Minnesota-based Stratasys recently announced its new Expert Services Group, which was designed to help manufacturers build their additive manufacturing strategy and workflow in order to gain the benefits of 3D printing for improved production processes.
Services include opportunity evaluation, to determine where and how 3D printing can add value; data analysis to find waste, bottlenecks and inventory that could be removed with 3D printing; technology mapping to determine feasibility of 3D printing for production; strategy development to maximize 3D printing profitability through capital investment planning and supply chain development; design optimization, to exploit the design freedoms of 3D printing via subcontract design service; safety and environmental management; and production quality management.