# Beyond the Printer: Automation’s Role in the Next Generation of AM

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2026-01-27
- Length: 37m
- Episode: 27
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b664cbc6

## Summary

Oliver Elbert, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Grenzebach, discusses how the company is applying its decades of industrial automation expertise to scale additive manufacturing (AM). He explains that while AM technology has matured, post-processing remains a bottleneck, which Grenzebach addresses through automated guided vehicles (AGVs), job exchangers, and fully automated post-processing lines like the Polyline project. Elbert highlights that automation significantly increases printer availability and reduces labor dependency, making AM viable for high-volume serial production and reshoring efforts in the US and Europe.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=7) Introduction and Grenzebach's History
- [6:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=407) Grenzebach's Entry into Additive Manufacturing
- [14:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=867) The Dual Setup Station and Printer Availability
- [19:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=1166) Automated Post-Processing and the Polyline Project
- [25:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=1521) Challenges of Automating Complex Parts and Support Removal
- [30:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-01-27-beyond-the-printer-automations-role-in-the-next-generation-of-am#t=1854) Reshoring, Labor Dynamics, and Future Humanoids

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Grenzebach (company)
- EOS (company)
- Polyline (product)
- Next Gen AM (product)
- AGV (tool)
- Dual Setup Station (product)
- Aerotech (company)
- Daimler (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Post print: The dirty little secret of additive manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-11-29-post-print-the-dirty-little-secret-of-additive-manufacturing) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [What’s Next in Additive Manufacturing with Jeff Mize, CEO of PostProcess Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-06-22-whats-next-in-additive-manufacturing-with-jeff-mize-ceo-of-postprocess-technolog) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [182: Robotics and Automation in Additive Manufacturing with Liz Stortstrom, 3D Printing Product Manager at HP](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-04-23-182-robotics-and-automation-in-additive-manufacturing-with-liz-stortstrom-3d-pri) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [That SCOOPshow - Season 6, Productronica 2021 - Valentin Storz, Nano Dimension](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-11-11-that-scoopshow-season-6-productronica-2021-valentin-storz-nano-dimension) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [BONUS: Exploring Manufacturing Partnerships Part 2, Live from IMTS 2022 (brought to you by KUKA)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-11-11-bonus-exploring-manufacturing-partnerships-part-2-live-from-imts-2022-brought-to) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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