AMUG 2023 Awards: Celebrating Innovation, Leadership, and Excellence in Additive Manufacturing

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference 2023 recently concluded, marking another resoundingly successful edition of this pivotal gathering for the additive manufacturing community. Known for its unique ethos of “For Users – By Users,” AMUG stands apart from many other 3D printing trade shows and research conferences. Its primary focus is on fostering deep discussion, collaborative learning, and invaluable networking opportunities among industry professionals. The event is celebrated for its comprehensive program, which includes engaging conferences, hands-on training sessions, insightful technical presentations, interactive workshops, and, notably, a prestigious awards ceremony. These awards serve to recognize the pioneering individuals and groundbreaking projects that are continuously shaping the future of additive manufacturing. Following weeks of anticipation, the deserving winners of the AMUG 2023 awards have now been officially announced, spotlighting the remarkable achievements within the sector.

Each year, AMUG bestows several significant awards, underscoring various facets of excellence in the additive manufacturing industry. The Technical Competition is a cornerstone of these accolades, designed to commend exceptional applications of additive manufacturing and advanced finishing techniques. Winners in this category are meticulously chosen by an expert panel composed of seasoned industry veterans, ensuring a high standard of recognition. Beyond the technical triumphs, there is also the highly coveted Members’ Choice Award, which reflects the collective appreciation of the AMUG community itself. Perhaps one of the most distinguished honors is the DINO, or Distinguished INnovator Operator, Award. Gary Rabinovitz, who chairs the DINO Selection Committee and serves as a Director at Large for AMUG, eloquently described the profound significance of this award, stating, “This award recognizes not only experience but also character and passion. Following a lengthy nomination and review process, the committee selected ten deserving individuals from over 1,800 attendees of the AMUG Conference.” This year’s ceremony was particularly special, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the DINO Awards, bringing the total number of recipients to an impressive 187. The final, and arguably most rare, distinction is the President’s Award, which is presented to individuals demonstrating “exemplary vision, leadership, and tireless years of service for the advancement of AMUG.” We delve deeper into the stories and accomplishments of all the remarkable winners from AMUG 2023.

The Prestigious DINO Awards: Honoring Distinguished Innovators

The DINO Awards represent one of the most esteemed recognitions within the additive manufacturing community, designed to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional tenure, dedicated service, significant contributions to the industry, and unwavering active support for the AMUG users group. As highlighted by an official press release from AMUG, these awards are not merely tokens of appreciation but profound acknowledgments of a professional’s lasting impact and commitment. Given the rigorous selection process and the vast pool of talented attendees at the AMUG Conference, being chosen as a DINO is a testament to extraordinary dedication and influence. This year’s cohort of distinguished innovators included: Tim Bell from MELD Manufacturing Corporation, Bogdan Filipkowski from Custom Prototypes Inc., Rob Hassold from Cimquest, Inc., Danny Levy from Influit Energy, Matthew Mitchell from Yazaki North America, Heather Natal from GoEngineer, Roger Nielsen from In’Tech Industries, Dave Rittmeyer from Mathews International, Colton Rooney from EMI Corp., and Alex Roschli from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Each of these individuals has, through their work and passion, pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in additive manufacturing, cementing their status as true leaders and mentors in the field.

The 2023 AMUG Conference held additional significance, as it not only marked the 35th annual gathering of this influential community but also celebrated the momentous 25th anniversary of the DINO Award itself. This quarter-century milestone was commemorated with a truly special occasion: an assembly of DINO recipients from every year, spanning from 1998 to 2023. An impressive 40% of all DINO awardees attended, creating a powerful demonstration of the enduring camaraderie and active engagement within the AMUG community. This unprecedented reunion underscored not just the historical impact of the award as a significant recognition of year-long support for the additive manufacturing community, but also the continued, vibrant participation of many DINOs in AMUG activities and beyond. Their ongoing involvement exemplifies the “For Users – By Users” spirit, as these distinguished individuals continue to share their vast knowledge and experience, inspiring new generations of innovators in additive manufacturing. The DINO Award symbolizes a legacy of excellence, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to advancing additive manufacturing technology and its applications across industries.

Spotlight on the Technical Competition Winners: Pushing Boundaries in AM Applications and Finishing

The AMUG Technical Competition is a highlight for many attendees, showcasing the cutting-edge capabilities and innovative applications emerging from the additive manufacturing world. This year, the awards recognized excellence across two distinct categories: Advanced Concepts and Advanced Finishing. Custom Prototypes and the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) emerged as the triumphant winners in these highly competitive fields. Furthermore, UDRI received an additional accolade, securing the Members’ Choice Award, a testament to the broad appeal and groundbreaking nature of their work within the AMUG community. This dual recognition speaks volumes about the innovative spirit driving these organizations.

