# Evolving the Orthopedic Frontier: A Deep Dive into the History of Medical AM with Charles Hansford

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2023-09-26
- Length: 35m
- Episode: 3
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d332d0a6

## Summary

Chuck Hansford, Director of Advanced Development at Tecomet, discusses the evolution of metal additive manufacturing (AM) in the medical industry, noting that all top five orthopedic OEMs now use AM for production parts. He explains that while AM is a viable production technology, it remains in a developmental phase where every unique geometry requires specific process qualification, often taking years to gain OEM approval. Hansford highlights critical challenges such as trapped powder particles, the necessity of post-processing, and the importance of designing parts to be additive-conductive rather than simply printing subtractive models.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=4) Introduction: Chuck Hansford and Tecomet's History
- [4:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=294) Current State of Medical AM Adoption
- [9:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=590) Tecomet's Role and Development Lifecycle
- [15:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=922) Post-Processing and Trapped Powder Solutions
- [23:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=1388) Market Statistics and Growth Projections
- [28:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2023-09-26-evolving-the-orthopedic-frontier-a-deep-dive-into-the-history-of-medical-am-with#t=1719) Guidance for Skeptical Engineers and OEMs

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Tecomet (company)
- EOS (company)
- M250 (product)
- M270 (product)
- M280 (product)
- M290 (product)
- M400 (product)
- Johnson Johnson (company)
- Zimmer (company)
- GE (company)
- Concept Laser (company)
- Haas (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Additive Manufacturing on the Shop Floor: Hype, Reality, and Where It Actually Works, Ep #37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-03-27-additive-manufacturing-on-the-shop-floor-hype-reality-and-where-it-actually-work) (Lights Out)
- [Ryan Kircher | Metal Additive Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-11-11-ryan-kircher-metal-additive-manufacturing) (Being an Engineer)
- [Following Your Passion in 3D Printing with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-01-26-following-your-passion-in-3d-printing-with-greg-paulsen) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Regulatory & Quality Perspectives of 3D Printing in the Medical Device Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2022-06-22-regulatory-quality-perspectives-of-3d-printing-in-the-medical-device-industry) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [The Arrival of High-Volume Metal Additive Manufacturing w/ James DeMuth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-04-07-the-arrival-of-high-volume-metal-additive-manufacturing-w-james-demuth) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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