Hardware Podcasts

248. Xometry’s Oscar Lovera & How AI Is Rebuilding Manufacturing

The Next Byte Podcast · 14 Jul 2026 · 59m

AI in practice: 4 real uses of AI described

What this episode covers

Oscar Lovera, COO at Xometry, explains how the AI-powered manufacturing marketplace is digitizing the sourcing of custom parts by integrating design, quoting, and manufacturability feedback into a single workflow. He discusses the shift from traditional, disconnected RFQ processes to instant, scalable matching between engineers and a global network of manufacturers, including CNC, 3D printing, and injection molding partners. Lovera emphasizes that while AI automates repetitive tasks, human expertise remains critical for complex problem-solving, trust-building, and ensuring operational excellence, arguing that strong processes matter more than flashy equipment. He also shares his perspective on supply chain resilience, advocating for global flexibility over local sourcing and highlighting the importance of intentional career choices for future engineers.

AI in practice

Where this conversation describes AI being used to build or deliver a product. Part of the AI in practice tracker.

Engineering & simulationXometry AIquote in literal seconds

The AI processes 3D drawings to instantly determine manufacturability, providing immediate quotes and feedback on design issues like chamfers or corners, allowing engineers to iterate rapidly without waiting weeks for manual review.

“We take complex, 3D drawings, we pull them through AI, we identify whether they're manufacturerable, we provide an instantaneous quote for those who want to manufacture it, uh, with a price and with a leap time, and then we make the match between what you're looking for and what a partner can do.”

Oscar Lovera · Hear it at 5:20

Engineering & simulationXometry AI

Xometry is developing AI to automate the feedback loops currently handled by human DFM engineers, identifying patterns in parts to provide instant, scalable insights on manufacturability issues like problematic corners or material selection.

“we're developing the incense and the information to identify the patterns, leverage AI and being able to automate a bunch of these feedback loops, which allows you to iterate much more rapidly. Because you don't want to wait for, I mean, again, you want, you're designed to go out, and then immediately try to give you feedback…”

Oscar Lovera · Hear it at 12:24

Engineering & simulationSiemens design suite integrated with Xometry Engine

A partnership integrates Siemens' design software with Xometry's engine, allowing engineers to receive real-time cost quotes and manufacturability feedback as they design, enabling immediate iteration and reducing the need for separate quoting steps.

“Because the Siemens design suite, right, that we currently have, if you enable it through zeometry engine for protein as you design, you can get a quote. So you're like, oh, if I do this, how much would it cost? Ooh, okay, let me do that. Oh, how much would it cost?”

Oscar Lovera · Hear it at 41:12

Sourcing & supply chainXometry AI

The AI system matches customer requirements with the optimal manufacturing partner from a global network of thousands, routing the job to the perfect machine based on capability, price, and lead time instantly.

“Instantaneously check it, calculate the cost, routing to the perfect machine out of 1000s of partners that we have, so you can actually get what you're looking for. Uh, so basically we are turning custom manufacturing, from being a chore to being enabled in an instantaneous way…”

Oscar Lovera · Hear it at 5:20

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Xometry, Procter and Gamble, McKinsey, Wayfair, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Siemens

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