The Additive Advantage Podcast

EP 12: Pilot Purgatory — What It Really Takes to Scale Additive

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 -0600

Manufacturing leaders everywhere are trying to move additive manufacturing beyond prototypes and pilot programs — but scaling additive successfully takes far more than buying another 3D printer.

In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with Adam Simons, Head of Sales & Applications for North America at ATLIX (formerly TRUMPF Additive Manufacturing), to unpack what actually separates scalable additive programs from “pilot purgatory.” Adam shares practical insights from the front lines of metal additive manufacturing, including why repeatability matters more than printing one impressive part, how post-processing and machining impact real-world economics, and why workforce readiness and operational discipline are becoming the true differentiators in additive success.

The conversation explores how manufacturers should evaluate additive opportunities through a business lens first — focusing on measurable outcomes, scalability, and long-term operational impact rather than simply asking whether a part can be printed. Adam also discusses the growing maturity of laser powder bed fusion technology, how organizations can avoid common implementation pitfalls, and what executives should realistically expect when investing in additive manufacturing capabilities.

If you’re responsible for manufacturing strategy, operations, engineering, or innovation, this episode offers a grounded and practical look at what it actually takes to industrialize additive manufacturing and turn it into a sustainable competitive advantage.

About the Show
The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype.

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About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 11: From Islands to Outcomes: Making Additive Work at Scale

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600

In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, Shon Anderson sits down with Andre Wegner, CEO of Authentise, for a wide-ranging conversation on workflow orchestration, contextual data, AI, and the future of scalable additive manufacturing.

Andre shares how Authentise evolved from focusing on IP protection and distributed manufacturing into building systems designed to connect the entire additive workflow — eliminating the “island approach” that continues to limit scalability across the industry. Together, Shon and Andre explore why disconnected machines, software, and data systems create unnecessary friction and why the future of manufacturing depends on continuity across design, engineering, production, and quality.

The conversation dives into agile factories, reverse engineering at scale, automation in aerospace and defense, and the growing importance of capturing the “why” behind engineering decisions. Andre also explains why context will become critical for AI-enabled manufacturing systems and why manufacturers need strategic partners instead of simply searching for the next machine.

Along the way, the two discuss lessons learned from building companies in additive manufacturing, why curiosity may become one of the most important workforce skills of the future, and how manufacturers can begin thinking differently about additive as a strategic capability rather than a standalone tool.

If you’re interested in where additive manufacturing, automation, AI, and digital workflows are heading next, this episode delivers an honest and forward-looking conversation from two leaders deeply involved in building that future.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 10: Stop Buying 3D Printers. Start Building Systems.

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0600

In Episode 10 of The Additive Advantage Podcast, Shon Anderson and Dani Mason take on one of the biggest barriers in additive manufacturing: why so many companies struggle to move from prototyping into real production.

This solo episode breaks down a hard truth—additive doesn’t scale because of better 3D printers. It scales when companies build systems that deliver consistent, repeatable outcomes.

There’s no shortage of innovation in this industry. But too often, organizations prove that a part can be printed without proving it can be produced reliably, cost-effectively, and at scale.

Shon and Dani walk through what’s actually required to make additive work in production, including:

Why feasibility is not the same as commercial viability
The role of QA/QC in building repeatable processes
How variability shows up across machines, materials, and workflows
Why supply chain, workforce, and process control matter just as much as the technology itself
What companies get wrong when they treat additive like a tool instead of a system

They also share real-world examples from working with manufacturers—highlighting where things break down and how to fix them.

If you’re serious about scaling additive manufacturing, this episode will help you rethink your approach—from focusing on printers to building production-ready systems.

Watch the full episode to learn how to move from possibility to repeatability—and from prints to production.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 09: $2 Billion Later… Why Additive Still Isn’t Delivering

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0600

In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with Tuan TranPham to unpack a hard truth about the additive manufacturing industry: despite billions of dollars in investment, the technology still hasn’t delivered at the scale many expected.

From the early days of hype and venture funding to today’s push for real production applications, Tuan shares his perspective on what’s been missing. He challenges the industry’s focus on hardware and explains why success in additive manufacturing has less to do with machines—and more to do with cost per part, process integration, and delivering what customers actually need.

This conversation dives into the realities of scaling additive, the disconnect between innovation and adoption, and why technologies like binder jetting gained traction by leveraging existing supply chains. It also explores what needs to change for additive manufacturing to move beyond prototyping and into true production.

If you’re working in additive, manufacturing, or product development, this episode offers a candid look at where the industry stands today—and what it will take to move forward.

Watch the full episode to hear Tuan’s insights on cost, materials, scaling production, and the future of additive manufacturing.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 08: The Handshake Between Additive & Injection Molding

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0600

What if the biggest problem in plastics manufacturing isn’t technology—but the gap between them?

