Cretex Medical’s rms Additive Team at ASTM ICAM 2024: Pioneering Additive Manufacturing Innovations
In October 2024, Cretex Medical | rms Additive team members Alek Nelson and Ryan Kircher attended the American Society for Testing and Material's International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ASTM ICAM 2024) in Atlanta, GA.
November 11, 2024
Cretex Medical | rms's Principal Manufacturing Engineer, Ryan Kircher, and Quality Manager, Alek Nelson, attended and spoke at ASTM ICAM 2024.
In October 2024, Cretex Medical | rms Additive team members, Alek Nelson and Ryan Kircher, participated in the prestigious American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM) International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing (ICAM 2024) in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference, hosted by the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE), attracted over 1,000 experts from across the globe, all focused on advancing the field of additive manufacturing (AM) through research, application, and standardization.
The conference was a comprehensive platform for innovation, featuring over 700 presentations and 26 symposia across multiple AM disciplines. Notably, Alek and Ryan were not just attendees, but active contributors, each presenting their unique insights on different aspects of additive manufacturing.
Alek Nelson: Investigating the Impact of Powder Size on AM Outcomes
Alek, Quality Manager at Cretex Medical | rms, presented alongside Jérôme Pollak from Tekna, one of their trusted raw powder suppliers. Their presentation focused on the critical role powder size distribution plays in additive manufacturing processes. Alek highlighted how switching to a coarser powder size distribution impacted various mechanical properties, surface finishes, and lattice porosity outputs on their products. This research is vital for improving the quality and performance of AM-produced parts, and Alek’s insights provide valuable guidance for industry practices.
Ryan Kircher: Exploring Powder Reuse and Testing Methods in Additive Manufacturing
Ryan, Principal Manufacturing Engineer at rms, presented on two important topics. First, he explored the long-term effects of reusing Ti6Al4V metal powders in AM production. Ryan presented findings from a study on a batch of powder that had been reused over 100 times, shedding light on the impact of reuse on material properties, which is crucial for optimizing production processes and minimizing waste.
In his second presentation, Ryan collaborated with Tom Southern of Plastometrex to showcase the implementation of a new powder integrity testing method, the PIP testing method, within Cretex Medical’s AM division. The two also shared results from a trade study they conducted to further evaluate the method’s effectiveness in ensuring the quality of metal powders used in AM.
Point of Care Additive Manufacturing and Ryan’s Leadership Role
Ryan’s contributions didn’t end with his presentations. He also moderated a panel discussion focused on the practicalities of implementing Point of Care Additive Manufacturing (PoC AM), a rapidly growing area of interest in the medical device industry. The session delved into the logistics, benefits, and challenges of bringing AM technology directly to healthcare settings, where it has the potential to revolutionize patient care by enabling more personalized solutions.
Additionally, Ryan played an instrumental role in organizing this year’s conference as a member of the Scientific Organizing Committee. His involvement in the organizing committee underscores his leadership and commitment to advancing the AM industry. Ryan is also a key player on the Executive Board of ASTM F42, the international body that develops standards for the AM industry. His leadership in both capacities continues to shape the future of additive manufacturing.
Looking Ahead: Continuing Innovation and Collaboration in Additive Manufacturing
Cretex Medical’s participation in ASTM ICAM 2024 highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership within the additive manufacturing industry. By sharing their research, experiences, and challenges, Alek and Ryan are contributing to the broader conversation on how AM can improve manufacturing practices and drive advancements in medical device production.
As Cretex Medical continues to embrace and drive forward the future of additive manufacturing, they are setting the stage for further breakthroughs in the field, positioning themselves at the forefront of industry standards and technological advancements.
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