In the Advanced Finishing category, Custom Prototypes captivated the judges with their extraordinary project, “Tomlinsonus Dimitrii – The oldest fossil of marine animal ever found.” This ambitious endeavor, spearheaded by Daniel Goncalves and Jung Kyu Im in collaboration with the University of Toronto, aimed to digitally reconstruct and physically replicate an ancient fossil. Utilizing a digital model derived from invaluable paleontological data, the team employed stereolithography (SLA) to bring this prehistoric creature back to life in a tangible form. What set their project apart, as noted by Goncalves and Im themselves, was the meticulous attention to detail in the finishing process. They explained, “By carefully selecting the materials and post-processing systems, we managed to create various soft, hard, transparent, and opaque tissues of the animal.” This exceptional ability to achieve such realistic textures and appearances, alongside the precise control over material properties like transparency and hardness, showcased a truly unique mastery of additive manufacturing and post-processing techniques. Their success in recreating an artifact with such historical and scientific significance, coupled with the unparalleled realism, rightly earned them the top honor in Advanced Finishing.

Concurrently, UDRI earned the Advanced Concepts award for their remarkable 3D printed micro-turbine engine. Submitted by Ben Loerke on behalf of the organization’s engineering team, this project stood out for its novel design and ambitious technical achievements. The engine’s design was particularly noteworthy for its drastic reduction in complexity, featuring only four main components: the rotor, housing, nozzle, and starter-motor mount. This streamlined approach resulted in an astonishing nearly 90% reduction in part count compared to conventional turbine designs, a significant leap in manufacturing efficiency and potential reliability. More than just a reduction in parts, the UDRI team pushed the boundaries of additive manufacturing capabilities, challenging the long-held belief that AM struggled with producing complex features while simultaneously maintaining tight dimensional tolerances and delivering superior surface finishes. According to an AMUG press release, their project successfully demonstrated that AM could meet these stringent requirements. Ultimately, the UDRI team envisions this innovative micro-turbine engine contributing to a growing need within the Department of Defense (DoD) for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable power plants. The judges were profoundly impressed by the sheer innovation, dedicated effort, and substantial achievements embedded in this groundbreaking part, factors that also played a crucial role in its resounding win of the Members’ Choice Award at AMUG 2023.

Mark Wynn Honored with the Esteemed President’s Award

Last, but certainly not least, a truly exceptional individual was recognized at AMUG 2023: Mark Wynn, Senior Technical Specialist for Yazaki North America, Inc., who was presented with the highly coveted President’s Award. This particular accolade is incredibly rare, making it even more distinguished than the DINO Award. To date, only eleven individuals, including Mark Wynn, have ever received this honor, underscoring its profound significance and exclusivity. Mark was bestowed with this prestigious award in recognition of his extraordinary and unwavering volunteerism and dedicated service to AMUG, a commitment that remarkably spans back to the year 2000. Over two decades, Mark has tirelessly contributed to the group in a multitude of critical roles, demonstrating unparalleled dedication. His extensive service record includes pivotal positions such as the AMUGexpo team lead, Deputy Vice President, a valued member of the AMUG Board of Directors, and the respected Expo Committee Chair. Each of these roles demanded significant time, expertise, and leadership, all of which Mark consistently delivered with excellence.

Mark Abshire, the President of AMUG, eloquently articulated the reasons behind Wynn’s selection for this highest honor. He stated, “Mark Wynn’s perseverance, dedication, passion, professionalism, and selflessness were apparent in each of the AMUG roles he filled. And the result of those qualities was excellence in his work.” This commendation highlights not only Mark’s technical prowess but also his exemplary character and profound commitment to the advancement of the entire additive manufacturing community. His relentless efforts and self-sacrificing spirit have played a crucial role in shaping AMUG into the thriving, user-focused organization it is today. The President’s Award is a fitting tribute to a leader whose vision and tireless work have left an indelible mark on the additive manufacturing industry and the AMUG organization specifically. For those eager to delve deeper into the full scope of activities and events from AMUG 2023, additional information can be found on the official AMUG website HERE.

What are your thoughts on the distinguished winners of the awards at AMUG 2023? Did you have the opportunity to attend this impactful event and witness these recognitions firsthand? We invite you to share your insights and comments in the section below, or engage with us on our social media platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements and news in the world of 3D printing; make sure to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, delivering the freshest updates straight to your inbox. Furthermore, you can explore a wide range of insightful videos and content on our dedicated YouTube channel, offering a visual journey into the innovations shaping additive manufacturing.

*All Photo Credits: AMUG