In Episode 8 of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with the team at Polymer Dynamics to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in product development: bridging the divide between additive manufacturing and injection molding.

For years, engineers have been forced into tradeoffs. Additive offers speed and flexibility, but not always production-grade performance. Injection molding delivers quality and scale—but requires significant upfront investment, time, and tooling. That disconnect slows innovation and limits how quickly companies can move from idea to production.

Polymer Dynamics is working to change that.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to “democratize manufacturing,” how companies can close the gap between prototype and production, and why the future of manufacturing may not be about choosing one technology—but integrating the right ones.

We also dive into:

How internal manufacturing capability changes the way teams design and innovate
What happens when engineers gain control over production
The evolving manufacturing toolkit—and how to choose the right process
The role of microfactories and distributed manufacturing
Why speed, cost, and innovation are more connected than most companies realize

This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about how to scale additive manufacturing, improve product development workflows, or build more resilient manufacturing strategies.

Listen to Episode 8 to learn how the “handshake” between additive manufacturing and injection molding is shaping the future of production.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 07: When Additive Gets Boring, It Wins

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0600

In Episode 7 of The Additive Advantage, we’re joined by Stefan Joens, President of Elnik Systems and DSH Technologies, companies at the center of metal injection molding and sinter-based additive manufacturing.

Stefan shares how decades of experience in traditional manufacturing helped his team approach additive manufacturing with a different mindset—one grounded in proven manufacturing principles rather than hype. From debinding and sintering to workforce development and production economics, the conversation explores what it really takes to scale metal additive manufacturing.

We discuss why additive should be viewed as just another forming technology in the broader manufacturing toolkit, how education across the entire production chain is critical for success, and why the companies that succeed in advanced manufacturing will be the ones that prioritize people, culture, and collaboration alongside technology.

Stefan also shares leadership lessons from relocating his company, building a values-driven team, and why successful entrepreneurs must focus less on having the answers and more on building teams capable of solving problems together.

Ultimately, the future of additive manufacturing won’t be defined by machines alone. It will depend on manufacturing discipline, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of where additive truly creates value.

Key Takeaways

Additive is a tool—not a replacement for manufacturing.
Successful companies start by asking what is the best way to make this part, then choose the right technology.

Manufacturing fundamentals still apply.
Materials control, process validation, quality inspection, and workflow discipline remain critical when scaling additive.

Education across the production chain matters.
Understanding materials, debinding, sintering, and downstream processes is essential for repeatable production.

Technology adoption requires the right mindset.
Early hype around additive created unrealistic expectations. Long-term success comes from integrating it into existing manufacturing systems.

People and culture drive innovation.
Strong teams, clear core values, and collaborative problem solving are essential to building resilient manufacturing organizations.

Entrepreneurship requires resilience.
Founders and leaders must focus less on having all the answers and more on building teams capable of figuring things out.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 06: From Petri Dish to Production: Biotech Manufacturing as National Resilience

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode of The Additive Advantage, we sit down with Tom Jantsch, COO of Ronawk, to explore why biotechnology is increasingly a national resilience and security issue.

Biotechnology extends far beyond healthcare — impacting agriculture, fuels, materials, and more. As global supply chains face pressure and policy attention intensifies, the ability to produce biotech solutions reliably and at scale becomes critical. Tom shares insights from his operations background and explains why moving biotech from craft-driven experimentation to standardized, repeatable production is essential for long-term competitiveness.

This conversation connects national strategy with technical execution — and highlights where additive manufacturing and production discipline can help build resilience.

Key Takeaways

1. Biotech Is a National Security Concern

Legislative and administrative focus has elevated biotech as a strategic priority. Heavy reliance on overseas production creates vulnerabilities that require stronger domestic manufacturing capability.

2. You Can’t Scale What You Can’t Standardize

Many biotech processes remain craft-based and inconsistent across labs. Without standardized environments and processes, predictable scale is impossible.

3. Rethinking Biological Production

Mammalian cells require structured, community-driven environments. Scaling effectively means designing production systems that honor biological behavior rather than forcing legacy methods.

4. Modular, Distributed Manufacturing

Rather than massive single-purpose facilities, modular and geographically distributed production offers flexibility and surge capacity.

5. The Role of Additive Manufacturing

Additive technologies enable controlled, repeatable environments that bridge research and scalable production in new ways.

6. From “Interesting” to Repeatable

Scaling biotech isn’t about novelty — it’s about consistency, documentation, and disciplined execution.

7. Leadership and Culture

Aligning scientists, engineers, and operators around shared metrics and mission is essential to translating breakthrough ideas into production reality.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 05: Additive Manufacturing Is Now a Security Issue

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0700

For years, additive manufacturing was evaluated on performance, cost, and speed.

