On this week’s episode of the VM podcast, we conversed with Andy Jeffery, a serial entrepreneur with a long-standing historical past within the 3D printing/additive manufacturing business that stretches again to the early nineties. Jeffery’s journey by the 3D printing business presents a novel narrative – encompassing the founding of corporations, exploration of numerous supplies, and an ever-evolving curiosity in sustainability. All the best way to his newest challenge, Marvel Labs.
We now have espresso grounds and seaweed in our portfolio. And Seaweed is definitely an incredible materials. There are hundreds of thousands if not billions of tons of it floating round within the Atlantic Ocean […] and we’re taking that seaweed and simply drying and grinding it up after which placing that in 3D printers and printing components with that. And that’s the most recent enterprise. Marvel Labs. Andy Jeffery, Marvel Labs
Jeffery’s first enterprise into 3D printing was with an organization known as Particular Floor, which was one of many first licensees of the Binder Jet 3D printing course of from MIT. Utilizing this expertise, they developed ceramic filters for industrial gasoline cleansing. This marked the start of Jeffery’s 3D printing profession and spurred him to discovered quite a few corporations thereafter, with every new endeavor drawing on his preliminary experiences.
From founding Viridis3D, an organization initially destined to grow to be a supplies firm that developed right into a machine firm, to his subsequent enterprise, Figulo, Jeffery’s trajectory was marked by each evolution and serendipity. He was fast to pivot Figulo from technical ceramics to client ceramics after an encounter with a pissed off artist at a convention. This flexibility resulted in a rewarding collaboration with Shapeways and fast firm development. In 2013, Figulo was bought to 3D Techniques, and Jeffery spent a couple of years with them earlier than leaving to begin Boston Ceramics.
Nonetheless, Jeffery’s stressed entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t quelled, and his curiosity in wooden led to the institution of Forust, in 2019 (VoxelMatters was the primary AM business media to report on that challenge). Regardless of the worldwide pandemic, Forust caught the eye of Desktop Steel and was acquired by them inside a 12 months. Jeffery’s work with Forust ignited his curiosity in sustainability and round economies.
His present enterprise, Marvel Labs, focuses on sustainable supplies like sawdust, espresso grounds, and seaweed. These supplies supply modern options for 3D printing and encourage circularity within the manufacturing course of.
Be part of us as we delve into this absorbing dialog with Andy Jeffery, a pioneering determine who has reshaped the contours of 3D printing over the previous few many years.
