When ITAMCO purchased its first 3D printer, Joel Neidig, Director of Research and Development at ITAMCO, saw the importance of the technology, but couldn’t answer how it was going to be used.
ITAMCO started experimenting by make one-off prototypes, then transitioned to printing temporary bracket replacements and other parts for hundreds of other machines in ITAMCO’s facilities. Further growth and development has lead to a need for advanced training and skilled workers.
Joel Neidig explains how additive manufacturing helped ITAMCO.
One immediately benefit was being able to produce parts with raw material kept in-house rather than having to order it and wait for it to arrive. It also enabled engineers and machinists to collaborate further on product design and advanced manufacturing. To further develop its additive manufacturing capabilities, ITAMCO joined the America Makes network in 2014.
Joel was a recent panelist during a discussion at America Makes’ Membership Meeting & Exchange conference Oct. 22 in Youngstown, OH for a discussion on small business challenges, skilled laborers, and ITAMCO’s commitment in additive manufacturing.
At ITAMCO, additive manufacturing has improved workforce skills and increased overall business.
“It kind of opened up a new market. We were a machine shop, so we just did mostly machining – subtractive manufacturing. But now with 3D printing and additive, we’re able to additively print the components; we hired new people because it was a new product line we could offer.”
– Joel Neidig