Now it’s being evaluated on something else: security.

In this episode of The Additive Advantage, Shon Anderson and Dani Mason unpack the growing scrutiny around additive manufacturing systems—why it’s happening, why it’s accelerating, and why this is far bigger than a “buy American” initiative.

What started as an NDAA regulation impacting Department of Defense programs is quickly expanding beyond aerospace and defense. IT departments, procurement teams, legal counsel, and corporate security leaders are now asking new questions:

Where is this equipment manufactured?
Where is the software written?
Where are the servers located?
What happens during firmware updates?
How is our IP protected in a cloud-connected workflow?

Modern additive systems are not just machines—they are cyber-physical production platforms that sit at the direct intersection of digital design and physical output. That shift changes everything.

Shon and Dani discuss:

Why additive is being evaluated differently than traditional manufacturing equipment
The risk implications of cloud connectivity and firmware updates
The growing role of IT and cybersecurity teams in AM adoption
How regulatory pressure is flowing beyond defense into commercial sectors
Why this is fundamentally a security initiative—not just an economic one
What forward-thinking organizations are doing now to stay ahead of the curve

They also explore how companies can approach this programmatically—evaluating additive not as a one-off equipment purchase, but as part of an integrated production system that includes QA/QC, cybersecurity, legal frameworks, and long-term supply chain strategy.

This episode is not about fear. It’s about awareness, accountability, and preparation.

Additive manufacturing still offers enormous opportunity—but in today’s environment, success requires aligning technology, business strategy, and security from day one.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 04: Additive Isn’t Magic — What Actually Works

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0700

Blake Teipel brings a manufacturing-first lens (John Deere/Caterpillar) and hard-earned operator experience from scaling an AM company through the 2020–2024 volatility cycle. Together, the group unpacks why additive still holds real promise—but only when it’s anchored to outcomes, supported by the right operating model, and executed with realistic expectations around adoption, QA/QC, workforce, and supply chain risk.

Key Takeaways

1) Additive isn’t a magic box

Reject any message that says AM will be fast and easy. Plan for the full system.

2) The industry’s last five years were a stress test

Additive’s potential is real, but durable value requires durable operating models—not hype-cycle assumptions.

3) Money, customers, and AM companies want value—on different clocks

Misaligned time horizons are a root cause of stalled AM initiatives and churn.

4) Service-forward models reduce customer risk

Winning strategies often look like “a great company that happens to use additive,” selling parts and outcomes—not just machines.

5) Razor/razorblade assumptions break in industrial reality

Hardware + materials recurring revenue only works when utilization and capability are truly there.

6) Hardware is necessary—and brutally competitive

Hardware strategy must account for long-term differentiation and supply chain realities, not just technical performance.

7) Start with outcomes: “What’s the best way to make this part?”

Outcome-first framing prevents teams from buying equipment before they understand value.

8) QA/QC and repeatability are the real battleground

Production-grade additive requires production-grade controls, documentation, and repeatability.

9) Cyber + supply chain risk is now a front-line requirement

Treat AM like any other network-connected manufacturing tech: involve IT early and ask pointed questions.

10) Workforce optimism: build the “lore”

The next five years can be a “build” era—if the industry grows steadily and develops talent.

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 03: Execution Beats Ideas: Leading Technology Initiatives That Actually Work

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0700

Most technology initiatives don’t fail because the technology doesn’t work. They fail because execution is underestimated.

In this episode of The Additive Advantage, we sit down with Todd Gagne—former Concur executive, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Wildfire Labs—to talk about what it really takes to move strategic initiatives from idea to impact.

Todd brings experience from early-stage startup failure, enterprise-scale growth, and hands-on work helping leaders turn ideas into real businesses. The conversation spans additive manufacturing, AI, leadership, and systems thinking, with one consistent theme: technology succeeds or fails based on people, alignment, and execution.

Link to Show Notes

This conversation reinforces a simple truth: no matter how advanced the technology, success is determined by people, incentives, and execution. Leaders who understand this—and act on it early—build organizations that can adapt, scale, and win.

If the real challenge for you is turning insight into execution—and you want to talk through what this looks like in your organization—you can find us at: https://www.b9c.com/additiveadvantage

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 02: If Your Additive Program Looks Exciting, It’s Probably Broken

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0700

On The Additive Advantage, we talk about why additive manufacturing succeeds or fails — and why the answer is never the printer itself.

In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Chabala, Senior Manager of Managed 3D Printing Services at Ricoh USA, who brings one of the clearest inside-out perspectives on enterprise additive manufacturing.

