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of new materials and creation of new tech- nologies. Building on that insight, she dis- cussed the continued drive for innovation in new aspects, such as mass customiza- tion, decentralized supply chains and dig- ital manufacturing—and how AM will play a critical role in meeting those needs. Ford, as Lee pointed out, has invested sig- nificantly in metal- and nonmetal-AM technology to produce assembly-line tools, fixturing and even parts for some lower-production models.
Lee also described Ford’s Integrated Tether System (FITS) for select vehicles, a series of slots at the rear of the center console and the under-seat storage bins designed to be used with accessories. FITS works not only with Ford accessories, but also with accessories that owners 3D-print on their own. Ford even supplies CAD print files for accessory customizing. The automaker rolled out FITS earlier this year for its Maverick pickup. Find out more at www.ford.com/support/how-tos/owner- resources/vehicle-documents/how-do-i- use-3d-printing-to-customize-my-ford- maverick-pickup.
Scholarships Awarded
AMUG 2022 conference sessions kicked off with the awarding of two scholarships. Akila Udage, pursuing a doctorate in Architectural Science with research focus- ing on AM for lighting at Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute, Troy, NY, was awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship for stu- dents in AM, and Frank Marquette, pro- fessor of practice at Troy University, Troy, AL, earned the Randy Stevens Scholarship for AM educators.
Udage was exposed to AM while pur- suing his master’s degree at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As a graduate research assistant, he focused on integrating AM into LED lighting systems. Through Udage’s research, he has been analyzing the advantages and challenges of developing structural, thermal, electrical and optical components for LED systems using AM.
Udage’s efforts on 3D-printed optics focus on the printing of novel lenses for illumination applications, and he has been
During an AMUG keynote address, Kevin Czinger, founder, lead inventor and chief executive officer of Divergent 3D and Czinger Vehicles, discussed development of the 1250-hp road-ready Czinger C21 Hybrid Hypercar, which travels 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 sec. Production calls for 80 of these mostly 3D-printed vehicles. He also discussed Divergent’s unique digital production system, Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS).
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Ellen Lee, technical leader of AM research at Ford Motor Co., took the AMUG stage as keynote speaker to share how key events and needs in the history of mobility have influenced the advancement of modern manufacturing, Ford, as Lee pointed out, has invested significantly in metal- and nonmetal-AM technology to produce assembly-line tools, fixturing and even parts for some lower-production models.
involved in the characterization of 3D- printed reflective and transmissive optical components. He’s recently been involved in projects to build custom architectural lighting through 3D printing to take light- ing to a more creative level.
Marquette had a career in manufac- turing before entering higher education. Based in New Zealand, his company deliv- ered projects such as automatic guided vehicles for Disney Imagineering ride sys-
tems and sets for motion pictures, includ- ing “The Lord of the Rings.”
He was awarded a professorship at Troy University in 2017 and has been teaching design and the implementation of automa- tion for fabrication and manufacturing. In 2020 he launched a minor and associate of science degree in 3D printing for art and industry. These courses begin with design fundamentals and offer extensive applied learning experiences in the 3D printing lab.
AMUG 2022 3D