Solutionology Podcast

This episode marks an important transition! The DI Labs podcast was previously built around the Stratasys OpenAM beta running at our facility. But as die-hard problem solvers, we're broadening the scope. It's been renamed the Solutionology Podcast, allowing us to interview all types of guests and share our problem-solving perspective on a wide variety of topics such as innovating for unique applications, bringing on new technologies, optimizing for new materials, and growing our business. Thanks for joining us on the journey!
In this conversation, the three Douglass brothers, who are owners of the business, provide an update on the "Free the Fortus" OpenAM beta. That leads them into a much deeper discussion about just what it takes to onboard new materials and new technologies. Enjoy!
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XlBtjLJx1d8
Episode Topics
00:34 Welcome
00:55 Intro to the Douglass brothers
05:01 Free the Fortus update
08:15. Onboarding 5 new materials
09:40. Revisions to get to a new profile
12:33 High-temperature, higher-end materials
13:08 PEEK is the most challenging
13:51 Data drives the problem solving
17:48 The fail-fast method
18:30 It's anything but easy
19:31 We're pushing the hardware and software
20:20 Materials get validated before production
20:24 Transitioning podcast from Free the Fortus
22:35 It's about problem-solving
23:26 Future topics
LEARN MORE ABOUT DI LABS: https://dilabs.cc

Welcome to the "Free the Fortus" Podcast (now called the Solutionology Podcast), fueled by the Stratasys #OpenAM Validated Materials Beta underway at DI Labs. We're a Stratasys global launch partner for this groundbreaking program that will free the Fortus 450MC of its closed system limitations and unlock the potential of the industry's most powerful FDM platform. The Stratasys #OpenAM Beta will give DI Labs unprecedented freedom to modify the process settings and other adjustments necessary to successfully run new, highly engineered materials such as PAEK, PEKK and Glass Filled Nylon 6/66. It’s never been done and we’re confident that the outcome will change what’s possible for additive manufacturing in service of high-performance industries like medical device, aerospace, electronics, industrial and automotive industries.
Watch the full episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/2zAdVwzXGSk
Our first guest is Tom Leach, Commercial Leader of Industrial Business Units at Stratasys. He explains why Stratasys is making this bold moving to OpenAM and shares his excitement for what's to come with the beta.
Future episodes will explore:

• How highly engineered materials and additive offer new options for customers of traditional manufacturing
• The unique challenges of running highly engineered materials
• Real-world beta projects and case studies from the DI Labs FDM hub
• The challenges and learning lessons coming out of this beta environment

READ THE FULL STORY: https://dilabs.cc/di-labs-is-first-in-the-world-to-free-the-fortus-as-a-stratasys-global-launch-partner-for-the-openam-beta-on-the-fortus-450mc/
Episode Topics
0:28 Our intention with this podcast
1:25 Welcome, Tom Leach
2:52 Why tune into this podcast
3:28 Something we've never done before
5:37 From a closed system to OpenAM
6:51 Manufacturing and material suppliers
7:39 Partnering with chemical suppliers for unique applications
9:18 From prototyping to manufacturing
9:52 Technical challenges of the OpenAM
11:41 Why Stratasys chose DI Labs
14:22 Focus on highly engineered materials
15:20 Three Stratasys material paths
19:22 Success with OpenAM
20:11 Fine-tuning parameters adds capability
20:57 Past bottlenecks with FDM
21:56 OpenAm changed the game
23:02 Accuracy, repeatability, reliability study
26:52 Zero machine downtime with Fortus
27:38 Thank you
LEARN MORE ABOUT DI LABS: https://dilabs.cc

In this special episode, we got 30 years of wisdom from renowned product and aviation designer, Mike Van Staagen. Mike is extremely passion about sharing what he's learned on his professional journey which started with architecture and led to his current position as VP of Advanced Design and Development for Cirrus Aircraft.
Among Mike's many career achievements, he helped to envision, design and lead teams for the best-selling Cirrus SR20/22 aircraft. He was also the creator and driving force behind the Cirrus SF50 Vision personal jet.
Here's a snapshot of the insightful and powerful points Mike makes in this episode. If you're looking for inspiration, take a listen!
Episode Topics:00:00 Intro
01:41 Thinking like an architect changes your perspective
06:25 If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then models are worth 1,000 pictures
07:33 Making bold moves can create bold results
18:17 A design is never, ever finished
20:11 Accidental discovery is a superpower, so create opportunities for it to happen
25:56 Models and prototypes are the best possible ambassador for your design
32:14 Polygon modelers are easy to manipulate and like having digital clay
Watch all of our Solutionology Podcast Episodes on YouTube:
• Solutionology Podcast
More about DI Labs:
https://dilabs.cc/

In this episode of the Solutionology Podcast, we talk with Serah Peterson, engineer and project lead at PHYTEC America, and learn about her experience working with DI Labs to solve a problem so many innovative companies face: bridging the gap between a new product and its final application so customers can connect more deeply with it, see its potential and appreciate its value.
PHYTEC is an industry-leading provider and integrator of System on Modules (SOMs) which are core components of an embedded processing system. In 2022, they developed a software and chipset for EV chargers that included Texas Instrument components. When they contacted DI Labs, they had been displaying their new product in a fabricated acrylic housing that was functional but not at all reflective of the industry they wanted to serve.
Join us to learn how Serah discovered additive as a potential solution and how DI Labs was able to design and manufacture an EV charger housing that would change the game for the launch of PHYTEC's innovative new product.
The final PHYTEC solution delivered by DI Labs included product design, prototyping, and low-volume production using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, Nylon PA12 material, Vapor Smooth finishing, and dyeing.
Watch the full episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Ppak_YUXBb4
Episode Topics
01:12 Welcome, PHYTEC
02:53 Project details
03:46 EV charger reference design: Rev 0
06:28 Framing the problem: the fish tank
08:43 New product development process
09:26 Initial sketches and translating
10:57 You don't know what you don't know
11:41 How DI Labs did it
16:06 Working with electronic files
16:49 Final design
17:20 A housing to connect with customers
19:24 Learning about SOMs
21:30 PHYTEC's customer base
23:07 Saving years getting to market
24:10 Enabler for the advancement of technology
25:02 Solving supply chain issues
25:54 PHYTEC accelerates action
27:40 Appreciating embedded systems
28:04 Serah's journey to additive
29:22 "We have to injection mold, right?"
33:00 Parallels of DI Labs & PHYTEC
35:56 Bridging the gap
More about DI Labs: https://dilabs.cc

As a customer, have you ever been disappointed by a company's willingness to honor promises? Does it feel like their commitment stops when their profitability stops?
We've been on the receiving end of this problem recently, which has only strengthened our resolve to deliver on promises we make to customers, no matter what. DI Labs is an engineering-first additive provider committed to solving problems the right way vs making sales the quick way.
That's the topic of this excerpt from episode #13 of the Solutionology podcast about the 5 Pain Points of Additive. What's been your experience with making promises vs delivering on promises?