Paul began his career in product development, but additive pulled him into manufacturing when his organization needed to move from experimentation to production — without an internal playbook for how to do that. During his time at Crown Equipment, he helped build additive as an operational capability, navigating challenges that don’t show up in slide decks: leadership buy-in, skills gaps, resourcing tradeoffs, governance, and risk.

Today, Paul works on the solution side, helping companies adopt and scale additive through managed services — applying the hard lessons he learned the first time around.

This conversation isn’t about machines.

It’s about what has to change inside an organization for additive to work — and why, when it finally does, it looks a lot more boring than expected.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Additive Is an Organizational Change Problem First

Technology readiness is rarely the limiting factor. The real friction shows up when additive moves from R&D into production and collides with existing structures, incentives, and leadership priorities.

2. The Most Critical Role Is the “Translator”

Organizations underestimate how important it is to have someone — or a team — who speaks DFAM, manufacturing rigor, and executive ROI language simultaneously. Without that translation layer, additive stays siloed and fragile.

3. Parallel Systems Are a Symptom — Not the Goal

Running key capabilities in parallel (like DFAM “shadow lanes”) can keep progress alive when alignment doesn’t exist, but it’s also a signal that additive hasn’t been fully absorbed. Success means merging back into the core business once the capability proves itself.

4. ROI Must Be Framed at the Enterprise Level

Department-level wins aren’t enough. To scale additive, leaders must understand how time-to-value, risk reduction, and operational flexibility roll up to enterprise outcomes and the P&L.

5. The Future of Additive Sounds Boring — and That’s the Point

Five years from now, the winners won’t be talking about machines. They’ll be talking about managed capabilities, protected learning, documented processes, and additive that simply runs like manufacturing.

6. Education Is the Infrastructure That Makes Additive Scalable

Education isn’t just a training program — it’s how organizations become capable of making good decisions about additive. Without structured, role-specific education for designers, managers, and executives, additive never moves from why to how and remains dependent on a few individuals rather than the enterprise.

7. Time-to-Value, Not Just ROI, Determines Whether Additive Survives

Traditional ROI models alone aren’t enough to fund additive at scale. Leaders need a portfolio view of value — where time-to-value, risk reduction, and flexibility compound over time. This framing enables governance, supports CapEx-to-OpEx transitions, and keeps additive aligned with executive priorities at every stage of maturity.

Want Help Applying This in Your Organization?

If you’re listening and thinking, “This sounds familiar — but applying it is the hard part,” we can help.

We work with companies to move additive from experimentation to execution by aligning people, technology, and business.

Learn more at b9c.com/additiveadvantage

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

EP 01: Why Most AM Initiatives Fail (And How Yours Won’t)

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0700

Why do so many additive manufacturing (AM) initiatives stall, miss ROI targets, or quietly disappear—despite great technology and smart engineers?

In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, hosts Dani Mason and Shon Anderson cut through the hype to unpack the real reasons AM programs fail—and what successful organizations do differently.

Spoiler: it’s rarely the printer.

From misaligned incentives and weak business cases to overlooked human dynamics and poor partner selection, this conversation dives deep into what actually determines success or failure in AM, advanced manufacturing, and even AI-driven initiatives.

You’ll hear real-world stories from aerospace, medical, life sciences, and manufacturing leaders—plus practical, no-BS advice for executives, engineers, and transformation leaders who want AM initiatives that hit the P&L, not just the lab.

In this episode, we cover:

Why “can we?” vs. “should we?” is the most important AM question
The #1 mistake companies make when launching AM programs
How hidden people and organizational gaps derail promising initiatives
Why most AM pilots never make it to production—or the P&L
How to think about total cost of ownership, not just cost per part
The role of trust, transparency, and partnership in successful transformation
Why picking the right partner matters more than picking the right printer
What AM leaders can learn from AI adoption and change management
How to future-proof your AM strategy in a rapidly evolving landscape

Who should watch this:

Manufacturing executives, GMs, and SVPs
Additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing leaders
Engineering, supply chain, and quality professionals
Anyone responsible for technology transformation, ROI, or innovation strategy

If you’ve ever asked:

Why didn’t our AM initiative deliver the results we expected?
How do we know if additive is the right solution?
How do we de-risk AM before spending millions?

This episode is for you.

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About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

Introducing the Additive Advantage Podcast

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0700

Join hosts Dani Mason and Shon Anderson as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to drive technology-fueled business growth. With 40 years of combined experience, they reveal how to transform additive manufacturing from endless pilots into real business results. Discover the Additive Advantage model, a strategic roadmap and AI-enabled toolset designed to connect your strategy with execution and deliver ROI.

Tune in to hear from industry leaders who have successfully navigated these challenges. If you're ready to make innovation deliver, this podcast is for you!

#AdditiveManufacturing #Innovation #BusinessGrowth

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.