioritize customer feedback and needs, ensuring that our solutions address real-world challenges. Additionally, collaborations with industry partners and leading researchers drive us to stay ahead of the curve, fueling the development of cutting-edge technologies and materials. As an example, our EPOD (Essentium Parts on Demand) service offers customers the capability to manufacture parts using custom in-house formulated filaments. EPOD enables faster turnaround times, greater design flexibility, and material selection options to cater to specific needs.
E.E: How do employees shape your company’s future?
B.T: Our employees play a pivotal role in shaping our company’s future. Their expertise, creativity, and passion drive innovation and inspire new approaches to problem-solving. We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that empowers our talented workforce to push boundaries and envision a future where 3D printing transforms manufacturing on a global scale.
E.E: How does the digital transformation affect your products / business?
B.T: Digital transformation is integral to our products and business strategies. Our 3D printing platforms are built on the foundation of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 principles. Integration with data analytics, automation, and real-time monitoring allows our customers to optimize production processes, reduce downtime, and increase overall efficiency.
E.E: Tell us about research and development in your company.
B.T: Research and development are central to our growth and success. We invest significantly in R&D to advance our technology, materials, and software solutions continually. Collaborations with research institutions and industry partners drive groundbreaking discoveries and foster innovation, ensuring our products remain at the forefront of the AM industry.
E.E: Tell us about the company’s future strategies and how will you adapt to the future.
B.T: Our future strategies revolve around expanding our technology and material offerings to address diverse industry needs. We will adapt to the future by leveraging AI-driven technologies, further enhancing automation and robotics in our solutions, and exploring sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact. Additionally, we will strengthen our global partnerships to expand market presence and cater to an ever-growing customer base.
E.E: How do you think the future will look like in your field of activity?
B.T: We envision a future where 3D printing becomes a ubiquitous part of the manufacturing landscape. AM will transform supply chains, enabling localized production, just-in-time manufacturing, and customization on a scale never seen before. Our technology will pave the way for a more sustainable, agile, and innovative world, with 3D printing at the heart of every industry.