33DPQ Podcast – Brigitte de Vet-Veithen

Key Takeaways

• Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise, discusses the current state of 3D printing adoption and its potential benefits.
• The industry is seeing increased adoption, with real use cases emerging, particularly in the medical field.
• Engineers need to understand the possibilities and benefits of additive manufacturing, which can enable applications that cannot be achieved with traditional methods.

Introduction to 33DPQ Podcast

The 33DPQ podcast, hosted by engineering.com, features weekly short-form interviews with industry leaders and experts. In this episode, Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise, shares her insights on the 3D printing industry.

Challenges in 3D Printing Adoption

When asked about the challenges facing the 3D printing industry, de Vet-Veithen notes that the slow adoption rate is a significant issue. However, she believes that the industry is now seeing increased adoption, with real use cases emerging. The RAPID + TCT event, where the interview took place, showcases the growing number of applications and use cases for 3D printing.

Understanding the Benefits of Additive Manufacturing

De Vet-Veithen emphasizes the need for engineers to understand the possibilities and benefits of additive manufacturing. The industry still has a long way to go in explaining the benefits of additive manufacturing, which can enable applications that cannot be achieved with traditional methods. The potential of additive manufacturing is still underestimated, but the growing number of use cases and applications is helping to demonstrate its value.

Comparison of 3D Printing Applications

Favorite 3D Printing Application

De Vet-Veithen's favorite 3D printing application is in the medical field, where patient-specific implants can be created using additive manufacturing. The ability to produce lattice structures and porous structures, combined with personalization, is making a significant difference in patients' lives. The fact that this can now be done at a large scale is "fantastic" and has the potential to help many more patients.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the 3D printing industry is seeing increased adoption, with real use cases emerging, particularly in the medical field. Engineers need to understand the possibilities and benefits of additive manufacturing, which can enable applications that cannot be achieved with traditional methods. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative applications of 3D printing in the future. With the potential to make a significant difference in people's lives, the future of 3D printing looks promising.