Interviewer: Welcome, Bradley! 3D printing has come a long way, but what’s your take on the impact of AI in the industry today?
Bradley Rothenberg: Thank you for having me. AI is certainly becoming a critical part of the additive manufacturing (AM) landscape. Its ability to automate repetitive tasks, optimize designs, and even predict issues before they occur is transforming the way we approach 3D printing. The immediate value of AI is how it helps speed up similar types of problems by providing engineers with faster, more accurate predictions. At nTop, we’re working on allowing our customers to train custom AI models that can significantly reduce the iteration cycles needed to achieve optimal designs. For example, where you’d usually go through hundreds of design iterations, AI allows you to converge on the right solution in just ten or so cycles.
Interviewer: That’s incredible! Could you explain how AI-powered tools are changing design workflows in the 3D printing industry?
Bradley Rothenberg: Sure. One key area is generative design, where AI models automatically generate design variations based on specific parameters and constraints. In additive manufacturing, we’ve seen this being used to create complex lattice structures, lightweight components, and optimized shapes that would be almost impossible to achieve manually. A great example is how companies like Wärtsilä and Siemens use AI to design lighter and more efficient components for their systems. AI doesn’t just speed up the process; it also finds solutions that human engineers might not have considered.
Interviewer: Let’s talk about data standardization in 3D printing. Why is it such a critical issue, and how does AI play a role in solving it?
Bradley Rothenberg: One of the biggest bottlenecks in additive manufacturing is the smooth transfer of data between different software systems. For 3D printing to scale beyond prototyping into full-scale production, we need standardized ways to handle design data. At nTop, we’ve developed a technology called Implicit Interop, which allows design data to be transferred between different platforms at incredible speeds—up to 500 times faster than traditional methods. This is crucial for streamlining the workflow from design to production. AI helps by automatically identifying and resolving data inconsistencies, ensuring that information flows seamlessly through the entire chain.
Interviewer: Can you give us an example of AI making a real-world impact in 3D printing?
Bradley Rothenberg: Absolutely. One real-world case is with Ocado, the retail and robotics company. They trained an AI model to optimize the design of their 3D-printed grocery fulfillment robots. Using AI-driven tools, they reduced the number of design iterations from hundreds down to just a few dozen, drastically cutting development time. AI’s ability to simulate and test designs before anything is printed in the physical world is really changing how we approach manufacturing.
Interviewer: It sounds like AI is helping to democratize 3D printing, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Bradley Rothenberg: That’s right. AI is reducing the skill barrier for entering 3D printing. Traditionally, a lot of expertise in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software was required to make complex designs. Now, with AI-assisted tools, users don’t need to be highly skilled technicians. For example, I believe we’ll soon see AI models where someone can simply describe what they want—like a complex part for a drone or even a medical implant—and the system will generate a fully functional 3D model ready for printing.
Interviewer: And how about the future? Where do you see AI taking the 3D printing industry in the next few years?
Bradley Rothenberg: I think AI will become fully integrated into every stage of the 3D printing process, from design to simulation and production. Right now, we’re seeing AI applied to specific tasks like print optimization, quality control, and generative design. But as AI continues to develop, it’s going to enable even more advanced applications like autonomous manufacturing, where machines will be able to adapt and change production processes on the fly, in real time, without human intervention. This will unlock entirely new business models for mass customization and on-demand manufacturing. The possibilities are endless.
Interviewer: That’s an exciting vision! Any final thoughts on how businesses should prepare for this AI-driven future in additive manufacturing?
Bradley Rothenberg: The key is to start integrating these AI tools now, even on a small scale. Businesses that leverage AI today will be able to innovate faster, reduce costs, and stay competitive. At nTop, we’re focused on providing the best possible tools to make this transition as seamless as possible. The future of 3D printing is bright, and AI is going to be a significant part of that journey.
Interviewer: Thanks for sharing your insights, Bradley! We’re excited to see where AI and 3D printing go from here.
Bradley Rothenberg: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure!
