AMUG Unveils Additive Manufacturing Masterpieces, Honoring Innovation and Craftsmanship

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has announced the winners of its annual Technical Competition. The competition recognizes excellence in additive manufacturing applications and finishing techniques. The Advanced Concepts award went to Chris Baschuk of Point Designs LLC for his "Lightweight Revolution" prosthesis, which balances functionality and user comfort using advanced design features. Mike Littrell of BuildParts by Cideas, Inc. won the Advanced Finishing award for his "Coin-Operated Rides," which displayed scale replicas of classic amusement park rides using multiple additive manufacturing technologies. The Members' Choice Award went to Sam Mills of Eaton Corp. for "Fully AM Luminaire," which used additive manufacturing for 90% of its components.

Technical Masterpieces Unveiled: AMUG Honors Excellence in Additive Manufacturing

Zeeland, MI. - The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has announced the distinguished winners of its prestigious annual Technical Competition, showcasing the pinnacle of innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication within the additive manufacturing (AM) industry.

A panel of esteemed industry veterans meticulously evaluated submissions from around the globe, selecting entries from Point Designs LLC and BuildParts by Cideas, Inc. as the recipients of the coveted Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing awards, respectively. Furthermore, AMUG members cast their votes to recognize Eaton Corp.'s submission with the Members' Choice Award.

Advanced Concepts: Lightweight and Functional Prosthetics

In the Advanced Concepts category, Chris Baschuk of Point Designs LLC emerged victorious with "Lightweight Revolution: Ventilated Multi-material Shoulder Disarticulation Prosthesis." This groundbreaking device, meticulously crafted using HP's Multi-Jet Fusion technology, seamlessly combines rigid PA 12 with flexible TPU to strike an optimal balance between functionality and patient comfort. By leveraging the unique capabilities of AM, the prosthesis effectively reduces bulkiness, weight, and fabrication complexity associated with traditional approaches.

Baschuk's innovative design incorporates advanced features such as hexagonal lattices, resulting in enhanced breathability, heat dissipation, and electronics integration, ultimately elevating the patient's experience. This project epitomizes the transformative potential of AM in prosthetic development, offering a highly personalized, functional, and comfortable solution for individuals with shoulder disarticulation amputations.

Advanced Finishing: Preserving the Past Through Art

Mike Littrell of BuildParts by Cideas Inc. once again ascended to the pinnacle of the Advanced Finishing category with his mesmerizing entry, "Coin-Operated Rides." This remarkable collection of scale replicas pays homage to a bygone era of entertainment and culture, meticulously capturing the style, materials, colors, and functionality of iconic rides with astonishing precision.

Littrell's creations demonstrate the boundless possibilities of AM, utilizing three distinct additive manufacturing technologies: digital light projection (DLP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and stereolithography (SLA). To foster knowledge transfer among AMUG members, Littrell showcased the scale models in various stages, including fully finished, sanded/primed, and as printed, providing a comprehensive glimpse into the intricacies of his artistic process.

Members' Choice: Luminaire Redefined

Sam Mills of Eaton's multidisciplinary team, comprising AM and material science experts, emerged as the winner of the Members' Choice Award for their innovative project, "Fully AM Luminaire." This exceptional luminaire incorporates additively manufactured components for 90% of its composition, reflecting the team's unwavering commitment to Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) principles.

Leveraging DFAM techniques, the team achieved significant manufacturing advancements, aligning with the Department of Energy's (DOE) goals for reshoring, SKU reduction, and efficiency optimization. Mills emphasized, "By employing DFAM tools for part integration, we were able to halve the assembly time and virtually eliminate the need for product-specific tooling."

Additional Accolades

In the Advanced Finishing category, Ed Graham of Prototek secured second place with his captivating piece, "The Pumpkin King." Third place was bestowed upon Olaf Diegel of the University of Auckland for his masterful creation, "Darth Vader Reborn."

Within the Advanced Concepts category, Rick Pressley of Renaissance Services Inc. received second place for his innovative "Cooled Integrally Vaned Stator with 'Cast-In Cooling Holes.'" Sam Mills, the recipient of the Members' Choice Award, was also recognized with third place in the Advanced Concepts category.

Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration

The AMUG Technical Competition serves as a testament to the transformative impact of AM, inspiring continuous advancements and fostering collaboration within the industry. The competition showcases the extraordinary talents and ingenuity of individuals and teams, highlighting the vast potential of AM to revolutionize diverse sectors, from healthcare and entertainment to energy and manufacturing.

AMUG extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their unwavering dedication and contributions to the advancement of additive manufacturing. The Technical Competition continues to be a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the limitless possibilities of this transformative technology and its ability to shape a better future.