# From Fashion to Metal AM: Scaling Additive Manufacturing into Production

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2026-03-25
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 29
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/021a5b79

## Summary

Erin Mastroni, founder and president of I3D Manufacturing, explains how she transitioned from fashion trend forecasting to building one of the largest metal additive manufacturing contract manufacturers in the US. She details the company's evolution from a two-machine startup in Oregon to a 54-employee operation with two campuses, highlighting the pivotal role of early customer Blue Origin and the strategic acquisition by BTX Precision. Mastroni discusses the industry's shift from prototyping to production, the impact of private equity, and the emerging role of AI in optimizing powder usage and design.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=9) Introduction: Erin Mastroni and I3D Manufacturing
- [1:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=107) Founding Story: From Fashion to Metal AM
- [4:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=267) Early Funding and the Blue Origin Breakthrough
- [11:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=703) Scaling to Production and the Pandemic Challenge
- [17:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=1054) Acquisition by BTX Precision and Turnkey Expansion
- [22:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=1326) Private Equity's Role in Scaling Additive Manufacturing
- [28:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=1713) Flow-Driven Applications and Supply Chain Use Cases
- [47:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-03-25-from-fashion-to-metal-am-scaling-additive-manufacturing-into-production#t=2832) AI in Additive Manufacturing and Future Trends

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- I3D Manufacturing (company)
- Blue Origin (company)
- EOS (company)
- BTX Precision (company)
- L Squared Partners (company)
- NASA (company)
- Inconel (material)
- Titanium (material)
- Haynes (material)
- Autodesk (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Zane Hengsperger (Founder/CEO, Nox Metals)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-03-25-zane-hengsperger-founder-ceo-nox-metals) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [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)
- [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)
- [S7E32 Steven Szymeczek | From Taking Things Apart to Teaching Engineers How to Build](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-07-31-s7e32-steven-szymeczek-from-taking-things-apart-to-teaching-engineers-how-to-bui) (Being an Engineer)
- [248. Xometry’s Oscar Lovera & How AI Is Rebuilding Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-07-14-248-xometrys-oscar-lovera-how-ai-is-rebuilding-manufacturing) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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