Summary
Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan's economy.
A growing number of Michigan manufacturers are beginning to recognize that Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing (AM/3D) is moving beyond the category of emerging curiosity. It is becoming a practical manufacturing tool with real business applications.According to...
If you print parts that live outdoors, ABS filament is probably the wrong call. Most engineers and hobbyists default to ABS because it's familiar. It runs well on most machines and has been around long enough to feel like the safe pick for functional printing. But ABS...
Static electricity can quietly destroy sensitive electronics, which is why ESD-safe 3D printing materials play a critical role in modern manufacturing. Understanding how these materials function helps explain their growing importance across industries...
Michigan manufacturers are increasingly adopting additive manufacturing, but realizing its full value requires disciplined application, process knowledge, and selecting the right use cases.
ABS is the default for functional 3D printing, but it has one fatal flaw outdoors: UV exposure breaks it down. ASA filament was engineered to fix that. It matches ABS on mechanical properties, prints easier in real-world setups, and holds up in sunlight where ABS does not. Here’s the chemistry, the spec comparison, and when each material is the right pick for your application.
ESD-safe 3D printing materials incorporate conductive additives to dissipate static electricity, protecting sensitive electronic components during manufacturing and handling.
