recently published work
All articles, blogs and content are created by Hayford Consulting representatives unless otherwise stated. To continue reading any of the articles listed below, you will be directed to the client website or trade publication where it was originally published. 
Starting a metal am shop
What is the future of metal additive manufacturing (AM)? Ultimately, the goal is to complement traditional casting and foundry operations with a cleaner and more flexible manufacturing method. This is a method the enables the design and production of high-performance parts with advanced materials faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. Visit Canadian Metalurgy to learn more. 
Never satisfied: Behind the curtain with daniel Hutchinson
When the opportunity came to conduct an interview together, I was simultaneously curious and apprehensive. I thought to myself, what can the angle be?
Well, I found out and it’s not what you or I may have expected. Many may know Daniel Hutchinson, as a demanding Founder/ CTO and a fiercely competitive visionary, but my goal was to take this interview beyond the obvious and learn more about Daniel, the human. Together, Daniel and I sat down to take a peek behind the curtain and examine what makes a good leader, and how his family perceives his professional endeavors.
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AMUG 2023 Takeaways
Ah, 720 Michigan Avenue. The ever-so-familiar Chicago Hilton hosted the 2023 Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference. The intimate venue packed over 2,000 attendees for a week-long, highly technical conference, that once again, blew away expectations. During the five days of the event, thought leaders and experts shared information on new AM applications, standards, and ongoing projects across every industry imaginable.
As is always the case for the AMUG Conference, major manufacturers and prominent users openly shared their commitments to additive manufacturing and where their respective organizations expect to be in the next five-to-ten years. Not only is that incredibly insightful, it also justifies the continued focus on AM adoption for new applications, specifically production.
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how to start a 3d printing service bureau
The beauty of today’s manufacturing environment is that anyone can start a 3D printing service bureau and begin printing parts today. According to a recent report by Persistence Markets, the 3D printing service bureau industry is projected to surge eight times the size of its present state over the next decade. There are several key considerations when starting your own service bureau and this article will include insights from several veterans and newcomers.
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space beach: tan lines, titanium, and 3d printing
Reach into your pocket and grab your sunshades. We are going on a ride that starts at Southern California’s Golden Coast and finishes somewhere into the deep unknown regions of outer space — a place where aerospace engineers combine their expertise with advanced technologies and turn the impossible into reality. It all starts at sun-soaked Space Beach in Long Beach, California, where 3D printing, materials development, innovation and curiosity collide. Strap in and enjoy.
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Learning from am qualification in the united states marine corps
Defined as the maritime land force military branch, the Marine Corps is responsible for expeditionary and amphibious operations. As the tip of the spear, Marines are typically the first conventional combat team on location and are tasked with establishing a foothold for the United States Army, Navy and other military service branches. This indicates that the Marines are a temporary and specialized force that operate on different timelines and mission objectives. Therefore, operational uptime and immediacy are paramount to mission success. What does that mean for the qualification of 3D printed parts? Continue Reading…
Building a cost framework for 3D printed parts
Despite more than 25 years of success, 3D printing finds itself in a peculiar spot. Thanks to the efforts of countless researchers and engineers, the core AM technologies have matured into competent and dependable manufacturing processes. And it's happened in industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace, and medical implants. However, even if you can 3D print it? Should you? Continue Reading…
what is a photopolymer?
Traditional 3D printed photopolymer resins lack true functionality, and as such, are uncommon in manufacturing applications. polySpectra’s COR Alpha, addresses the limitations of conventional photopolymers by offering engineering grade materials and solutions for true production parts. We’ve accomplished this by boosting the isotropic strength capabilities that enhance the development of materials with tailored properties for advanced functionality. We refer to it as functional lithography.Continue Reading...
An unforgettable amug | leadership redefined
Personally and professionally, I am very thankful and appreciative to the AMUG committee for hosting this event in 2021. This was not an easy decision but I truly believe that it’s going to take leaders like Carl Dekker, Todd Grimm, and others who are willing to safely help navigate this industry and others out of the most unprecedented and challenging time of our lives. Leading with compassion, providing an open environment and enabling people to make their own decisions is what makes us grow as an industry. We may have just witnessed the first great step in the right direction and I’m proud to be an AMUG member. Continue Reading...
