'Curious Conversations' podcast: Chris Williams talks about the future of additive manufacturing

Chris Williams joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the evolution and significance of additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. He explained the differences between additive and subtractive manufacturing, the various materials used, and the advantages of this technology and shared some of the ongoing additive manufacturing projects of he and his colleagues.

“Curious Conversations” is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.

Takeaways

Additive manufacturing creates parts layer by layer, which allows for a complexity of shape that is difficult to achieve through other manufacturing methods.

The first commercialization of 3D printing occurred in 1983. Today, additive manufacturing encompasses the use of various materials, including metals, glass, and living tissues, all of which Virginia Tech researchers are exploring. 

The technology has implications for supply chain management, on-shoring, and national defense and is already commonly used in the creation of products such as braces and hearing aids. 

About Williams

Christopher Williams is the L.S. Randolph Professor and the Electro-Mechanical Corporation Senior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He is the director of the Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems (DREAMS) Laboratory and holds affiliate faculty appointments in the Department of Engineering Education and the Department of Material Science and Engineering.

Learn more

3D printing breaks out of the box

Wind turbine gets sustainable upgrade via novel 3D printing methods

About the podcast

"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.