Riley Knox: Smart Factories, 3D Printing, Adv. Manufacturing, and Elon Musk | Hard Tech Podcast #10

Hard Tech Podcast · 13 Aug 2023 · 1h 15m

What this episode covers

Riley Knox, co-founder and CEO of Accelerate 3D, discusses his background in mechanical engineering and the development of smart factories that integrate 3D printing with automation. He contrasts the unproven economics of concrete 3D printing with the efficiency of robotic brick-laying systems like FBR, while arguing that additive manufacturing offers a viable path for small-to-medium batch production by eliminating mold costs. The conversation also covers the strategic importance of reshoring advanced manufacturing to the US, the limitations of hardware accelerators, and the polarizing influence of Elon Musk on public perception of hard tech.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 32m

    The Hard Truths About Reshoring American Manufacturing w/ Eddy Azad

    Eddy Azad, CEO of Parsec Automation, discusses the strategic realities of reshoring manufacturing to the United States, arguing that it is a long-term, complex process rather than a simple cost-saving switch. He explains that reshoring makes the most sense for high-value, high-tech products like semiconductors and medical devices where supply chain resilience and innovation are critical, rather than for commoditized goods. Azad highlights that while automation and AI can mitigate higher US labor costs, they require robust data infrastructure and end-to-end integration to be effective. He also addresses the impact of AI on the workforce, noting a shift from manual execution to human-in-the-loop oversight and prompt engineering.

  • Additive Snack · 50m

    Additive Economics: Reshoring, Risk & Revenue in Additive Manufacturing

    Danny Piper, Managing Partner at New Cap Partners, discusses the financial landscape of additive manufacturing, highlighting the impact of tariffs, reshoring, and defense spending on the industry. He analyzes the struggles of public companies like Stratasys and 3D Systems, the rise of contract manufacturers like Encoda and I3D, and the critical need for long-term capital to support manufacturing innovation. Piper predicts a return of 'smart money' and a potential market hype cycle driven by AI and reduced adoption friction.

  • The Builder Circle · 1h 06m

    S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen

    Greg Paulsen, Director of Applications, Engineering and Marketing at Xometry, discusses the complexities of rapid prototyping and the transition to mass production. He details the pros and cons of various 3D printing technologies, including filament-based FDM, powder bed fusion (SLS, MJF), and resin-based methods (SLA, DLS), explaining how each affects design constraints and scalability. Paulsen highlights common hardware horror stories, such as designing for 3D printing without considering injection molding requirements, leading to prohibitive costs and tooling issues. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication with manufacturers and using AI-driven tools to optimize designs for manufacturability early in the process.

  • Additive Snack · 52m

    Scaling Creativity with Additive Manufacturing with Shawn Zindroski of SNL Creative

    Shawn Zindroski, co-founder and COO of SNL Creative, discusses the evolution of additive manufacturing from rapid prototyping to high-volume production. He details SNL's journey, including early custom products like Carbon Kids and their role in producing the Wilson Airless basketball, highlighting the complex supply chain and post-processing required. Zindroski also outlines industry trends such as automation, robotics, and nanotechnology for security, while emphasizing the importance of responsible scaling and customer collaboration.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 52m

    Ep038: Cyberdecks, Resin 3D-Printing vs FDM, Silicone Injection Molding, the Pickle Fork Fiasco

    Hackaday editors Tom Nardi and Mike Szczys review weekly hacks, including a discussion on the trade-offs between resin and FDM 3D printing, a silicone injection molding machine, and a mechanical keyboard wiring project. They also cover a Raspberry Pi-based Sidekick clone, a 3D-printed thermal insert press, and a hydrogen-line telescope. The episode highlights the complexity of moving from FDM to resin processes, emphasizing the need for batch printing and post-processing care. Additionally, they discuss off-world cement testing on the ISS and a DIY wire-bending robot.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Hard Tech Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.