Additive Manufacturing & Metal Sealing

 

In this insightful episode of the Technetics podcast, Timothy Douglass sits down with Jonathan Kweder, the Director of R&D for North America at Technetics, to discuss the pioneering strides and challenges the company faces in integrating additive manufacturing (AM) into the production of metal seals. As the aerospace and new space sectors demand faster iteration and customization, Technetics explores the frontiers of 3D printing technology to reduce lead times and enhance product development. Kweder shares his expert perspective on the journey from initial experimentation with desktop machines to the complex realities of producing metal seals with AM, including the technological hurdles, the importance of material selection, and the potential for innovation in design and production.

The conversation navigates through the technical and commercial landscape of additive manufacturing, highlighting both its current limitations in precision and material consistency and its promising advantages for rapid prototyping and creative freedom in engineering. Despite the challenges, Kweder’s insights reveal a future where AM could revolutionize traditional manufacturing processes, offering improved thermal resistance, design flexibility, and potentially transforming the way metal seals are produced and used in critical applications. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the convergence of traditional industrial practices with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, shedding light on the ongoing evolution within Technetics and the broader implications for the aerospace industry.

Recent Episodes

Surging demand from data centers, AI-driven infrastructure, and electric vehicles is straining power grids already under pressure. States like Texas are seeing especially sharp growth, with grid operators warning of capacity concerns due to accelerating industrial and residential loads. This pressure is prompting urgent conversations about how to build and adapt modern energy infrastructure to…

The utility industry is rapidly embracing digital transformation to enhance grid resilience and operational efficiency. According to Guidehouse Insights, the global market for energy IT, operational technology (OT), and analytics spending is projected to grow from $19.8 billion in 2023 to nearly $37 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%….

As the energy sector wrestles with decarbonization and digital transformation, AI in utilities has emerged as a potential game-changer. But while AI has generated excitement for years, real-world ROI has often remained elusive. That gap between hype and value is beginning to close. According to IBM’s 2024 Enterprise Generative AI report, 64% of CEOs…