Exec at 3D printer company says smaller companies will play biggest role in additive manufacturing’s growth

BigRep America President Frank Marangell.

Most people in manufacturing maintain that 3D printing’s growth and acceptance will depend on large companies like GE, Ford, and John Deere committing to the technology. The president of BigRep America, Frank Marangell, is not among them.

He contends that small-to-midsize manufacturers will be the prime drivers of AM’s growth. One reason is that smaller companies can prototype, test, build, and bring a new part online much faster than their larger counterparts. Another reason is that big manufactures are more risk-averse.

As an example, Marangell cited BigRep customer Boyce Technologies, a manufacturer of parts and housings used by the mass-communications industry.

The company’s owner, Charles Boyce, found that by simply changing the material used to 3D-print a prototype, he could print the needed parts and eliminate having to machine hard tooling.

“John Deere and General Motors couldn’t do that,” said Marangell. “The risk to their brand would require them to evaluate something like that for years and years. Charles came into the plant one Saturday, tested it, found that it worked, and said, ‘Let’s go forward.’

“These guys that are small-to-midsize manufacturers make their own decisions. Their brand is their name.”