3 Key Missions for the Defense Industry to Scale Distributed Manufacturing
The US Department of Defense (DoD) just published the DoD Additive Manufacturing Strategy report in January 2021 highlighting its significant commitment to modernize national defense systems. The French Army recently partnered with a prominent 3D printing distributor in France to deploy one of the largest 3D printing military farms in Europe focused on spare part production. The list of governments, military branches and civil protection agencies adopting additive manufacturing continues to grow at an exponential rate. Continue Reading...
subtractive vs. additive
Both technologies have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to a product development and the manufacturing environment. There are certainly arguments to be made to determine which process is ideal for your business or application, but it’s important to note that these technologies are oftentimes complementary and can exist side-by-side. You can identify ways for these technologies to benefit your department by looking at several factors, such as business model, company maturity, design development or production process. Continue Reading...
oil gas industry accelerates its use of additive manufacturing
The recent partnership between two leaders in their respective industries further indicates how valuable additive manufacturing will be to the future of industrialization. The Digital Warehouse Joint-Innovation Project (JIP) led by DNV, one of the major leaders within the energy sector, invites prominent AM players to partner and create sustainable platforms to support the next generation of digitization. Continue Reading...
industry 4.0 | digital manufacturing in action
Internet of Things (IoT), the key enabling technology of Industry 4.0, is defined by the ultimate connectivity between products, processes, and people to improve the health of the business through technology and data. This concept is highly relevant for any business entering the next decade of commercialization. By understanding the overarching strategy, tools, and industry examples—it’s possible to determine how it will impact your business and operations.Continue Reading…
bigger is better
The AM market, what was once a $3 billion industry in 2013 may exceed $30 billion in just a decade. This is driven primarily by major industrial players operating in North America, Europe and Asia. As adoption increases, so does the need for scalable technology that can solve the problems of today and tomorrow. As an industry we have historically looked at speed and reliability as major requirements, but recent data suggests that size has become a very important factor to industrial manufacturers, product developers and designers.Continue Reading…
The perfect fit
It’s 4:00 AM, your newborn baby is crying and it’s your turn to put her back to bed. After a few sleepy minutes of rocking, singing and holding her close, it’s time to softly put her back down before your arm and shoulder pain starts to kick in. “How can I take the strain off my shoulder?” said Joe Wold, Inventor and Co-Founder of Life Handle, “I researched several options on the internet and nothing seemed to fit. The best option was a wrap, but this would wake her up when it was removed and defeat the purpose. I needed something more versatile.”Continue Reading…
building smarter defense operational supply chains with am
By 2024, the worldwide market for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace and Defense is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly 17.5%, exceeding $3.3 Billion USD. This growth is predominantly concentrated in the USA and Europe, however parts of Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa are also increasing their adoption rates. The US Military has a proven preponderance of AM utilization for a variety of applications that include prototyping, R&D, MRO and production parts. Due to their strict guidelines for repeatability, security and time-sensitivity, it’s no surprise that this industry is further pushing AM into mass adoption to solve the problems of today, and tomorrow.Continue Reading…
3d printing, rapid prototyping, or additive manufacturing. what’s the difference?
It’s like suggesting that a convertible has the same towing capacity as a truck, and that both are capable of competing in the next NASCAR race. They both operate on four wheels, but the purpose and performance are distinctly unalike. The constant maturation of this industry and advancements in technology have led to new use cases that have opened doors to all sorts of opportunities. Therefore, it’s important to call to light the subtle differences between these commonly used terms and how to apply them accordingly. Continue Reading…
5 keys to success in a Distributed Manufacturing model
Distributed manufacturing is the future and the advantages are seemingly endless. The novel coronavirus exploits the weaknesses of the supply chain and why companies are transitioning to a distributed, or local manufacturing approach. Distributed manufacturing is the process of using global and remote expertise, diversifying the supplier network and producing parts locally. 3D printing (AM) is the key component that enables a local engineering team to print on-demand and eliminate unnecessary inventory.Continue Reading...
am playbook
The rate of adoption has skyrocketed for the last decade and the opportunities are seemingly endless. Once considered the primary tool for designers to validate concepts and produce prototypes at a quicker pace, AM has turned into a viable and effective alternative to traditional manufacturing. Thanks to the vast improvements in material capabilities, major companies in every industry imaginable are implementing additive manufacturing as a solution for short-run production, customization, and even high-performance parts used for medical devices, transportation, and aerospace applications. The AM Playbook is a short collection of simple and informative content to help you determine how this transformational technology can benefit you and your organization.Continue Reading...
the coo’s guide to building a digital warehouse
The spare parts business is struggling. By 2025, 8% of SKU’s will transition from conventional sourcing to on demand additive manufacturing. The global MRO market is estimated at $660 billion — impacting oil and gas, defense, energy and transportation industries. Those that do not embrace the next generation of industrialization will be left holding the keys to empty warehouses or witnessing a lack of utilization on outdated capital equipment. Supply Chain Managers and Innovation Officers are asking, how do we prepare our facility to simultaneously meet the demands of our current clients and unlock the potential for future innovation?Continue Reading...
other content services
infographics
Your audience retains information in a variety of different ways so it's important to consider visual communication tactics such as infographics. Gain access to a wide network of graphic artists available through Hayford Consulting. videography
The development of quick and visual content is a necessity for online communucations. Hayford Consulting offers video script and editing services. However, if your business has interest to create short animations or live production videos, we can assist.white papers
Focused on delivering high quality, technical content that informs your audience is what separates the true thought leaders in the AM marketplace. White paper and technical documentation requires significant research and is presented as non-biased, expert analysis.